To make the system truly flexible our IT team avoided WiFi networking and went for a 4G mobile solution. As well as avoiding data blackspots in the warehouse we become truly flexible in our ability to expand roll out to all our sites. Utilising an Android device we were able to develop tools in house that will be able to continue life well beyond the current generation of hardware solutions. Tracking items through the process is done with barcode labels from small Bluetooth thermal printers carried by team members.
The resulting system has delivered on all fronts, we are now able to provide full traceability of product right from the point of delivery, record and upload images where none exist and get items to live status for ordering in much less time. With the concurrent introduction of the Inwards Delivery Advice process our receipting accuracy has also reached an all-time high.