Analysis Auto ID end user report
out of action,” remarked Sherwin-Smith. worked on the theory that it could simply
Barcoded freight tracking Operating 37 fork lifts, all using the Rhino drive up to the pallet, insert the forks and
Datalogic terminals supplied by Codeway, scan the pallet as the task was performed.
However, barcoded freight tracking, rather Pall-Ex has reportedly seen a dramatic Sherwin-Smith explained that the solution
than RFID, sits at the core of palletised increase in the accuracy of scanning through was not fit for such a high-speed operation
freight network company Pall-Ex’s the hub. Sherwin-Smith explained that the and first-time scan accuracy was at an
operations. Sean Sherwin-Smith, Pall-Ex’s company started using the Datalogic unacceptable level. “We ended up shelving
IT director, points out that RFID would create terminals after conducting a thorough trial of the project, and back to basics is how I
considerable savings but for the company’s other competitor units. As a partner, would describe our current solution using
RFID offers a lot of opportunities, if applied
in the right circumstances.
operational environment. “We view RFID Codeway gave Pall-Ex access to various
as a complementary technology to barcodes solutions and actively worked with the
rather than a sole tracking solution,” he company to find the best fit for its operations.
said. “Within the pallet network sector, “Codeway has supported their use a handheld, long-range scanners suspended
consignments travel one way and the throughout the integration programme, on a rip cord within the forklifts, which in turn
stationery used for the tracking label is developing the software and sense-checking is connected to the Datalogic units. The
produced from a laser printer. To deploy our role out programme as our previous rugged design of the units and processes
RFID label printers to every depot and scanners just couldn’t handle the speed of means that our first-time scan accuracy is
customer in our network would be extremely the operation,” he said. The results from now tipping on 99 per cent.”
cost-prohibitive.” implementing the Datalogic terminals have
been very positive, according to Sherwin-
Cross-docking up to 10,000 time-critical Smith. “The only teething problem we had Food for thought
consignments a night through the hub places was with some of the screens ‘whiting out’,
considerable demands on the operation and which Datalogic was quick to diagnose and Henderson Group, the Spar UK wholesaler
the IT that ensures Pall-Ex captures data develop a patch for. We are currently trialing operating in Northern Ireland, began
accurately without impacting on efficiency. this and to date have not experienced any implementing data capture technology in its
“It is imperative that we have a reliable and further problems.” Belfast distribution centres around four years
robust data capture solution supported by ago, and has since seen a transformation in
rapid response vendor who understands the Pall-Ex’s previous solution was physically its business as a result. Auto ID technology
business criticality of even a single unit being mounted to forklift trucks. The company has helped the company to improve its >>
www.logisticsit.com
MANUFACTURING
March 2009 &LOGISTICSIT
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