GRN
A Goods Receipt Note (GRN) is the document recording the actual receipt of goods into a warehouse or facility. It captures: physical quantity received (counted, not assumed), condition (damaged, short-shipped, expired), pack details (cartons, pallets, container seals), receipt date, and any discrepancies against the original purchase order (PO) or ASN.
The GRN is the trigger event for: inventory updates in WMS, three-way matching against PO and supplier invoice, putaway workflow, and supplier performance scoring. In modern systems, GRN is generated digitally at the receiving dock via barcode/RFID-enabled mobile apps.
The GRN records what actually turned up — counted, not assumed — and it is the middle leg of the three-way match that stops you paying for goods you never received. It is also the trigger for inventory updates, putaway and supplier performance scoring.
What is three-way matching?
Reconciling the purchase order (what was ordered), the goods receipt note (what was received) and the supplier invoice (what was billed) before payment — so you only pay for what you actually got.
What triggers a GRN?
The physical receipt of goods at the dock. Recording the GRN updates inventory, starts putaway, and feeds the three-way match and supplier scoring.