Picking and Printing on the Go
Challenge
A Midwestern distribution center knew that it was losing valuable time in its picking operations. To fill an order, the forklift driver would receive a printed pick list from the shipping office and then drive through the distribution center to pick up the listed pallets. Once he had completed the picking operation, he would return to the shipping office to pick up the required shipping labels based on the number of cartons on each pallet. There had to be an easier way.
Solution
The company now uses bar coding throughout this process to automate the development of the pick list, ensure picking accuracy and prepare items for shipping. Forklift-mounted Zebra® portable printers enable the forklift driver to print on-demand shipping labels— saving the trip back to the shipping office.
Otis Elevator Company Keeps Things Moving with Zebra Barcode Printers
Life in a Global Distribution Centre
Otis’s Gien-based manufacturing plant has been in existence since 1961. The site comprises several operations including cabin system manufacturing; door system manufacturing, for which the Gien site is the world’s leading production center; a research center employing 100 people; and a distribution center. The distribution center presented the greatest problems in terms of depot management. Due to the size and layout of the site and the complexity of procedures that had developed over time it was very difficult for staff to track and follow up incoming and outgoing consignments. Available storage was inadequately utilized, being determined largely by what space was available in the warehouse. On top of that a significant proportion of data entry was done manually. The reliance on paperwork distributed throughout the process increased the number of errors that arose. Paperwork was produced to assist in information sharing between forklift truck operators for storage, and administrators for data entry.
Product Identification
Even though there is a catalog of standard equipment, a lift is almost always manufactured to bespoke requirements. Components from two different orders cannot be switched, even if they are identical, so errors of labeling, handwriting, data entry, reading the order number or storage location could lead to packages being misplaced or overlooked which has a potential knock- on effect for quality and delivery times for the customer.
Until Spring 2000, operators at the end of the production lines at Otis identified packages manually, detailing information on the project number, the number of packages and the weight. The distribution center was organized around a production management and commercial management software package that did not allow for true tracking and tracing, or for storage optimization.
Otis began the search for a solution to give systematic identification, by product line or by supplier, of all packages passing through the depot. Otis called on IDEM, a specialist integrator in the field of automatic identification and data acquisition, to implement the new equipment. They used 3I for the warehouse management software package and Teklogix for the radio frequency component.
Microscan announces world’s first fully integrated liquid lens barcode imager
Microscan, a global technology leader for precision data acquisition and control solutions, premiers the QX Hawk, the world’s first barcode imager to be fully integrated with liquid lens technology, enabling infinite focus flexibility. The QX Hawk imager easily reads any barcode or 2D symbol, including challenging 2D direct part marks (DPM), within seconds of installation.
With the introduction of the QX Hawk fixed-mount imager, Microscan now has the largest product line available of specialty imagers and verifiers focused on direct part mark reading. The revolutionary QX Hawk is the first high performance imager to have the full flexibility to read any mark at any distance and speed in any environment, and the first to fully integrate liquid lens technology. Advanced imaging technology, including liquid lens autofocus and modular zoom optics, removes the need for automation engineers to research multiple configuration options before deployment.
Honeywell Dolphin 6100 Mobile Computer Introductory Video
Watch this video for a quick overview of features available in Honeywell’s new Dolphin 6100 mobile computer.
Motorola AP-7131 Access Points and RFS6000 Wireless Switches Improve Patient Care and Wireless Security at Medical Center
802.11n wireless network delivers gap-free security, field-proven reliability for critical healthcare applications, and support for current and future end-to-end mobility initiatives
The Enterprise Mobility Solutions business of Motorola, Inc. announced its 802.11n wireless LAN (WLAN) solution has been deployed at Memorial Medical Center (MMC) of Western Michigan, a community hospital located in Ludington, Mich.
Motorola’s innovative WLAN technology will enable end-to-end voice, video and data mobility across the entire healthcare facility, helping improve patient care, boost productivity and increase staff satisfaction. Patients and guests will also benefit from the new 802.11n wireless network by gaining high-speed Internet access, so they can stay connected while visiting the hospital.
Cherry Increases its Industrial Line with J84-4300 “WipeKey” Washable Keyboard
Cherry’s new J84-4300 “WipeKey” Cleanable keyboard addresses the growing need for cleanable keyboards in industrial, medical and institutional environments.
