MHD TECHNOLOGY
THE RISING TREND OF TOUCH-SCREEN MOBILITY As supply chains across Australia and New Zealand become ever more reliant on integrated technology, the trend towards touch-screen mobile devices has been a crucial step in the development of increased efficiency in the warehouse. Brian Lang, Director Real Time Logistics at Dematic offers MHD his view on touch-screen technology in the warehouse.
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eading supply chain and warehouse operations require staff to have effective access to workplace and product information in order to complete tasks and capture data accurately, so that products are where they’re needed when they’re needed. Handheld devices have long been a staple within the supply chain, to ensure warehouse staff are equipped with real-time connectivity to host systems and information, to increase accuracy and productivity. However, in recent years we have seen a shift to the use of touch-screen mobile devices, in order to give warehouse workers technology that they can quickly adapt to because it reflects the technology they use outside of work.
WAREHOUSE MOBILITY BENEFITS The warehousing industry has adopted mobile technology as a way to enhance operations. By integrating mobility into everyday processes, a better rate of accuracy and speed can be achieved to optimise operations within supply chains. By investing in these digital solutions, warehouses have seen many benefits of real-time data and improved communications with employees. This can have a very positive impact on workplace efficiencies, which can result in an increase in customer service and overall sales.
CUSTOMISABLE AND TRANSFERABLE TECHNOLOGY The mobile technology that we use in our everyday personal lives is now being 48 | MHD JUNE 2020
seamlessly blended into the technology we use in the workplace. This trend has reached the warehouse because it allows workers to quickly adopt the skills needed to successfully perform their jobs and get working faster, as the mobile touch-screen devices they use at work closely resemble the easy to use characteristics of many smartphone devices used outside of work. The ability to fully customise user interfaces on mobile touch-screen devices - with solutions such as Ivanti Velocity, which is compatible with most Android devices - can bring the familiar, multi-touch experience of today’s advanced smartphones to workplace touch-screen devices. Mission-critical apps can be positioned to create an easy-to-use interface that accelerates task-screen navigation and helps the workforce to enter data quicker and more precisely.
WHAT DEVICES ARE AVAILABLE TO CHOOSE FROM? Leading touch-screen mobile devices built on the Android platform that are frequently and effectively deployed within the warehouse include the Zebra TC800, Zebra TC57, and the Honeywell CT60. The super rugged Zebra TC800 Touch Mobile Computer features a scan angle that eliminates constant tilting to scan barcodes, which improves worker comfort and productivity. The device saves on average 14 per cent per worker compared to traditional devices. The Zebra device also includes features that provide better control of mobile
devices, application access and Wi-Fi performance and security. Another model from Zebra, the Zebra TC57 Touch Computers are rugged and include new capabilities that work to
