Inventory | A Function in the L-mobile warehouse ready for MS Dynamics Basic Module

Digital inventory with mobile scanners for MS Dynamics NAV and Business Central

High effort, complexity, and transfer errors—inventory is a mammoth task for many companies. However, with mobile inventory for Microsoft Dynamics NAV (formerly Navision) and Dynamics 365 Business Central, there is a practical solution for easily and accurately taking inventory in the warehouse. Mobile devices are used for this, such as barcode scanners, which provide your employees with continuous support during digital inventory for Business Central and Dynamics NAV. This completely eliminates the need to manually record the process using printed lists and the tedious and time-consuming task of posting entries afterwards.

All storage bins to be counted are clearly displayed on the mobile device. In the background, the respective inventory record sheets are prepared in Microsoft Dynamics NAV/Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central. An employee then selects a storage bin using the mobile handheld scanner, scans the item, and reports the counted quantity seamlessly and instantly back to the inventory record sheet in MS Dynamics.

Mobile solution Standard solution

Digital inventory with barcode scanners for MS Dynamics NAV and Business Central

The “Planned Inventory” module of the mobile warehouse management solution for Microsoft Dynamics NAV/Business Central significantly reduces the effort and complexity of Navision inventory. Instead of paper-based inventory lists, your inventory personnel handle the entire process digitally using mobile scanners. For this purpose, inventory record sheets are created in MS Dynamics NAV (Navision) and Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central (physical inventories in the case of inventory orders) and the inventories are calculated. The resulting count lists are then displayed on a mobile basis for inventory using barcode scanners, ultimately allowing them to be processed conveniently. Using the barcode scanners used for inventory in NAV or Business Central, your warehouse personnel simply scan the item number or storage area and then record the counted quantity on the inventory hardware used. Even information relating to serial numbers or batches can also be added directly via the barcode scanners and transferred to the corresponding source document. One especially practical feature is that if, during mobile inventory, the deviation from the target quantity is too large, a plausibility check in the mobile data collection solution for NAV and Business Central automatically prompts warehouse personnel to recount the quantity.

All recorded quantities are available in the module for mobile inventory in real time in the inventory record sheet or in the physical inventory. To prevent possible incorrect entries, the final posting of the inventory and the reconciliation of any discrepancies still takes place directly in Microsoft Dynamics NAV/Navision or MS Dynamics 365 Business Central. Mobile inventory for Microsoft Dynamics NAV and Business Central thus ensures both accurate and reliable inventory taking and significantly reduces the workload of your inventory personnel.

L-mobile supports you with mobile inventory for Navision and Business Central, not just when it comes to the annual inventory: In order to make annual inventories even easier, the mobile data collection and inventory solution for NAV and Business Central also offers the option of perpetual inventory or zero inventory. In this case, Microsoft Dynamics NAV Inventory prompts warehouse personnel to undertake an inventory whenever the quantity in the records is zero or very low. This means a large number of the items are already counted, with minimal effort, by the end of the year. So while you enjoy greater stock reliability, you also save valuable staff resources.

Inventory with mobile scanners in Microsoft Dynamics NAV & Business Central

For simple, digital inventory taking in the warehouse

In MS Dynamics NAV and MS Dynamics 365 Business Central, there are two ways to create and post inventory. One is inventory based on inventory record sheets and the other is inventory based on inventory orders and physical inventory.

Inventory based on inventory record sheets

The inventory record sheets are located in the “Warehouse” area of Navision and Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central and can be given an individual name. In order to fill out the inventory record sheet and thus create an inventory, the stock is first calculated from MS Dynamics NAV or Business Central. The content of the respective inventory record sheet is defined via corresponding filter options, such as filtering by specific storage locations. The inventory record sheet now contains a list of all items that should be in stock. Depending on the type of filter, it is also possible to list the items in the inventory record sheet that were in the selected storage location at an earlier time. These rows are listed in the Microsoft Dynamics NAV or Business Central inventory record sheet with the quantity as 0.

