DC Velocity - December 2013

BEYOND THE DC WALLS

For evidence of the growing popular-
ity of mobile devices for DC applica-
tions, you need look no farther than a
study conducted among warehouse
professionals earlier this year by
mobile technology developer
Motorola Solutions Inc. The survey
found that nearly two-thirds plan to
automate more of their work process-
es over the next five years. The respon-
dents further expect to see the use of
pen and paper drop off substantially,
replaced by handheld mobile comput-
ers and tablets for cycle counting and
inventory validation.
But that’s just one example of how ubiq-
uitous the technology is becoming. “DCs
are one part of a bigger equation,” says
Fernando Alvarez, vice president and leader
of Capgemini’s Mobile Solutions practice.
Mobile technologies are used far beyond
the four walls, with repercussions for com-
plete supply chains, he says. Those tech-
nologies are not only crucial to helping
manage materials and production, but they
have moved deeply into services as well.
A panel discussion at the CSCMP con-
ference provided numerous examples of
how companies will use mobile technolo-
gy in the supply chain. Jo-ann Olsovsky,
the BNSF CIO, said the railway began
rolling out mobile technologies in the
1980s. “We were wireless before it was
called ‘wireless,’” she told the CSCMP
audience. Taking advantage of BNSF’s
large microwave network, railroad
employees use mobile handheld devices
to help manage such things as work
orders and train movements. Recent
upgrades in cellular technology deployed
across the railroad’s network have provid-
ed significant productivity gains, she said.
“With 2,000-plus locations, it is para-
mount that we’re sure the people running
the railroad have what they need to react
to customer needs,” she said.
The railroad plans to make use of
rugged Windows-based tablets across the
three major segments of its rail busi-
ness—transportation, engineering, and
maintenance. The rollout will begin in the
engineering segment, where workers will
be equipped with mobile devices for man-
aging track signals and other tasks.

Bryan Ward, director of logistics for The Home Depot, told the CSCMP audience that the company is making a number of investments in mobile technology. Some will sound familiar: The company is providing delivery drivers with mobile devices from Motorola for navigation and signature capture, among other uses. For its appliance delivery service, the company has developed an iPhone app to help track and manage those deliveries. “It all rolls back to our delivery management systems,” he said. “In the past, we’ve done that manually with paper and faxes that tied up store associates.”