Inventory Tool

MnPALS Inventory Tool

MnPALS Inventory Tool

The MnPALS Inventory Tool reviews a range of physical item barcodes and returns a report providing information about the item's status and location.  Hosted at  https://inventory.mnpals.net ; the tool currently supports the following classification schemes: LC and Dewey. 

Steps for Use:

  1. Create an excel file of scanned barcodes from a set range
    1.  Supported file format is: .xlsx
      1. Barcodes should be in first column with a header of barcode or barcodes
      2. Save file with identifying specifics, make sure to save without any spaces in name
      3. Files should be limited to no more than 5000 barcodes or items at a time.
  2. Navigate to https://inventory.mnpals.net/
  3. Click on the library dropdown and select your institution
  4. Use the barcode xlsx file's choose file to choose and upload the file for the report
  5. Set the report parameters
    1. Call Number Type
      1. LC/Dewey supported
    2. Library
    3. Scan Location
      1. Physical location for materials scanned
    4. Item Type
      1. Primary item type for scanned location
    5. Policy Type
      1. Primary item type for scanned location
  6. Select the applicable only report types
    1. Only report call number order problems?
      1. Flags items with call number out of order only - does not report missing items
    2. Only report problems other than call numbers?
      1. Flags items with problems such as missing or lost
    3. Report only Problems
      1. Only displays items with problems
    4. Clear cache
      1. Allows you to ensure you retrieve the most recent data from Alma, if reprocessing barcodes, you can use the metadata (cached within the last 24 hrs) for a faster report. 
  7. Click on Submit Query
  8. Review the table summary for error messages and CN order
    1. Problem: The tool lists any problems that it found with the items.
    2. IN TEMP LOC: The item is listed in Alma in a temporary location.
    3. WRONG LIBRARY: The item is listed in Alma under a different library.
    4. WRONG LOCATION: The item is listed in Alma under a different location.
    5. WRONG TYPE: The item has a different item type in Alma.
    6. WRONG ITEM POLICY: The item has a different item policy in Alma.
    7. NIP: MISSING: The item is listed in Alma as missing.
    8. NIP: LOST_LOAN: The item is listed in Alma as lost.
    9. OUT OF ORDER: The item is in the wrong order, based on call number. The tool provides instructions on how to move the item.
  9. Download the report
    1. Saves results as a .csv file as the displayed file name
  10. Click on Upload to run subsequent reports.
To verify errors, please use  Alma's  Shelf Report.

This report only returns results on items in the scan file. It does not report items not present in the scan file. 

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