Your browser is out of date, for the best web viewing experience visit Browse Happy to upgrade your browser today.
At the heart of case stow cycle counting is the ability to match actual physical items in your warehouse with the WMS or other system or record. This process ensures efficient inventory management, which is critical for maintaining operational excellence and customer satisfaction. Case stow cycle counting is integral to the operational success of any warehouse, minimizing errors and maximizing productivity. Vimaan is one of very few solution providers that can provide this level of case counting and below we tell you why.
Case stow counting involves the systematic recording of the number and location of cases stored within a warehouse. Each case, typically a box or container holding multiple units of a product, must be precisely tracked to maintain accurate inventory levels. This practice is not merely about counting; it encompasses the proper placement and organization of cases to optimize space and workflow. Unlike full physical inventory counts, which can be disruptive and time-consuming, cycle counting is a continuous, less intrusive process. It allows warehouses to verify inventory accuracy without halting operations.
The primary goal of case stow cycle counting is to identify and correct discrepancies between the recorded inventory data and the actual stock levels. This method focuses on specific locations or products, making it possible to target high-value or fast-moving items that are critical to the business.
While case stow cycle counting offers numerous benefits, it also presents several challenges that warehouses must overcome to ensure accuracy and efficiency.
1. Resource Allocation: At a time when warehouses are attempting to reduce their dependencies on labor, conducting traditional case stow cycle counts requires dedicated personnel who can perform counts without disrupting daily operations. Balancing the need for accurate counts with the ongoing demands of warehouse activities can be challenging. This dependency on expensive labor is a leading contributor to why warehouses are turning to more cost-effective cycle count automation.
2. Complexity of Inventory Systems: Modern warehouses often manage a vast array of products with varying sizes, weights, and storage requirements. Ensuring accurate counts across such diverse inventory can be complex and time-consuming.
3. Human Error: As mentioned above, traditional case stow cycle counting is labor dependent, making it susceptible to human error. Miscounts, data entry mistakes, and mislabeling can all contribute to discrepancies between recorded and actual inventory levels.
4. High Bay Access and Safety: Warehouses are embracing more vertical storage to maximize the use of their facility footprints, this requires high-bay cycle counting which introduces safety risks and logistical challenges as employees scan goods more than 30 feet off the floor.
5. Technology Integration: Integrating case stow cycle counting processes with existing warehouse management systems (WMS) can be challenging. Warehouses have dedicated significant budgets in their inventory systems and data transfer between systems is essential to support these massive investments. While many solution providers only display collected data in their apps, Vimaan has integrated with all the major WMS in the industry ensuring that your WMS is benefitting from the automated stow cycle counting of StorTRACK. Additionally Vimaan provides ViewDECK for inventory visualization including collected data and inventory images.
Despite these challenges, warehouses can implement several strategies and technologies to improve the accuracy and efficiency of case stow cycle counting.
Q: What types of inventory items are best suited for case stow cycle counting?
A: High-value, high-turnover, or critical items are best suited for cycle counting due to their significant impact on inventory accuracy and operational efficiency.
Q: Whis the difference between perpetual inventory and cycle counting?
A: Perpetual inventory systems continuously track inventory levels in real-time through transactions, while cycle counting involves physically counting subsets of inventory regularly to verify and correct records.
Q: Can automated case stow cycle counting be performed during regular warehouse operations?
A: Yes, if you are using StorTRACK, this system safely works alongside your warehouse workers. Drones and AMRs on the other typically require aisle closures due to obvious safety risks.
Q: How does cycle counting impact inventory shrinkage?
A: Regular cycle counting helps detect and address inventory shrinkage (loss due to theft, damage, or errors) early, reducing its impact on overall inventory accuracy.
Q: How would an automated solution for case stow cycle counting differ from my pallet cycle counting?
A: Dense case cycle counting is a limitation of warehouse drones. Due to their limited FOVs it takes too long for drones to hover in front of a case packed shelf. Their 10-20 minute battery life limits the amount of goods that can be captured in a single charge. On the other hand, the 4-foot FOV of StorTRACK and 8-hour battery life can scan a 300-foot long aisle in about 35 minutes. Best of all it does not matter how many cases are on the shelves, StorTRACK scans 50 items as fast as it scans one.
Case stow cycle counting is a crucial component of effective inventory management in many warehouses. While it presents several challenges, implementing a robust WMS alongside StorTRACK will provide the data analytics required for successful case stow cycle counting. By addressing these challenges head-on and adopting best practices, warehouses can ensure that their inventory records remain accurate, operations run smoothly, and customer satisfaction is maintained. As technology continues to evolve, the future of case stow cycle counting promises even greater efficiency and accuracy, further enhancing the capabilities of modern warehouses. Learn More About StorTRACK Here: StorTRACK Operational Demonstration Video