A stock count looks wrong

When a stock figure looks off, resist the urge to just edit it. Find the cause first — the number is usually telling you something true.

1. On-hand or available?

The most common “wrong” number isn’t wrong at all — it’s available stock (on-hand minus reserved). Confirm which figure you’re reading.

2. Check every location

The same SKU can sit in several bins. A pick bin showing low while an overflow bin is full isn’t a discrepancy — it’s a replenishment job. Check the total across all locations.

3. Read the audit log

Open the product’s history or the audit log. Every receipt, pick, transfer and adjustment is there. The change you didn’t expect is usually visible — and explained.

4. Look for missed steps

A number that’s too low often means a receipt or put-away was skipped; too high means a pick or shipment wasn’t recorded. Find the missing step and enter it.

5. Then, if needed, count

If the trail genuinely doesn’t explain it, count that location and apply the corrected number with a clear reason.

Tip: never “fix” a number you can’t explain. An unexplained edit hides the real cause — and the next count just flags it all over again.