Citizen delivers quick and simple point-of-use printing solution

The latest portable printing technology from Citizen Systems Europe is enabling GRibs GmbH, a leading software and systems vendor, to enable its clients in the baking and bakery markets to log and print detailed information at the point of delivery.

Citizens PD24 portable printer uses Bluetooth technology to make wireless printing simple and fast, helping users to streamline processes and maximise profits.

GRibs GmbH, based in Germany, was founded in 1980 and provides medium to large sized bakeries with ERP solutions and administrative software. The company has a customer base of 300 in Germany alone, with a market share of over 30%.

Gnter Reifelder, owner and managing director of GRibs, commented on the need to update the mobile solution that one of the companys clients was using to enable its route drivers to produce documents for customers at the point of delivery, Our client approached us for a solution that would enable them to speed up the delivery process considerably and automate the transfer of information as much as possible. We needed an efficient solution that could combine PDAs and printers to allow the drivers to print out orders, lists of the products being delivered, and returns, while they were at the customers sites. It was also important that the data could be sent back to the clients ERP system back at the office.

He continued, Finding a solution that would be simple to use with very little training was essential, as the client had a reasonably high turnover of drivers. The system would also have to comply with all of the necessary regulations and be capable of printing documents at a width of 9.5cm to meet the information requirements of the chain stores that the client delivered to.

GRibs began an extensive test phase, trying a number of different solutions that showed potential. The Citizen PD24 portable printer immediately stood out due to its ability to use Bluetooth technology, eliminating the durability and safety issues associated with cables. Additionally, the client had rather specific requirements with regards to the appearance of the shipping orders, such as bold print in a specified font and good readability at night and early in the morning when many of its deliveries took place. The PD24 met all of these requirements as well as the long term stress tests that were carried out at the same time.

Following further on the road trials, the Citizen solution was chosen and a total of 60 PD24 printers put to use across the clients business. Before departing in the morning, each driver uses one of the printers to produce the relevant cargo documents and shipping orders, and then delivers the goods to the customers, printing return vouchers and order details on site. In addition, they can also access stored information and print it out upon request, both improving customer service levels and saving time. Back at the office, the data that has been collected and amended on route can be loaded into the centralised ERP system, eliminating the costly need to input the data manually.

Gnter Reifelder is confident that GRibs made the right solution in choosing Citizen for its DRIVERPAD solution. He commented, The Citizen PD24 offers us an excellent way of allowing our clients to integrate the information collected at the point of delivery into an ERP application, in addition to helping us streamline the flow of data and documentation effectively. It was extremely important for us to work with a reliable manufacturer, capable of offering long term support; Citizen worked with us at every step of the development and implementation processes, answering our questions quickly and accurately. The feedback from our client has been excellent and we look forward to helping other retailers to benefit from the highly effective solution.

About Citizen Systems Europe

Citizen Systems Europe operates from locations in the UK and Germany covering Europe, Middle East and Africa.  It offers a wide range of thermal printers for industrial, retail, healthcare and mobile barcode and labelling applications.   In each case, the companys products are sold and supported by a network of specialised partners.

Citizen Systems Europe is a wholly owned subsidiary of Citizen Systems Japan and part of the Citizen Watch Company of Japan, a global organisation that manufactures products ranging from its world-famous watches, mini-printers and industrial printing systems, to machine tools, quartz crystals and oscillators.