Cycle Counting
Cycle counting is a way to update the quantity of each NDC stored in a given location as well as the item’s expiration date. Unlike Inventory Adjustments, cycle counting can occur when there is a task to pick from that location.
Note: If you start a cycle count, you must complete it. Exiting or stopping a cycle count will prevent any pick tasks from that location until the cycle count has been completed.
Cycle counts may be initiated by a manager/ lead and you may come across one in your task queue. If you come across a Cycle Count in your Task Queue, skip the first step.
- From the Home menu, click Inventory Management ➝ Demand Cycle Count.
- Scan or type the location you would like to count in the Location field, then click Continue.
3. Start the cycle counting by scanning the first item in the location.
Once you scan the first item, the Item # and the Packaged Code should display. If it does not, press tab on your keyboard. If nothing happens and the Item field is highlighted pink, that means Elite does not have that barcode on file. Follow your site’s procedures for handling barcodes that do not scan. If there are other barcodes on that item, you may try scanning them. (If you are unable to proceed, leave the cycle count by clicking Cancel on the bottom-right.)
If the barcode is recognized successfully, the Item # and the Package Code should display.
Click Continue.
Elite allows you to enter the quantity of that specific NDC using many different units of measure.
Note: Only give the quantity for that specific NDC. If there are other NDCs, you will be asked to count them later.
For this example, we have 42 vials of ibuprofen. I can either input:
- 42 vials or
- 17 vials & 1 Box of 25
Below the quantity fields is also a field to update the expiration date. Press Continue to proceed.
The next screen you see is a confirmation screen to make sure you entered the correct quantity. If the amount you entered is the same number that Elite thinks is in stock, all the fields will be “grayed out”. If the numbers differ in anyway, retype the numbers into the fields to confirm the new count.
Click Continue if the screen is “grayed out” or after you have re-typed the quantity.
This will bring you back to the first screen you started with so you may scan the next item in that location. Remember, Elite track items by NDC so even if everything in that location is the same drug, you must count each NDC. If there are no other items in that location, click Finish on the bottom-right.
If there are other NDCs in that location that have not been counted, you will see a warning screen that reads:
WARNING: There is uncounted inventory in this location. Click “View Tags” to see what these items are. If these items are present, click “Finish Cycle Count”. If these items do not exist, click “Remove Other Inventory”. Do you want to continue?
If you see this warning message, the first thing to do is click View Tags, to see all the NDCs that Elite thinks is in the location but haven’t been counted. Look to see if these items are indeed in that location, then press Continue to return to the previous warning screen.
If there are indeed items that were uncounted, click Return to Cycle Counting Inventory to count them.
If the items do not exist click PROCEED with CAUTION: Remove Other Inventory. Be very careful with this action. Before clicking, check all areas around the location to make sure the drug did not fall under or into another location.
After selecting one of the options, you have successfully completed the cycle count.