Subitising in Stocktaking: Boosting Efficiency with the RGIS Figure Laser
In inventory management, speed and accuracy are crucial to reducing errors, preventing stockouts, and maintaining efficient stock levels. A cognitive skill that can significantly streamline this process is subitising—the ability to instantly recognise the number of items in a small group without counting. Subitising becomes especially powerful when utilising tools like the RGIS Figure Laser, which facilitates fast, precise stock counts through visualising the quantity.
How Subitising Enhances Stocktaking with the RGIS Figure Laser
The RGIS Figure Laser leverages subitising to support quick and reliable stocktaking. The device allows operators to “sight count” quantities by recognising patterns in small groups of products and using specific buttons to record them instantly. Instead of counting every individual item on a shelf, employees can use subitising to quickly assess groupings and enter quantities accordingly.
For instance, the RGIS Figure Laser has coloured buttons that correspond to different quantities:
– **Red Button**: Enters a quantity of 1
– **Yellow Button**: Enters a quantity of 2
– **Green Button**: Enters a quantity of 3
– **Red & Yellow Buttons Combined**: Enters a quantity of 12
– **Green & Yellow Buttons Combined**: Enters a quantity of 6
Using these pre-set quantities, stocktakers can visualise quantities and quickly input the numbers without manual counting. For example, if there’s a tray of products arranged in rows of two, an operator can focus on each row and press the yellow button as their eyes pass over each pair of items. This not only speeds up stocktaking but also reduces mental fatigue and counting errors.
Key Benefits of Subitising with the RGIS Figure Laser
- Accelerated Counting: The Figure Laser’s ability to register quantities in small groups aligns perfectly with subitising. This enables employees to visually group items and input them quickly, saving time compared to traditional methods where each item must be counted individually.
- Minimised Counting Errors: Manually counting large quantities of products often leads to mistakes, especially in busy stock environments. Subitising combined with the RGIS Figure Laser’s intuitive entry system reduces errors, helping staff to focus on groupings rather than individual units.
- 3. Efficient Shelf and Tray Counting: The RGIS Figure Laser is designed for sight counting, making it ideal for scenarios where items are arranged in consistent groups or patterns, such as trays or shelves. For example, counting a tray of bottles arranged in rows of three can be easily done by focusing on each row and pressing the green button, which instantly records a quantity of three without the need for detailed counting.
- Enhanced Productivity Through Sight Counting: Subitising encourages stocktakers to “count with their eyes, not their hands.” This approach speeds up the counting process by allowing employees to rely on visual recognition. As staff become more skilled in recognising patterns (such as the tops of bottles or alignment of boxes), their efficiency improves, reducing the time spent on each stocktake.
Practical Application: Integrating Subitising with Multi-Quantity (MQ) Mode
With the Figure Laser, stocktakers can use Multi-Quantity (MQ) mode to quickly input quantities based on what they subitise. In MQ mode, the device allows stocktakers to input quantities manually using the coloured buttons, creating a seamless transition from sight counting to recorded entries. The combination of subitising and MQ mode means staff can quickly process a large number of items without pausing to count each individual unit.
For instance, after scanning a barcode, an employee can subitise the items in sight (e.g., groups of two), press the yellow button for each group, and swiftly move on. Each input is displayed on the screen, giving instant feedback on quantities for the specific barcode. If a correction is needed, a long press on the red button removes the last entry, allowing for error-free adjustments.
Looking Forward: Subitising and Technology in Inventory Management
As technology evolves, the combination of subitising and advanced counting tools like the RGIS Figure Laser represents a forward-thinking approach to stock management. Sight counting supported by intuitive digital tools not only increases accuracy but also boosts productivity, enabling organisations to maintain efficient stock levels and avoid overstocking or understocking.
Conclusion
Integrating subitising into stocktaking with the RGIS Figure Laser transforms traditional inventory processes, offering a faster, more intuitive, and accurate approach to stock management. By empowering staff to sight count with the aid of a purpose-built tool, businesses can reduce stocktake times, minimise errors, and support a more responsive and reliable supply chain.