Case Study: Noble Expands on Growth Curve with Honeywell Solutions
Since Noble Plumbing Supply and Trade Plumbing Supply merged to form Noble in 1997, the wholesale supplier of plumbing, HVAC, hydronics, industrial, building maintenance and fire protection products, has grown to more than 50 branches and counting, becoming the largest wholesaler in the greater Toronto area and one of the largest in all of Ontario. With recent expansion into both Quebec and British Columbia, Noble now has more than 200 delivery trucks and 24-hour service.
With growth came the need for a better proof of delivery (POD) system. The company also looked to automate its shipping and receiving process to streamline overall operations. They engaged Intermec by Honeywell and Nuway Software, a custom software solutions provider, to implement a new technology solution for improved signature capture and better shipping, receiving and scanning capabilities.
The solution? A custom software solution from Nuway Software coupled with the Intermec by Honeywell CN50 handheld mobile computer.
Rugged Tablet Selection Made Easy
Finding a rugged tablet that best fits your application and environmental needs is key to ensuring you get the best performance and long term value from your investment. Given the wide range of features and options available for each model, getting a clear overview of what each tablet can do is challenging when looking at individual specification sheets.
This convenient chart breaks down the main features of some of the most common rugged tablets. No matter the environment or harsh conditions you need to handle, there’s a tablet to meet whatever your requirements are. For additional assistance finding the right tablet, contact one of our mobility specialists at Barcodes Inc.
Click here to see the Comparison Chart
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Brother Introduces Apple AirPrint Compatibility for RuggedJet 4 Mobile Printers
Brother has announced that its RuggedJet 4 Wi-Fi handheld receipt and label printers now support Apple AirPrint wireless technology. AirPrint from Apple allows users to wirelessly print from iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch devices directly to RuggedJet 4 printers with ease. Brother Mobile Solutions, a premier provider of mobile and desktop thermal printing products, is proud to bring seamless integration and wireless printing to iOS users with this announcement.
Built-in AirPrint compatibility allows instant printing from iOS devices without the need to download or install drivers or interfaces and simplifies the RuggedJet user experience, making the thermal printer even easier to use. Moreover, all existing RuggedJet 4 Wi-Fi printers are backward compatible with AirPrint via a simple, free firmware update available from Brother.
Marva Maid Dairy Expand their Reach with Mobile Route Accounting
Industry: Dairy
Application: Proof of Delivery
Marva Maid Dairy’s advances in route accounting and delivery confirmation help expand company’s reach.
Executive Summary
Marva Maid Dairy was looking for new mobile devices for their route sales representatives. The devices needed to be rugged to withstand the day to day delivery schedules, and integrate with their existing software platform to allow all systems to interact and communicate effectively. Needing a better way to manage their delivery schedules and confirm receipt of shipments by their customers, Marva Maid started looking for a partner who could assist them in mobility and route accounting. Barcodes Inc successfully developed a solution deploying a rugged mobile project that works effortlessly with the existing platform.
Tricor Courier and Cargo Captures Real-Time Delivery Confirmations With Mobile Technology
Industry: Logistics
Application: Proof of Delivery & Route Accounting
Tricor Courier and Cargo captures real-time end-user delivery confirmations by putting the power of mobile technology directly in the hands of its front-line delivery team.
Executive Summary
Tricor Courier and Cargo wanted to automate and expand their capabilities in delivery services. They were in need of a paperless confirmation solution consisting of a mobile computer for signature capture as well as a mobile printer for on-location receipt confirmation for their customers. Barcodes Inc was able to deliver a mobile solution which provided immediate confirmation of receipt by their customers and improved efficiency across the entire delivery network.
Introducing the Motorola Workabout Pro 4 Industrial Mobile Computer
Choose a mobile computer that can continually evolve to meet your ever-changing business needs — the Motorola Workabout Pro 4. Its impressive modularity lets you buy the features they need now, yet easily add practically any feature, right in their own facility. Start with Wi-Fi and add WWAN. Swap scan engines to support new types of bar codes. Swap end caps to add support for voice picking applications and just about any type of RFID tag. Add a high-resolution camera to document proof of delivery, just by swapping the back cover of the device.
