Full counts and partial counts
A full count covers every item in a site at one point in time. It is the usual choice before a year-end close, a change of warehouse manager, a move to a new building or the launch of a new system. Movements are frozen or tightly controlled while counting takes place, so the result is a clean snapshot.
A partial count covers selected zones, product groups or high-value items. It suits situations where a specific area has repeated problems, where a customer or insurer asks for confirmation of particular stock, or where a full shutdown is not possible. We help you decide which approach fits your goal and agree the scope in writing before the team arrives.
How our stocktaking team works on site
Before count day we load your item master into our scanners, divide the site into numbered count zones and agree cut-off rules for the last receipt and the last shipment. On the day, counters work in pairs: one scans and counts, the other checks the unit of measure, batch or expiry where needed, and confirms the location label.
A supervisor watches progress by zone on the scanner data. Any line that differs from the expected quantity beyond the agreed tolerance goes to a separate recount team that did not do the first count. Only after the recount does a figure become final.
- Item master and locations loaded in advance
- Numbered zones with a clear start and end point
- Paired counting with a second person checking
- Blind recounts of lines outside tolerance
- Daily progress summary for your site manager
Goods, materials and finished products
Different stock needs different handling. Raw materials may be stored in bulk, by weight or in partly used packs. Work in progress sits between processes and needs an agreed status. Finished goods are often palletised and stacked high. We agree how each category is counted, which unit of measure is used, and how damaged, quarantined or customer-owned stock is recorded separately so it does not distort the result.
After the count
Within the agreed time we deliver the final quantities by location and SKU, a list of differences against your system balance, and notes on items that could not be identified or were found outside their location. If you also need the differences investigated and an adjustment list prepared, this can be combined with our reconciliation service. Any accounting treatment of the results should be confirmed with your local accountant or auditor.
What you receive
- Agreed counting plan with zones, cut-off rules and team schedule
- Final counted quantities by SKU, location and unit of measure
- Variance list against your ERP, 1C or WMS balance
- Exceptions log: unidentified, damaged and misplaced items
- Summary report in English, in Excel and PDF
Common questions
How long does a physical inventory count take?
It depends on the number of locations, SKUs and how the stock is stored. After a short brief and, where useful, a site visit, we give you a team size and an expected duration.
Do our own staff need to take part?
We ask for a site contact who knows the layout and can answer questions about unusual items. Counting itself is done by our team, which keeps the result independent.
Can you count stock that has no barcode?
Yes. Unlabelled items are counted against a printed or on-screen list, or we label them first as part of our barcode labelling service.