How to utilize barcodes and scanning for stock-take (consumables)

Utilize barcodes scanning

When you need to keep track of consumable inventory items, you can use Reftab to scan barcodes and qr-codes to manage stock quantities. In this guide, we’ll look at how to scan a barcode to adjust your current stock quantities easily and quickly.

A consumable is a type of accessory in Reftab. The difference between accessories and consumables however, are that consumables are used to track items that are never returned to stock. Accessories are loaned and then returned back into stock.

For example, clothing, food, disposable testing equipment, pens, etc. These are items you need to track a running quantity of, but not items that are returned. In other words, at any given time you simply need to know how much you have of it, and where.

To start, create a consumable in Reftab. Click “Accessories” > “Add Accessory” and click “Consumable

Add accessory click consumable

Next, provide a Title, quantity and set a barcode ID. In Reftab, the barcode ID’s are used to generate the QR and barcodes:

Quantity set barcode id

Add any other additional information and click “Save consumable

Your consumable is now saved, click “Go Back

Save consumable

Next, we’ll create a custom transaction that will perform a ‘stock take’. Click “Custom Transactions

Custom transactions

Next, click “Add Transaction“, supply a name such as “Set stock” and set the type as “Set” and click “Save Transaction“.

Add transaction

Next, click “Print Barcodes

Print barcodes

On the next page, you can customize a QR-code or print a barcode. Then, select how many barcodes you want to print and click “Print Tags

Qr core print tags

Next, a PDF will download which you can print to an Avery template.

Pdf avery template

NOTE: You do not need to use Reftab to print labels, you can order barcodes from anywhere or print them from other software. As long as the barcodes (Or QR-Codes) match to the Barcode ID within Reftab, the Reftab app will be able to scan the codes.

Next, you can peel and stick this barcode to a box, bin or shelf where these consumable items are stored:

Place barcodes bins

Barcodes on boxes, bins and shelving can be scanned with the Reftab mobile app.

After scanning the barcode, with the Reftab mobile app, you will see your consumable item. If you want to adjust quantity, click “Add Transaction

Add transaction reftab

Choose “Set Stock” and supply a new stock count and click “Submit Transaction

Submit transaction set stock

That’s it! You can now move on to other tasks. Reftab now logged the new stock count for your items:

Mobile app vests stock take

Keep in mind, every type of transaction is logged within Reftab. You can track who did the stock take, when and the quantity adjustments:

Transaction history logged

Also it’s important to remember, you can perform other types of transactions that don’t just set a current quantity. You can perform transactions such as “sold”, “purchased”, “lost” etc… all these transactions will also be recorded.

Reach out to help@reftab.com for any questions.

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