| INFORMATION: Free information is available from Datalogic on the subject in this story. Click here to request a copy |
Datalogic has announced that it is supplying The Carphone Warehouse with Gryphon M100 scanners to streamline its in-store stock audit process and reduce time taken to complete cyclic stock audits.
The Carphone Warehouse is Europes leading independent retailer of mobile phones and services, with over 1,400 stores in 10 countries. Datalogic has supplied 850 Gryphon M100 wireless RF scanners for deployment in over 700 Carphone Warehouse stores across the UK. The scanners interface directly with the in-store EPOS system and are being used for monthly and quarterly stock audits on all serialised stock, including mobile handsets and SIM cards, and non-serialised items such as phone accessories.
Until now, in-store audits had been carried out using printed stock lists and required one or two members of staff to visually identify stock on shelves, check IMEI codes and product codes on the packaging and then match those to EAN numbers and stock descriptions on the EPOS system, before inputting the stock quantities onto each stores inventory.
The new Gryphon scanners operate over an RF wireless network within each store, giving store managers and staff the ability to roam around the store and simply scan the stock on the shelves. The codes are transmitted wirelessly to the EPOS system where they are automatically matched against EAN product codes and stock levels are amended accordingly. The EPOS system then highlights any inconsistencies in stock levels for further investigation by staff.
Following a year of discussions with manufacturers and an exhaustive 4 months procurement exercise that included market research, internal evaluation, testing and live in-store pilots, Carphone Warehouse chose the Datalogic Gryphon. It was chosen for its lightweight and ergonomic design, its aggressive scanning and its roaming range the narrow band 433 MhZ radio gives a 30m range and automatic roaming. The Gryphon also came out on top of all of the pilots, where it was the first choice of the store managers involved. Users liked the Green Spot good read confirmation which confirms that a barcode has been read visibly as well as audibly, which can be useful in noisy environments.
Joe Tang, GIS Retail and EPOS Manager for Carphone Warehouse, commented: Over 90% of our stores have already been able to complete their first stock audit with the Gryphon scanners and the feedback has been great. It is now typically taking one person only 3 or 4 hours to complete the audit, a massive 90% time reduction over the previous manual system. I fully expect that the time taken will reduce even further as staff get used to the new system.
Speaking about Datalogic, Joe comments The entire Datalogic team has been extremely reliable and responsive throughout. They have given us continual support through the whole project lifecycle and continue to do so as we reach the end of the roll out.
About Datalogic:
Datalogic is the largest European manufacturer of CCD and laser-based bar code readers and mobile computers. The vast range of Datalogic products includes both manual readers and fixed industrial scanners that can satisfy any application need, particularly in the manufacturing, transportation and logistics, and distribution and retail industries. With their advanced technology, intelligent design, and solid reliability, Datalogic products have been setting the industry standard for over 30 years. Datalogic is present in the promising RFID market via its subsidiary EMS Inc. (Scotts Valley California) with a leading position in the automotive sector, electronic manufacturers and warehouse management systems (WMS). In addition, with the recent acquisition of Laservall, the Group has entered the laser marking sector that features extensive applications and outstanding growth prospects.
Datalogic is quoted on the Milan Stock Exchange, and in 2005 produced revenues of Euro 205.9 million, of which over 80% is made abroad. It employs around 1800 staff world-wide and has its headquarters close to Bologna, Italy. Through its direct subsidiaries and Partner network, Datalogic is able to serve its customers world-wide guaranteeing the highest level of support.
About The Carphone Warehouse:
The Carphone Warehouse is the largest independent mobile phone retailer in the UK with over 700 stores. The company is committed to offering impartial and expert advice on the widest range of the latest product plus unbeatable aftersales care.
The Carphone Warehouse has this year been awarded:
Retailer of the Year Award 2006 (Retail Week Awards 2006)
Innovative Employer of the Year Award (Retail Week Awards 2006)
6th place in The Sunday Times Best Big Companies to Work for (2006)
Best Retailer (Mobile Choice Awards 2006 as voted by consumers)
Add a Comment
No messages on this article yet