Hallis Hudson
Hallis Hudson
Data Capture Solution Enables Hallis Hudson To Increase Warehouse Throughput By 20%
“The data capture solution allowed us to redeploy 4 people, previously tied up with data entry, into other areas of the business, while also increasing warehouse throughput by around 20%, without additional staff.” — Alastair Soper, Operations Director, Hallis Hudson
Hallis Hudson is a leading supplier of curtains, blinds and accessories for the Soft Furnishings industry. With a strong ‘Commitment to Excellence’ and customer service ethos, Hallis Hudson ships fulfilled orders for next day delivery.
The Challenge:
- The use of a paper based system to manually record packed items slowed data entry and resulted in human errors. This in turn delayed dispatch times and made tracing shipment contents difficult.
- Hallis Hudson and its customers needed to know the exact products and quantities placed into each box, for full traceability of the delivery – accuracy and speed and timeliness of data capture relating to shipments is critical.
- The company approached Psion partner BEC Ltd. – it needed to invest in automated data capture solution that would fulfill the need for accurate shipment information and free up resources normally used to key data manually into the host ERP system. The inclusion of printer technology would enable the immediate printing of shipping labels for each consignment, at the packing station.
The Solution:
- The solution implemented used Psion’ WORKABOUT PRO G2 handheld computers and compact printers from Zebra Technologies. Each of Hallis Hudson’s packing desks were provided with a handheld device and printer.
- Upon receipt of customer orders, the ERP system uses logic to determine when and where to print picking lists within the warehouse. The order is assembled by a team of pickers, who then pass the goods for packing. Packing teams, using the WORKABOUT PRO via the WiFi network, scan item barcodes as they are picked and assembled into a shipment for the customer.
- During the packing process, a third party data capture software communicates the transaction data to the ERP system in real time, enabling instant validation of the packed items against the order. Orders are then packed and a list of items contained within the boxed order is printed and adhered to the packaging.
- Using unique box numbers assigned by the ERP system, the data capture system records the items and quantity packed in each box, giving Hallis Hudson full traceability of deliveries. An automatic dispatch notification is sent to the courier to arrange collection of the consignment.
The Benefits:
- Streamlined packing operations and improved utilization of human resources.
- Improved customer service with ability to provide full visibility of all shipments information as well as complete traceability of fulfilled orders.
- Hallis Husdon recouped their investment in the solution within 18 months of deployment.
