What activity is performed after receiving goods but before they are put away?

The activity performed after receiving goods but before they are put away is inspecting quality. This step is crucial in the warehousing process as it involves checking the received items for any damage, discrepancies, or defects compared to what was ordered. This ensures that the goods meet the required standards and specifications, allowing for a smooth inventory management process.

By conducting quality inspections, warehouses can prevent non-conforming items from being placed into inventory, which could lead to erroneous stock levels, increased return rates, and potential issues in fulfilling future orders. This process directly impacts the overall efficiency and effectiveness of warehousing operations.

The other choices focus on different aspects of warehouse management: processing purchase orders relates to the procurement process and is typically done prior to receiving goods; creating stock zones involves organizing the warehouse layout and assigning locations for storage, which usually occurs after the inspection; and updating supplier records pertains to maintaining accurate supplier information, which does not take place immediately after goods receipt. Thus, they are not the appropriate actions to take during the specified timeframe between receiving goods and putting them away.