QUESTION $1[20$ MARKS$]$

The inventory management at a specific facility is encountering challenges. There is a discrepancy between

the physical stock items and the records in the computer$-$based Warehouse Management System $($WMS$).$

This mismatch is negatively affecting the accuracy of stock selection and leading to a continuous increase

in the occurrence of issues. These problems are also evident in the increased workload for the cyclecounting staff, who are responsible for identifying and rectifying these discrepancies. This situation has

escalated into significant difficulties. Joash Maluleke, the inventory foreman, has been tasked with

investigating the root cause of these problems. He is currently grappling with where to initiate this process.

Given your expertise in logistics$,$ you have been approached to assist Joash in resolving this matter.

$1\mathrm{.}1.$ Advise Joash of the processes that can cause the problems.

$1\mathrm{.}2.$ How would you contain the problem until you have found the cause?

$1\mathrm{.}3.$ If you knew that the staff had not altered, how would you isolate the cause of the problem?

$1\mathrm{.}4.$ The financial staff are claiming that the only way to fix the problem is to count the stock in the

entire warehouse. What is your advice? Justify your advice.