Types of count
Cycle counting is usually the better discipline. Counting a few items each week catches problems
early and avoids the disruption of shutting down for a full count.
Running a count
1
Create the count
Inventory → Counts → New count. Select the location and the type.
2
Choose the items
A full count includes everything at that location automatically. A partial or cycle count needs
you to select the items.
3
Start the count
Bumara takes a snapshot of the current system quantities. From this moment, the count is
measured against that snapshot.
4
Count physically
Go and count. Enter quantities as you go, by typing or by scanning.
5
Complete the count
Every item must have a counted quantity. Variances are calculated.
6
Review the variances
Before posting anything. See below.
7
Post the count
Balances are corrected to what you counted, and variance movements are recorded.
Entering counts
By scanning
Scan an item’s barcode and its counted quantity increases by one. Scan five units, get five. Rapid scans are batched, so scanning quickly gives the right total. The row you scanned is highlighted briefly and the grid scrolls to it, so you can see what registered. Only items with a barcode can be scanned. See Scanning.By typing
Type quantities directly into the grid. Tab or Enter moves to the next row. Entries save automatically as you go, and there is a save button if you want to force it.Reviewing variances
This is the part that matters. Do it before posting.1
Sort by variance size
Largest first, by value rather than by quantity.
2
Recount anything large
Big variances are recount candidates before they are investigation candidates. Miscounts are
more common than theft.
3
Look for pattern
Everything in one category short? Everything in one aisle over? A pattern points at a process
problem rather than an item problem.
4
Check for pending operations
An unposted transfer or a draft adjustment explains a variance without any mystery.
5
Investigate what is left
Genuine unexplained losses need attention beyond the count.
Count statuses
What posting does
1
Variance movements are created
One per item with a non-zero variance. Zero variances produce no movement.
2
Balances are set to the counted quantity
Exactly what you counted becomes the new balance.
3
The count is sealed
It cannot be edited afterwards, only voided.
Practical advice
Count when nothing is moving
Count when nothing is moving
Before opening or after closing. Counting during trading gives you a number that was never true
at any single moment.
One count per location at a time
One count per location at a time
Two counts running at the same location produce conflicting snapshots. Bumara allows it but
warns you — take the warning.
Count in a fixed physical order
Count in a fixed physical order
Shelf by shelf, aisle by aisle. Wandering means missing things and counting others twice.
Two people for a full count
Two people for a full count
One counts, one records. Materially fewer errors than one person doing both.
Post promptly
Post promptly
A count posted a week later has been overtaken by a week of trading, and the variances no
longer mean what they meant on the day.
How often
Voiding a count
An administrator can void a posted count. This reverses the variance movements and returns balances to what they were before. The count stays visible, marked void. Void only when the count itself was wrong — counted at the wrong location, or entered against the wrong items. If the count was right but you subsequently discovered why the variance occurred, that is an adjustment, not a void.Related: Scanning for barcode entry during counts, and
Adjustments.