{"id":15180,"date":"2017-07-13T09:34:06","date_gmt":"2017-07-13T09:34:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/peoplevoxprod.wpengine.com\/warehouse-processes\/how-to-improve-your-goods-receipt-process\/"},"modified":"2026-02-03T07:44:57","modified_gmt":"2026-02-03T07:44:57","slug":"how-to-improve-your-goods-receipt-process","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.peoplevox.com\/en-us\/blog\/how-to-improve-your-goods-receipt-process\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Improve Your Goods Receipt Process"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[et_pb_section fb_built=\u201d1\u2033 admin_label=\u201dsection\u201d _builder_version=\u201d4.16\u2033 global_colors_info=\u201d{}\u201d theme_builder_area=\u201dpost_content\u201d][et_pb_row admin_label=\u201drow\u201d _builder_version=\u201d4.16\u2033 background_size=\u201dinitial\u201d background_position=\u201dtop_left\u201d background_repeat=\u201drepeat\u201d global_colors_info=\u201d{}\u201d theme_builder_area=\u201dpost_content\u201d][et_pb_column type=\u201d4_4\u2033 _builder_version=\u201d4.16\u2033 custom_padding=\u201d|||\u201d global_colors_info=\u201d{}\u201d custom_padding__hover=\u201d|||\u201d theme_builder_area=\u201dpost_content\u201d][et_pb_heading title=\u201dKey takeaways\u201d _builder_version=\u201d4.27.5\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d theme_builder_area=\u201dpost_content\u201d title_level=\u201dh2\u2033 hover_enabled=\u201d0\u2033 sticky_enabled=\u201d0\u2033][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=\u201d4.27.5\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d theme_builder_area=\u201dpost_content\u201d hover_enabled=\u201d0\u2033 sticky_enabled=\u201d0\u2033]<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-start=\"19\" data-end=\"145\">\n<p data-start=\"21\" data-end=\"145\">A structured goods receipt process reduces reconciliation work and prevents inventory discrepancies later in the workflow.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"146\" data-end=\"269\">\n<p data-start=\"148\" data-end=\"269\">Planning deliveries in advance helps warehouse teams stay in control and lowers the risk of errors during busy periods.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"270\" data-end=\"389\">\n<p data-start=\"272\" data-end=\"389\">Using barcode scanning and weight checks at Goods In improves accuracy and provides evidence for supplier disputes.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"390\" data-end=\"512\">\n<p data-start=\"392\" data-end=\"512\">Automating Goods In with a warehouse management system saves labour time and supports growth without adding headcount.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider _builder_version=\u201d4.27.5\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d theme_builder_area=\u201dpost_content\u201d hover_enabled=\u201d0\u2033 sticky_enabled=\u201d0\u2033][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text _builder_version=\u201d4.27.5\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d theme_builder_area=\u201dpost_content\u201d hover_enabled=\u201d0\u2033 sticky_enabled=\u201d0\u2033]<\/p>\n<p>Goods In, also known by various other names such as \u2018Receive\u2019, \u2018Goods Receipt\u2019, and \u2018Inbound\u2019, is the lynchpin of any warehouse. However, making it as efficient as possible is clearly an ongoing challenge for many retailers.<\/p>\n<p>Understandably, with items arriving in pallets in large quantities, it is often difficult to unwrap and check each and every one. Miscounting and not checking all items actually received against purchase orders (POs) can result in time wasted in reconciling orders and inventory levels later on, not to mention the risk of overpayment for goods, missed sales opportunities, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.peoplevox.com\/solution\/customer-satisfaction\/\">dissatisfied customers<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Performing regular stock takes is the solution, but manual counting could be more efficient as it increases the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.peoplevox.com\/solution\/labor-costs\/\">cost of labour<\/a> and lowers the return. It also increases the risk of other mistakes, misplaced or lost orders, and inaccurate stock figures appearing online.