Inventory accuracy starts with an understanding
of the conditions under which errors occur and ends with error-resistant
processes, intelligent use of technology, a well-trained and highly
motivated workforce, and an ongoing process of continuous improvement. In
between, there’s cycle counting, root cause analysis, process evaluation,
user interface design, procedures, employee training, accountability,
control methods, process checks, audits, exception reporting, transaction
techniques, measurement, counting methods, bar codes, RF systems,
speech-based technology, light systems, and software.
Inventory Accuracy: People, Processes, & Technology
covers all of these topics and more in a comprehensive treatment of the
subject of inventory accuracy in distribution, fulfillment, and
manufacturing environments. In addition to documenting the standard tools
and techniques used to achieve accuracy, the author provides insights as
to why many of the standard solutions don’t provide the best results and
offers alternative methods. The focus on practical solutions that take
into account the sometimes-conflicting priorities that affect accuracy,
results in an approach that not only looks good on paper, but more
importantly, works in the real world.
What
you'll learn
Sample Pages
Topics
Ordering Information
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- The various factors that contribute to making errors.
- The importance of considering the overall objectives of the
company when evaluating processes.
- How focusing on process changes that make it easier for workers to
be accurate can have a significant positive impact on inventory
accuracy.
- Various techniques for improving the human-machine interface.
- How directed tasks and transaction-by-exception techniques can
increase accuracy.
- The importance of procedures, and what should and should not be
included in them.
- The importance of employee training and how technology can
increase the effectiveness of training.
- The value of process checks and under what circumstances they
should be applied.
- The importance of accountability and methods for communicating and
monitoring performance.
- The benefits of cycle counting.
- The characteristics of a standard cycle count program.
- Why a standard cycle program may not be the best method for your
operation.
- Alternatives to the standard cycle count program.
- How to implement and run a cycle count program.
- How to evaluate cycle count variances.
- The pros and cons of blind counts.
- How counting your inventory sometimes does more harm than good.
- How to conduct a physical inventory.
- A better method for conducting tag counts.
- How to reconcile counts.
- How to avoid the annual physical inventory.
- Various methods for measuring accuracy and how to calculate them.
- Why accuracy measurement is often misleading.
- How to conduct an accuracy audit.
- How exception reporting can help to identify errors and monitor
processes.
- How to prevent "lost" inventory from creating problems with
planning systems.
- How to properly utilize counting scales.
- The benefits of using bar codes.
- The basics of bar code printing technology.
- How a programmable bar code scanner using a keyboard-wedge
interface can provide a low-cost means of incorporating automated data
capture (ADC) into your operation.
- The pros and cons of hand-held portable computers.
- The benefits of wearable systems.
- How speech-based technology (voice-directed, speech recognition)
can increase accuracy.
- How light-directed systems (pick-to-light, put-to-light) can
increase accuracy and where they are best applied.
- What is RFID and how it can be utilized.
- How to control the costs associated with implementing
accuracy-related technologies.
- What a locator system is and why you probably should be using one.
- How a warehouse management system (WMS) can increase accuracy.
- How to best utilize technology to accomplish business objectives.
- Specific tips on receiving, putaway, returns, order picking, and
shipping processes.
- How to deal with negative inventory
balances.
- Problems associated with multi-plant processing and how to avoid
them.
- How to maintain accuracy when outsourcing manufacturing or
distribution operations.
- How to maintain accuracy and cycle count in a 24/7 environment.
- How theft occurs and methods to reduce exposure.
- What WIP (work-in-process) really is and how to maintain accuracy
with it.
- And much more.
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