Informed Cycle Count (barcode)

A previous article showed DVU users how to launch an informed cycle count and update inventory quantities using a paper-based system. This article shows DVU users how to set up and run an informed cycle count with barcode scanners.

It is a four-step process:

1. Create a work order on the DVU platform.

2. Count inventory in the warehouse with RF scanners.

3. Verify quantities on the DVU platform.

4. Make adjustments if required.

Before you start

Make sure the barcode scanning option is enabled for work orders.

1. Open the account for this work order.

2. Click Work Orders on the side menu.

3. Verify the checked box in the General section.

Creating a work order

The first step is to create a work order on the DVU platform.

1. Go to Home > Orders > Work Orders.

2. Click the plus icon.

3. Select Cycle Count.

On the Cycle Count popup window:

1. Choose By Account or By Warehouse.

2. If there are multiple accounts, use the drop-down to select one account.

3. Click Next.

Enter values to narrow the scope of the cycle count (optional). DVU users could, for instance, focus on a range of item codes or a specific location. Click Next.

The next screen summarizes the work order details. Click Create Order to create a record.

Opening the platform record

After the DVU user creates an order, the platform adds a row to the work orders table. To review the table:

1. Select a row and click the Edit icon.

2. On the General page, add or update information (e.g. an order number or change the status).

3. Enable the Double Blind feature. (optional, see below)

4. Click Cycle Count on the side menu to see a list of items in the count.

Double Blind

The Double Blind feature requires floor staff to count the inventory two times (ideally one time each by two different people). To double count the inventory, check the Double Blind box on the General page.

When warehouse staff start a cycle count, the scanner prompts them to choose a group: Group 1 or Group 2. Complete the count as normal.

At the end of the count, the scanner displays a message on the screen to indicate the user has counted all the lines in the work order

Counting inventory

After logging in on the RF scanner, select Work Orders (5).

Select Existing Order (1).

On the next window, choose the option that works best for your environment, In this example, we select By Account (3).

Select one account name.

The screen displays work orders with an In Process status. Select a work order number.

On the next screen, review the current status and select (1) to continue.

The screenshot below shows:

• the account name (World Toys)

• work order number (X-INFORM-01)

• number of counted lines in the work order (0 out of 19)

• quantity counted and total quantity in the work order (all status options including Available and Allocated)

• weight of count

• work order type (i.e. Cycle Count)

Item count loop

Warehouse staff now begin to count inventory. The scanner prompts staff to confirm the first location that appears in the work order table.

Scan the LPN if prompted.

Scan the item code.

Confirm the status of the inventory that the warehouse staff is counting. In this example, we select Available (1).

Enter the quantity.

Select (1) to confirm or (2) to reenter the quantity.

End of the loop

The scanner returns to the location screen. This is the start of the next item count loop. The DVU platform records the first cycle count quantity.

• Scan a new location to count the next item, or

• Select ESC to go back to the previous menu and start a new task or stop the count.

Stop and start

Optionally, warehouse staff can stop the cycle count and return at a later time or date. To return to the cycle count, log in as usual. The Work Order screen displays the number of counted lines in the work order. Select (1) to continue the cycle count and go to the next item.

Bypassing the second count

If the double blind option is enabled, it is possible to skip the second count and copy the numbers from one column into the other column. Although not recommended, some warehouse managers might choose this option if all the numbers from the first count match the figures in the Warehouse (Whse) Qty column.

To copy numbers:

1. Open the Cycle Count page.

2. Click the ellipsis.

3. Select a copy option.

4. Click Save.

Making adjustments

Review the cycle count data on the DVU platform and make adjustments to the inventory if required.

Opening the record

As staff complete the cycle count for each item, DVU automatically adds the quantities to the work orders table. To review or manage the cycle count record, select the table row and click the Edit icon.

Reviewing counts

The table shows each item code and two columns of quantities. Davinci needs two sets of values for each item code, so it auto-fills each cell with the same scanner data (if the double blind option is disabled).

The Difference column compares the warehouse quantity and the cycle count quantity.

• A positive difference means the original inventory number is larger than the cycle count number.

• A negative number means the original inventory number is less than the cycle count number.

Mismatched numbers

If the DVU user enables the Double Blind option, the values in the U1 Qty and U2 Qty columns must be the same before the platform can save an adjustment. If the numbers are different, the DVU user should:

1. Click the Actions button.

2. Click Print > Inventory Group Discrepancy Report.

3. Assign staff to recount the item codes with mismatching numbers.

4. Repeat the count verification steps.

Adjustment methods

There are two ways to adjust actual inventory quantities: manual and bulk.

Manual

Use this option to adjust item inventory on a line-by-line basis.

1. Use the mouse to select a table row.

2. Click the Adjust icon.

3. Click OK in the confirmation popup window.

• After clicking OK, DVU displays a message to show the item and inventory change. Plus, Davinci changes the row color to green.

Bulk

Use this option to adjust all item inventory counts with one click.

1. Click the ellipsis.

2. Select Adjust All.

3. Click OK in the confirmation popup window.

After clicking OK, DVU displays a message to show the items and inventory changes. Plus, Davinci changes the row color to green.

Confirming changes

DVU does not display the adjusted inventory numbers on the Work Orders template. To confirm changes, open the Item Inventory page or the Items by Location page.

Open a page and find the correct item and location. The platform shows the adjusted inventory quantity.

• In the example below, the adjusted inventory for this item in location RACK-2 is 25. The original inventory quantity was 80.