Portable data terminals from Symbol Technologies are playing a key role in Sanlam`s demutualisation process. Installed at Mailtronic Direct Marketing, by Synapse Technologies, the terminals scan the insurance giant`s share certificates to speed up the distribution process as well as the tracking and tracing of the certificates.
Mailtronic, specialists in processing of bulk mail, are one of the few companies in South Africa with the capabilities to handle such a sophisticated mailing process.
According to Soondram Moodley, managing director of Mailtronic, between 250000 - 500000 share certificates were mailed. "We received the individually numbered certificates in batches of 100 000 from Mercantile Registar. Each certificate number is scanned by Mailtronic as well as the South African Post Office who scan in their registered letter numbers. In the past this process involved labels and other paper-based records which were tedious and made the tracking of certificates very difficult."
"With this new solution the tracking and tracing of certificates is simple. If we have a query as to the whereabouts of certificates, we can identify its location in a matter of minutes," said Moodley.
Graham O`Keeffe, sales and marketing director of Symbol Technologies, said the portable terminals, which are known as PDT 3100 Series, are DOS-based with optional integrated scanning. "The PDT 3100 terminal series offers outstanding on-the-job scanning performance, even in the most demanding environments. Their optional scan heads have the ability to read poor-quality or large symbols, deliver high first-time read rate and accuracy, and scan through plastic and other protective coatings. Users have a choice of 4 or 8-line by 20 character displays and can choose between 35 or 46 alphanumeric or 21 numeric keypad configurations and optional integrated linear barcode scanning capabilities," he said.
Alan Churcher, sales director of Synapse, a Symbol Technologies authorised business partner and installers of the terminals, said: "We have also developed a database management system, which is specifically tailored to Mailtronic`s requirements. Valuable information which was traditionally only available on paper is now stored and manipulated on the database."
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