The principles of hyperefficiency bring tangible benefits to the wider goods industry. Faced with increasing emphasis on profitability, it is widely known that three of the most pressing issues impacting warehouses today are:
• Inaccurate inventory
• Redundant processes
• Inefficient layout
• Ineffective picking processes and warehouse routing
There are key steps towards achieving hyperefficiency that can tackle each of these problems and ultimately contribute towards a streamlined process with reduced waste; the cornerstones of profit for a warehouse. Hyperefficiency is characterised by its single-minded determination to streamline the operations and logistics supply chain through traditional and unconventional means. At SATO, we believe in this too. Our core principle of ‘Ceaseless creativity’ is more than just a tagline, it is woven into the fabric of the business.
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) comprises of three main components, an antenna, a transceiver with decoder and a transponder or RF tag. It is a seamless wireless process that enables non-contact identification reading.
Additionally, integrated software and configured hardware enable multiple tags to be read instantaneously, requiring no line of sight. RFID can result in bottom-line value, flowing from:
• The ease and speed of data collection in daily operations
• New logistical processes become possible
• The generation of ideas, processes and controls that bring efficiency gains to the organisation
The comprehensive range of SATO RFID innovations today includes a wide array of UHF and HF encoding solutions designed to meet the challenge of modern industry, as well as new technology in the future. The product range includes the CL4NX universal printer range, able to read, write and print a wide range of HF (high frequency), UHF (ultra high frequency), PJM (phase jitter modulation), NFC (near field communication) smart labels and tags, while also printing human readable text and scan-able barcodes. The SATO S84-EX OEM Print Engine also features intuitive operation, high-speed printing and enhanced connectivity.
Another example of innovation from SATO is the Visual Warehouse™ solution. Visual Warehouse is a pioneering wearable navigation system intended for use in logistics centers, that combines barcodes and RFID with virtual 3D mapping and indoor geolocating technologies.
Visual Warehouse locates objects with superior precision when compared with conventional locator systems, to a 30cm margin of error. The integrated hardware and software technologies complement a wide variety of warehouse styles. Visual Warehouse speeds up shipments by charting the location of each picker or truck to optimize productivity, and plans inventory/shipping management that is suited to the characteristics of each product.
The system supports more efficient use of labour with a remote support feature that guides the wearer to items with an intuitive system of threedimensional maps and easyto- understand voice guidance, improving the quality of operation regardless of user experience level. Trial results showed a 39% reduction in travel time per individual order, when compared to conventional handheld terminals. Visual Warehouse uses a 3D replica of the warehouse to generate the shortest path algorithm, evening-out productivity of work and enabling warehouse managers are able to improve planning accuracy when considering labour management.
SATO EUROPE
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