How to weigh inventory
With Bar Cop, you can weigh your open liquor, wine, and tapped kegs for the most accurate inventory possible using bar scales. If you are concerned about employees stealing, then weighing is the only way you will be able to really detect theft.
Weighing your products:
Bottle and keg weights are entered in inventory locations that have open products. When weighing liquor and wine products, you enter bottle weights in the "Bottle Weight" column. If you are weighing kegs, you enter weights in the "Keg Weight" column in the draft beer inventory count section. The process in how weights are entered into Bar Cop will be determined by the type of scale you are using when weighing (a connected bar inventory scale or basic scale).
The type of inventory weigh scale you use will determine how the weight data is entered into Bar Cop.
A basic scale (does not connect to computer). For weighing liquor and wine bottles, this can be any type of small scale. The bottle scale should have an "Ounces" only unit of measurement setting (bottle weights must be entered into Bar Cop in ounces) and a weight capacity of at least 10 lbs. For a keg scale, the base should be a minimum of 12x15 inches and a weight capacity of at least 320 lbs. Keg weights can be entered into Bar Cop either in total "Ounces" or "Pounds/Ounces".
When using a basic type of inventory scale for bottles or kegs, data is entered in one of two ways:
1) Manually type in the weights.
2) Use voice command to enter the weights (see voice command data entry).
Because a basic scale does not connect to your computer and weights are entered either by using voice command or by manually typing, a Wedge program is not needed.
A connected scale (connects to computer). To use a connected scale you will need a "Keyboard Wedge" program that transfers the weight from the scale into Bar Cop. You can use any scale (USB, Bluetooth, RS-232) that is compatible with the Wedge software you choose. The bottle scale should have an "Ounces" only unit of measurement setting and a weight capacity of at least 10 lbs. For a keg scale, the base should be a minimum of 12x15 inches and a weight capacity of at least 320 lbs. Keg weights can be entered into Bar Cop either in total "Ounces" or "Pounds/Ounces".
NOTE: When using a connected inventory scale, compatible Wedge software is required to transfer the scale's weight data automatically into Bar Cop as you weigh your products.
Important: Not all weigh scales are compatible with all Wedge software options. Get a compatible scale list from the Wedge software company and then decide which option you want to go with.
Here are two examples of Wedge software and compatible scales, however there are many different options available online.
1) 232 Key Wedge Software (https://www.232key.com) is free and works well with the Ohaus Scout SPX8200 scale with the USB connection kit accessory. The Scout is a high quality scale, however 232 Key will work with many others. You can contact 232 Key support for questions on compatible scales. Here are two PDF guides on how to use 232 Key with a scale like the Ohaus Scout: 232 Key Wedge setup and Scale weighing guide.
2) Taltech HID Scale Wedge Software (https://www.taltech.com/hid-scalewedge) is $99 and works well with inexpensive USB scales like the Dymo M10. The Dymo M10 does not have an "Ounces" only setting, however the HID Scale Wedge software has a setting to convert pounds to ounces automatically when transferring the weight into Bar Cop. Taltech's HID Scale Wedge is very simple to use and includes support that can help with any questions about compatible scales and using the software.
Things to know:
1) Weighing products is more accurate than point counting. However, you may not want to weigh products that are not used very often. In Bar Cop, you can easily weigh some products and point count others. It's entirely up to you.
2) For liquor and wine bottles, you need a scale that weighs in total ounces (not pounds/ounces) with a weight capacity of at least 10 lbs. To weigh kegs, you need a scale large (minimum 12x15) and durable enough to weigh up to half barrel size kegs with a minimum weight capacity of 320 lbs.