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Discussion » Statements » Rosie's Corner » Taking inventory is much easier when it is computerized. It still has to be verified by hand. Ever take inventory?
RosieG

Taking inventory is much easier when it is computerized. It still has to be verified by hand. Ever take inventory?

When you have a computerized readout of WHAT SHOULD BE THERE it gives you something with which to reconcile the actual count. When the computer says you should have more than the physical count shows  it is called "SHRINKAGE". Or as is sometimes true the value of what people stole from you.

In the olden days before computers. there were TWO COUNTS. The first one would be the benchmark that the second count should match. If it didn't that would require a 3rd count. Oy vey! So computers have  materially affected for the better the taking of inventory. What else has the computer materially affected for the better in your opinion? What has it irreparably damaged?

Posted - February 8, 2019
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Responses


  • 6023
    I remember doing inventory for Macy's ... back in the early 1980's.
    They would hire a bunch of temps for a night ... basically, anybody that showed up.
    You were given a clipboard with a list of inventory items, and told to count them and turn the clipboard/count in when you were done.
    If all your items were in the same area, it wasn't so bad.  But it was a PITA if you had to wander all over the store finding small items that weren't together.

    Then I worked retail in the late 1990's.  Even though everything was on computers, sometimes the boss wouldn't get the inventory input before it was on the shelf ... or sold.  So that was a pain, going through the sales receipts and seeing if the "missing" item had been sold or stolen.

    Neither of those experiences were as bad as the chaos of inventory of "capital equipment" at a hospital, where you have to go around and count machines.  Departments have a tendency to just get rid of machines without telling Central Supply ... or put the machines in storage, and then nobody remembers where it's at.
      February 8, 2019 8:02 AM MST
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  • 113301
    I see I touched base with an experienced inventory-taking VET! I used to travel to Tulsa..to McDonnell Douglas who was a subcontractor of ours..twice a year .One of those yearly trips was to take inventory. I'd print an inventory readout in Los Angeles making multiple copies and take them with me to Tulsa.  Had a staff of employees there who joined me yearly to do it. It's easier when you work with experienced people. We did the hand-count verification of what the computer printout showed. Thank you for your helpful and informative reply Walt. When I go to Walmart(we have a SUPER one in Hemet) I always think about how enormous the job is. So many departments. So many items. When I see inventory tags on shelves during their inventory-taking days it takes me way back to when we used to do it! I can't even imagine doing it only by hand without computerized ins and outs of what was received and what was sold.
      February 8, 2019 10:38 AM MST
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  • When I worked for Joe Weider Products many years ago, about 1986, we had to come in early for a few weeks  to count by hand ...I don't even remember what we were counting now. I remember piles and piles of paper we counted, but not sure if they were invoices or orders or what they were.   I recall that after awhile we were so fatigued we started estimating the numbers.  Maybe that's why that particular location is no longer there lol 
      February 8, 2019 8:08 AM MST
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  • 113301
    I remember Joe Weider I think. Exercise equipment right lavender? You ESTIMATED numbers! Oy vey! But it was a very arduous ordeal to which no one looked forward. A groan and moan time that came by every year like clockwork! Thank you for your reply lavender and Happy Friday! :)
      February 8, 2019 10:40 AM MST
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  • Yes, he was the exercise dude from Woodland Hills I believe. I think he's since passed on, but he was a big deal back then.    HAPPY FRIDAY, Miss Rosie. I hope that you enjoy your weekend!
      February 8, 2019 11:03 AM MST
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  • i count inventory every day at work. i count it by hand and then enter the counts in the computer. it's compares our physical inventory to what's on the books and shows me the variances 
      February 8, 2019 8:16 AM MST
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  • 113301
    If you do a DAILY inventory count by hand elon you can't possibly have that many products. I won't be nosy and ask what you count but I wouldn't mind at all if you voluntarily told me! Thank you for your reply and Happy Friday!  :)
      February 8, 2019 10:42 AM MST
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