WORKPLACE SAFETY


gave them faster and more reliable connectivity. Today we have standardised on ProGlove across all Gap Inc. campuses. Advanced automation and technologies like ProGlove help us continue to scale operations so that we can reliably make deliveries to the millions of customers who count on the Gap Inc. team.”


AccelerAte FulFilment to Keep pAce with DigitAl AnD omni growth Gap Inc. owns four of the world’s most recognised brands: Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic, and Athleta. Together, these billion- dollar lifestyle brands have helped make Gap Inc. the largest specialty apparel company in America. Gap Inc. boasts robust omni-channel capabilities that bridge the digital world and physical stores to enhance the shopping experience for millions of global customers. By the end of 2019, Gap Inc.’s investments in its omni platform had already helped the company capture a notable share of e-commerce sales, earning it a number-two ranking in U.S. apparel e-commerce sales. The 2020 pandemic prompted a rapid pivot to even greater investments in e-commerce fulfilment capabilities. Distribution capacity directly impacts the


company’s ability to grow and accommodate increasing e-commerce demand. Historically, distribution facilities were designed to be channel-specific (think: built to serve either retail stores or the online market, but not both at the same time). Automation has been the cornerstone in Gap Inc.’s transformation of its distribution centres to support omni-channel fulfilment. By bringing in advanced automation and technology such as unit sorters, automated storage and retrieval systems, smart piece- picking robots, and auto-baggers, Gap Inc. has been able to achieve unprecedented levels of capacity, responsiveness, and flexibility. Key goals for the company’s investments in


distribution centre capacity are to be able to: deliver inventory faster and more efficiently to customers across the country; meet rising consumer demand for online shopping; and achieve goals for digital growth. For Baricevich’s team, keeping pace with


demand and scale requirements means continually improving the reliability of production systems and squeezing out workflow inefficiencies wherever possible. “The COVID pandemic and rising demand for online shopping drove a lot of stress on fulfilment. But while we recognised opportunities for automation-enabled improvements and efficiencies, any new-technology introductions had to be seamless - we had no time for excessive downtime or extensive training. In fact, two key measures of the success of our pilot project with ProGlove were ease of adoption and minimisation of disruption.”


proglove mArK BAsic weArABle scAnners with AnDroiD App “When we first met with ProGlove,” continues Baricevich, “we were considering deploying the devices in conjunction with a


planned technology refresh. The problem was that there was not yet an Android app for the ProGlove scanners. The response from the ProGlove team was to immediately work with us on a solution. We asked and received in about 30 days a pairing application that worked seamlessly with our Android units. This was a very impactful moment in our partnership where we knew we were being heard. With the ability to have open and honest discussions on how to make the product better, we began what has turned out to be a great relationship. ProGlove demonstrates a real desire to co-own opportunities, and as a team we focus on solutions.” Today, Gap Inc. production associates use


ProGlove scanners for both retail and e- commerce fulfilment. In retail, associates scan cartons to store and retrieve outside of automated storage and retrieval systems (ASRS) storage. In the packing process, they use the ProGlove wearable scanners to ‘close’ cartons that are destined for the store. Use cases in online include the same storage/retrieval application, but associates also use the ProGlove devices to pick individual units. Baricevich adds, “Currently we’re operational


with some 600 ProGlove scanners in the Gallatin campus. We expect to be operational in two additional campuses by this year’s peak season. Standardising on ProGlove technology, our goal is for all of our campuses to convert to ProGlove technology over the next 18 months, with device rollouts planned in conjunction with facility- specific technology upgrades and refreshes. Taking the test-and-learn approach like we’ve done with ProGlove’s wireless scanner technology allows us to be an industry leader in the automation we pilot.”


All gooD For customers, employees, AnD the gAp community. Primary goals for the ProGlove project were to migrate to the new Android platforms and to reduce administration and start-up time for associates. “Quick and reliable connectivity is critical,” emphasises Baricevich. “Using scans, we eliminated keystrokes at every start-up to get our people into production without delay. At our scale, saved minutes quickly become hours with a significant return. The elegant simplicity of the ProGlove adds very little complexity to our technology, which in turns aids in reliability for the customer counting on us to deliver. We’re in a highly competitive environment and uptime and value-add activities are critical. As we migrated to Android devices, the ability to ditch the wired scanner eliminated the biggest cause of failure and operator discomfort.” Two key measures of success of the ProGlove


deployment were ease of adoption and minimisation of disruption. Baricevich says, “The COVID pandemic and rising demand for online shopping drove a lot of stress on fulfilment - there was no time for excessive downtime or extensive training. Intuitive workflows and ease of


use led to quick adoption and return to normal production rates. From a product standpoint, the ergonomics and reduced change management of converting to the product was key. From a partnership perspective, the drive the ProGlove team exhibits to make a good product better differentiates them in the industry. They have consistently shown their willingness to take input from end users in order to test and learn from various perspectives.”


Benefits of ProGlove:


The form factor of the ProGlove scanner eliminates excess motion


Lighter weight makes the scanners more comfortable for operators to use


Ergonomics and ease of use reduce fatigue and improve quality


Intuitive interfaces enable new associates to be productive sooner


By minimising focus on the tool, ProGlove scanners allow associates to concentrate more fully on their operational tasks


Asked about who Gap Inc. strives to serve with


its brands and the role of the distribution centre network in that process, Baricevich replies, “In a single word, everyone. If you’re seeking apparel for you or your family, our family of brands has something for you. Gap Inc.’s brands are designed to be inclusive and available to all. It’s part of our core identity. And by making everyone welcome, we build a relationship that delivers great product, value, and service that stands behind the product. Our cross-brand online ordering, for example, lets you seamlessly move across the brands to reduce friction. We back that up with a responsive network that sources product to ensure availability and quick delivery to our customers. “Gap Inc. prides itself on being an innovator.


It’s been in our DNA since 1969 when Doris and Bob Fisher decided to try something no one else was doing and sell jeans on a wall fixture. In the same spirit, our team recognised early on the inherent innovation of the ProGlove devices, envisioning how we could use them to eliminate problematic handheld and wired scanners. It was the perfect fit.” Baricevich says ProGlove technology


benefits both employees and customers. And, as an enabling technology in the scaling of distribution centre capacity, helps support the growth that powers Gap Inc.’s mission. “We believe, now more than ever, that our business should be a force for good. From saving water in our operations (more than 11.2 billion litres since 2014) to providing career mentorship and investing in local communities, we’re guided by that purpose.”


ProGlove www.proglove.com


IndustrIal ComPlIanCe | january/february 2022 23


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