Finale’s mobile barcode scanner supports two modes of stock takes—a basic cycle count or a full audit with “write zeros.” This guide provides an overview of both modes, their differences, and how to configure the scanner.
Stock Take Methods
Cycle Count (basic Stock Take)
Definition: Verifies and updates counts only for the items you scan.
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Behavior:
If a product is in a location but not scanned, its existing count remains unchanged.
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Example:
Location A5 contains 2 Black PVC cards and 2 White PVC cards.
If you scan only the Black PVC cards (2 units), the system updates only the Black PVC count in A5.
The White PVC cards remain untouched.
This method is ideal for spot-checks and incremental cycle counts.
Audit (write Zeros Mode)
Definition: Conducts a full audit of a location by assuming unscanned items do not exist.
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Behavior:
If items in a location are not scanned, the system resets their quantity to 0.
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Example:
Location A5 contains both Black and White PVC cards.
If you scan only the Black PVC cards (2 units) in audit mode, Finale sets the White PVC cards to zero, since they were not scanned.
This method is best for complete audits where you want the system to reflect exactly what was found in a location.
Configuring the Scanner
To switch between cycle count and audit mode:
From the scanner Main Menu, go to Settings.
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Scroll until you find the TAK settings (stock take settings).
TAK 17 – Default unit (each/case).
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TAK 18 – Type Quantity = Yes/No.
Yes: Enter quantities manually after scanning once.
No: Each scan counts as one unit.
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TAK 19 – Write Zeros = Yes/No.
No (default): Cycle Count mode.
Yes: Audit mode (resets unscanned items to zero).
Adjust settings as needed and select Done to apply changes.
Practical Tips
Use Cycle Count for quick checks of specific items or bins.
Use Audit (Write Zeros) for full-location verification where you want to reset missing items to zero.
Turn Type Quantity to Yes when counting bulk inventory (e.g., 500 units). This avoids scanning each item individually.
Always sync the scanner before and after a stock take to ensure data accuracy.
Need Help?
For detailed walkthroughs of cycle counts and audits, check out our additional training videos or contact us at Descartes Customer Support.