After the NCAS processes the cycle count requests during nightly production, the warehouse manager can print the cycle count sheets from RMDS. One count sheet is printed for every requested access path or item. A count sheet printed by access path lists all of the inventory detail records for each item in the warehouse areas on the access path. In contrast, a count sheet printed by item lists all of the inventory detail records for the item. Each inventory detail record is considered an individual line on the cycle count.

Warehouse personnel use the count sheets to record the physical quantities of the items they count. The counted physical quantity is entered in the blank space next to each inventory detail record listed on the count sheet. The on-hand system quantity, captured during the snapshot, does not appear on the count sheet, so that this figure will not influence the warehouse personnel completing the count.

Only items with inventory detail records appear on the count sheet. Each inventory detail record appears on a separate line on the count sheet. If an item does not have any detail records, the item will not appear on the count sheet. When an item is initially defined, inventory detail records do not exist for the item. A detail record is only created for an item when an item transaction, such as an item receipt, is processed. In other words, inventory detail records don’t exist for an item until a warehouse stocks it.

An inventory detail record with an on-hand balance of zero will appear on the count sheet. A detail record with a zero balance that appears on a pick path or on a cycle count path will not be purged from the system. The NCAS only purges detail records that are inactive. If a detail record is included on a pick path or on a cycle count path, it is active and will not be purged. To remove an item from an access path, you must delete the warehouse and area location of the item from the access path sequences.

Once the count sheets are printed, the warehouse manager must restrict access to the areas on the sheets until the count has been completed. If picking activity or item movement is not restricted in these areas before the physical count is completed, large discrepancies between the system-maintained and physical balances of an item may occur.

The Count Sheets are located in RMDS in the report groups IN260-5. For more information on accessing RMDS reports, refer to Viewing and Printing RMDS Reports Step-by-Step.