Arthur Schuman Inc. is now the largest importer of Italian-style hard cheese, thanks to the help of automated data capture. Back in 2000, Arthur Schuman was still managing a large amount of inventory, but was still using paper-based systems for inventory tracking and management. They were using a legacy inventory management that had no data collection or inventory tracking functions, making it extremely difficult for workers to locate and process specific cheeses for order fulfillment. This lack of automation and real-time data made it difficult to track perishable products and created order-processing problems. In addition, since there was no data automation, each cheese was simply labeled with abbreviations of the type of cheese, demanding a lot of knowledge from warehouse personnel.

After much frustration, Arthur Schuman Inc. decided they needed a completely new, integrated system. After much searching, they decided to implement Intermec handheld barcode scanners with an accompanying inventory management system that provided automated data collection, order fulfillment modules, and many picking/receiving enhancements.

With their new system, Arthur Schuman was immediately to see measurable results in multiple areas of their business. Warehouse personnel became equipped with the Intermec handheld barcode scanners, allowing them to link to the whole enterprise via a barcode interface. The barcoding system included standardized label formats, making training quick and easy. Before the system, workers would be on a constant hunt for the proper type of cheese, but now orders were being transmitted directly to the handheld devices, providing them with a precise zone and bin location of the cheese needed. Orders that once took up to six hours to pick and pack now only take one thanks to automated data collection using Intermec handheld barcode scanners.

By automating their process, warehouse personnel were able to save time, and energy, and simply had to scan the bin, rather than interpreting product labels. This improved all aspects of Arthur Schuman Inc., slashing their per pound picked cost by 30%, doubling inventory turns, and reducing errors in every facet of the business.

Going from a paper-based system to using an automated data capture system with Intermec handheld barcode scanners truly helped Arthur Schuman Inc. become more efficient, allowing them to take the lead in the cheese importing industry. If you would like to find out more about what automated data capture can do for your company, please contact our sponsor.

If you’re in need of a management system for your Windows Mobile device, then Soti MobiControl should provide you with all the necessary tools. Soti MobiControl features:

Help Desk Tools
Tech support staff has the ability to login to remote devices and quickly diagnose the problem in real time, resulting in fewer labor costs.

Device Provisioning
Automatically deploy software and data to devices in the field in real time through any network.

Location Services
Locate, track, and gather information an any/all of your mobile devices throughout the world.

Advanced Security
Administrators control how mobile devices are used and how data is accessed.

Data Sync
Synchronize files and folders between mobile devices and servers.

Asset Management
Easily track all software and hardware assets.

Diagnostics
Create base line diagnostics of mobile devices in the field and automatically identify potential problem areas.

Reporting
Specify the data that you want to collect, analyze, and report on.

CRM
Quickly identify problem units, increasing IT support capabilities.

With Soti Mobi Control, you will experience rapid and reliable performance over any network for any size of deployment, whether devices are in the warehouse or in the field. For information on installing Soti MobiControl onto your fleet of mobile devices, contact a value added reseller.

Tracking and tracing materials throughout the supply chain has become an important part of business today.  Using automated data collection not only makes this process more efficient, but can save you some green.  Track and trace systems have the ability to:

• Keep unsafe foods and pharmaceuticals from consumers
• Protect brands from counterfeiting
• Validate products for specific consumers
• Protect against bioterrorism
• And more

The food industry in particular has been focusing more on increased traceability for consumer safety.  With the introduction of EPC (Electronic Product Code), more detailed product information can be encoded, allowing specific information for each item to be tracked.  GS1 has also created the Global Traceability Standard to identify items globally and in multiple supply chains.  This standard can answer questions such as:

• Where did this product come from?
• What customers have received a product from this batch/lot?
• When was this product produced?

You can read more about the GS1 Global Traceability Standard and see how an effective track and trace system can benefit your business in the brochure for this standard.  For more information on implementing a system that utilizes barcodes and RFID for traceability, please contact me at ehodges@barcode.com.

Choosing the right mobile devices can sometimes be a challenge, so it’s essential that you review the options available before making any decisions.  The Intermec white paper, 8 Steps to Going Mobile, suggests 8 steps and corresponding questions that can help you gather facts and determine what devices are right for your requirements.   The following is a brief summary of the 8 steps suggested by Intermec, but you can read the entire white paper at the link above.

1. Establish Clear Goals

• What current processes need improvement?
• Which current processes could benefit from a switch to automated data collection?

2. Determine Data Requirements

• Do you require real-time access to data?
• How often will data from your mobile workforce need to be transferred to the office?
• Will you require GPS to track employees?

3. Determine What Data Will be Collected and Received by Your Mobile Workers

• Will workers capture data with a built-in barcode scanner?
• How much data and information can be pre-populated on the application?

4. Determine the Working Conditions of the Mobile Worker and Any Environmental Factors

• Will the device be subjected to extreme environmental conditions such as hot/cold, rain, dust, etc?
• Will the device be operated in low-light, sunlight?
• Will your mobile worker need a keypad or touch screen mobile computer?
• Will your mobile worker be on the move constantly, requiring a lighter weight design?
• Do you require battery backup, batteries that charge separately from the device and batteries that can be hot swapped?

5. Establish Technology Requirements

• Will you require middleware for the device?
• Will you want to lock down the device so mobile workers can’t add software or delete information?
• Will the device meet the requirements of the application in terms of operating system, peripherals and data storage?

6. Select a Supplier That Offers the Correct Amount of Support

• Will your supplier offer on-site and off-site end-user training?
• Do you need a supplier who offers purchase or lease options?
• What kind of services will your supplier offer after sale?

7. Financial Considerations

• What will be most cost effective for your business?
• Will you require financing?
• Always benchmark the success to determine your ROI

8. Consider Future Processes and System Upgrades

• Will the system support any upgrades you’re planning in the near future?
• Will your application outgrow your device too quickly?

Again, this is just a summary of the Intermec white paper written by Kristi Urich, for a more in-depth look at mobile computing considerations you should read the entire white paper.