A large portfolio of ready-to-use modules developed by our partners is available to meet the highly specialized needs of diverse vertical markets. Since this rugged device is built to handle all day use indoors and outside, you can put it in the hands of practically any type of worker in any type of business — from workers in dusty warehouse aisles to maintenance technicians and delivery drivers who spend their days in some of the most demanding weather conditions.
Thermal Printing Cuts Cost and Adds Value for DSD
An important part of the value of automating direct store delivery (DSD) operations comes from having the ability to give customers delivery receipts, order forms and invoices on the spot. Printing documentation at the time of the visit helps ensure accuracy, reduces paperwork and clerical labor in the back office, and accelerates the cash cycle. In some countries, it is a legal requirement that DSD companies to provide and maintain a printed record of each transaction. The actual value companies can attain by mobile printing depends on the printer itself. For example, the media used in thermal printers typically costs 45 to 50 percent less than multi-part forms used in dot matrix printers, and the total cost of ownership (TCO) for ruggedized mobile printers is 58 percent lower than for non-ruggedized models.
Media cost, reliability, ease of use and compatibility with mobile computers and DSD applications give businesses a lot to think about when selecting a printer to support their operations. The decision is also made challenging because there are more technology and product options than ever. For companies that already use mobile printing in their DSD operations, product choices may have changed considerably since the last replacement cycle. Many first generation DSD automations included a vehicle-mounted dot matrix printer. Today DSD printers can be worn, carried or remain mounted in the vehicle, and thermal print technology is selected for the majority of new and replacement rollouts.
Motorola Announces The New MC45 Mobile Computer
Motorola has announced the new MC45 mobile computer – its first WAN-based solution in a new category of mobile computers that address the needs of field-based mobile workers in cost-sensitive enterprises. The cost- and size-optimized MC45 is targeted at applications such as customer relationship management (CRM), sales order entry, inventory management, proof of delivery, direct store delivery (DSD) and route accounting, while expanding the range of solutions available for small- and medium-sized businesses and fast-growing emerging markets.
Designed to help value-conscious enterprises affordably automate business processes in field mobility applications, the MC45 is ideal for field service/sales opportunities as well as the transportation and logistics industry. The rugged and ergonomic MC45 offers wireless LAN (802.11 a/b/g) and WAN (3.5G HSDPA voice/data) connectivity along with a large outdoor viewable 3.2″ display, numeric keypad and a full-shift battery with power management capabilities.
Schenck Company Invests in Durability for Demanding Delivery Environment
Beer Distributor Chooses Zebra RW 420 for Proven Ruggedness
About Schenck Company
Since 1954, Schenck Company has provided beverages to the Central Florida region, which includes Orlando and coastal resort towns. From just six employees, the company has grown to 600 associates and serves 6,000 customers. Now within the top 20 beer distributors in the country, the full-service distributor represents MillerCoors, Crown Imports, Heineken USA, Diageo-Guinness, Boston Beer and other domestic, import and craft breweries. A commitment to its employees and customers has helped land Schenck among Florida’s top 100 privately-held companies.
Challenge
Every day, 90 Schenck delivery drivers bring hundreds of cases to retailers. With each stop, they verify orders, capture the customer’s signature electronically and print a receipt.
For several years, the company has relied on a combination of handheld devices and mobile printers; however, the demanding delivery environment quickly wears down the electronics.
Puritan Bakery Expedites Each Customer Delivery with Mobile Solution
Route Drivers, Accounting Team Complete Work Faster
Touting “the best buns in town,” Puritan Bakery has served Southern California since 1938. The continuously family-owned and -run company delivers fresh hamburger buns and breads daily to restaurants, fast food stands and coffee shops, including many of the area’s iconic establishments. Now serving more than 1,000 customers, Puritan attributes its growth and longevity to quality products and superb customer service.
Challenge
Due to the short shelf life of bakery products, Puritan bakes and delivers its breads each day based on customer demand. All customers must have their orders in by noon the day preceding delivery.
Although Puritan delivery drivers used mobile devices previously, they were not integrated with the main office. That meant order changes given to drivers in the field were not received until drivers returned from delivery routes.
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