After the inventory list has been created from Navision or Business Central, the inventory record sheet shows the calculated quantity, the inventory quantity (i.e., the quantity actually counted), and the difference between the calculated and counted quantities. Initially, the values of the inventory quantity and the calculated quantity are identical, but these must be corrected accordingly following the Microsoft Dynamics NAV inventory. Once the inventory record sheets have been fully prepared, the count lists are printed and distributed to inventory personnel. During the inventory, warehouse personnel must count all items including batch or serial numbers and manually enter the corresponding quantities into the previously created inventory lists. Once the inventory is complete, the count lists are collected and the recorded information is transferred to the inventory record sheet in Navision or Business Central.

Finally, the counted quantities are checked and the inventory record sheet is posted. All changes, corrections or additions to the inventories are now reflected in the item or value items and corresponding inventory items are generated in MS Dynamics NAV/Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central.

Inventory based on inventory orders and physical inventories

The Microsoft Dynamics inventory can also be created based on inventory orders and physical inventories. In Navision or Business Central, inventory orders are located under the “Warehouse” item. In the inventory order, as in the inventory record sheet, all stock to be counted for the Navision inventory must be determined. When creating an inventory, the “Calculate Lines” function takes you to the filter settings to restrict the counting range. Possible filter settings include product groups, storage locations or storage bins. After selecting the filter settings, the lines of the inventory order are filled accordingly in Microsoft Navision or Business Central.

To record the actual quantities, a corresponding physical inventory must first be created. For this purpose, the order can consist of any number of entries and—unlike Dynamics NAV inventory based on the inventory record sheet—contains information about the person who entered the data, the date of entry, and the time of entry. Finally, count lists are printed and distributed to personnel for Microsoft Navision inventory. Here too, the quantities counted as well as serial numbers and batches are recorded in writing on paper.

Once the stock has been physically counted, the information from the count lists is transferred to the physical inventories. The information is then transferred to the lines of the inventory order and, after successful verification in Navision/Business Central, the inventory is posted. Here, too, the item postings are adjusted based on any changes, corrections, and additions, with associated inventory items generated via Microsoft Dynamics.

Challenges relating to Business Central & Microsoft Dynamics NAV Inventory

Carrying out the Business Central or Navision inventory is simple and straightforward. However, creating the inventory, filling out the printed lists, and then transferring the count lists to the inventory record sheet involves a considerable amount of extra work. In addition, this process is highly vulnerable to incorrect data entry or data transfer due to media discontinuities.

Digital inventory with mobile scanners for MS Dynamics NAV and Business Central

Mobile inventory with the
L-mobile warehouse extension
Inventory is carried out based on inventory record sheets or inventory orders and physical inventories
By using mobile scanners, data is only recorded once—on the go
All information is recorded in real time and transferred to MS Dynamics
Mobile inventory with the mobile warehouse app is intuitive and very quick for your employees to learn
“Planned Inventory” is a standard module in the warehouse starter kit. The solution can be flexibly extended with additional functions.

Inventory with the
Microsoft Dynamics standard solution
Inventory is carried out based on inventory record sheets or inventory orders and physical inventories
Working with printed lists results in duplicate manual data collection
Information recorded on paper is digitally recorded at a later time
Microsoft inventory is straightforward; however, a good level of knowledge is required to create the inventory lists
Microsoft’s inventory function can be easily and flexibly extended by means of a solution supplied by other partners/providers

Make your annual inventory effortless—with the mobile inventory function in the warehouse management solution for NAV and Business Central

View the demo for free, whenever you have time!

Benefits of a mobile inventory solution

In the demo, you will learn how inventory can be handled digitally and easily throughout.
Live demo of the most important functions
We give you a detailed insight into the functions and the interaction with MS Dynamics NAV and Business Central.
Helpful practical examples
You will learn about the advantages of mobile inventory with L-mobile warehouse using successful project examples from our customers.

