The warehouse is a busy place and the best place to start improving efficiencies. This is where our customers see their biggest challenges — bottlenecks, shipping delays, picking errors and inventory mix-ups. It’s a constant flow of materials in and out of the warehouse and the best place to start if you’re considering a wireless bar code scanning device. If you’re looking to control costs and improve profitability, you need the right tools. Today’s post focuses on wireless devices for the warehouse.
Why a mobile computer or wireless handheld scanner?
Selecting a device that is designed to withstand the rigors of a warehouse environment, and be able to quickly and accurately read bar codes (even bar codes that are damaged or otherwise hard to read), allow your workers to have the flexibility they need to put the “management” back into inventory management. Benefits include:
- Improve inventory accuracy
- Lower total cost of ownership
- Bring the device to the point of work
With a cordless handheld or mobile device, workers are able to perform tasks at distances far beyond the 6-foot corded device range. This type of mobility not only increases productivity, but can also reduce the incidence of injury caused by lifting or carrying heavy items. The ability to interface directly with the warehouse management system (WMS) allows for real-time data transfer and information access. A wireless device also eliminates repetitive scanning and errors associated with managing volumes of product.
Increase Efficiencies from Start to Finish
When using a mobile computer to perform tasks, the ability to have a clear display and easy-to-use keypad makes tasks go more quickly – like making changes on the fly, having access to data in real-time and handling data entry and scanning right at the point of activity.
Without the burden of a tethered device, a wireless device allows workers to move freely; especially in receiving, picking and shipping operations where more movement is required due to size and location of items. The ability to look up inventory locations on the device saves time and money by allowing the worker to quickly locate the correct location (vs. time spent looking for a label on the shelf or asking co-workers). This reduces opportunity for errors like pulling the wrong item or putting the correct item in the wrong location. For packing and shipping functions, errors are virtually eliminated through the bar code automation process – typically something like a ‘bad read’ beep will alert workers if the scanner was unable to read the bar code or if the bar code doesn’t match item on the order, etc.
Benefits of Mobile Workers:
- Greater productivity
- On-time shipments
- Controlled Labor Costs
- Right product shipped to the right customer
Reduce total cost of ownership
Although a wireless device may cost more to purchase, the total cost over the life of the device is offset by the reduction in lost inventory, shipping/packing errors, and labor costs. Additionally, the cables on tethered scanners are easily damaged when workers stretch cables in order to reach the items they are scanning – this problem can be eliminated with wireless devices.
Need help choosing the right wireless device for your application? Contact us for a free ROI analysis!