RealTime - Fall 2008 - (Page 42)

CODA Innophos Improves Productivity and Safety with Intermec EX25 Technology BY KIM WATTS INNOPHOS, the world’s leading producer of chemical grade phosphates, develops solutions to enhance the quality and performance of products for a wide variety of applications, including water, horticulture, electronics, textiles, food, pharmaceuticals, detergents, and paper and metal treatment. All of Innophos’ phosphates produced in the U.S., Canada and Mexico are routed to a centralized distribution center. Upon arrival at the center, phosphates must be staged, stored and equipped with a location tag. It is crucial for all pallets to be accurately documented, recording proof of delivery and location to ensure that all products are accounted for and distributed properly. To improve its data collection process, Innophos upgraded from its legacy Intermec solution to CK31 mobile computers equipped with the EX25 scan engine. “We needed an updated solution that could continue to grow with our operation,” said Mike Malone, director of IT for Innophos. “We were very pleased with our previous Intermec solution and wanted to further invest in the relationship. The Intermec CK31 offered us the flexibility and real-time information necessary to improve our supply chain efficiency.” Long-range scanning improves efficiency, safety In the distribution center, pallets are often piled high and employees must maneuver through the warehouse on forklifts, scanning location tags more than 50 feet away. The CK31 mobile computer with the EX25 imager can read bar codes from 6 inches to 50 feet away, ensuring that employees can work directly from the forklift, which reduces the risk of falling. The EX25 imager provides autofocus technology that enables it to read virtually any kind of bar code in any orientation, eliminating the need for employees to maneuver in order to directly align the scanner with the bar code. “The EX25 scan engine gives us the extended range to scan any location tag in the warehouse,” Malone said. “The imager instantly picks up the bar code, enabling our employees to collect data much faster, more easily.” Reducing errors, increasing productivity The CK31 can also effectively scan through shrink-wrap. Previously, the scanners could not always read data through the heavy wrap, so employees had to manually key in the information. Since 90 percent of the stock in the warehouse is shrink-wrapped, error rates rose significantly and manual data entry became a time-consuming hassle for employees. With the new mobile computer, the imager captures data through shrink-wrap in one quick motion, eliminating the burden of manually keying in lengthy SKU numbers. As a result, there has been a reduction in the error rate and employees’ productivity has increased. “Since deploying the CK31, employees comment on how they love the new mobile computers because they are so much easier to use and get the job done faster,” Malone said. “The CK31 mobile computer combined with the EX25 imager allows us to execute all of our data collection needs with one easy-to-use device.” ❙ Kim Watts can be reached at kwatts@mulberrymc.com. Expanded partnership Innophos expanded its partnership with Intermec not only for the advanced functionality and ergonomics of the CK31, but for the value-added knowledge, expertise and superior service provided by the Intermec team. The transition to the CK31 was virtually seamless, allowing Innophos to save significant time and money since no retraining was required. The new solution operates with the same interface as the previous one, making the transition for employees straightforward and uncomplicated. “The installation and implementation went exceptionally smoothly,” Malone said. “Intermec provided us with the outstanding expertise and support we have come to know and expect to get our new solution up and running efficiently.” 42 realtime / 2008

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RealTime - Fall 2008

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