Blind Count Overview

The Blind Count module lets you count inventory in bins without seeing the expected quantity first. You enter or scan a bin, count the items physically present, and then verify your count against the system quantity. If there’s a discrepancy, you can update the inventory with a recount request that includes a reason and count type.

This feature helps maintain accurate inventory records by allowing warehouse staff to perform unbiased counts without being influenced by the expected quantity shown in the system.

Why Use Blind Count?

Unbiased counting

Count items without seeing expected quantities first, ensuring accurate and honest inventory counts.

Discrepancy detection

Automatically detect differences between physical count and system quantity, then update inventory accordingly.

UOM support

Support for products with Unit of Measure (UOM), allowing you to count in different measurement units.

Location-based bins

Search for bins by location when multiple bins exist at the same location.

Reason tracking

Record reasons and count types when updating inventory, providing audit trail for discrepancies.

How to Perform a Blind Count

1. Open Blind Count

   From the main menu, select Blind Count. The screen shows a text field for entering a bin code.

2. Enter or scan bin

   Type the bin code manually or scan it using:

   • Camera scanner: Tap the scanner icon next to the field to use the camera
   • Keyboard: Type the bin code manually

3. View bin details

   After entering the bin, a dialog opens showing all bin information:

   • Description
   • Bin code
   • SKU
   • Product ID
   • UPC
   • Location
   • LPN (if available)
   • UOM options (if product uses Unit of Measure)

4. Count the items

   Physically count the items in the bin. You can adjust the count using:

   • + button: Increase the count by 1
   • - button: Decrease the count by 1
   • Scanner: Scan product SKU, UPC, Product ID, or bin code to increment count
   • Direct entry: Type the quantity directly in the count field

5. Verify quantity

   Tap OK to verify your count against the system quantity. The app compares your count with the expected quantity.

6. Handle the result

   • If counts match: The dialog closes and you can count another bin
   • If counts don’t match: An alert appears with options:
     • Retry: Go back and recount
     • Cancel: Close without updating
     • Update: Update inventory with your count (requires reason and type)

7. Update inventory (if needed)

   If you choose Update, select:

   • Count Type: Type of count being performed
   • Reason: Reason for the discrepancy

   Then confirm to submit the recount request.

Bin Details Dialog

When you enter a bin, a dialog opens showing:

Product Information

• Description: Product description
• Bin: Bin code (shows “(UOM)” if product uses Unit of Measure)
• SKU: Product SKU code
• Product ID: Product identifier
• UPC: Universal Product Code

Location Information

• Location: Physical location (shown if available)
• LPN: License Plate Number (shown if available)

Count Controls

• Count field: Large number display showing your current count
• + button: Increase count by 1
• - button: Decrease count by 1 (cannot go below 0)
• Scanner icon: Scan products to increment count automatically

Action Buttons

• OK: Verify your count against system quantity
• Cancel: Close dialog without saving

Quantity Verification

When you tap OK to verify:

Matching Quantities

If your count matches the system quantity:

• Dialog closes automatically
• You can proceed to count another bin
• No inventory update is needed

Mismatched Quantities

If your count doesn’t match the system quantity:

• An alert dialog appears
• Shows message: “Quantity entered does not match bin quantity”
• Provides three options:
  • Retry: Return to counting dialog to recount
  • Cancel: Close without updating inventory
  • Update: Proceed with inventory update

Unit of Measure (UOM) Support

Some products support multiple Units of Measure:

UOM Features

• UOM Spinner: Dropdown showing available UOM options
• Format: Shows “UOM Name - UF: Factor” (e.g., “Case - UF: 12”)
• Factor: Conversion factor between UOM and base unit
• Quantity calculation: Count is multiplied by UOM factor when verifying

Using UOM

1. If product supports UOM, the spinner appears in the details dialog
2. Select desired UOM from the dropdown
3. Count items in the selected UOM
4. System automatically converts to base units for verification
5. If UOM is changed, count resets to 0

UOM Restrictions

• UOM spinner is disabled if bin has quantities in processing
• Changing UOM resets the count to 0
• Quantity verification accounts for UOM factor automatically

Location-Based Bin Selection

If you enter a location code (format: XXX-XXX-XXX), the app shows all bins at that location:

Selecting from Location

1. Enter location code (or scan it)
2. Dialog opens showing all bins at that location
3. Search by bin, description, product ID, or SKU
4. Tap a bin from the list to select it
5. Bin details dialog opens for the selected bin

💡 Best Practices

Count carefully

Take your time to count accurately. Use the scanner to count products automatically when possible to reduce errors.

Use scanner for counting

Scan product codes (SKU, UPC, Product ID) to increment count automatically. This is faster and more accurate than manual counting.

Select correct UOM

If the product uses UOM, make sure you select the correct unit of measure before counting. Changing UOM resets your count.

Check processing status

If a bin has quantities in processing, you cannot update it. Wait until processing is complete or contact your supervisor.

Troubleshooting

Bin Not Found

Problem: After entering a bin, you see “Error, try again please” or “No connection to internet”.

Solutions:

• Verify you entered the correct bin code
• Check your internet connection
• Try scanning the bin code instead of typing
• If using location format, make sure the location code is correct

Scanner Not Incrementing Count

Problem: Scanning products doesn’t increase the count.

Solutions:

• Verify you’re scanning codes that match the current bin’s product (SKU, UPC, Product ID, or Bin)
• Make sure the bin details dialog is open
• Try scanning a different product identifier

Update Button Not Available

Problem: The Update option doesn’t appear or is disabled.

Solutions:

• Verify you have recount permissions
• Check that the bin doesn’t have quantities in processing
• Ensure the product is not serialized (serialized products cannot be updated)
• Contact your supervisor if permissions are needed

UOM Spinner Disabled

Problem: The UOM dropdown is grayed out and you can’t select a different UOM.

Solution: This is normal. The UOM spinner is disabled when the bin has quantities currently in processing. Wait until processing completes or contact your supervisor.

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Next Steps

• Cycle Count Overview - Related counting feature