Feature Tracking & Traceability
increase in capacity, the company will use new equipment, including Honeywell barcode scanners, hand- held computers, barcode label printers and truck mount terminals, all run- ning wirelessly over a Cisco RF net- work. Peak-Ryzex’s technical support, project management, site survey audits and maintenance services will provide back-up to this latest technol- ogy purchase by Spicers.
Spicers has also invested in the
Wavelink Avalanche MDM (mobile device management) solution and will be using Peak-Ryzex’s MDM deploy- ment and training services to help manage this. The solution will give a single centralised point of mobile IT management and control across its sites, regardless of brand or technology. MDM stops the cost of commis- sioning mobile computers, updating software and supporting users spi-
Technology for distribution centre T
Office products distributor, Spicers, is equipping its Smethwick distribution centre with the latest automatic data capture and RF technology solutions and services from Peak-Ryzex as part of a major investment at the site
he Spicers site has recently been expanded by 7,500m2 17,000m2
. To help control this to
Right: Spicers has invested in new technology for its upgraded distribution centre in Smethwick
ralling out of control and ensures maximum up-time of all devices managed by the system. The MDM solution will also control and reduce hardware costs as it provides asset tracking and management of applica- tion software and users.
Cereal success
part of its highly automated supply chain. Supplied and supported by Peak-Ryzex, Kellogg’s uses the scanners throughout its UK distribution centres and warehouses. Kellogg’s operational processes are
B
barcode driven and are therefore depen- dent on 100% availability of the equip- ment, which Peak-Ryzex ensures with its next day exchange and repair services. Paul Brown, IT senior analyst,
Kellogg’s, said, “Our warehousing and distribution processes are barcode driven so it is essential that we don’t suffer scanner down-time. If we have an issue with any of the scanners, we place a call with Peak-Ryzex and they provide an on-site replacement device, fully configured and ready to go. It doesn’t matter whether it is a brand new device or one we’ve had in use for several years, Peak-Ryzex is able to provide a back-up,” The scanner fleet comprises handheld and in-cab devices for forklift trucks, including Honeywell Thor VM1 vehicle mount computers and MX7 Tectons, which run ter- minal emulation and link wirelessly to Kellogg’s Unix- based warehouse management system. The scanners pro- vide a range of automated barcode capture tasks from receiving raw materials (including non-bulk ingredients and packaging), picking orders, to dispatching finished product. The barcode provides the essential supply chain link tracing everything that comes in and goes out from the
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reakfast cereal and snack company Kellogg’s has implemented Honeywell RF barcode scanners as
Kellogg’s sites. The Kellogg’s main scanner estate consists of VX3X Truck mounted and MX7 Handheld devices. Brown added, “The Honeywell scanners have proven
to be reliable, which they have to be for an operation of our size that moves millions of cases of product each week across many sites. The terminals were selected when the wireless networks were upgraded. They were most appropriate to us at the time plus we have the assurance that if something does go wrong, Peak-Ryzex will respond within the next working day with an exchange unit delivered direct to where it needs to be.
“We selected Peak-Ryzex following the recognition of the need to find a replacement for our existing supplier. The company has proven to be dependable and flexible and we have a great relationship with the support team. If we have any issues, we are able to discuss them directly with our Peak Ryzex account managers and they provide a quick solution. Availability of the barcode equipment and support is essential to our operation.” Peak-Ryzex also supplies Kellogg’s with desktop
barcode label printers backed by technical consultancy. Kellogg’s use the printers for various printing jobs, including replacing damaged pallet labels, labelling cases of mixed products, and special customer labelling. If there is an issue with a printer, an engineer is dispatched to site the next working day once a call is placed with Peak-Ryzex.
Mark Fogerty, head of programme management at Spicers, commented, “This new warehouse facility is a sig- nificant development for us and Peak-Ryzex has proven to be a trusted and valuable mobility partner throughout the project. As we’ve come to expect from Peak-Ryzex, the company investigated our require- ments thoroughly and developed a mobility solution that will enable us to provide the highest level of service to our customers. “Peak-Ryzex is definitely much more than just an IT supplier. We’ve worked with the company for over six years. They are very reliable and deliver on their promises consistently. Furthermore their excellent mobility services are priced competitively.” Spicers is one of the UK and Ireland’s leading distributors of office supplies and office equipment, with distribution centres across the UK and Ireland. The company has a wide product range, holding over 18,000 lines pro- vided by over 300 vendors. Spicers is automating its warehouse to maximise productivity, ensure efficiency and enable the best level of customer ser- vice possible. In addition to the auto- matic data capture and RF technology solution from Peak-Ryzex, and the building expansion, the investment also includes site refurbishment, con- veyor and box making equipment replacement, reconfiguring racking, implementing a WMS and WCS and voice picking.
Peak-Ryzex
peak-ryzex.com T: 01249 465 100
Enter 215 SEPTEMBER 2013 Automation
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