Scanner Implementation Prerequisites
If you are considering, or ready to, expand your use of Finale Inventory to the Barcode Scanner App, this series of resources is just for you. There are three main criteria that you'll need to meet in order to effectively use this module:
Warehouse mapping and sublocation setup
Labeling of products and sublocations
Initial stock count at each sublocation
No need to fret if you don't have an "official" warehouse map already made up. We suggest creating something simple for reference (it doesn’t have to be fancy), so that you can have a general idea of how your racking is laid out and how you want your staff to move through the warehouse.
For example, some businesses will have their order pickers retrieve product from the left side of their aisles before moving onto the right side, whereas others may not mind if they zig-zag between shelves. Both scenarios affect how you configure your sublocations in Finale.
Warehouse Mapping and Sublocation Naming
Most users opt to use Finale's Barcode Scanner workflows to improve operational efficiency when it comes to directing pickers through the warehouse and minimizing order mistakes during pick-and-pack.
The directed-picking method moves warehouse staff from sublocation to sublocation to retrieve products in the alphanumeric order of the sublocation names.
Even if you don’t use directed-picking, sublocation setup is still essential for granular inventory tracking and visibility. With the Barcode Scanner App, you’ll always know exactly where products are located in your warehouse.
When naming sublocations, it’s best to use all CAPITAL letters and keep names as short as possible. You can choose numbers, letters, or a combination of both.
The best place to start is by mapping out your warehouse and deciding how you want your team to move through racking and aisles.
Example
In the racking setup below, warehouse staff are guided through the aisles in a U-shape, and will be directed to pick product from B-01, then B-02, then B-03 in a zig-zag pattern.
Deciding which flow is most optimal for your operation will set the groundwork for how you name sublocations in Finale Inventory.
Additional Resources
Refer to these articles for more detail on location hierarchy and facility setup:
Facility Setup General Overview
Note: If you are an existing Finale Inventory user implementing the scanner, you can proceed with creating your sublocations while leaving all existing inventory at your main facility. Adding inventory to each new sublocation will be the last step of your scanner implementation.
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Entering Barcode Numbers into Finale Inventory
Printing Labels for Products and Sublocations