Preparing for Cycle Counts

Guidance on things to consider and prepare for before starting the cycle counting process.  

IN THIS TOPIC

• When to Perform Cycle Counts
• Who Can Work on Cycle Counts
• What to Check Before Starting Counts

To make sure cycle counts are as efficient and accurate as possible, there are a few things to consider and steps you should take to prepare. 

When to Perform Cycle Counts?

Working on fulfillment or inventory-related tasks at the same time as a cycle count will invalidate the count--which means you'll need to cancel it and start over.  

This means that while a cycle count is in progress, all fulfillment operations for impacted SKUs and/or locations should be temporarily paused. The system automatically locks all locations and/or SKUs included in the count, so they cannot be used for inbounds or outbounds.

Note: You'll get an error message in Flexe and on Flexe mobile devices if you try to work at a locked location or start a task (picking, moving items, etc.) that would impact an active cycle count. 

For these reasons, Flexe recommends starting the cycle counting process at either: 

• The end of the shift, when both inbound and outbound activity is complete (Preferred)
• The beginning of the shift, prior to any inbound or outbound processing
• A non-business day when no fulfillment activity will be occurring

Who Can Work on Cycle Counts?

Some parts of the cycle count process are completed on the Flexe web platform, typically by warehouse management or designated personnel with system access. The physical counting process is completed on Flexe mobile devices by active mobile users. 

Note: To learn more about managing system access and user roles in Flexe, go to User Management. 

Here's an overview of who can perform tasks related to cycle counts, and required user roles: 

Creating Cycle Counts	Users with the Operations and Manager role in Flexe can create new cycle counts. To learn more, go to Creating Cycle Counts.
Mobile Cycle Counting	All active Mobile Users can perform cycle counts. It's best to designate specific individuals or teams to work on active counts. These individuals should not work on other tasks until the entire cycle count process is complete.  To learn more, go to Mobile Cycle Counting.
Approving Cycle Counts	Only users with a Manager role can enter and approve inventory adjustments as part of a cycle count. To learn more, go to Reviewing & Approving Cycle Counts.

What to Check Before Starting Counts?

Here's a quick breakdown of things to check or keep in mind before starting the cycle counting process: 

Inbounds	All inbounds should be completed in Flexe, including daily receiving and returns processing (if applicable). Any unprocessed inbounds and returns should be segregated, so they are not included in the count.
Outbounds	All outbound orders for inventory that will be included in the count should be completed in Flexe. Note: For Distribution (Retail) orders, make sure to include units allocated or staged within the count, as long as those orders have not yet been completed.
Mobile Devices	Make sure everyone who will be working on the physical counting process has access to a Flexe mobile device.  For additional information about getting started with Flexe mobile devices, go to Mobile Device Setup.

Once you're ready to begin, you can proceed with creating the count(s) in Flexe. To learn more, go to Creating Cycle Counts, then select the type of count you want to create (Location-based, SKU-based, etc.)