Auto ID end user report Analysis
<< functionality, although NGF Europe definitely focused us to a greater degree
sourced Belgravium’s Atlanta 8000 Series towards innovation,” he said. “We are
terminals because it recognised size adopting new technologies to increase
advantages over many other solutions on the traditional revenue streams and are also
market. Ovenden’s view is that where one pursuing other nontraditional opportunities.
vendor goes most will follow. “What makes We also recognise the power of partnerships,
the vendors stand out is managing to create whether that is with our members, our
a warehouse tool that’s practical for customers or our suppliers – open
operators to use all day, while retaining the collaboration benefits drive down cost for
ruggedised form factor needed for continual everyone and will be the key to survival in
operation,” he added. these tough times.”
“
We view RFID as a complementary technology to barcodes rather than a
sole tracking solution. Within the pallet network sector, consignments travel
one way and the stationery used for the tracking label is produced from a
laser printer. To deploy RFID label printers to every depot and customer in
our network would be extremely cost-prohibitive.”
– Sean Sherwin-Smith, Pall-Ex.
Ovenden reflects that any changes that have
Upbeat in a downturn been made are fairly minimal, although
greater diversification of products held within
Moving away from technology to market the warehouse has led to back-office system
conditions, has the current economic down - changes to accommodate differing pick
turn resulted in any additional hardware/ routes, different size and weight of objects
software requirements, or the need to change etc. Lai makes the point that, like any
any business or operational strategies to any business, NGF Europe must continue to look
notable degree? Sherwin-Smith comments at ways of reducing its costs and improve
that, like most companies, Pall–Ex has seen efficiency. “RFID scanning in our operation
changes as a result of the downturn; certainly helps us to achieve this,” he said.
however, he points out that it has invested, For Trotman’s part, he remarks that the
and continues to invest aggressively, in IT – current market downturn provides greater
both in terms of internal development and opportunity for MITIE to present its offering
external suppliers. “The downturn has to customers. “Clients are now looking at
all spend activities, including what is
traditionally a very low spend activity of pest
control,” he said. “We are able often to offer
cost savings due to our enhanced systems
allowing efficiencies and economies of scale.
Without our efficiencies through advanced
use of data capture, we would not be able to
benefit from the market downturn.” In James’
view, more cost-effective solutions are
required by end users to ensure they have
right technology able to provide world-class
quality service at the right price. And on a
particularly positive note, Mehaffey reports
that Hendersons has not experienced any
downturn in business and is in fact currently
enjoying double-digit growth. years, Sherwin-Smith is quick to highlight
wireless data transmission. “This, in general,
sits up there with the invention of the
Technology reaping results wheel,” he said, adding: “Also, whilst not
Peter Lai: As RFID label costs are reduced
a technology, the convergence strategy
then more and more manufacturers will see In terms of key important developments of mobile hardware manufacturers has
the benefit.
within the Auto ID sphere over the past few transformed how almost all companies >>
12
MANUFACTURING
&LOGISTICSIT March 2009
www.logisticsit.com
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