Inform the management of a business of the 5 most useful input devices that can be employed in the supermarkets Explain how these input devices will automate activities?

Answer 1

A business needs a computer based inventory system in this day and age. This system can be simple or complex depending on the needs of the business.

If the retail establishment is a grocery, today it is critical in the US that the grocery have a computer assisted management system. The various parts of the system ensure that the operation does not miss items that can be miscounted or lost due to human error.

Of the extensions in the computer hardware system, the primary one is the "cash register". This unit scans the UPC code, records the item as being sold, and removes the unit from standing inventory. It is just as important in the fresh inventory because the product weight can be deducted from the "floating" inventory of those departments.

In the fresh inventory, the unit "scale" is important because this unit can be accessed to keep a record of items weighed for unit sales. Meat, prepared items, and unsaleable waste must be accounted for in the system. "Scale" records help keep waste to a minimum. It can also show if a worker is being dishonest by pointing up the product "shrink" (items cut but not sold) during a shift.

The most important hand held device is the mobile inventory unit. With it, the worker can adjust the physical count against the inventory in the mainframe. This is important because of the inevitable miscounting, theft, or damaging of inventory. The hand held mobile can be used at the point of back stock to insure that the physical inventory matches the computer tallies on a day to day basis.

The hand held can be used to keep the records of the incoming vendor counts and correctly adjust the counts for billing purposes. This is important when billing disputes happen because the point of check in counts must agree with the bills. It eliminates the dispute when both parties sign the document saying that the computer records match the physical inventories.

The mobile device is also critical for recording waste units. Those items which are unsaleable can be recorded at the point of disposal, keeping inventory records accurate. When one has a large operation, the mobile device can insure that the counts are accurate and the product deducted is the one in hand, not a guess. In the fresh departments, the inevitable waste will be more accurate because the operator actually has the item in hand as he disposes of it.

Since temperature is critical in so many of the fresh departments, the old fashioned thermometer is a surprising choice for input device. Frozen products must not allowed to be thawed, dairy products must not raise above a certain temperature, and other fresh items must be maintained within certain guidelines. The thermometer is the simplest, fastest way to ensure that these critical guidelines are met.

Of course, the most critical element in the automated chain is the operator. Care should be taken to make sure that access to the system is restricted to those who are properly trained to make the proper input. Monitoring the system should be done by senior personnel, making sure errors do not creep into the system. Items billed should be match inventory records, and the human element is the most important in the inventory system.

When an operator does not do the procedure properly, chaos can result. Small errors compound when a lazy cashier or indifferent manager does not do their job. For example, when a lazy cashier simply counts jars of baby food, then scans one and inputs a number, the counts on all the baby food items become incorrect. Compound this error by several similar events and the inventory counts can be seriously skewed, resulting in out of stock shelves and a nightmare for the inventory crew. The indifferent manager can easily cause accounts to be "off" when he allows crews to be imprecise.

While technology is marvelous, the system only works as well as the human element allows it to work. In the end, a well trained staff is the most critical element in the inventory chain, ensuring that the computer run grocery is tightly controlled and profitable.