What are the Benefits of Performing your Physical Count on a Mobile Device?

November 14th 2013 18:07:00 PM

Keeping track of your company’s inventory is crucial to maintaining (and improving) your bottom line. If your business requires you to store inventory in a warehouse environment, the amount of inventory you keep on hand is generally tracked in your company’s ERP or accounting system. Your accounting or ERP system can help you track your inventory as it goes in and out of the warehouse, as well as keep an eye on inventory levels for potential stock-outs. In order to provide you with accurate information, however, your system needs to be updated with current inventory counts periodically.

The periodic counting of all the inventory in your warehouse is called the physical count. This process involves you inspecting and counting every inventory item in your warehouse and/or storage rooms. Many businesses dread the physical count process, as it can be time-consuming and costly. Physical counts generally require a significant amount of manpower in order to complete it in a timely fashion and can result in normal warehouse operations being put on hold until the count is complete.

Over the years, we have seen companies all over the country perform physical counts using a variety of methods, tools, and techniques. Barcode scanners have improved the physical counting process, as have mobile computers and handheld devices. New technology has certainly played a role in improving efficiency and accuracy where physical counts are concerned. What was once performed solely by pen and paper is now recorded via a wireless device and transferred automatically into the company’s ERP or accounting system. How’s that for progress?

While we agree that mobile computers and barcode scanners have brought the physical count process a long way, we believe that there is still room to grow. New mobility trends – specifically in the warehouse – have prompted us here at Scanco to explore the benefits of using mobile devices (such as smartphones and tablets) to perform the physical count process.

Take a look at the benefits your company can achieve by using a device you already own to count the inventory in your warehouse:

1. Time-savings
   You can save a significant amount of time by using your mobile device to perform the physical count process. Many companies rely on printed forms and manual entries to record inventory numbers. When you use your smartphone or tablet to perform physical counts, you don’t have to rely on manual processes. All you have to do is scan the item into your phone, and the software will send the information to your accounting or ERP system.
2. Improved accuracy
   Physical counts are known for having errors; that’s why many companies perform several counts a year. Having accurate inventory numbers is important, for it can lead to significant understocks and overstocks. Incorporating mobile devices into your physical count process will eliminate costly errors from occurring during the physical count. Because items are scanned directly into the inventory tracking system, companies do not have to worry about manual errors or miscalculations.
3. Improved speed and efficiency
   Counters will complete the job faster if they are using a mobile device to perform the physical count. Instead of dedicating days to the physical count, companies using mobile devices can complete the physical count process in a matter of hours.

Smartphones and tablets are invaluable tools when it comes to warehouse and inventory management. That’s why we’ve created Scanco Counts, our newest Sage 100 mobile (formerly MAS 90 mobile and MAS 200 mobile) application. With Scanco Counts, you can perform your year-end physical count using any iOS, Android, or Windows device. We offer an unlimited user license for Scanco Counts so you can dedicate more people to the physical count process. The mobile application integrates seamlessly with Sage 100 ERP (formerly MAS 90 / MAS 200) and allows users to scan items directly into their ERP system via the mobile device. Users can also use the Scanco Counts app to quickly lookup inventory items they need to verify or update.

If you are looking for ways to make the physical count process easier and less painful, Scanco Counts is the app for you. It allows you to perform counts using a device you already own and increases your manpower so you can perform the physical count faster than ever. Contact us today to learn more about using mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets for your physical count.

How is your company performing its year end physical count? Does your physical count process rely on printed worksheets and manual data entry? How could using a smartphone or tablet help you improve the physical count process? Let us know in the comments section below this post. We’d love to hear from you!