<\/p>\n<div class=\"flex flex-col text-sm pb-25\">\n<article class=\"text-token-text-primary w-full focus:outline-none [--shadow-height:45px] has-data-writing-block:pointer-events-none has-data-writing-block:-mt-(--shadow-height) has-data-writing-block:pt-(--shadow-height) [&amp;:has([data-writing-block])&gt;*]:pointer-events-auto scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]\" dir=\"auto\" data-turn-id=\"request-WEB:055f76bc-f1a1-4c2a-8904-76ec1bf53766-15\" data-testid=\"conversation-turn-4\" data-scroll-anchor=\"true\" data-turn=\"assistant\" tabindex=\"-1\">\n<div class=\"text-base my-auto mx-auto pb-10 [--thread-content-margin:--spacing(4)] @w-sm\/main:[--thread-content-margin:--spacing(6)] @w-lg\/main:[--thread-content-margin:--spacing(16)] px-(--thread-content-margin)\">\n<div class=\"[--thread-content-max-width:40rem] @w-lg\/main:[--thread-content-max-width:48rem] mx-auto max-w-(--thread-content-max-width) flex-1 group\/turn-messages focus-visible:outline-hidden relative flex w-full min-w-0 flex-col agent-turn\" tabindex=\"-1\">\n<div class=\"flex max-w-full flex-col grow\">\n<div data-message-author-role=\"assistant\" data-message-id=\"23bd5125-2ac8-4c4e-a491-01922685ff1e\" dir=\"auto\" class=\"min-h-8 text-message relative flex w-full flex-col items-end gap-2 text-start break-words whitespace-normal [.text-message+&amp;]:mt-1\" data-message-model-slug=\"gpt-5-2\">\n<div class=\"flex w-full flex-col gap-1 empty:hidden first:pt-[1px]\">\n<div class=\"markdown prose dark:prose-invert w-full wrap-break-word dark markdown-new-styling\">\n<p data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"241\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\">In this article, you will learn how to reduce human error in the goods receipt process, apply practical best practices at Goods In, and use warehouse technology to improve accuracy, efficiency, and inventory control as your operation scales.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"z-0 flex min-h-[46px] justify-start\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"mt-3 w-full empty:hidden\">\n<div class=\"text-center\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div aria-hidden=\"true\" data-edge=\"true\" class=\"pointer-events-none h-px w-px absolute bottom-0\"><\/div>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_heading title=\u201dTable of contents\u201d _builder_version=\u201d4.27.5\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d theme_builder_area=\u201dpost_content\u201d hover_enabled=\u201d0\u2033 sticky_enabled=\u201d0\u2033 title_level=\u201dh3\u2033][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=\u201d4.27.5\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d theme_builder_area=\u201dpost_content\u201d hover_enabled=\u201d0\u2033 sticky_enabled=\u201d0\u2033]<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><a href=\"#humanerror\">Removing human error at goods in<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#Peoplevox\">Getting goods in right with Descartes Peoplevox<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#FAQs\">Goods Receipt Process FAQs<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_heading title=\u201dRemoving human error at goods in\u201d _builder_version=\u201d4.27.5\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d theme_builder_area=\u201dpost_content\u201d hover_enabled=\u201d0\u2033 sticky_enabled=\u201d0\u2033 title_level=\u201dh2\u2033 module_id=\u201dhumanerror\u201d][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=\u201d4.27.5\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d theme_builder_area=\u201dpost_content\u201d hover_enabled=\u201d0\u2033 sticky_enabled=\u201d0\u2033]<\/p>\n<p>As your business grows and more goods are being ordered and received, you don\u2019t have the time to keep playing detective to identify what went where to try and remedy the situation.<\/p>\n<p>Here are some best practices to consider for minimising human error and streamlining your goods receipt process:<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_heading title=\u201dForewarned is forearmed\u201d _builder_version=\u201d4.27.5\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d theme_builder_area=\u201dpost_content\u201d title_level=\u201dh3\u2033 hover_enabled=\u201d0\u2033 sticky_enabled=\u201d0\u2033][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=\u201d4.27.5\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d theme_builder_area=\u201dpost_content\u201d hover_enabled=\u201d0\u2033 sticky_enabled=\u201d0\u2033]<\/p>\n<p>Don\u2019t risk being swamped by unexpected deliveries to the warehouse. It is time-consuming and stressful for operatives to deal with deliveries appearing out of the blue, at any time of day or night, and risks errors being made.<\/p>\n<p>Establish a process for creating a planned delivery schedule. No more surprises!<\/p>\n<h2><\/h2>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_heading title=\u201dNeed for speed\u201d _builder_version=\u201d4.27.5\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d theme_builder_area=\u201dpost_content\u201d title_level=\u201dh3\u2033 hover_enabled=\u201d0\u2033 sticky_enabled=\u201d0\u2033][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=\u201d4.27.5\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d theme_builder_area=\u201dpost_content\u201d hover_enabled=\u201d0\u2033 sticky_enabled=\u201d0\u2033]<\/p>\n<h2><\/h2>\n<p>Once goods arrive, there\u2019s usually an invoice attached. Therefore, the faster you can record them in your warehouse stock levels, label containers, and reconcile items against orders, the better.<\/p>\n<p>A Warehouse Management System (WMS) can help you do this quickly and accurately by simply <a href=\"https:\/\/www.peoplevox.com\/blog\/warehouse-barcoding-a-how-to-guide\/\">scanning barcodes<\/a>. It will also make it easy to advise suppliers about the receipt of deliveries without them having to chase.