At a series of recent countrywide warehouse roadshows hosted by ProScan Systems, industry leaders focused on how technology can assist the industry to meet the high pressure demands for just in time products in the South African supply chain.
Keynote speakers from Cisco, ProScan, Intermec Technologies and Industrial Logistics Systems addressed full-house audiences at venues in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town.
According to Gary Benatar, Executive Director of Industrial Logistic Systems (ILS), a leading professional supply chain consulting group specialising in warehousing and distribution systems, the world can't wait anymore.
"Our time value has changed. Previously, a document was typed and corrected with Tipex or retyped. Today, we can produce instant results to standards that were unthinkable anywhere in the world. We need to know instantaneously where everything is and where it's going and we can't wait for that information.
"Instant information in the supply chain gives you feedback and planning ability to shorten the supply chain, making it virtual and instantaneous."
Accurate and up-to-date information is incredibly valuable. "It can result in reduced inventory shrink and investment, reduced distribution expenses, improved use of space and people, shortened order and replenishment cycles and ultimately superior customer service.
"Scanning," says Benatar, "is an important link in the chain, as it improves the speed and accuracy of data collection, allowing real-time interface, enhanced security and response times, adding value to the supply chain and ultimately providing you with a competitive edge."
"But, scanning itself is of little use. In order to use automate data collection to create a world-class organisation, it needs to be part of a coherent network and simultaneously optimise supply chain strategy, tactics and operations. It can be used to ensure accurate picking, storage and retrieval, eliminate and speed up checking, monitor individual performance and productivity performance systems.
"Bar code scanning on its own is seen as the norm and no longer provides the competitive edge. The challenge lies in how best to use the data collected. A major retailer, for example, increased lift truck utilisation by more than 50% by integrating its scanning system with a world-class warehouse management system, creating a platform for labour management.
"In fact, you can experience up to 50% increase in performance if data from scanning is used properly and analysed intelligently to, for example, forecast, integrate, react, change and update data, measure performance, set standards, pay incentives, to name a few."
Colin Summers, Area Manager for Intermec Technologies for the MEA region, showcased the latest data collection and bar coding technologies and demonstrated how they contribute to productivity enhancement in the supply chain.
The Intermec Ex25 scan engine integrates near and far area imaging technology, enabling users to improve warehouse productivity, consolidate devices and reduce total cost of ownership.
An ideal data collection companion for forklift-based warehousing applications, the rugged SR61ex which incorporates the new Ex25 scan engine, improves productivity by extending the operator's scanning reach and flexibility. Paired with a vehicle-mount computer such as the Intermec CV30 or CV60, the SR61ex is ideal for stocktaking and can read 1D, 2D, composite and postal codes, in any orientation, at distances from 15cm to over 18m away.
"Operators can seamlessly transition from scanning an object in their hands, to scanning a pallet high up on a rack, to capturing an image, using the same device," says Summers. "Tightly integrated Bluetooth wireless communication ensures smooth data transmission to the host computer, and with no cables to manage, operator safety and efficiency is also increased."
Andrew Fosbrook, Managing Director of ProScan, sole value-added distributors for Intermec in southern Africa, added: "Reading the right bar code the first time is tricky when scanning at distances. Depending upon how location tags are laid out in the warehouse, scan accuracy - which can be a problem in high bay rack layouts - and scan productivity can be improved. With the laser aiming dot and higher fidelity reading capabilities of the SR61ex scanner, distance scanning from the seat of a forklift improves warehouse operations."
"The SR61ex, which joins the EX25-enabled CK31ex mobile computer released by Intermec earlier this year," concludes Summers, "demonstrates the opportunities for users to deploy flexible and accurate scanning technology across their supply chain. Both products enable users in the warehousing environment to meet their diverse scanning needs today while providing a ready tool for adapting to future operational changes."