Warehouses that handle high volumes of inventory require an array of unique procedures. Along these same lines, a warehouse that hasn’t streamlined these processes through automation will often struggle with cycle counting because its operations have become too complex. Manual inventory checks are resource-intensive and inefficient because they can divert your operators away from their normal responsibilities for an indeterminable time.

Manual cycle counting procedural errors often disrupt warehouses in ways most floor managers would rarely suspect. Counting your inventory physically contributes to more inventory documentation errors that can lead to critical stock shortages. Likewise, when your warehouse inventory tracking and tracing capabilities aren’t well automated, expect higher rates of workplace theft and an increase in unplanned system downtime. Warehouses depend on accurate cycle counting to avoid stockouts that can interrupt their operations to the point where they have few other options other than to shut their facility down. Inaccurate inventory counts can halt your lines indefinitely or lead to excess stock that demands more warehouse space.

How businesses take account of their inventory differs from organization to organization. There are a few best cycle counting practices, however, that almost every successful warehouse deploys. We’ll discuss a few of these suggested methods before demonstrating how you can increase cycle counting accuracy and efficiency by automating the process with Agility Essentials WMS from Nirmalya.

You can audit your warehouse goods in any number of ways, but regardless of how you do it, accuracy and efficiency should be your primary objectives. The details of your inventory, specifically how much of it you distribute or use, should always determine your cycle counting intervals. Some warehouses deploy cycle counting procedures daily, while others find they require more infrequent intervals. Only you can determine the best approach for cycle counting.
However, in general terms, most warehouses will close all inventory transactions before starting a cycle counting session. The next step is to organize your items in counting groups before using a specified and pre-established counting process. Ensure that you document each product of each SKU listed and determine which items take priority for counting. Most warehouses focus on counting their valuable items and high-frequency goods first. It’s easier to count stock that doesn’t leave your warehouse much on a quarterly or annual basis. Finally, the most accurate warehouses maintain specifically trained personnel in cycle counting and implement comprehensive auditing processes at every stage to ensure the most accurate documentation.

If your warehouse struggles with cycle counting accuracy, automating this process can drastically improve your results. When you remove this manual procedure with a WMS system, you lower your labor costs while increasing operational efficiency and ensuring adequate stock levels. Agility WMS software lets you implement cycle counting automatically and track your stock levels in real time. You’ll be less reliant on manual control systems, clipboards, or clunky Excel spreadsheets that contain data entry errors or formulas that rarely seem to work.

Agility WMS gives you access to accurate, fast reporting that helps improve and streamline decision-making while RFID technology and barcode scanning let you update your inventory records instantly. When you automate your cycle counting process, you conserve time and reduce the steep costs of managing a dedicated manual counting team once a quarter to only hope you get accurate results. Agility Essentials WMS from Nirmalya helps warehouses like yours track their automated cycle counting processes and streamline their data tracking by providing access to valuable real-time information.

Cycle counting is an essential component of any warehousing business. Automating this process through our Agility WMS can produce a significant ROI for companies still tied to manual processing procedures. Nirmalya helps companies in the industrial warehousing and manufacturing sectors enhance their cycle counting with our automated industrial software solutions. Our Agility WMS Essentials warehouse management solution helps organizations cut time off their cycle counting processes while improving the overall accuracy of the count. For more on how automation can help you cut the high costs associated with physical inventory and manual cycle counting, reach out to one of our expert product consultants now.