Bar Code Utilization.

TM 38-400/NAVSUP PUB 572/AFMAN 23-210 MCO 4450.14/DLAM 4145.12

3-36. Bar Code Utilization.

c. Classified, principal, sensitive, and controlled

The use of bar code technology in physical inventory

items of supply will be considered separate lots. A

and location survey operations provides the following

complete inventory of these lots will be accomplished

benefits:

once each year or more frequently if desired by the

a. Source data electronically downloaded from the

installation commander or accountable property officer.

host computer to a hand-held bar code reading device

Reasons for this are as follows:

eliminates the requirement to produce cards and

(1) Classified items require special protection

listings. The portable bar code reading device serves as

because of their security designation and, therefore,

both a prompt to the operator and a storage device for

should be given special treatment to ensure that each of

data taken from the location site. Bar coded labels on

these items is accounted for and our national interest is

locations and key entry on the portable scanner provide

protected.

the means of capturing survey data.

(2) Principal

items

are

strategic

b. Bar coding technology can be economically

importance, high monetary value, unusual complexity of

integrated into existing physical inventory and location

issue, and often involve procurement difficulties;

survey procedures. Bar coded information on locations

therefore, these items should also be given special

can be scanned with a contact or noncontact scanner

attention.

(laser-type).

(3) Sensitive items have a ready sale in illicit

c. The cost per transaction and processing time

markets and are especially likely to be pilfered. A

decrease, while accuracy increases.

periodic inventory of each of these items is essential for

their protection and to discourage pilferage attempts.

3-37. Physical Inventory Guidelines.

(4) Controlled items of supply are closely

The following key elements emphasize proper inventory

supervised because of their basic cost, operational

actions.

essentiality, complexity, or stock position and should

a. Adequate training is a prerequisite of efficient

also be given special attention.

inventory control operations.

d. An important point to keep in mind when

(1) DOD educational centers offer many

performing inventories and reconciliations that

specialized courses of instruction in inventory control,

inventories are normally conducted on an open

statistical sampling, and quality control. Such courses

"business as usual" concept.

of instruction will provide personnel with a high degree

(1) We can have documentation and material

of skill.

"in-float." Both these situations must be considered

(2) In addition to formalized off-post training,

when counts and recorded balances do not agree.

each individual assigned to inventory activities should

(2) We must understand that, through normal

be given adequate on-the-job training to include the

receipt and issue transactions, counts may vary from

following:

balances and require recounting. Actions such as these

Preparation of documentation.

are considered as "in-float" documents and should be

Identification of items.

reviewed carefully prior to submitting final inventory

results.

Difficulties involved in counting at each type of

location.

e. A survey conducted prior to an inventory, to

determine and correct deficiencies, is an important

Safety requirements.

phase of inventory preparation. During this period,

Security considerations.

every effort should be made to ensure that conditions

(3) These training suggestions, if effectively

detrimental to the count are detected and eliminated.

organized, should result in each individual being fully

We know that normal warehouse activities tend to

qualified for this particular assignment.

disrupt the orderly placement of stocks, identification

b. Each error that creeps into the record keeping

placards, and containers on pallets, in pallet racks, or in

system has a potential adverse effect on inventory

bins. If left uncorrected, these and other warehousing

actions. The ideal attack on this problem would be to

irregularities could seriously deter satisfactory

eliminate the introduction of errors. But with thousands

completion of the inventory. A preliminary survey which

of transaction entries made each day, it is impossible to

includes all facets of storage and warehousing methods

prevent error introduction in total. So we do the next

that may interfere with inventory is a recommended pre-

best thing-we try to minimize error introduction and

inventory action. Let us not compromise the

contain error growth.

Quality control actions are

designed to do this as are the location survey

procedures.

3-29