<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_heading title=\u201dIf it\u2019s broke, fix it\u201d _builder_version=\u201d4.27.5\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d theme_builder_area=\u201dpost_content\u201d title_level=\u201dh3\u2033 hover_enabled=\u201d0\u2033 sticky_enabled=\u201d0\u2033][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=\u201d4.27.5\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d theme_builder_area=\u201dpost_content\u201d hover_enabled=\u201d0\u2033 sticky_enabled=\u201d0\u2033]<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s a fact of life that pallets sometimes arrive at the warehouse broken with damaged goods inside.<\/p>\n<p>This calls for a fast and smooth process to capture proof of the damage and return individual or all items concerned.<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_heading title=\u201dCan\u2019t read the label\u201d _builder_version=\u201d4.27.5\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d theme_builder_area=\u201dpost_content\u201d title_level=\u201dh3\u2033 hover_enabled=\u201d0\u2033 sticky_enabled=\u201d0\u2033][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=\u201d4.27.5\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d theme_builder_area=\u201dpost_content\u201d hover_enabled=\u201d0\u2033 sticky_enabled=\u201d0\u2033]<\/p>\n<p>Pallets or the items therein can sometimes arrive with illegible labels or insufficient description attached rendering them as good as useless. If this is a regular occurrence with certain suppliers it is clearly frustrating and a waste of your Goods In team\u2019s time to second guess what\u2019s inside.<\/p>\n<p>Some WMS will allow you to receive your deliveries without scanning the items, and automatically record as received all items and quantities on the order.<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_heading title=\u201dIncorrect PO entry\u201d _builder_version=\u201d4.27.5\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d theme_builder_area=\u201dpost_content\u201d hover_enabled=\u201d0\u2033 sticky_enabled=\u201d0\u2033 title_level=\u201dh3\u2033][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=\u201d4.27.5\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d theme_builder_area=\u201dpost_content\u201d hover_enabled=\u201d0\u2033 sticky_enabled=\u201d0\u2033]<\/p>\n<p>We\u2019re all human, and from time to time, errors can occur at the put-away stage with incorrect POs being assigned to individual items or batches, a dead cert for causing reconciliation headaches further down the line. Manually tracking back to mend the error of your ways is often time-consuming and a hassle you or your warehouse team could do without.<\/p>\n<p>A WMS will make it easy to rectify by allowing a swift amendment to allocate the right products to the right PO.<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_heading title=\u201dProve it or lose it\u201d _builder_version=\u201d4.27.5\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d theme_builder_area=\u201dpost_content\u201d title_level=\u201dh3\u2033 hover_enabled=\u201d0\u2033 sticky_enabled=\u201d0\u2033][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=\u201d4.27.5\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d theme_builder_area=\u201dpost_content\u201d hover_enabled=\u201d0\u2033 sticky_enabled=\u201d0\u2033]<\/p>\n<p>Unpacking goods for put away can carry unwanted surprises. You\u2019ve counted and recounted them, but the 1,000 items you know you ordered only adds up to 900. Your PO confirms the 1,000 items, but so does the supplier\u2019s delivery note, stock system, and invoice. How will you prove what you actually ordered is not what you received? A foolproof way is by weighing pallets at the time of delivery.<\/p>\n<p>A WMS can help you quickly and easily record this data. If it\u2019s under or overweight, an email can be generated to alert the supplier and rectify the situation before it becomes a potential dispute.<\/p>\n<p>Weighing individual items at Goods In is also a way to avoid unnecessary holds up at dispatch. Many retailers leave it until the point of dispatch to weigh items for customer delivery, creating a bottleneck and risking pre-arranged delivery slots being missed with carriers. Not a good recipe for continued customer loyalty.<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_heading title=\u201dReturns receipt\u201d _builder_version=\u201d4.27.5\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d theme_builder_area=\u201dpost_content\u201d title_level=\u201dh3\u2033 hover_enabled=\u201d0\u2033 sticky_enabled=\u201d0\u2033][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=\u201d4.27.5\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d theme_builder_area=\u201dpost_content\u201d hover_enabled=\u201d0\u2033 sticky_enabled=\u201d0\u2033]<\/p>\n<p>The sooner you can record returned items and let customers know that a refund or agreed exchange is on the way, the better. However, doing this manually is time-consuming.