Using Inventory Movement

Overview

Inventory within BMC Helix Asset Management represents a comprehensive record of all assets and consumables maintained in stock to support operational continuity. Each item is assigned to an Inventory Location, which may include fixed sites such as warehouses, as well as mobile environments like Field Service Agents’ (FSAs) vehicle boot stock.

Field Service Agent (FSA) Inventory

Field Service Agents maintain inventory in their vehicle (boot stock) to support both planned and unplanned installations and repairs.

To determine the appropriate equipment required by an FSA, it is essential to track, report on, and forecast inventory usage based on historical data.

Tracking the following activities is critical for accurate forecasting and proactive maintenance:

• Break-Fix: Replacement of individual components
• Break-Replace: Replacement of entire units
• Break-Loan: Temporary replacement (swap) of equipment
• Installations: Deployment of new equipment

This data enables improved demand planning and supports preventative maintenance strategies.

Barcode Scanning in Asset Management

Barcode scanning streamlines and automates the tracking, management, and updating of assets. It enhances asset management processes by:

• Providing real-time visibility of assets
• Improving data accuracy
• Reducing manual errors
• Simplifying asset audits and updates

Within BMC Helix, barcode scanning significantly improves operational efficiency and asset tracking. While dispatchers can perform scanning within BMC Helix FSM, it is primarily utilized by FSAs through the mobile application (refer to the Mobile Reach Manual).

Asset Identification and Barcode Transactions

All assets are assigned both a serial number and a tag number, which are used to uniquely identify each asset.

When a work order is used to initiate barcode scanning transactions, a record of both the transaction and the associated asset is automatically logged against the work order.

Barcode Scanning Capabilities

Barcode scanning transactions enable the following actions:

• Change the inventory location of an asset
• Create or update a Configuration Item (CI)
• Update the status and status reason of a CI
• Modify asset relationships
• Update the associated work order
• Update person-to-asset relationships

FSM supports the following barcode scan functions:

Scanner Action	Description
Audit Inventory	Verification of inventory held in a vehicle (truck) or storage bin belonging to the company
Audit Site	A snapshot of all equipment currently present at a site, regardless of how or when it was installed
BF-broken Component-Original	Replacement of a broken or faulty component of Configuration Item (CI) with another component
Break Loan – Return	Return of a repaired (fixed) CI and retrieval of the loaned CI that was temporarily installed.
Change – Child	Similar to an installation but links the installed CI as a child to a parent CI. This represents an upgrade, downgrade, or modification to the parent CI through the addition of a component. (Example: Adding additional hard drives to a server)
Remove from Site	Movement of a CI from a site to a vehicle (truck) or another location.  This may occur due to decommissioning or relocation between sites.
Replace-Original	Permanent replacement of a CI due to failure, decommissioning, or other reasons.
Default Dataset	Refers to the standard configuration dataset used by the company for asset and CI management.
Pick	Inventory is physically collected from storage
Pack	Picked inventory is packaged for shipment
Shipping	Packaged items are dispatched for delivery
Delivered	Items are delivered, and receipt is confirmed
Installation	Deployment and setup of equipment at a site

Barcode Scanning and Compliance

Barcode scanning ensures that all field activities are accurately recorded and verifiable. It provides reliable data that feeds into dashboards for performance metrics, as well as supporting audit and compliance reporting.

Inventory Movement Console

Inventory Movement console gives detailed information on maintaining a record of all barcode scanning activities. The audit trail feature ensures that all scans (e.g., asset creation, updates, audits) are logged with timestamps and user details. This helps maintain a complete history of asset transactions, improving accountability and traceability.

The Inventory Movement Console provides detailed information for maintaining a comprehensive record of all barcode scanning activities.

It ensures that all barcode scan transactions (e.g., asset creation, updates, and audits) are recorded with timestamps and user details.

This functionality maintains a complete history of asset transactions, enhancing accountability, traceability, and compliance.

Inventory Movement Console Functions

The Inventory Movement Console enables the dispatcher to perform the following functions:

• Scanned Items
  View and verify records of completed barcode scans.
• Scan Workflow Configuration
  Configure rules and required input fields for barcode scanning processes.
• Inventory Movement Orders
  Track and manage inventory movement orders.
• Inventory Re-Order Levels
  Monitor defined stock levels to support timely replenishment of inventory.

Figure 1: Inventory Movement dropdowns

Visible Columns - Allows the user to select and customize which columns are displayed in the console.

 Filter - Enables the user to define and apply filters to refine and locate specific data.

Figure 2:  Filter Option

Scanned Items

Scanned Items provide evidence of completed tasks, such as serviced or processed equipment recorded through barcode scanning.

When Scanned Items is selected:

• A list of scanned actions is displayed on the left-hand side of the screen
• The corresponding details and completed fields captured during the scanning process are displayed on the right-hand side.

Figure 3:  Scanned Audit Trail: Scanned Items

Scan Workflow Configuration

The Scan Workflow Configuration function allows users to define and manage rules governing barcode scanning processes, including what must be scanned and when, to ensure compliance.

On the Scan Workflow Configuration screen:

• A list of available scan types is displayed on the left-hand side
• The default fields required for the selected scan are displayed on the right-hand sid

Select the Create Configuration button to define or modify the configuration for a specific scan type.

Figure 4:  Scanned Audit Trail: Workflow Setup

For more detailed information on Create and Update configuration on Barcode and Scan actions, refer to Administering – Asset and Inventory Management. Ensure that all field configurations are aligned with the guidelines provided, particularly when defining default barcode fields.

Inventory Movement Orders

Inventory Movement Orders enable users to track the movement of equipment and monitor its status throughout the process.

On the Inventory Movement Orders screen:

• The left-hand side displays a list of equipment movement orders that can be selected.
• The right-hand side displays detailed information about the selected order, including status, site, date, work order, and other relevant details.

Additionally, the right-hand side provides functionality to view and print the Waybill associated with the equipment movement.

Figure 5:  Inventory Movement Orders

Inventory Re-order Levels

The Inventory Re-Order Levels screen provides information about products that may need to be reordered, including details such as product name, quantity in stock, and other relevant attributes.

On the Inventory Re-Order Levels screen:

• The left-hand side displays a list of products that can be selected.
• The right-hand side displays detailed information for the selected product, including product name, current stock quantity, and other relevant details.

Figure 6:  Inventory Re-order Levels