If you want to use Xentral’s Mobile Inventory App to take inventory using mobile devices in your warehouse and are wondering what the very first steps are, you’ve come to the right place.
In this article you will learn
how to assign the necessary user rights for the Mobile Inventory App in Xentral and
Hardware requirements and recommendations
To take advantage of the Mobile Inventory App and to carry out an inventory that is as error-free as possible, at best you use a professional MDE device that is suitable for the typical workflows in the warehouse. Depending on the size of your warehouse and your number of employees, you may already have such devices.
We recommend the following manufacturers and models:
Zebra TC26
Zebra MC 3300
Honeywell
Sunmi
Tip
For a very first test, you can also install the Mobile Inventory App on any smartphone with an Android operating system, provided that the smartphone has an integrated camera so that you can scan the barcodes of your storage locations and products.
We strongly recommend the use of the MDE devices mentioned above for productive use of the Mobile Inventory App, since they are designed specifically for warehouse management requirements, giving you a smooth and professional user experience.
General requirements
The following requirements apply to the Mobile Inventory App, no matter the device you are using:
Latest Xentral version: To ensure maximum stability, we recommend that you always use the latest version of Xentral.
Availability according to plan: You can use the Mobile Inventory App from the Business Plan and higher. Click here to get an insight into all available Xentral plans and their range of features.
Barcodes for storage locations and products: The Mobile Inventory App is designed to register storage location and product barcodes, so make sure all your products and storage locations have unique barcodes.
Installing the Mobile Inventory App
Follow these steps to install the Mobile Inventory App from the GooglePlay Store or App Store.
For Android devices: Pick up your desired device and search the Google Play Store for the app called Xentral Inventory.
Tip
The easiest way to find the app is to scan the following QR code with your device:
Tap on Install.
The app is downloaded and installed on your device.
Important
If your MDE device is not licensed for Google services, the installation method described above is not possible. Don’t worry - you can still install the Mobile Inventory App by downloading the app’s APK file from the Google Play Store. Click on the link below to learn how it works and what steps you need to take in this case:
For devices running iOS: Pick up your desired device and search for the app called Xentral Inventory in the App Store.
Tip
The easiest way to find the app is to scan the following QR code with your device:
Tap on Install.
The app is downloaded and installed on your device.
Enabling app login and creating a PIN
After you install the app on your device, the next step is to make sure users can log into the app and work with it.
Login to the app works for each individual app user using a personal QR code and PIN.
First, decide which users of your Xentral instance should work with the Mobile Inventory App and therefore gain access to the app. Then, proceed with the steps below to unlock the app login for those users and set the PINs needed to login to the app.
Important
If you do not have permission to access the user administration, you cannot carry out the following steps. In this case, please discuss the further procedure with the admin of your Xentral instance.
In Xentral, open the Settings > General Settings > User management > Manage users menu.
Open the desired user by clicking on the pencil icon to the right.
Click on the Mobile Apps tab.
If no QR code is displayed yet, click Create mobile device token.
The QR code is generated and displayed.
Tip
You can print this QR code so that your warehouse staff can attach it on their access card and scan it at any time they want to work with the app, greatly speeding up and simplifying login to the app.
In the PIN (4 digits, numeric) field, enter the desired PIN that the user will later use to login to the app.
Click on Update PIN.
The entered PIN is assigned to the user.
Assigning app user rights
To take inventory using the app and use all the features you need, all app users who are not admins need at least the following permissions:
Benutzer > list
Projekt > list
Warehouse > exportproducts
Proceed as follows to grant users these rights.
In Xentral, open the Settings > General Settings > User management > Manage users menu.
Open the desired user by clicking on the pencil icon to the right.
Click on the Rights tab.
In the Benutzer section, activate the list right.
In the Projekt section, activate the list right.
In the Warehouse section, activate the exportproducts right.
Note
It is not necessary to click on Save. Once you click on the desired right, the color changes from gray to blue. That is all that is necessary to grant the right.
Logging into the Mobile Inventory App
After you have completed all the steps described so far, you are ready to login to the app.
Proceed as follows to log into the Mobile Inventory App.
Open the Mobile Inventory App on your mobile device.
Scan the QR code you previously created as described in chapter Enabling app login and creating a PIN on your computer screen.
Tip
As a reminder, you can find the QR code in Settings > General Settings > User management > Manage users > Open user > Mobile Apps > Mobile App Authentication.
Enter the PIN you previously created as explained in chapter Enabling app login and creating a PIN.
You will now be logged into the app.