<\/p>\n<p>A WMS can help by recording what was returned and whether or not it can be resold and then notifying the external systems that handle the customer contact.<\/p>\n<p>In summary, a faster and more accurate method of managing Goods In can be achieved using a fit-for-purpose<span>\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.peoplevox.com\/ecommerce-wms\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">ecommerce WMS<\/a>, allowing goods to be scanned in and automatically reconciled against a PO. Barcode scanning eliminates the margin for human error and ensures that all delivered items are correctly recorded. The correct stock figures will be listed online, meaning fewer oversells or missed sales opportunities.<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_heading title=\u201dGetting goods in right with Descartes Peoplevox\u201d _builder_version=\u201d4.27.5\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d theme_builder_area=\u201dpost_content\u201d title_level=\u201dh2\u2033 hover_enabled=\u201d0\u2033 sticky_enabled=\u201d0\u2033 module_id=\u201dPeoplevox\u201d][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_video src=\u201dhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=foqhERmkzDE\u201d _builder_version=\u201d4.27.5\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d theme_builder_area=\u201dpost_content\u201d hover_enabled=\u201d0\u2033 sticky_enabled=\u201d0\u2033][\/et_pb_video][et_pb_text _builder_version=\u201d4.27.5\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d theme_builder_area=\u201dpost_content\u201d hover_enabled=\u201d0\u2033 sticky_enabled=\u201d0\u2033]<\/p>\n<p>If you want to learn more about how Peoplevox can help you make your ecommerce warehouse more efficient, you can contact us anytime for a free, no-obligation consultation.<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_text=\u201dTalk to us\u201d _builder_version=\u201d4.27.5\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d theme_builder_area=\u201dpost_content\u201d button_alignment=\u201dcenter\u201d button_url=\u201dhttps:\/\/www.peoplevox.com\/request-demo\/\u201d url_new_window=\u201don\u201d hover_enabled=\u201d0\u2033 sticky_enabled=\u201d0\u2033][\/et_pb_button][et_pb_heading title=\u201dGoods Receipt Process FAQs\u201d _builder_version=\u201d4.27.5\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d theme_builder_area=\u201dpost_content\u201d title_level=\u201dh2\u2033 hover_enabled=\u201d0\u2033 sticky_enabled=\u201d0\u2033 module_id=\u201dFAQs\u201d][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_accordion _builder_version=\u201d4.27.5\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d theme_builder_area=\u201dpost_content\u201d hover_enabled=\u201d0\u2033 sticky_enabled=\u201d0\u2033][et_pb_accordion_item title=\u201dHow often should delivery schedules be reviewed or updated?\u201d _builder_version=\u201d4.27.5\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d theme_builder_area=\u201dpost_content\u201d open=\u201don\u201d hover_enabled=\u201d0\u2033 sticky_enabled=\u201d0\u2033]<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"524\" data-end=\"814\">Delivery schedules should be reviewed regularly, especially when suppliers change lead times, volumes increase, or seasonal demand affects inbound flow. Frequent reviews help keep the warehouse prepared and avoid congestion.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"816\" data-end=\"1052\">[\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=\u201dWhat data should be captured at Goods In for reporting purposes?\u201d _builder_version=\u201d4.27.5\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d theme_builder_area=\u201dpost_content\u201d open=\u201doff\u201d hover_enabled=\u201d0\u2033 sticky_enabled=\u201d0\u2033]<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"816\" data-end=\"1052\">Beyond quantities, capturing data such as delivery times, damage rates, and supplier accuracy can highlight recurring issues and support better purchasing decisions.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1054\" data-end=\"1309\">[\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=\u201dCan a Goods In process support compliance or audit requirements?\u201d _builder_version=\u201d4.27.5\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d theme_builder_area=\u201dpost_content\u201d hover_enabled=\u201d0\u2033 sticky_enabled=\u201d0\u2033]<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1054\" data-end=\"1309\">Yes. A documented and system driven Goods In process creates a clear audit trail for received stock, which is useful for financial audits, supplier disputes, and regulatory compliance.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1311\" data-end=\"1571\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\">[\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=\u201dHow does improving Goods In impact customer experience indirectly?