The system can override and manage the number of cycle counts that are generated during the day in order to balance the load on the employees doing the cycle counts.
Count instructions will instruct the counter to locations in count priority and stocktake location sequence, based on the RF device’s current location, and its capabilities (high, low or otherwise). The operator nominates the device name (which automatically links to a specific warehouse) and scans the nearest location, and is directed to the highest priority count instruction moving forward through the stocktake sequence. There is an optional facility (user-defined at warehouse level) which requires that once at a location, every item in the location must be counted (with operator skip function), regardless of priority and cycle. Outstanding count instructions will remain in a queue and will be made available in order of priority to the warehouse as they request work via their RF devices.
During a cycle count, if there is a discrepancy between the physical quantity and the theoretical quantity the operator will be forced to perform another count on that location. This will continue to happen until 2 sequential counts are identical. Once the recount is done and the discrepancy confirmed the system will record the discrepancy.
At any time the operator may choose to perform an ad hoc count on any location. If the location was already part of an existing cycle then this count will override any existing or pending count.
Every count is captured for audit purposes, including cycle number, item, location, time stamp, user, system stock on hand quantity and counted quantity.
The Ad-hoc Cycle Count inquiry displays the container number (or ‘License Plate Number’ LPN) of the last pallet put away to the current bin location. In a bulk location, if the system has a stock on hand quantity but the count is zero (i.e. the bin is empty); this will allow a look around the immediate area to see if the missing LPN can be located.
This is subject to a warehouse zone and its actions being correctly configured to handle pallet-based movements. It is possible that movements into and out of pallet-racking locations need not be full pallet movements. Also, in the absence of a physical LPN for a genuine pallet put away, the system will record the user-defined container ID. It is therefore essential that all pallets carry an LPN (either permanent or temporary).
To cater for multiple items in the same bin location, the RF count displays the item code.
Authorised users will be able to write up/down discrepancies entering a reason code for each write up/down.
View the process flow- Using the Work with Category function, define the selection criteria for each type of Count category, Example ABC classification, Discrepancy, etc.
- Select the Allocate option to instruct the system to select unallocated locations for this count category.
- Select the Release option to create a Cycle. This allocation will be released as per count instructions. Multiple categories can be released to the same cycle. Within the selection panel,
- A priority can be set
- Selection of discrepancy stock or immediate (stock adjustment)
- Stock take adjustment code
- The number of allocated stock can be reduced
- A specific device type can be chosen
- Using Work with Count Cycle function, cycle can be put on hold, un-hold, un-release or close.
- Using the RF Cycle Count function, start the stocktake count with the specified devices.
- Enter the device and cycle number
- Scan/confirm the item
- Scan the Carton Quantity
- Scan the number of cartons
- Continue until stock is counted in the given location
- Select the End function
- The system will display “are there more items in the Location” Y or N
- If there are more items, write off/up only counted items from WHLOD
- If there are no more items, write off/up counted items and also write off uncounted items, the system will display “Computer will write off xxxx number of units, Do you want this?.
- If Yes is entered then the system will write off the stock
- If No is entered then generate discrepancies for that given location
- If the counter encounters a discrepancy to what the system says, the counter will be forced to perform another count on that location. This will continue to happen until 2 sequential counts are identical. Only then the inventory can be adjusted.
- Use Work with Cycle function for the following.
- Use options available to recount the stock
- Close the cycle
- Scan the carton quantity
Setup requirement
Control file TMSWH/WHE150 defines the defaults for various fields when creating a count cycle in the cycle counting management.
