Physical inventory is a process where a business physically counts its entire inventory. A physical inventory may be mandated by financial accounting rules or the tax regulations to place an accurate value on the inventory, or the business may need to count inventory so component parts or raw materials can be restocked. Businesses may use several different tactics to minimize the disruption caused by physical inventory.

• Inventory services provide labor and automation to quickly count inventory and minimize shutdown time.
• Inventory control system software can speed the physical inventory process.
• A perpetual inventory system tracks the receipt and use of inventory, and calculates the quantity on hand.
• Cycle counting, an alternative to physical inventory, may be less disruptive.