\u201d _builder_version=\u201d4.27.5\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d theme_builder_area=\u201dpost_content\u201d hover_enabled=\u201d0\u2033 sticky_enabled=\u201d0\u2033]<\/p>\n<div class=\"flex flex-col text-sm pb-25\">\n<article class=\"text-token-text-primary w-full focus:outline-none [--shadow-height:45px] has-data-writing-block:pointer-events-none has-data-writing-block:-mt-(--shadow-height) has-data-writing-block:pt-(--shadow-height) [&amp;:has([data-writing-block])&gt;*]:pointer-events-auto [content-visibility:auto] supports-[content-visibility:auto]:[contain-intrinsic-size:auto_100lvh] scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]\" dir=\"auto\" data-turn-id=\"request-WEB:055f76bc-f1a1-4c2a-8904-76ec1bf53766-14\" data-testid=\"conversation-turn-2\" data-scroll-anchor=\"true\" data-turn=\"assistant\" tabindex=\"-1\">\n<div class=\"text-base my-auto mx-auto pb-10 [--thread-content-margin:--spacing(4)] @w-sm\/main:[--thread-content-margin:--spacing(6)] @w-lg\/main:[--thread-content-margin:--spacing(16)] px-(--thread-content-margin)\">\n<div class=\"[--thread-content-max-width:40rem] @w-lg\/main:[--thread-content-max-width:48rem] mx-auto max-w-(--thread-content-max-width) flex-1 group\/turn-messages focus-visible:outline-hidden relative flex w-full min-w-0 flex-col agent-turn\" tabindex=\"-1\">\n<div class=\"flex max-w-full flex-col grow\">\n<div data-message-author-role=\"assistant\" data-message-id=\"e37bffdb-85fa-495f-8501-345bbf77d503\" dir=\"auto\" class=\"min-h-8 text-message relative flex w-full flex-col items-end gap-2 text-start break-words whitespace-normal [.text-message+&amp;]:mt-1\" data-message-model-slug=\"gpt-5-2\">\n<div class=\"flex w-full flex-col gap-1 empty:hidden first:pt-[1px]\">\n<div class=\"markdown prose dark:prose-invert w-full wrap-break-word dark markdown-new-styling\">\n<p data-start=\"1311\" data-end=\"1571\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\">Accurate and timely receipt of goods ensures online stock levels are correct, which reduces overselling, prevents order delays, and leads to more reliable delivery promises for customers.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"z-0 flex min-h-[46px] justify-start\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"mt-3 w-full empty:hidden\">\n<div class=\"text-center\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div aria-hidden=\"true\" data-edge=\"true\" class=\"pointer-events-none h-px w-px absolute bottom-0\"><\/div>\n<p>[\/et_pb_accordion_item][\/et_pb_accordion][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Sharing our years of experience working with warehouses, we&#8217;ve put together this guide to improving your goods receipt process. Read more here at Peoplevox.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":243315,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"<h2><span style=\"background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-size: 24px; font-weight: 600; letter-spacing: -0.6px; text-transform: initial;\">Removing Human Error at Goods In<\/span><\/h2>\n<!--more-->\n\nGoods In, also known by various other names such as Receive, Goods Receipt and Inbound, is the lynchpin of any warehouse. But making it as efficient as possible is clearly an ongoing challenge for many retailers. Judging from the responses to our published 2017 Ecommerce Fulfilment Report, human error appears to be a recurring problem with goods receipt processes.\n\nUnderstandably, with items arriving in pallets in large quantities it is often difficult to unwrap and check each and every one. Miscounting and not checking all items actually received against POs can result in time wasted in reconciling orders and inventory levels later on, not to mention the risk of overpayment for goods, missed sales opportunities, and dissatisfied customers.\n\nPerforming regular stock takes is the solution but manual counting is inefficient as it increases the cost of labour and lowers the return. It also increases the risk of further mistakes being made, misplaced or lost orders, and inaccurate stock figures appearing online.\n\nAs your businesses grows and more goods are being ordered and received, you simply don\u2019t have the time to keep on playing detective to identify what went where in order to try and remedy the situation.\n<div class=\"hs-embed-wrapper\" style=\"position: relative; overflow: hidden; width: 100%; height: auto; padding: 0; max-width: 917px; max-height: 573px; min-width: 256px; display: block; margin: auto;\" data-service=\"youtube\" data-responsive=\"true\">\n<div class=\"hs-embed-content-wrapper\">\n<div style=\"position: relative; overflow: hidden; max-width: 100%; padding-bottom: 62.49%; margin: 0px;\"><iframe style=\"position: absolute; top: 0px; left: 0px; width: 100%; height: 100%; border: none;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/BxJhOJiJr-E\" width=\"917\" height=\"573\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nClearly, prevention has to be better than cure, so here are some best practices to consider for minimising human error and streamlining your goods receipt process:\n<h2>Forewarned is Forearmed<\/h2>\nDon\u2019t risk being swamped by unexpected deliveries to the warehouse. It is time consuming and stressful for operatives to deal with deliveries appearing out of the blue, at any time of day or night, and risks errors being made.