July 2008

A vegetarian foods wholesaler can expect a dramatic upturn in stock control efficiency and order picking accuracy after deciding to upgrade its paper-based system with Psion Teklogix Workabout PRO handheld computers. The new kit will be supplied and installed by Camberley-based Rugged Systems.

In addition to supplying vegetarian foods to retailers throughout the UK, the client also operates a cash and carry facility from its site - selling products directly to the public on a part time basis - and a paper-based stock management and picking system had been in operation with pick lists generated by software developed in-house and running on the company’s PC.

However, the existing system had not been designed for a retail environment and, with cash and carry sales forming an increasingly significant part of the client’s business, it needed rethinking.

Rugged Systems will supply fixed scanners attached to the client’s PC to enable details of cash and carry goods sold over the counter to be accurately monitored. In addition, a wireless access point connected to the client’s network and four Workabout PROs with laser scanners will be installed.

The goods-in aspect of the client’s operation is also expected to benefit significantly from the introduction of the new system. In the past, the company had been unable to accurately check incoming deliveries because, quite simply, each item had to be counted and cross referenced manually against the order and, with an often impatient delivery driver waiting to move on to his next drop-off, this was usually impractical. The new system will allow incoming pallet loads to be scanned using the Workabout PROs and their details fed directly to the client’s own stock control system.

The Workabout PRO is a flexible, programmable and expandable portable data collection terminal, designed for a range of data collection needs. It is available with either Windows Mobile 2003 SE or Windows CE .NET configurations. The Workabout Pro delivers the performance, ruggedness and durability required for mobile data collection in an ergonomic package..