Johannesburg, 04 Sep 2017
The beating heart of the organisation lies within its distribution centre (DC). Here the materials, the merchandise and the products that define your business are managed, controlled and dispatched. Within the DC walls lie the people and the processes that make the difference between seamless delivery and customer approvals or an unwanted reputation for poor service and solutions. It's an environment that benefits from investment in tools and technologies that can enhance productivity and communications, support security systems and deliver services that manage stock levels effectively.
Imagine the technology that is required at the core of a million-square feet DC, (the size of Amazon for example), to assess inventory, determine stock levels, complete orders and deliver items to the right spaces at the right times. Fortunately, there are solutions available today that ensure any DC can now achieve the extraordinary with intelligent investment and tailored implementations. The state-of-the-art DC uses WiFi to converge telephony solutions, stock, inventory and handling devices with barcode readers, are of which are all interoperable, with communication solutions that are integrated over a unifying platform.
"There are industrial grade WiFi phones that are designed to support worker productivity, connecting people who work on-site with customers and colleagues," says Roan van der Walt, Solutions Sales Specialist, UC Wireless. "These tools allow employees in challenging retail and manufacturing environments to collaborate and communicate on site and on demand, making use of features that are designed to handle the noise and distances that could negatively impact communication in these sectors."
Imagine being able to use one device to page, call, scan, access two-way radio, integrate with Skype for Business, call on the intercom and conference call? This is very much a reality with some of the solutions on the market today. With these tools, employees can provide real-time insight into DC activities and challenges, and they can immediately update the relevant people around stock availability and order fulfilment using any one of the communication methods available.
"Many solutions come with Bluetooth headsets and conferencing capabilities that allow personnel to communicate effectively," says Van der Walt. "Consider if there has been a break-in or if stock hasn't arrived or if an order has been delayed due to an issue on the ground - the situation can be managed in real-time, on location. And the geo tagging features will ensure that the person is quickly located so that support staff can be sent to the right location."
Security is, of course, an ever-present concern and any device should include features that allow for richer security applications. Some of the leading offerings come with panic buttons and, coupled with the location services, ensure staff have 24/7, real-time support if required. In addition, there are features that can detect if a person is running - an alarm is triggered if running isn't permitted in a certain area - and an emergency call capability that automatically detects if a person has fallen. These functionalities enhance the capabilities of DC management and provide an extra layer of protection.
"Many modern solutions come with a variety of applications, allowing the devices to be customised to suit specific industry requirements," adds Van der Walt. "From checking stock levels to assessing an emergency to a built-in enterprise-level scanner, market-leading devices are capable of exceptional support. Thanks to these tools, DC management can be fine-tuned and more efficiently controlled."
There are numerous advantages to investing in a reliable and functional mobile device that's been designed specifically for the warehousing environment, reducing the challenges of the mobile worker. These reliable and robust tools are durable and easy to use and can transform communications and productivity. In addition, many modern solutions include enterprise-level software applications that are interoperable with existing systems and that can improve workflow, services and management.
"Organisations looking to streamline systems and maximise efficiencies while reducing costs can benefit significantly from WiFi mobile solutions designed to work in warehousing environments," concludes Van der Walt. "Their customisable features, security support and real-time capabilities add a much-needed layer of efficiency to DC management and control."
Five business benefits of having WiFi in your DC
* Troubleshoot problems instantly: maintenance personnel can be reached immediately and technicians can use headsets as they work on machinery or to give direction to other staff.
* Meet production schedules: move product through the supply chain with real-time communication around the clock for on-time delivery.
* Better customer service: customer support can contact managers directly so customers receive faster responses and order status updates.
* Streamline inventory movement: forklift operators stay in touch when retrieving inventory, notifying managers when out of stock. Loading dock staff better ensures order accuracy and prompt delivery.
* Increase security measures: communicate from remote parts of the loading docks on suspicious activity, and broadcast emergency instructions at the push of a button.
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