How You Can Save Many Resources with a Sample Inventory, Giving the Team More Time for Pizza
1) The Problem with the Old Inventory
A full physical inventory sounds thorough, but often feels very intense. Days with blocked aisles, paper chaos, and Excel lists. Employees count, correct, count again. In the end, numbers are missing, often during the most important time of the year. The costs rarely appear completely in the budget, but everyone feels them: time, nerves, and delivery capability. And this is exactly where many companies waste money. Yet, there is a simple and cost-effective alternative that also saves a lot of time.
Take the chance to turn the inventory marathon into a short, predictable process. Without night shifts. Without a full count. Without stopping operations.
2) The Legal Basis is Clear
Sample inventory is explicitly permitted in Germany. § 241 HGB specifies recognized mathematical-statistical methods, which must comply with the GoB (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) and whose informative value must correspond to a full physical count. This is exactly the way to reduce inventory effort while remaining secure.
Reliable inventory record-keeping with random sampling and documentation that an auditor can trace. This turns the inventory obligation into a clean routine for your warehouse.
3) What the Sample Inventory Achieves in Daily Operations
The method concentrates the full focus on the high-value items. These are counted completely. The remainder is checked layer by layer via sample and statistically extrapolated. This significantly reduces the number of items to be counted. Blocked times shrink. The records remain auditable. The method is designed precisely for this.
4) The Practical Solution for SMEs
classix from Hamburg has developed software for this that scores points with its excellent price-performance ratio. It guides you through selection, counting, extrapolation, and reports for the auditor in seven simple steps. Interfaces to ERP, WMS, or LVS (Warehouse Management Systems) facilitate the start. Satisfied customers show that the entry is possible quickly, often in a short time from order to the first count. This reduces risk and makes success predictable.
The software solution, GESTIN, is certified by an internationally active auditing firm. References describe significant reductions in effort. Naturally, a free testing option is available.
5) Quick Inventory and Then a Pizza
The picture is simple. Instead of blocking warehouse aisles for days, the team counts selectively. Operations remain deliverable. Accounting receives clean figures. And the crew ultimately has more time for a pizza. That's what efficiency feels like.
6) IT, Logistics, or Purchasing. Everyone Benefits
IT is happy about simple integration and clear data paths. Logistics avoids standstill, and Purchasing has valid inventory values faster for annual discussions and disposition. Overall, this creates calm in the process and security in the financial statements.
7) Auditability and Transparency
What auditors look for: a recognized procedure, clean random selection, traceable documentation, and equivalence to the full inventory. These points can be consistently met with a suitable solution. Then nothing stands in the way of the green checkmark.
Solution Advantages at a Glance
- Time Savings. Inventory in hours instead of days thanks to targeted counting and statistical extrapolation.
- Cost Savings. Fewer counting items, fewer auxiliary staff, less blocked time in the warehouse.
- Security. Permissible under HGB, compliant with GoB, established practice in Germany.
- Easy Implementation. Standardized interfaces, fast project start, testable.
- Certified. Independent software audit creates confidence with external auditors.
Is sample inventory legally permitted?
Yes. §241 HGB permits inventory determination via sampling using recognized mathematical-statistical methods. The informative value must correspond to the full physical count.
Which prerequisites must be met?
Reliable inventory record-keeping, a recognized procedure, compliance with GoB, and verifiability. This is clearly described in specialized commentaries.
How fast is the implementation?
The start is quick with suitable software. Standardized interfaces and clear data requirements help.
How is auditability ensured?
The solution generates complete documentation. Random selection, counting lists, extrapolation, and the inventory report are documented and verifiable.
Rethink inventory in the new year. Test now, reduce costs, keep operations running. Start consultation and testing here: gestin.classix.de/en