\n\nEstablish a process for creating a planned deliveries schedule. No more surprises!\n<h2>Need for speed<\/h2>\nOnce goods arrive there\u2019s usually an invoice attached. Therefore, the faster you can record them in your warehouse stock levels, label containers, and reconcile items against orders, the better.\n\nA Warehouse Management System (WMS) can help you do this quickly and accurately by simple scanning of barcodes. It will also make it easy to advise suppliers about receipt of deliveries without them having to chase.\n<h2>If it\u2019s broke, fix it<\/h2>\nIt\u2019s a fact of life that pallets sometimes arrive at the warehouse broken with damaged goods inside.\n\nThis calls for a fast and smooth process to be put in place for capturing proof of damage and returning individual, or all, items concerned.\n<h2>Can\u2019t read the label<\/h2>\nPallets or the items therein can sometimes arrive with illegible labels or insufficient description attached rendering them as good as useless. If this is a regular occurrence with certain suppliers it is clearly frustrating and a waste of your Goods In team\u2019s time to second guess what\u2019s inside.\n\nSome WMS will allow you to receive your deliveries without scanning the items, and automatically record as received all items and quantities on the order.\n<h2>Incorrect PO entry<\/h2>\nWe\u2019re all human and from time to time errors can occur at the put away stage with incorrect POs being assigned to individual items or batches \u2013 a dead cert for causing reconciliation headaches further down the line. Manually tracking back to mend the error of your ways is often time consuming and a hassle you or your warehouse team could do without.\n\nA WMS will make it easy to rectify by allowing a swift amendment to allocating the right products to the right PO.\n<h2>Prove it or lose it<\/h2>\nUnpacking goods for put away can carry unwanted surprises. You\u2019ve counted them and recounted but still the 1000 items you know you ordered only adds up to 900. Your PO confirms the 1000 items that but so does the supplier\u2019s delivery note, stock system and invoice. How will you prove what you actually ordered is not what you received? A foolproof way is by weighing pallets at time of delivery.\n\nA WMS can help you quickly and easily record this data and if it\u2019s under, or indeed overweight an email can be generated to alert the supplier and rectify the situation before it turns into a potential dispute.\n\nWeighing individual items at Goods In is also a good way of avoiding unnecessary holds up at despatch. Many retailers leave it until the point of despatch to weigh items for customer delivery, creating a bottleneck and risking pre-arranged delivery slots being missed with carriers. Not a good recipe for continued customer loyalty.\n<h2>Returns Receipt<\/h2>\nThe sooner you can record returned items and advise customers that a refund or agreed exchange is on the way, the better. However, doing this manually is time consuming.\n\nA WMS can help by recording what was returned and whether or not it can be resold, and then notifying the external systems that handle the customer contact.\n\nIn summary, a faster and more accurate method to managing Goods In can be achieved by using a fit for purpose ecommerce WMS, allowing goods to be scanned in and automatically reconciled against a PO. Barcode scanning eliminates the margin for human error and ensures that all delivered items are correctly recorded. The correct stock figures will be listed online, meaning fewer oversells or missed sales opportunities.\n\nIf you would like to learn more about how Peoplevox can help you make your ecommerce warehouse more efficient, contact us anytime for a free, no obligation consultation. Also visit Peoplevox Labs to see how our free and easy to use Android Apps can help with your Goods In operations.","_et_gb_content_width":"","inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[37,48],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-15180","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog","category-wms-explained"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>How to Improve Your Goods Receipt Process | Peoplevox<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Sharing our years of experience working with warehouses, we&#039;ve put together this guide to improving your goods receipt process. Read more here at Peoplevox.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.peoplevox.com\/en-us\/blog\/how-to-improve-your-goods-receipt-process\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"How to Improve Your Goods Receipt Process | Peoplevox\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Sharing our years of experience working with warehouses, we&#039;ve put together this guide to improving your goods receipt process. 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