Import / Export Physical Inventory Count

Access

Use this routine to import or export physical inventory count data, for example if you use a third-party application to count your inventory.  The system uses the imported data to populate the physical inventory files as if you entered the data manually using either of the count entry processes or counted the inventory using an RF scanner.  You transfer the count data you want to import to an Excel spreadsheet, then save the file as a tab-delimited .txt file. You can then use this routine to import the file into STORIS.

The export option enables you to create a file on the PC with basic product details for use by a third-party physical inventory count process.

Important:  Before you run the update process, be sure to verify the integrity of the inventory count data uploaded by this routine.

 If the import spreadsheet contains a row with no product number, then when you attempt to upload the spreadsheet, the program displays a warning message but you can continue.

To review count data read in from the PC, use the Physical Inventory Count Review screen and/or the Report Physical Inventory Count Review routine.

AccountThe current account displays.  You can convert data only to the account you are currently running.

Operation

LocationEnter the code of the location for which to import data.  You must specify a location for which a physical inventory currently exists.  If you click on the Arrow, a list of locations appears from which you can choose.

FileSpecify the name of the file to import or export. If you click on the Action button, the Windows browser appears via which you can select a directory and file.  Note that when importing data, you must specify an existing file name.

PathThe directory containing the specified import or export file displays.  

Export Barcode Product Data

This option at the Operation field creates a text file on the PC with basic product details for the purpose of performing a physical inventory count.  This file includes a line for all products except non-inventory products, sorted by Product/Model Number.  Each line include the following details:

• Barcode Cross Reference – 6 digit number

• Product/Model Number – 20 character alphanumeric

• Product Description – 30 character alphanumeric (in current language)

• Special Order Setting – Y/N flag

• Serial Tracking Setting – Y/N flag (that is, "serial-tracked on the way in")

The export process builds a text file with the above data in a double-quote A sales transaction in which a customer receives a documented selling price for specified merchandise in exchange for the customer's contact information. No merchandise is reserved and no deposits are accepted. and comma-delimited format.  

Import Barcode Count

This option at the Operation field reads in inventory count data from the PC, validates the data, and updates the physical inventory files with the count data. The import process reads in a text file with count data in a double-quote and comma-delimited format.

The program reads in the inventory count data from the import file specified in the Import directory.  After reading in count data, the Physical Inventory Count Review displays. The process imports the following data elements:

• Location – 4-digit warehouse/store location code

• Label Number – 12-digit STORIS label number

• Storage Location – 12 characters alphanumeric

• Quantity – 4 digit quantity

The program performs the following validation on the imported count data:

• The location passed in for all lines must be the same as the location defined in the “Import / Exporting Physical Count” process.

• The Label must start with either a 9 or 7.

• The Label length must 12 digits.

• A Barcode cross-reference must exist for the label and must reference a valid product in the system.

• The Quantity must be 1 (except for bulk products).

• The process excludes duplicate labels for non-bulk products and processes only the initial label.

• The Storage location must be valid for the warehouse/location being processed when the location being processed is location-tracked.

Import Product Count

Use this option to import physical inventory counts using products. This process imports product data and populates an existing physical inventory.  

The following is the basic process flow for importing physical inventory count data. Use this routine to perform step 2.

1. Clear/Freeze inventory.

2. Upload count data from the PC.

3. Manually enter any count data not accounted for in upload from PC.

4. Review count data.

5. Run update process.

Format of inventory count data from third-party application:

• import data via a single Excel spreadsheet file.

• save the file as a tab-delimited .txt file.

• each line represents a single count.

• do not enter any column headings into your spreadsheet.

The following lists the data required by this process.  Below that is a table showing required data for the various product type (stock, special-order, serial-tracked, as-is)

Column 1. Product key

• Must be a valid product in the STORIS system.

• Required for all.

• If the product does not exist, the record is set as an error.

Column 2. As-Is Flag

• 1 , 0, or null (that is, True or False)

• Required only for as-is products.  

Column 3. Quantity

• Integer greater than 0.

• Value greater than 1 is acceptable only for stock pieces.  

• Required for all

Column 4. Storage Location

• Must be a valid storage location in the STORIS system.

• Required only for store/warehouse location set as location-tracked.

Column 5. Serial Number

• Required for the following:

Product is flagged as special-order

Product is flagged as serial-tracked and serial number tracking is active in the Inventory Control Settings process.

Product is as-is.