Wednesday, July 22, 2020
Whether it’s during the pandemic or back in, let’s say, calmer times, the right inventory count could make or break a warehouse. Inventory counts are a major part of any warehouse operation, as they can help keep orders accurate, help you identify potential problems or shortages, and give you a better idea of what your most popular and important items are. While there’s a number of methods for counting inventory and tracking items as needed, one of the most popular, especially in these times of heightened demand for warehousing and ecommerce, is cycle counting.
Cycle Counting DefinedCycle counting is a method of tracking inventory that involves counting a small subset of inventory, in a specific location, at the same designated time. A lot of warehouses in these days of fast shipping and ecommerce rely on cycle counting to help keep track of inventory, as cycle counting tends to be much less disruptive on daily operations. By limiting the counts to a specific area of the warehouse at a specific time, it allows work to still be completed even while the count is going on, and requires less overall effort than a full-scale inventory count. This is doubly advantageous in times such as these, when warehouses are pushed to their limits and orders are at an all-time high due to the realities of the pandemic and its effect on commerce. However, whether due to worker confusion, poor warehouse layout, or other issues, cycle counting can run into a number of obstacles along the way.
Cycle Counting Best PracticesBy implementing a few best practices for your cycle counts, you can better understand potential issues and get out in front of them:
By keeping a close eye on your inventory and overall warehouse organization, you can make your cycle counts more effective than ever before. |