Needless to say, in order to handle the multifaceted flow of products and processes effectively, the client needed a more robust inventory control and warehouse management system. Outmoded manual data entry and documentation processes caused too many errors and sapped too much time and warehouse space. At times, they had to populate different systems separately, requiring duplicated effort. Inventory became lost. Staff squandered valuable man hours searching for or moving inventory to and fro. Managers found themselves unable to enforce strict FIFO rotations of inventory. Frustration grew as employees had no transparent view of inventory flow lacked the means to track performance.

Clearly, the challenges of this client called for an entirely new inventory and warehouse management system, one that would automate all of their manual processes and provide higher visibility enterprise-wide, tying together back office, processing plant warehouse – while improving accuracy and productivity, too. In conjunction with software partner, Appolis Mobile Business Systems, a robust, wide-reaching, but cost-effective bar code solution was designed that addressed four main areas of concern: inventory management, space optimization, order picking/shipping reporting capabilities. The solution incorporated Appolis’ software along with top-line Motorola handhelds, Datamax bar code printers Cisco wireless infrastructure equipment. Microsoft’s mobile business solutions platforms (SL, SQL Windows Mobile) provided user-friendly system interfaces.

System-directed tasks, such as picking and shipping or client-specific outbound labeling, could be cued automatically and enforced with bar codes. All inventory data was captured, stored accessed easily via bar codes, virtually eliminating manual errors and wasted man hours. Moreover, with a simple scan, staff could request reports that showed inventory amounts and movements in real-time, minimizing the demand for physical inventories and optimizing warehouse space. AbeTech and Appolis integrated all of their inventory systems, so that product lifecycles could be monitored from a PC screen and FIFO could finally become a reliable, measurable standard.

The client has expanded into several new warehouses, thanks to higher quality inventory information. They also have achieved complete end-to-end lot tracking for greater process efficiency, as well as more dependable food traceability. And productivity has skyrocketed, as automation has streamlined many processes, including cycle counts, saving workers from aimless warehouse searches or wasted movement and showing areas where additional labor would be advantageous.

"The AbeTech and Appolis inventory and warehouse management system has assisted us in managing our inventory, product rotation and trace and recall capabilities. We are better able to determine where to put product in our warehouses and locate it easily at time of shipment. Their team approach is a benefit to us and our experience with AbeTech and Appolis has been very positive."    - Julie Theiringer, Systems Analyst