Your First Count

This guide walks you through counting your first publication in PubCounter. You can count using either weight-based measurement or manual entry.

Accessing the Count Page

1. Sign in to PubCounter

   Go to pubcounter.app and sign in with your credentials.

2. Navigate to the inventory

   From the dashboard, you’ll see your congregation’s publications listed. Each card shows the publication name, current count status, and last count date.

3. Select a publication

   Tap or click on a publication card to open the counting page.

Counting Methods

Weight-Based

Weight-Based Counting

Weight-based counting is the fastest way to count publications. You’ll need a digital scale that measures in grams.

1. Check calibration status

   On the count page, look for the calibration indicator. If it shows “Calibrated,” you’re ready to weigh. If not, you’ll need to calibrate first.

2. Place publications on scale

   Stack your publications neatly on the scale and note the total weight.

3. Enter the weight

   Enter the total weight in grams into the “Total Weight” field. PubCounter automatically calculates the quantity based on the calibrated unit weight.

4. Verify the count

   Review the calculated quantity. If it looks correct, click “Submit Count.”

Tip

For best accuracy, place publications flat on the scale without any packaging or covers that aren’t part of the publication.

Manual Entry

Manual Entry

Use manual entry when you’ve physically counted publications or when weight-based counting isn’t practical (e.g., for mixed items or very few publications).

1. Switch to manual mode

   On the count page, select “Manual Count” as the entry method.

2. Enter the quantity

   Type the exact number of publications you counted.

3. Submit the count

   Click “Submit Count” to save your entry.

Understanding Count Status

After submitting, your count will have one of these statuses:

Status	Meaning
Pending	Count submitted, awaiting admin approval
Approved	Admin has verified and approved the count
Needs Review	Admin has flagged the count for review
Not Counted	Publication hasn’t been counted this period

Viewing Previous Counts

On the count page, you can see the previous month’s count for reference. This helps you:

• Verify your new count is reasonable
• Identify unusual changes in inventory
• Track inventory trends over time

Tips for Accurate Counting

1. Count at the same time each period - This ensures consistency
2. Include all storage locations - Check carts, back rooms, and distribution areas
3. Don’t count damaged publications - Only count items in distributable condition
4. Use weight counting for large quantities - It’s faster and just as accurate when calibrated properly

Next Steps

• Learn about weight calibration for faster counting
• Submit reorder requests for low-stock items
• Generate reports after completing your counts