Starting Cycle Counts

How to start cycle counts you've created in Flexe, so that mobile device users can access them and begin the physical counting process.

IN THIS TOPIC

• Before you start
• Starting a Single Count
• Reviewing the Status of a Count

Once you've created a cycle count, you'll need to start it. This gives Flexe mobile device users at your warehouse access to the count, so they can complete the physical counting process. 

Note: To learn more about creating cycle counts, go to Creating Cycle Counts.

Before you start

Make sure you've made all necessary preparations for the cycle counting process. Working on fulfillment or inventory tasks at the same time as a cycle count will invalidate the count, and you'll need to start over. 

Here are some things to keep in mind: 

• Plan to perform the count at the end-of-shift, beginning-of-shift or another time when no fulfillment activity is occurring. 
• All inbounds and outbounds for impacted SKUs and/or locations should be temporarily paused.
• The system will automatically lock all locations and/or SKUs included in the count(s), so they cannot be used for fulfillment or inventory-related activities. 

To learn more, go to Preparing for Cycle Counts. 

Starting a Single Cycle Count 

To start a single count, select it from the Cycle Counts page.

This takes you to the count details, where you can manage the count and review all included SKUs and/or locations.

To start the count, select Start. 

In the window that opens, select Start Cycle Count to confirm that you want to start the count. 

Assigning Mobile Users to a Count

You also have the option to assign a single count to a specific mobile user. You can use the Select a user dropdown to choose that user from a list of active users at your warehouse.

Note: Only one mobile user can be actively working on a single count at any given time. If another user tries to access the same count, the device shows an error message ("No work to be done on the cycle count.") 

Then, select Start Cycle Count to start the account and assign it to that user. 

Once started, the status of a count changes to In Progress. You can review the status in the Details panel on the right. If you assigned the count to a specific user, that user will be listed under Active Worker.

You can also review active counts from the main Cycle Count page. To learn more, go to Reviewing the Status of a Count.

Reviewing the Status of a Count

After you've started a count, the status changes to In Progress. You can review the current status and other key details for all counts from the main Cycle Counts page.

Here's a quick overview of what you can find on this page:

ID	The unique ID assigned to the cycle count when it's created. Select the ID link to open the cycle count details page, where you can review, edit and approve the count.
Reference	The reference ID entered for the count when it was created. Reference IDs can help you keep track of counts throughout the entire process. Note: For SKU-based counts, the date the count was created is automatically entered as the Reference ID.
Reservation	The reservation associated with the Item Master.
Status	The current status of the count: Requested - A request for a cycle count has been submitted by the shipper, and needs to be confirmed by the warehouse Pending - The count has been created or confirmed by the warehouse, but not yet started In Progress - The count has been started, and the physical counting process is currently in progress Under Review - Counting is complete and count results have been submitted for review by a warehouse manager Complete - The count has been reviewed and approved in the Flexe system and is now complete Cancelled - The count has been cancelled
SKUs & Locations	The number of SKUs and/or locations included in the count.
Created By & Created	The Created By column shows which Flexe user created the count. The Created column shows the time and date the count was created.
Counted By & Counted	The Counted By column shows the mobile user currently working on the count. The Counted column shows when the count was started.
Approved By & Approved	The Approved By column shows which Flexe user approved the count. The Approved column shows the time and date the count was approved.

 

Filter Counts by Status

You can add the Status filter from the Cycle Counts page to view counts by status.

Select New Filter at the top of the page, and choose Status from the first dropdown. Then select the type of status you want to review in the second dropdown (e.g Pending, In Progress, Under Review, Completed).

Select the "check" icon to save the filter. The page will then update to show all counts in the selected status.

Starting the Counting Process

Once started in the Flexe web platform, counts can be accessed on Flexe mobile devices via the Cycle Count feature.

Mobile users can then proceed with the physical counting process by scanning items and/or locations directly on their devices. To learn more, go to Mobile Cycle Counting.