Physical inventory taking: a tedious chore?

Although it is essential, physical inventory taking may seem like a very tedious task for many people! Many companies also have trouble carrying out this inspection regularly, especially since it usually takes a great deal of staff to carry out this painstaking task. To help your next inventory unfold smoothly and as quickly as possible, we give you some tips and ways to speed it up, but also to perfect it so as to no longer overlook any mistakes.

4 ways to speed up physical inventory taking 

With smart storage methods

Tackle the problem at the source using smart storage systems that allow for real inventory tracking as well as the identification, security, and traceability of the materials stored. To speed up the physical inventory taking that usually takes place once a year, your warehouse must be well organized! To do this, a smart storage system lets you automatically bring the products placed at the back of the shelves to the front or always keep the oldest products at the front. In particular, MSK Canada offers SILO automatic vertical storage systems, which are truly effective at managing your stock with ease!

With automated inventory management software

Use a cloud-based inventory management solution—that is, a data system in the cloud that has real-time sales analysis capabilities. This type of program can be connected directly to your inventory, and the changes are therefore automatically noted each time you make a sale or a product entry. Thanks to the daily inventory alert emails, you also always know which items are running low or depleted, which will let you order from your suppliers on time.

With a person dedicated to inventory control

Hiring a person dedicated to inventory control in the position of a stock controller can help you speed up your annual physical inventory taking, since their role is to ensure proper stock keeping year-round. If you have a large inventory, you might need a person responsible for stock who will process all the order forms, receive the deliveries, and ensure that everything that is received corresponds to what was ordered at all times.

Using a tiny chip during the inventory taking

To speed up the task of physical inventory taking, it might be a good idea in some lines of business to equip the items with a tiny chip that contains a range of digital information about the product. These chips or tags embedded in plastic or a similar material are attached to the product or its packaging. They can also be attached to a pallet, any kind of container, or even a van or a delivery truck, thus making it possible to trace the item.

MSK Canada has been a Quebec leader in industrial development for 30 years. Working in the automotive, industrial and commercial fields and fall protection systems, MSK Canada's team of experts will advise you on the best products to maximize your space, increase your productivity and safety when working on roofs. Visit our website at www.mskcanada.com.