View demo for free

Your entry into mobile warehouse management with NAV and Business Central: With the L-mobile warehouse ready for MS Dynamics starter kit

Entdecken Sie die Potenziale der mobilen Lagerverwaltung mit MS Dynamics

Download the starter kit now

Optimize your warehouse processes with the basic module for MS Dynamics

There’s an easy way for you to get started with mobile data collection in your warehouse. The basic modules included in the starter kit map all process-related stock movements in a clear and mobile way. Along with goods receipt, stock transfer, and free location search, the basic modules in the starter kit also include picking and paperless inventory. And if that’s not enough, you can also expand your mobile data collection solution for NAV and Business Central flexibly with additional modules.

10 standardized basic functions
Multi-industry use cases
Specifically for the Dynamics 365 Business Central & NAV inventory management systems

5 reasons to choose L-mobile and the L-mobile warehouse ready for MS Dynamics mobile data collection solution

1. MS Dynamics specialists
We offer far more than just a software solution. We specialize in MS Dynamics and can offer you advice on possible changes to the ERP system, customizations, full-scale implementation, and training for your team.
2. The ERP system as the central platform
We provide innovative digital solutions for optimizing and networking your warehouse, production, and service processes. Your ERP system, MS Dynamics, remains the principal system into which all data is fed back in real time.
3. Compatible with future versions
Are you planning to update your MS Dynamics system to a new version or even migrate to the cloud with Dynamics 365 Business Central? No problem—our mobile data collection solution is compatible with future versions as well as different operating systems.
4. Flexible expansion
Whether barcode, RFID, UWB, or Pick-by-Light or even linking the warehouse and production, our solution supports technological and modular expansion at any time. Highlight: with our comprehensive roadmap, we support you step by step on the journey to your digital factory.
5. Everything from a single source
Software development, IT system company, and project team all under one roof. We are your ideal partner for tailor-made software, associated hardware, close consultation on process optimization and solution selection, professional project assistance, and reliable support.

Insight into our customer project: With digital inventory for Dynamics NAV, inventory taking can now be completed in less than a day

Die Navision Inventur, Dynamics NAV Inventur oder Business Central Inventur wird mit Barcodescannern zum Kinderspiel

SABEU GmbH & Co. KG specializes in injection molding and mold making. In order to achieve maximum stock transparency in the warehouse, the company opted to use a mobile warehouse management solution in combination with MS Dynamics. Thanks to mobile data collection, the plastics processing company can now ensure that all material movements are recorded in real time on the go and reported back to the MS Dynamics NAV ERP system quickly and easily.

The company now also benefits greatly when it comes to carrying out their inventory, as using mobile scanners greatly simplifies and speeds up mobile inventory for NAV. This means that employees are now able to complete the annual inventory in less than a day.

“The mobile interface of the L-mobile warehouse application has the look and feel of a smartphone and is easy to use.”

Johannes Weiglein,Head of IT at SABEU

warehouse ready for MS Dynamics mobile interface | Inventory

Inventory
The inventory starts with entering a storage bin (storage location & bin)
Inventory
Perpetual or zero inventory
Inventory

Advantages of L-mobile warehouse ready for MS Dynamics Inventory

No printed lists

Real-time feedback of information

Easy handling of batches and serial numbers

The lowest possible risk of error

Significant time savings

Seamless workflow

Perpetual or zero inventory

References for the mobile warehouse management solution for MS Dynamics NAV & Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central

L-mobile reference digital warehouse management warehouse ready for MS Dynamics Birkenmeier Stein+Design GmbH

L-mobile digital warehouse management MS Dynamics case study falch GmbH

L-mobile digital warehouse management MS Dynamics case study Molkereigenossenschaft Hohenlohe-Franken eG

MS Dynamics basic module and all extension modules at a glance

Mobile data collection in the warehouse for Microsoft Dynamics NAV and Business Central starter kit — MS Dynamics Basic Module

Mobile data collection in the warehouse for Microsoft Dynamics NAV and Business Central extension modules — MS Dynamics extension modules