What is an Independent Inventory?

Use independent inventories to spot check counts of items and identify potential losses. These are not full inventory counts.

Nick Neale avatar
Written by Nick Neale
Updated over a week ago

Article Contents

Introduction

If you notice a consistent variance or high consumption on certain items in your venue, you can use the independent inventory feature to help pinpoint the issue.

With independent inventories (also known as spot checks), you can count a subset of your items more frequently.

For example, in your bar you take a full inventory once a week but want to monitor the usage of specific items on a Friday night. By measuring the consumption over a shorter period of time, it’s easier to identify any potential losses due to over pouring, spillage, or theft.

Note: When you take an independent inventory, it doesn't update your stock count. As the name indicates, independent inventories stand-alone from full inventories. They should never be taken in place of a regular inventory.

Their purpose is to measure the consumption/usage of items over a shorter period of time.

Taking an Independent Inventory

Independent Inventories can be performed in the mobile app and WISK Web Portal.

You’ll need to complete an opening count, and a closing count to see the consumption of the items you want to track.

If your POS is integrated with WISK, you can also see the variance (the difference between what was sold and what was consumed).

For example, you could take an independent inventory of the items you want to spot check just before your venue opens, and then take the closing count the next day to see the consumption/sales.

POS Integration and Variance

If your POS is integrated, your type of integration affects how you can use independent inventories to see a variance.

Direct API (Real-time)

If WISK is receiving your sales data in real-time, there are no restrictions on when you can submit independent inventories to see a variance.

Daily Sales Report Email

If your venue is sending sales via a daily sales report email, it’s possible you may complete your opening and closing counts before WISK receives your sales data for the day.

It’s best to complete your closing inventory after the sales data is sent to WISK, so you’ll receive a variance report.

For example, if you take an opening count at 3 pm before the venue opens for service, and then the closing count at 1 am, WISK will not have received your sales data from the POS yet.

As a result, you will not receive a variance report. You’ll still receive a consumption report, which you can manually compare to your sales in the POS.

Most daily sales report emails send between 3 am - 6 am. If you take the opening count at 3 pm, and then the closing count at 3 pm the next day, WISK will have your sales data, and send a variance report.

Did this answer your question?