lems. First, some of the buildings are far apart geographically, and all of them are in a congested part of the city, which
made it difficult to share information between the various
locations. Second, the 3PL’s rapid business growth had outstripped its manual warehouse operation’s ability to keep up
with demand. The company decided it needed a single, robust
data network that could connect storehouses, offices, and residences. Also on its wish list: wireless access for hand-held terminals and security systems. Finally, it all had to be part of an
integrated solution that could provide high-capacity bandwidth to ensure uninterrupted Internet access for transmission of voice, video, and data—not to mention extensive Wi-Fi coverage that could be easily expanded to accommodate
the company’s growth.
That was a lot to ask, but the supplier Southwest Logistics
chose, Azalea Networks, had done it all before: Azalea was the
principal provider of equipment for the “Wireless Beijing”
project that established wireless broadband access across a
30-mile swath of the city during the 2008 Olympic Games.
The solution for the Southwest Logistics Center was “mesh”
technology—a combination of outdoor and indoor wireless
routers, with one or two routers per geographic zone to
ensure coverage in all directions. Each router includes multiple radios, which allows different types of traffic to flow to
and from the main network through the same router.
With the secure wireless network in place, Southwest
Logistics’ staff can access warehouse and logistics information via hand-held computers from any company location.
They can also transmit data via their wireless terminals to the
company’s WMS. The wireless system additionally gave
Southwest Logistics more flexibility when it came to locating
video surveillance cameras, leading to better security at the
warehouses. Furthermore, because voice and data communications travel over the same network, employees can make
free voice calls anywhere within the company’s network,
which has significantly reduced communication costs.
Demand will grow
Some of the installations described here are as good as any
you’ll find elsewhere in the world. But if you’ve done business
in China, you know that those examples are not representa-
tive of the average warehouse in that country.
It’s likely, though, that software, RFID, wireless, and other
logistics technologies will quickly gain currency in China. For
one thing, the domestic third-party logistics industry will have
to adopt the latest applications in order to compete with 3PLs
that have brought their own systems with them from North
America, Europe, and elsewhere in Asia. For another, foreign
companies that do business in China expect to get the same
kind of supply chain data there that they do in other markets.
The Chinese consumer will have as much to say about it as
anyone. As the country’s middle class grows and its standard
of living rises, consumers will demand more consistent, reliable delivery of their orders—and they won’t get it without
modern logistics information systems.
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SATO ISD combines potent technologies, decades
of hands-on operations experience with Fortune 500
companies, and a group of talented professionals, with
a broad range of products from major manufacturers to
develop integrated software and RFID solutions.
SATO technical experts, backed by alliance partners
around the globe, have designed and implemented
Track/Trace, Asset & Warehouse Management Systems
(WMS) for some of the largest distribution operations
in North America.
If you need a seamless solution and have grown tired
of empty promises, contact SATO. We can make
it happen. They can’t. For more info, visit ;
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