Stocktake

The technology is based on the Blue Echidna Picking System, with an Android device (for example, a Samsung Galaxy mobile phone) used as the handset, linked via Bluetooth to a Socket© handheld scanner.

The system improves speed and accuracy for performing stocktakes within the warehouse. Stock adjustments can be easily done, so that the stock levels in the MYOB EXO system accurately match warehouse stock levels. The system also improves the speed of placing orders for new stock.

Overview

Currently stocktakes are performed as a manual process. These can be either rolling stock takes or system initiated stock takes. The primary purpose of the stocktake is to:

• Verify the stock levels in the core ERP system (In this case MYOB EXO)
• Determine which items needs to be reordered from the supplier.

The following rolling stock take process is normally completed:

• Particular supplier will be selected
• Manual check will be performed for some or all of their stock
• Decision taken on re-ordering if required
• The items that require reordering are usually written down by hand, and then manually entered into MYOB EXO as a new purchase order against the supplier

The following system initiated stock take process is normally completed:

• Stock Take initiated in MYOB EXO
• Manual count forms printed
• Results either captured into EXO manually or imported from a spreadsheet
• Variance reports printed
• Stock take finalised and adjustments uploaded

Both processes are time consuming tasks, and potentially error prone due to the amount of human interaction required.

Stocktake – the Blue Echidna system

The Blue Echidna Stocktake system aims to improve the working practices by making the stocktake and reordering process:

• Simpler
• Faster
• More accurate

The Blue Echidna system provides 1 stock taking module, however 2 very distinct processes on how to complete a stocktake as follows:

• EXO System Initiated Stocktake
• Rolling Stock Take

EXO System Initiated Stocktake

The EXO system initiated Stocktake combines the feature rich stock taking capabilities from MYOB EXO with mobility though the Blue Echidna system.

The new working process is as follows:

1. The warehouse will initiate the stock take within EXO using the standard stock taking module within the EXO Finance module.
2. The handset will then list the system initiated stock list for the particular location that has been set in your system preferences.
3. All stock items that have been selected as part of the system initiated stock take will be listed. The list will detail the product and the current stock level.
4. The user can then select a stock item by either scrolling the list and selecting it manually, or else by scanning the barcode of the product.
5. The user has the option to adjust the stock levels.
6. Upon completion the user can see a summary of all stock adjustments, and also of all items to be ordered. Upon confirmation, the details will be updated in MYOB EXO.
7. Stock levels will be adjusted.

Rolling Stocktake

The new working process is as follows:

1. The warehouse staff will select a supplier. This can be done by either searching for suppliers using text entry, or by scanning a barcode for any product for that supplier. Either way, the user will confirm the selected supplier.
2. The handset will then list all stock items supplied by that supplier, listed in bin order. The list will detail the product and the current stock level.
3. The user can then select a stock item by either scrolling the list and selecting it manually, or else by scanning the barcode of the product.
4. The user has the option to adjust the stock levels.
5. Upon completion the user can see a summary of all stock adjustments, and also of all items to be ordered. Upon confirmation, the details will be updated in MYOB EXO.
6. Stock levels will be adjusted.

The following process is in development – Rolling Stocktakes:

• Detailed view for the product to show information for the last 6 months re-ordering levels, the current stock level, the median stock level and the recommended restock quantity.
• User option to adjust the stock levels. The stock level can be adjusted up or down. Due to the way MYOB EXO works (described in detail later) the system splits stock adjustments into two lists: The user has the option to reorder the stock item, either using the pre-calculated reorder quantity or by entering a quantity manually. The item will be added to a purchase order held on the handset.

1. Those for items where stock levels are being increased
2. Those where stock level is being decreased.

• The user has the option to reorder the stock item, either using the pre-calculated reorder quantity or by entering a quantity manually. The item will be added to a purchase order held on the handset.
• Upon completion the user can see a summary of all stock adjustments, and also of all items to be ordered. Upon confirmation, the details will be updated in MYOB EXO.  Stock levels will be adjusted, and a new purchase order will be generated. As confirmation, the purchase order number will be returned to the handheld device.

Major features

• The system will improve accuracy of stocktaking by introducing scanning.
• It will speed up the process of generating reorder purchase orders by creating them automatically at the end of the stocktake session.
• It will provide the user with a reliable list of all stock items for a supplier, and allow for stock adjustments to be applied.
• The user does not need to write anything down, and does not have a separate job to manually enter all of the stocktake information into MYOB EXO at the end of the process.

How much does it cost?

Contact us for pricing. The configuration will depend on your exact requirements. The pricing is highly competitive compared to other solutions available.