NEW LOGISTICS PRODUCTS & SERVICES
EDITED BY ERICA MAC DONALD AND SEAN MALONEY
rollouts
Designed for heavy lifting: Crown Equipment Corp. has expanded
its C- 5 internal combustion (IC) lift truck line with the addition of a
new Class V pneumatic tire forklift model. The new truck is
designed to eliminate problems like excessive downtime, shortened lifespan, and the need for frequent maintenance that limit
operator productivity in heavy-duty outdoor forklift applications. The
manufacturer says the new model is suited to the needs of shipyards, facilities that distribute construction materials, manufacturing
operations, and other applications where heavy lifting is required.
The Crown C- 5 Series pneumatic tire model is equipped with an
industrial John Deere Power Systems engine, a dual open-core radiator that offers independent engine and transmission cooling, a
long-lasting power brake, and solid pneumatic tires as standard features. The forklift, which is available in capacities ranging from
4,000 to 6,500 pounds, can deliver a lifespan up to two times
longer than comparable IC forklifts and can reduce scheduled maintenance checks by 87 percent, according to the manufacturer.
The truck is designed for outdoor use over rough and uneven
surfaces and is tough enough to withstand extreme temperatures.
Its solid pneumatic tires offer greater durability than air-filled tires
and eliminate the risk of punctures. A maintenance-free gel battery
offers power in cold starting conditions. In addition, the truck’s mast
is designed with exceptional visibility for handling diverse loads.
All models of the Crown C- 5 Series are equipped with standard
features that improve the overall operator experience, including
the ergonomically designed Crown FlexSeat, which alleviates common operator pressure points. The Crown C- 5 also redirects heat
and exhaust away from operators during reverse travel, facilitates
entry/exit with larger steps, utilizes a contoured seat deck, and provides a push-button parking brake.
The available Crown InfoLink wireless fleet and operator management system allows managers to quickly identify and prioritize
issues around compliance, impact, and vehicle performance.
InfoLink works with Crown eSmart Accurate Fuel Tracking, which is
a standard feature on the Crown C- 5, to gain access to fuel data
by operator, truck, performance level, fleet, and location. (Crown
Equipment Corp., www.crown.com)
Water works: Philadelphia Scientific, a manufacturer of industrial
battery components and accessories, has introduced Gun-X, its
newest model battery watering gun. Like its predecessors, Gun-X
is designed to deliver a precise flow rate and provides an inexpensive, fast, and safe alternative to manual battery watering.
The new unit’s enhanced non-electric automatic shutoff facilitates low-cost watering at an even faster fill rate ( 1. 7 GPM) than
previous models, resulting in a quick return on investment and cutting the time required to get the job done. Compared with hand
watering, Philadelphia Scientific’s Gun-X reduces labor costs by up
to $150 a year for each 18-cell battery, the manufacturer says.
The Gun-X is ergonomically designed, with a rugged, easy-squeeze handle and a 45-degree-bend nozzle. The new design is
more rugged than previous versions due to the elimination of
weak points, such as the external pressure regulator. It is also lightweight, compact, and easy to operate. An integrated flow indicator
shows when filling has stopped, and a flow diffuser converts the
rapid flow to a gentle spray. (Philadelphia Scientific,
www.phlsci.com)
Driving productivity: Vocollect has introduced its Vehicle Mount
Talkman voice-enabled solution. The new offering, which enables
vehicle-mounted employees to receive work
directions via voice, eliminates the
need for paper, screens, and keyboards. It is designed to help companies accelerate productivity and accuracy, improve ergonomics, and reduce
operating costs for vehicle-based
workflows in the warehouse or DC.
With traditional scanner- and paper-based
vehicle-mount terminal solutions, workers must take
time to look at and touch a keyboard, or read a display or
paper list, which is both inefficient and distracting. And
handheld devices used in a vehicle-based workflow can
be lost or damaged, as workers transition from driving
the vehicle to performing a task. As a voice-centric solution, Vocollect’s Vehicle Mount Talkman eliminates the
need for workers to look away from their vehicles’ paths to
receive assignments, send data, or manage a handheld. As a
result, it boosts overall productivity and accuracy. Vehicle-based
workflows that may benefit from this voice-centric solution include
put-away, replenishment, loading, and selection.
Vocollect’s Vehicle Mount Talkman solution is based on the
company’s Vocollect Voice software, a Talkman T5 voice appliance,
vehicle-mounting hardware, power adapters, and an SRX wireless
headset. With the Talkman mounted to (and powered from) the
vehicle, users can move freely within a 20- to 30-foot radius of the
vehicle to perform their tasks, communicating with the Talkman via
the wireless SRX headset. (Vocollect Inc., www.vocollect.com)
Mobile management: Intermec unveils a new managed services
portfolio, INcontrol, which enables greater visibility and proactive
tracking of customers’ mobile devices. INcontrol delivers flexible,
integrated mobile device and wireless network management services via a hosted Web-based tool set. The service shifts the day-to-day task of management and troubleshooting of mobile devices
and WLAN/WWAN infrastructures to Intermec or one of its qualified PartnerNet members’ technical experts. This allows customers
to efficiently track assets, secure network investments, and achieve
a lower total cost of ownership.
With three integrated offerings—INview, INsync, and
INcommand—INcontrol’s service levels offer enterprises diverse
support options. INview is a basic device management option that
offers device inventory, including monitoring of device status and
serial numbers, asset reports, and telephone technical support.
INsync is a robust device management option that includes INview
services plus proactive monitoring, remote troubleshooting, device
statistics and management, real-time information on battery life,
and customized e-mail and SMS alerts. INcommand is a full wireless network management option that includes INsync services
plus monitoring of WLAN and/or WWAN status and signal strength,
network troubleshooting, and printer tracking, as well as monitoring of WWAN data usage, SMS, e-mail, and phone history.
(Intermec, www.intermec.com/incontrol)
