Step 1Truck in, expected list ready
Who acts: GateSupervisor
The packing list or purchase order is already in, uploaded or from your ERP. The gate notes vehicle, driver and seal; the yard shows which bay is free.
- Who gains
- SupervisorKnows what is coming and where it will go before the doors open.
- Driver and transporterA free bay waiting, not a queue at the gate.
ArrivalsExample
Visit V-2207MH 04 GT 1180, seal 448812 photographed
At bay 3Packing list PL-109336 lines, import shipment
ExpectedBay 5Reserved for 14:30 container
Reserved Step 2Every line checked against what was promised
Who acts: Receiving clerk
Each drum, bag or carton is scanned against its line, by count or weight. Your rules decide what happens when it is over, short or not on the list - allow, warn or stop for a decision.
- Who gains
- Receiving clerkScans and photos guide the job; the handheld says what is missing.
- SupplierShort and damaged lines are recorded with photos while their truck is still there, so both sides see the same facts.
- FinanceWhat was received is what gets paid for.
Receiving IN-4471Example
Line 4 - Resin 25 kg bags120 expected, 118 counted
Short - 2Line 9 - Drum 200 L24 received, 2 dented
DamagedUnlisted cartonNot on the packing list
Needs decisionWeighbridgeWithin your set tolerance
Matched Step 3Deviations get a decision, not a note
Who acts: Supervisor
Every gap becomes a deviation with photos and a reason code. The supervisor accepts, rejects, adjusts stock or asks for a new order - and where your rules ask for it, a second person signs off.
- Who gains
- SupervisorOne list of open decisions instead of a notebook.
- SupplierA clear decision with the evidence, sent once.
DeviationsExample
DEV-0311 Short2 bags, resin, IN-4471
Stock adjustedDEV-0312 Damaged2 drums dented, 4 photos
Return for repairDEV-0313 Unlisted1 carton, no line
New PO required Step 4A label and a home for every unit
Who acts: Forklift operator
Units get a QR label or a location placard as they are accepted. Putaway rules suggest the bin by item, zone and space; the operator scans the bin to confirm.
- Who gains
- Forklift operatorThe handheld says where; no hunting for space.
- SupervisorEvery unit has an address the system knows.
PutawayExample
Resin bags x 118Zone B, aisle 4, rack 2
Put awayDrum 200 L x 22Zone C, ground level
In progressLabel reprintUnit 00418, smudged
Reprinted Step 5Orders picked in waves, packed to the rule
Who acts: PickersPackers
Orders are grouped into waves. Each picker gets a list in walking order - zone, aisle, rack, level - and the pack station checks the packing rule before the carton closes.
- Who gains
- Pickers and packersOne task at a time on the handheld, in an order that saves walking.
- Your customerThe right items in the carton, with a packing list that matches.
Wave 18Example
Picker 114 lines, zone A then B
DonePicker 216 lines, zone C
12 of 16Pack station 242 lines, 6 cartons
Ready to load Step 6Loaded against the instruction, with photos
Who acts: Dispatch clerkTransport
Each item is scanned onto the vehicle against its dispatch instruction. Photos at the start and end of loading, vehicle and driver on record, and the trip followed stop by stop.
- Who gains
- Dispatch clerkThe handheld will not close a load that is missing a line.
- Your customerPhotos of what left, if a question comes later.
- Transport coordinatorTrips, stops and milestones in one view.
Dispatch SI-0932Example
Loading42 of 42 lines scanned, 6 photos
All loadedVehicleMH 12 AB 4321, driver details noted
Departed 11:20Stop 1 of 3Customer plant
Delivered Step 7Every returnable container followed
Who acts: SupervisorFinance
Pallets, IBCs, drums, crates and bags carry their own number. Each trip, return, inspection and repair is added to that container's history, with who and when.
- Who gains
- SupervisorKnows which customer has how many, and since when.
- Your customerA clear count of what they hold, before any reminder.
- FinanceContainers stay assets on record, not write-offs.
ReturnablesExample
IBC 00718With customer 19 days, back today
ReturnedPallet batch P-2240 out, 31 back
9 with customerCrate 1142Cracked base, inspected
Repair Step 8Counts that close against the books
Who acts: Stores team
A count round opens by store with the expected list loaded. Handhelds scan bins even where the network drops and send when it returns; the round shows every variance before it closes.
- Who gains
- Stores teamCount where the stock is, not where the Wi-Fi is.
- Finance and auditorsEvery variance with the movement history behind it.
Count round CNT-000412Example
Store B412 bins scanned
MatchedStore CDrum 200 L: 22 expected, 21 found
VarianceHandheld HH-0738 scans waiting for network
Will sync Step 9The month's bill, from what was done
Who acts: BillingAccounts
For warehouses that store for clients: rates for handling, storage and extra services per client, a minimum monthly charge where agreed. The billing run is reviewed and approved before the invoice goes out.
- Who gains
- Warehouse businessA bill built from records, with the detail behind each line.
- ClientSees what it is paying for, line by line.
Billing run, October - client AExample
HandlingInbound and outbound lines from the month's records
ReviewedStoragePallet positions used, day by day
ReviewedExtra servicesRelabelling, 3 jobs
Approved