Hybrid light and voice e-fulfillment system: Wynright Corp.
has introduced a “hybrid” material handling system for e-fulfillment that integrates pick-to-light and put-to-voice technologies
into a single offering. Wynright says it designed the system to
help companies manage ever-higher volumes of smaller orders
from online customers.
The hybrid system allows pickers to fill multiple orders at the
same time rather than having to pick and put each order sequentially. Combining order fulfillment this way can help organizations realize up to a 25-percent increase in picking rates per
hour—the equivalent of adding an extra person to an eight-hour
shift, according to Wynright.
In a standard warehouse or distribution center, pickers receive
a single order, then pick the individual components from bins
around the facility and put them in the tote for that order. For
popular items, pickers may go to the same bin a dozen or more
times each day.
With Wynright’s hybrid light/sound system, orders can easily
be grouped together. The light system directs the picker to all the
required bin locations and shows the aggregate quantity of items
that should be picked for all the orders the picker is currently
handling. The voice system then tells the picker which individual
order quantities he or she should place into which totes.
The hybrid light/sound system can be easily integrated into all
standard warehouse management systems, according to Wynright.
Wynright has designed the hybrid light/sound system to be very
flexible and to adjust to the capabilities of the workforce. For example, new employees might only be assigned two simultaneous
orders, while experienced pickers may be responsible for a dozen or
more orders on a single run. The system can also be adjusted to
accommodate faster picking in areas where lights are not available,
such as end caps. (Wynright Corp., www.wynright.com)
RFID tag: HID Global has introduced the SlimFlex Square Tag, a
durable UHF radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag that gives
users multiple mounting options. The pliable SlimFlex Square
delivers read ranges of up to 26 feet in dry conditions when
mounted to any non-metal surface and in wet conditions when
mounted vertically to a flat surface or extended from a corner.
SlimFlex Square Tag is the latest addition to the company’s
recently introduced SlimFlex family of RFID transponders. The tags’
thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) housings tolerate repeated bending
or torsion. All SlimFlex RFID tags are waterproof, provide high resistance to aggressive liquids, and deliver reliable performance and
reading stability across fluctuating temperatures. Custom color
options are available, and tags may be embossed or laser-engraved
with a logo or message. (HID Global, www.hidglobal.com)
Air-cushion packaging: AIRplus Bubble
by Storopack is an on-demand protective
air-cushion packaging used for the wrapping of products.
AIRplus Bubble offers narrow individual
sections for wrapping small-sized items like
cell phones and pharmaceutical products. A single section contains two rows with seven round air chambers each. By providing these small individual sections, AIRplus Bubble reduces packaging waste, according to Storopack.
The packaging material also includes an easy-tear perforation,
which allows the packer to divide the cushioning wrap without
searching for the perforation.
AIRplus Bubble is available in Storopack’s three-layer CX film
quality and as an antistatic ESD variant.
AIRplus Bubble is manufactured by compact machines at the
customer site. (Storopack, www.storopack.us)
Battery electrolyte-level indicator: Flow-Rite’s advanced electrolyte-level indicator, Eagle Eye, monitors battery cell electrolyte
levels and displays the status with either a
solid green or blinking red light.
The new light features a
trimmable probe and no
longer requires calibration.
Unlike other indicators, the
light measures electrolyte levels without a direct current
being drawn from the cell.
Eagle Eye instead uses patented “capacitive sensing technology.” This technology is found in many electronics, such as
touchscreen monitors and cell phones. It eliminates any potential corrosion between the plates
and the probe.
Eagle Eye is the brightest electrolyte-level light
on the market, according to Flow-Rite. The sealed
polypropylene lens protects the LED and electronics from damage due to impact or acid migration. The terminals are sealed to
the wires to prevent corrosion. (Flow-Rite, www.flow-rite.com)
Bar-code scanning app: Logistics technology company Gumro
and Associates has released a smart phone application that not
only reads a bar code but also provides data needed for reporting and proof of delivery.
The Accurate Scanning Technology even has the ability to capture signatures and credit card information for payment.
According to Gumro and Associates, the iPhone app is able to do
what conventional handheld scanners can do for a fraction of
the price. (Gumro and Associates, www.accuscanmobile.com/)
Cloud-based TMS: Source Consulting now offers two cloud-based transportation management systems, Intelliship and Halo.
Both are SaaS (software-as-a-service) solutions that are designed
to streamline a variety of transportation-related processes.
Intelliship offers enterprisewide multi-carrier shipping and
manifesting capabilities. Designed for frequent shippers,
Intelliship includes a rate-shopping engine that allows users to
automate the process of choosing the right mode, carrier, and
service level for each shipment.
Halo, which can be used in tandem with Intelliship or as a
stand-alone technology, is a multi-carrier multi-mode visibility
system that provides a centralized information hub for all shipments in transit with all carriers. Halo manages information
received from carriers and personnel, and identifies shipments
that need immediate attention.
Halo’s management dashboard displays real-time transportation metrics and provides granular drill-down capabilities. The
solution provides a number of built-in reports and also allows
users to create their own custom reports. Halo is accessible
through all devices connected to the Internet, including desktops, laptops, smart phones, iPads, and tablets. (Source
Consulting, www.sourceconsulting.com)
