What is an Inventory Label?
An inventory label is a barcode tag or plate attached to a product or package for easy tracking.
This tag can make it easier for you to perform manual inventory counts as well as those that are automatically linked to scanner systems and inventory management systems.
The use of these inventory labels can be customized to meet the needs of each company and provide adequate inventory control.
In general, inventory labels contain the number, barcode, and name of the managing company.
In some cases, these labels may also contain additional identifiers such as the product name or a “ Don’t Remove ” statement.
By standardizing the labeling of its inventory through labels, a company can ensure uniformity across its organization.
So, the activities of monitoring, storing, and shipping goods become more efficient.
How to Use Item Inventory Label
The inventory management process is different from asset management in that inventory moves faster than assets.
Inventory items typically require periodic relocation as customer orders are filled, replace parts, or use inventory.
For some companies, this activity requires a system that is very flexible and able to take into account the inventory space in the warehouse.
To start labeling inventory, you must follow these steps:
1. Confirm Label Requirements
Before you start creating labels, it’s a good idea to first understand the requirements, regulations, or equipment base that can dictate label formatting and content.
For example the type of barcode, label size, and type of label material.
2. Print Quality Labels
Whether you print yourself using a trusted label printing service, make sure that the quality of the printed labels meets the needs of the requested application.
Check label compatibility with the appropriate environment for your product
Also, choose label and coating materials that are designed to withstand potential exposure to harsh substances, such as chemicals.
3. Use Uniform Inventory Labels
After you create labels, make sure that there are basic policies that define how and where labels should be placed on inventory.
A good inventory label should be clear and easy to read when the product is placed on the shelf.
You should also make sure that the barcode labels are easily accessible using any type of scanner.
Also, be sure to check that the name of the location on the shelf matches your inventory label and refers to the correct item.
By establishing a standard process for inventory labeling, it will also be easier for staff to standardize, process, and evaluate each item.
4. Review Your Inventory Process
In labeling your inventory of items, you should also review your inventory processes.
For example by setting regular intervals for reviewing internal and external workflows.
So you can identify any issues that might have occurred with the supplies.
If your inventory management workflow works well and adequately, then you can maximize the utilization of inventory to make it more profitable.
Benefits and Functions of Inventory Labels
There are several functions of the inventory label that bring benefits to the company. Among them:
1. Easy Inventory Tracking
Barcode technology allows multiple parties to know the location of inventory at any given time.
Inventory tracking also makes calculations easier or simpler cycles, especially when it’s time for an inventory audit.
2. Simplify Inventory Calculation
If your warehouse staff is still using the manual calculation method, then this will certainly be a waste of time and money.
As a result, many companies are turning to inventory labels to make the counting process simpler, more precise and on-demand.
3. Asset Management Accuracy
You need to know that warehouse inventory is a large percentage of movable and fixed assets in a company.
When performing inventory counts through asset management software, you can track your asset yield.
Through this information, companies can be faster, more precise, and smarter in making decisions and minimizing errors in inventory tracking.
4. Strengthen Visibility
Today, end-to-end visibility is capable of providing real-time information to everyone throughout the supply chain about your inventory situation in real-time.
With your inventory label data, all parties from the customer service department, suppliers, to customers can find out the current stock condition.
5. Reporting Becomes More Comprehensive
Year-end or quarterly reports can be a complicated and time-consuming process, especially if your company is going through a busy period.
However, by using the inventory tag, the inventory can be entered into the company’s inventory asset management system.
When labels are scanned, the data can be aggregated to provide a more comprehensive report.
How to Maximize Item Inventory Label
Just printing, buying and labeling inventory will not be a solution for your inventory tracking and asset management.
Therefore, you need to know how to maximize this labeling with proper use. Here is the explanation:
1. Use Inventory Management System
To maximize the use of inventory labels, take advantage of an inventory management system that fits your business.
A coherent inventory system makes it easy for you to measure your inventory and avoid confusion.
With a simple inventory measurement, it is easier for companies to manage and evaluate the movement of inventory in the long term.
2. Use a Unique Identification Number
On each inventory label, try to use a unique item identification number to make tracking inventory easier.
3. All-Party Relationships to Your System
Next, you need to ensure that all the right parties have full access to your system across different devices.
It aims to diversify visibility as much as possible so that monitoring, tracking and controlling inventory can be done easily.
4. Follow the Correct Inventory Tag Installation Procedure
The procedure for attaching inventory labels to goods may vary depending on the material for which the tags are made.
So make sure to follow all the instructions properly or try to choose a label material that is able to withstand the elements inside or outside the inventory warehouse.