Switching on


Wireless system cuts downtime A


mobile system implemented for Baur, one of Germany’s


oldest retailers, has allowed the monitoring and control of automated warehouse processes to be extended to ordinary mobile devices, including smartphones or tablets. Baur, which owns a department


store and other retailers as well as a long-established mail-order business, operates large, fully- automated logistics centres at three locations in Germany. Sorting equipment at these sites, including 14 stacker cranes and a variety of conveyor systems, is controlled by over 60 programmable logic controllers (PLCs), and these are monitored around the clock from a central control room. Last year Baur implemented the


Extend7000 mobile Scada system from Schad – and it fi nds that this system has led to a 15 per cent increase in employee effi ciency and a 60 per cent drop in support telephone call costs. “In two years, everyone will


have a smartphone, so it is only natural to utilize them to improve business processes”, said Roland Säum, technical services project manager for Baur. “To ensure the most effi cient workfl ows, em- ployees should be able to receive logistics technology notifi ca- tions and have access to system controls anywhere at any time. Extend7000 helps us by avoiding unnecessary walkways, improving the effi ciency of staff deployment


Helping Samaritans stay in touch


R


At the Baur company’s automated warehouses, wireless notifi cations are ensuring smooth running of essential equipment


and saving time – thus increasing productivity.” Baur’s warehouse automation


technology delivers some 70 000 defi ned notifi cations, including conveyor states such as ‘running’, ‘standstill’, ‘maintenance switch off / on’ or run-time errors. T ese are relayed to a central visualization system in the control room, and from there around 60 cases each hour are forwarded to technicians. “T e use of mobile technology


simplifi es and optimizes com- munications and effi ciency of operations”, adds Roland Säum. “Extend7000 off ers an aff ordable and functionally rich solution for mobile monitoring and control of all our logistics technology.”


Personal calls Before Extend7000 was installed, control room staff would call the maintenance technicians individu- ally by telephone to pass on the error messages. But this was an


uncertain process because control room personnel did not know which of the 35 technicians were in service, or, whether they were still engaged in a previous task. It often took several calls to locate someone able to take on a new task, with consequent loss of time. Today, incoming notifi cations


are simply sent directly to Black- Berry devices carried by staff , and in this way they can receive alerts at any time, regardless of source. In the fi rst phase of the project,


Extend7000 has been used to pass on 28 000 of the maintenance error notifi cations. But Baur’s long-term goal is to communicate more information and notifi ca- tions, and in the future the system will be used to inform middle management about plant states, numbers of units and individual departments’ work progress. Baur also plans to integrate its entire building management systems into Extend7000.


DECT for a better DIY experience A


recently opened Homebase DIY superstore in Aylesford,


Kent, is the latest in the group to install wireless headsets by Quail Digital. The combination of staff wearing wireless headsets linked with keypads located at help points and cash desks in store provides a fl exible and effi cient platform to maximize effi ciency and customer service. Using the system, supervisors and staff with specialist


6


knowledge can keep in constant contact in every area and department of the shop fl oor, mezzanine sales areas and garden centre whilst also receiving assistance messages from key pads and help points. In every department, Quail’s


digital headsets, which employ DECT technology in the 1·8 GHz band, have replaced the more cumbersome and limiting radios that were previously used. The


esearch In Motion (RIM), the company behind the


BlackBerry, has donated 26 of its smartphones to the Samaritans, the volunteer service which provides confi dential emotional support for troubled people. The BlackBerry handsets will


be used by Samaritans’ trustees and regional representatives, all of whom provide their expertise and time free of charge. They lead a team of 18 750 volunteers across the UK and Ireland. With up to 3000 volunteers


each to represent, the regional representatives can at times receive 30 emails daily and many phone calls. The trustees are responsible for major decisions on the direction of the charity. Using the handsets to juggle


their leadership roles and their own volunteering with their day jobs, these offi cials will be better able to ensure that information is shared quickly and easily. And the phone conferencing capability offered with the handsets will help stretch out their funds by reducing the costs associated with meetings. Samaritans chair Stephen


Hoddell, said: “Huge thanks to RIM for the donation of the BlackBerry smartphones. They will make a massive difference to Samaritans and how we operate.”


lightweight headsets operate hands free, need no belt pack or cables and are comfortable to wear throughout a working day. “Colleagues fi nd the


system easy to use and very convenient”, commented Jon Hamilton, customer service development manager. “It saves a lot of time locating the right team member with the right knowledge and helps give better service.”


On the shop fl oor at Homebase: a DECT headset by Quail Digital


LAND mobile January 2012


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