NEW LOGISTICS PRODUCTS & SERVICES
EDITED BY ERICA MAC DONALD AND SEAN MALONEY
rollouts
Flexible management: Interlake Mecalux introduces its
EasyWMS warehouse management system (WMS) software.
Easy WMS was designed to meet the logistics needs of any size
warehouse at a low cost, while still delivering high performance,
simple installation, minimal implementation time, and increased
cost savings during operation, the company says.
The Easy WMS program is designed to help users boost warehouse performance, increase turnover ratios, optimize order
preparation, improve online inventories, and reduce the amount
of time needed for stock management. Among other features, it
displays the status of stock levels, locations, productivity, and
shipments in real time.
EasyWMS is flexible for use in varying levels of complexity.
Operating systems up to Windows 7 are supported, and multilingual technical support is offered 24/7/365. Software updates
are released on a regular basis. (Interlake Mecalux, www.interlakemecalux.com)
Keeping an eye on the fleet: Crown Equipment Corp., a manufacturer of forklifts and related products, has released InfoLink
3.0, the newest version of its fleet and operator management
system. The latest release includes new features specifically
designed to improve customer productivity and reduce costs
throughout the warehouse network.
InfoLink 3.0 builds on the dashboard approach used in the
previous version, InfoLink 2. 5, and increases visibility into operator productivity as well as fleet energy use and service history.
Customers can also gain operational and cost efficiencies by
viewing warehouse management system and forklift information
within a single vehicle-mounted computer (VMC).
InfoLink 3.0 is equipped with six dashboards covering key areas
of operator and fleet performance—compliance, impacts, productivity, utilization, energy, and service. Dashboard views deliver
a graphical overview of performance based on user-defined settings. The InfoLink interface uses color-coded opportunity indicators that provide managers with at-a-glance information on
whether their trucks are meeting predetermined goals (green),
require attention (yellow), or need immediate action (red).
The new productivity dashboard reports metrics such as average lifts per hour, average speed, and average travel distance. The
energy dashboard provides key information for both electric and
IC forklifts. For example, fleets with electric forklifts can obtain
reports showing the number of battery changes, early battery
changes, and short charge cycles, among other types of information. (Crown Equipment Corp., www.crown.com)
Field work: Zebra Technologies Corp., a developer of specialty
printing and automatic identification solutions, has released the
latest version of its RW 420 Route Palette. This terminal/printer
device is designed to work specifically with Motorola’s new
MC9500 industrial-grade mobile handheld devices. Suitable for
route accounting, direct store delivery, and field service and sales
operations, the RW 420 brings efficiency and ease of use to field
mobility applications.
The rugged Route Palette is designed to handle the harsh
demands of mobile computing in the field. It has earned an IP 42
rating for its resistance to moisture, dust, and dirt.
The device’s lightweight shoulder strap and solid handle make
it easy for mobile workers to carry the RW 420 with them on customer visits and then cradle it on their arm like a painter’s palette
as they enter data and print receipts, invoices, and inventory pick
tickets, eliminating the need to search for separate mobile
devices attached to their belts.
The design also allows for simultaneous charging. Both the
printer and handheld computer can charge simultaneously via a
single source, so there’s no need to purchase separate chargers.
(Zebra Technologies Corp., www.zebra.com)
Lean machine: RMT Robotics, a manufacturer and integrator of
robotic material handling systems, has upgraded its ADAM
(Autonomous Delivery and Manipulation) system for application
in Lean manufacturing operations. ADAM is an intelligent AGV
(i-AGV) platform designed
to eliminate manual labor
and optimize operational
productivity by robotically
transporting work in process
and finished goods between
locations. ADAM adjusts to
a changing environment
without assistance from traditional support lifelines
such as guide wires, reflectors, or transponders.
The new software and
hardware enhancements
were developed to cater to
the needs of the electronics, automotive, plastics, aerospace, and
solar industries and others that feature similar, non-linear production logistics. Features of the new units include a laser range
finding system for vehicle location and obstacle avoidance; an
on-vehicle keypad interface and wireless call buttons; lithium ion
battery technology and opportunity charging for reliable uptime;
an onboard PC for mapping, navigation, and drive control; a
compact, durable chassis with a customizable top plate; a user-friendly PC-based interface for easy operation by plant personnel; and the ADAM RAP (Reactive Audio Playback) Module,
which provides dynamic audio reactions based on location and
challenges encountered by ADAM while performing its duties.
(RMT Robotics, www.rmtrobotics.com)
