rollouts
NEW LOGISTICS PRODUCTS & SERVICES
Advanced planning and optimization software: JDA
Software Group Inc. has released “JDA eight,” which brings
together more than 30 different supply chain planning, optimization, and business analytics products on a single cloud-based platform.
JDA eight offers a comprehensive framework that includes forecasting and planning, procurement planning, promotion, transportation management, production planning and scheduling, network and inventory optimization, and supplier collaboration.
According to the company, JDA eight is designed to address
the integration headaches and long implementation times associated with applications being offered on disparate platforms.
JDA eight integrates the company’s planning, optimization,
and analytics solutions. This integration allows procurement, production, inventory, and logistics professionals to make decisions
better and faster. The software use sophisticated optimization
algorithms and in-line analytics that better prepare customers to
respond to market dynamics in real time.
The software also offers task-based cross-functional work-flows, configurable by role.
JDA eight has a dynamic interface that delivers precise, actionable information and analytics to the user in real time, allowing
the user to conduct rapid scenario planning and what-if analyses. (JDA Software Group Inc., www.jda.com)
Rugged imagers: The PowerScan 9500 family of imagers from
automatic data capture company Datalogic are designed to work
well in tough industrial environments like warehouses and logistics centers.
The PowerScan 9500 imager can read bar codes in motion,
has a high depth of field, and provides high-speed two-dimensional (2D) imaging optics. It also has an aiming and read-confir-mation system, which is ideal for continuous scanning even in
the harshest conditions, according to Datalogic.
The challenging conditions typical of warehouses and DCs can
cause strain on bar-code scanners. This is not the case for the
PowerScan 9500 imager. Tests have shown that it resists thousands of repeated drops from 50 cm ( 1. 8 feet) without any evident damage. All of the optical parts have received an IP65 water
and particulate sealing rating.
Datalogic has also designed the PowerScan 9500 imager to be
comfortable to use even after hours of scanning. The handle is
shaped to fit in the operator’s hand, and the weight of the imager has been carefully balanced to make it easier to grip and hold.
The imager features omnidirectional reading, which reduces
unnatural wrist movement or rotation that can cause strain during
long shifts. Because the imager can read bar codes at a distance of
up to 1 meter ( 3. 3 feet), operators do not have to stretch or use
awkward positions to capture one-dimensional (1D) and 2D codes.
The PowerScan 9500 imager is also gentle on the user’s vision,
says Datalogic. A soft-pulsed white illumination light appears on the
code when scanning. This type of illumination, similar to ambient
light, reduces the “flash” effect on the eyes while at the same time
enhancing reading performance on low-contrast or colored codes.
Other features that make the operator’s job easier include a
new “frame” aimer that identifies the captured area and
Datalogic’s patented “Green Spot” technology, which uses LED
lights to provide visual confirmation of a “good read.” According
to Datalogic, this combination enables high first-pass reading
rates even in the darkest and noisiest areas of the warehouse,
logistics center, or manufacturing plant.
Datalogic offers several models of the PowerScan 9500 imager, including a direct part marking (DPM) model for reading
codes that have been permanently marked on items using various technological means such as laser/chemical etching.
(Datalogic ADC, www.datalogic.com)
Linear imager scanner: Automatic identification specialist CipherLab developed its new 1663 linear imager scanner to be rugged and easy to carry while also
offering a powerful bar-code scanning capability. This
pocket-sized unit has received an IP42 rating and has
a drop resistance of 1. 5 meters ( 4. 9 feet).
The 1663 linear imager scanner includes a 20-meter
Bluetooth working range and offers 4 MB memory. In
batch mode, it can store up to 240,000 scans. Users
don’t have to worry about working out of Bluetooth
range with its 10 KB buffer memory, which stores about 600
scans. (CipherLab, www.cipherlab.com)
