60 DC VELOCITY APRIL 2018 www.dcvelocity.com
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Rack repair app:
Apex Companies, a
warehouse solutions
provider, has developed a Rack Repair
Mobile App, available
free for both iOS and
Android devices. The
app is the cornerstone of the Apex Rack Repair & Safety Program and is designed
to guide warehouse personnel through a complete pallet rack
damage and safety inspection.
Two pallet rack audit options are available: “Do It Yourself”
using the new app, or “Leave It to the Pros,” which relies on the
independent audit services of the Apex Professional Rack Audit
Team. Both options offer a comprehensive damage assessment
and non-biased repair or replace solution.
The first option, “Do It Yourself,” comes with a step-by-step
instruction guide. The Rack Repair App takes users through the
process of identifying damaged components and properly capturing all necessary specs for repair or part replacement.
The second option, “Leave It to the Pros,” is for warehouse
owners and operators who prefer to hire a professional. The
Apex Professional Rack Audit Team members are certified
through an education and training program approved by Seizmic
Engineering, a professional engineering firm specializing in material handling system safety. Auditors use the Apex Rack Repair
App to conduct the rack damage and safety assessments. (Apex
Companies, www.apexwarehousesystems.com)
Out-of-stock RFID solution: Powershelf, a company that helps
retailers digitize their stores using proprietary software and hardware, has introduced a new solution that uses radio-frequency
identification (RFID) technology and blockchain software to help
retailers better manage on-shelf inventory and eliminate out-of-stocks. The company says its Gen 2 RFID solution will cost one
penny per RFID chip.
The new “one penny” Gen 2 RFID solution is coupled with
supply chain software developed by Powershelf to improve asset
tracking and eliminate out-of-stocks. This innovation builds on
a large test conducted with the Food Marketing Institute (FMI)
across 200 different brands that found that Powershelf technology significantly reduces out-of-stock incidents, the company says.
(Powershelf, www.iotsmartretail.com)
Label printer: The new Epson Labelworks
PX LW-PX300 is a portable wire-mark-ing, bar-code, and general-identification
printer for creating custom and compliant
labels up to 3/4 of an inch ( 18 mm) wide.
The LW-PX300 allows users to quickly
print batches of sequenced labels by printing the first label, waiting for the user to
cut the label, and then printing the next
label in the sequence for faster print-and-apply operations in the field.
The printer has a removable rubber sleeve to ensure durability
and an easy-to-read backlit screen for low-light environments.
(Epson, www.epson.com)
Pickup/delivery driver app: Epic Ideas LLC has launched
DeliveRecon, an all-in-one mobile app and cloud platform that
allows fleets of all types to optimize driver workflow at pickup
and delivery sites.
DeliveRecon is the culmination of three years of development
and testing by fleet operators and professional drivers at Liquid
Trucking, a tank carrier. The Plattsmouth, Neb.-based company
uses the technology to manage detailed transportation and
delivery requirements for agricultural, food-grade, and hazmat
products throughout the U.S.
The “delivery reconnaissance” mobile platform combines
unique location-based mobile customer relationship management, automated workflow, and connectivity features in a centralized driver app. Drivers simply tap a “Near Me” function to
instantly view nearby customer locations and site-specific instructions to safely and efficiently complete pickups and deliveries,
and to perform on-site services. Drivers can also use the app to
collaboratively share their knowledge and experiences of sites by
updating addresses, phone numbers, and instructions via text,
photos, videos, and audio clips.
DeliveRecon is available for Apple and Android mobile devices. The cloud-based application and database are hosted in
Microsoft Azure, a cloud platform that’s designed to offer maximum levels of data privacy, security, and availability. (Epic Ideas
LLC, www.deliverecon.com)
AS/RS remote support service: Kardex Remstar, a provider of
automated storage and retrieval systems for manufacturing, distribution, warehousing, offices, and institutions, has introduced
a cloud-based remote support platform that focuses on continuously monitoring the status of a customer’s installed systems and
remotely maintaining them when necessary. According to the
company, this digital solution for condition monitoring and maintenance of automated storage systems will enable customers to
use their machines at maximum efficiency.
The new service includes two features. The first feature is
remote assistance, which continuously monitors Kardex Remstar
automated storage and retrieval systems. When a problem
occurs, the operator can request technical support from Kardex
Remstar directly from the storage unit, pass on all the relevant
information to the support team, and get assistance from technicians to solve the problem. The equipment also sends a report
automatically if it stops working, guaranteeing fast reaction
times and efficient assistance. Simple user errors can be fixed or
corrected remotely. If the system requires a part for repair, the
remote service technician knows what part is needed in advance
of the site visit, eliminating long wait times for spare parts, maintenance requests, and overall system downtime.
The second feature is remote analytics, which provides users
with all unit data on an online service portal. This allows them to
access the data on their networked systems anywhere via a Web
browser and use the live overview to verify the status of the units
at any time. Data on the status of the machines, system performance such as number of cycles, and any potential error history is
visible. By tracking the number of cycles, for example, this feature
helps determine when system maintenance should be performed
based on usage instead of factory standards/averages. (Kardex
Remstar LLC, www.kardexremstar.com)