A study published in “Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology” journal found germs on keyboards in the healthcare environment to be common. Data from the report suggest that keyboards can be successfully decontaminated with disinfectants, and report authors recommend that “Keyboards should be disinfected daily or when visibly soiled or if they become contaminated with blood.”
Cherry’s “WipeKey” keyboard is resistant to moisture because of its rubber membrane design and moisture drain pattern. However, it offers the tactility and speed typing of a typical notebook keyboard.
WipeKey provides 10 million keystroke endurance in a compact, low-profile package of 14.5″ x 5.5″ x 0.75″. Its integrated rubber pointing device is also rated to IP55 for resistance to liquids and dust. The standard version is equipped with USB interface. It is ideal for applications in diagnostic equipment, medical carts, laboratories, factories and schools.
Efficiency gains that support legal requirements with Zebra’s QL 320 printer.
The challenge:
Acquire information from existing barcodes
Print labels easily and on demand
The solution:
Combine the opportunities brought by Zebra’s QL 320 mobile printer and Falcon 320 mobile terminal
Add printing options to Falcon 320 software
The results:
Compliance with labeling regulations Savings on staff time Flexible and time efficient label printing
The challenge
AHOLD Czech Republic’s aim was to improve labeling of pre-packaged meat products in their stores. On receipt of these meat products they only had one label indicating weight. Ahold also used to add an extra price label using a weighing machine.
In order to consolidate information on both these labels, Ahold had to change the way of attaching price labels. The only solution was to scan weight information from the original label and print a new price label based on the original weight.
Top 5 Tips for Choosing Mobile Computers
Sorting through the smart phones, PDAs and ruggedized computers available for business use is no easy task. Dozens of manufacturers offer hundreds of devices in thousands of configurations, but only one may be best suited for your particular environment and workforce. Rather than trying to stay on top of all the products that are being introduced and discontinued, the technologies and features being added, plus available peripherals and software, enterprises can quickly cut down to a few viable options by following five basic tips:
Janam Announces XM66 and XM60+ Rugged Mobile Computers
Janam’s New XM66 and XM60+ Deliver Features Designed for the Front Line and Pricing that Drives the Bottom Line
Janam Technologies LLC, a leading provider of rugged mobile computers that scan barcodes and communicate wirelessly, today announced two new XM Series rugged mobile computers: XM66 (with Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.1) and XM60+ (with Microsoft Windows CE 5.0).
With these two new Microsoft Windows devices, Janam is first to bring the powerful Freescale i.MX31 ARM11 processor and double data rate (DDR) memory to the rugged mobile computing space, resulting in computing performance that significantly outperforms the competition.
“As its name suggests, double data rate memory is twice as fast and power-efficient as conventional memory. We’re thrilled that Janam is first to migrate this leading cell phone technology to the rugged mobile computing space,” said Harry B. Lerner, CEO of Janam. “When you combine this winning feature with the fact that the XM Series are the only fully rugged mobile computers that offer a full 3.5” display at less than 10 ounces, we believe this product line has exactly the right features for the markets it serves.”
Microscan introduces Mobile Hawk Highest Performance Handheld DPM Imager
Microscan, a global technology leader for precision data acquisition and control solutions, introduces the new point-and-shoot Mobile Hawk handheld imager which quickly reads any 2D barcode, including direct part marks (DPM). The Mobile Hawk DPM imager expands Microscan’s specialty product line of imagers and verifiers focused on challenging, low contrast direct part mark applications. Direct part marks are typically 2D Data Matrix symbols permanently marked by methods such as dot peen or laser/chemical etch onto substrates including metal, plastic, rubber or glass. These marking methods often result in low contrast visibility of the symbol or inconsistent imprints that can be challenging to decode through traditional imaging technology.
Using advanced technology, the Mobile Hawk combines patent-pending MAXlite machine vision illumination with aggressive X-Mode DPM algorithms. MAXlite leverages NERLITE® experience in machine vision lighting with an integrated, optimized multi-axis lighting solution. These exclusive Microscan lighting and algorithm technologies combine to deliver a truly plug-and-play mobile imager that is easy to use and extremely reliable for low-contrast DPM applications.
