3-D warehouse modeling: Consulting and software company Karma Logistics is
offering a new service that prepares three-dimensional (3-D) models of a warehouse’s layout. The models can help companies analyze their inventory profile and
customer orders, and improve their slotting strategy, according to Karma.
The models, which can include slot numbers and current inventory data, can be
connected to a company’s warehouse management system, databases, and/or slotting system.
Karma Logistics is offering the
modeling at three different service levels. Level A converts two-dimensional drawings and plans
to a 3-D model. Level B allows the
user to include slot numbers and
current inventory data in the model. For Level C, in addition to the modeling,
Karma Logistics will provide consulting services. A consultant will review the distribution center layout and slotting strategy, profile and establish new slotting
groups, and provide a weekly slotting service. (Karma Logistics, www.karma-logistics-inc.com)
Yard management system: Exotrac’s Yard Trac lite provides a yard management
system (YMS) based on the Android smart phone. Yard Trac lite is a software-as-a-service product that provides real-time information on the cloud. Users pay a
monthly subscription fee for the service.
YardTrac lite provides a cost-effective system for businesses that aren’t large
enough for a major rollout, according to Exotrac. (Exotrac, www.exotrac.com)
HTML5-capable browser: Intermec Inc. has a
new HTML5-capable browser, which allows
developers to create Web applications that are
operating-system agnostic and can run on iOS,
Android, and select Intermec rugged mobile
computers. (HTML5 is the fifth version of
HTML, the markup language for presenting
and structuring information on the Web.)
The new browser allows programmers to create a single code base that will run on
Windows Mobile, Android, and iOS. It also
means that HTML5 applications that run on
consumer-grade smartphones and tablets can
now run on select Intermec rugged mobile
computers without changes or rewrites.
In addition, Intermec’s HTML5-capable
browser supports applications designed to run
either online (connected to a Web server) or
offline (not connected to a Web server) or a
combination of the two. Users can choose to
store data locally on the device until synchronization with the back-end server is available.
This option eliminates time lost due to poor cellular coverage. Transactional data can also be
updated quickly.
Intermec’s HTML5 browser for Windows
Embedded Handheld is offered preloaded for
free on Intermec CN50, CS40, CN70, CN70e,
and CK70 devices. It can be downloaded for
free onto the CK3, CK71, and CV41 devices.
(Intermec Inc., www.intermec.com)
Priority parcel services: FedEx Express, a subsidiary of FedEx Corp., is expanding its Priority
Alert and Priority Alert Plus inbound and outbound services to more than 70 countries via
www.fedex.com/peaceofmind. These contract-only services, which had been exclusive to the
United States, are now also offered domestically within Mexico, the United Arab Emirates,
Switzerland, India, and Canada.
Priority Alert service provides priority boarding and monitoring for critical international
shipments. To signal their priority loading and
unloading status, these packages are wrapped
in bright pink tape.
The service also offers 24-hour, seven-day-a-week support from a team of dedicated global
service analysts. These specially trained analysts
provide proactive monitoring and notification
on the status of a shipment, whether it’s moving through the United States or internationally.
FedEx Priority Alert Plus also offers proactive
recovery. Designed primarily for the health-care
industry, Priority Alert Plus provides additional
services to preserve critical shipments, such as
dry ice replenishment, gel pack reconditioning,
and access to cold storage. (FedEx Express,
www.fedex.com/peaceofmind)
