inventory-counts · warehouse · business-central · 2 min read
When to use a general inventory count and when to use cycle counting in Business Central, how the Physical Inventory Journal works, and how Plur-e Mobile posts both from a scanner.
Last updated · Plur-e Team
Quick answer
Use a general inventory count when you have no advanced warehouse and want to count everything at a location without preparing a batch; use cycle counting when items have counting periods or you count subsets by filter. Both end in the Physical Inventory Journal. Plur-e Mobile fills the journal lines from barcode scans and physical quantities and the journal is posted in Business Central after review.
Business Central offers two ways to count. They share the same journal but suit different companies. This post explains both and how a phone changes the job.
Everything ends here. Each line has an item, location (and bin if advanced), Qty. (Calculated) from the ledger and Qty. (Phys. Inventory) from the count. Posting creates positive or negative adjustments for the difference. Lines live in a batch.
For companies without advanced warehouse (no bins). Nothing is prepared: the counter scans an item, enters the physical quantity and the app creates the journal line.
| Scenario | Journal result |
|---|---|
| Physical lower than calculated | Negative adjustment |
| New item or calculated zero | Positive adjustment |
| Physical higher than calculated | Positive adjustment |
Two rules matter: the batch is overwritten by the count (use a dedicated batch), and the location must be right before the first scan — the default comes from the user's preferences.
For companies with advanced warehouse or a counting policy. Business Central prepares the lines:
For serialized items Clear Serials zeroes the serial quantities first, so the count records what is actually on the shelf.
Count** for the no-batch mode; Inventory Count for a prepared batch.
line with Select Action → Edit.
review the differences, then post.
| General count | Cycle count | |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced warehouse (bins) | No | Yes |
| Preparation | None | Calculate Inventory / Counting Period |
| Scope | Whole location | Filtered subset |
| Frequency | Periodic | Continuous |
Many companies start with general counts and move to counting periods once accuracy is under control.
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