Improving Warehouse Efficiency

With Zebra Wireless Mobile Printers

1
Mobility in the warehouse
agenda

 Who is Zebra?
 What’s it all about?
 Why is it relevant?
 Real world case studies
 Application analysis
 Information sources
Zebra Technologies
who is Zebra?

A Global Leader in Specialty Printing:

“Zebra delivers innovative and reliable bar code and
specialty label printing solutions to businesses and
governments in 100 countries around the world.

With more than 35 years of experience and over

four million printers sold, Zebra is the trusted brand
for 90% of Fortune 500 companies.”
Zebra Technologies
 2004 revenues of $663 million
 45% of sales outside North America
 $3 billion market capitalization
 >4m units shipped
 c.30% market share
 Our product range:

Card

Supplies RFID Mobile Desktop Tabletop

 what’s
Mobility in the it all about?
Warehouse
 bringing change to the warehouse:

* new work methods * new flexibility * new economics

* new technology * new productivity * new benefits
What’s it all about?
• moving label printing from the desktop to the operator:

• using technology:
* mobile computers * mobile printers * WLAN
What’s itwhat’s it all about?
all about?

• moving label printing from the desktop to the operator:

• using a new focus

* business improvement
looking at money
* business benefits
NOT JUST product features
* ROI payback
 What’s it all about?
tested & proved in Q1 2003
in Zebra’s own DC, Preston UK

5 Zebra QL420’s delivered major business benefits:

goods-in / receiving “bulk breakdown” / put-away

400 hrs / €5600 saved per year 450 hrs / €6300 saved per year
ROI
errors cut from payback
4/day to 1/week in 6.5cutmonths
errors from 10/day to 1/week
What’s it all about?
• application overview:
- each operator is given a handheld terminal
- each operator is given a Zebra QL420 mobile printer

- both devices are connected to the IT system by wireless LAN

Warehouse IT system

label data barcode data

How relevant is it?

• relevant from a bar coding perspective:

- Zebra survey of 400 European end users:

77% of surveyed end users

use bar code labels

46% of bar code label users

use thermal printers

34% of thermal printer users

chose Zebra
How relevant is it?

• relevant from a mobile computing perspective:

- Zebra survey of 400 European end users:

51% of surveyed end users

use Hand Held Terminals

30% of surveyed end users

have a wireless network

22% of remaining end users

plan to install WLAN
How relevant is it?

• relevant from a warehouse problems perspective:

- Zebra survey of 400 European end users:

lack of flexibility :-
36% of surveyed end users

walking time :-
8% of surveyed end users

lack of space :-
8% of surveyed end users
Who is already doing this?

• EMEA reference site list:

Region Enduser Business Type

UK Halfords retail
France FM Logistic logistics
Benelux TNT logistics
Iberia Caprabo retail
Italy Immergas utilities
Italy Komatsu automotive
Italy Ferplast plastics
Central Schwab & Guillod retail
Central LuK automotive
Nordic Volvo automotive
Nordic Maersk logistics
Export Anglo Platinum mining
Reference sites

• example: TNT Express (Benelux)

- is replacing desktop printers with Zebra QL420 mobile printers
- QL420 investment based on:

* man hour savings

ROI payback
* increased flexibility estimated at
108 days
* reduced errors
Reference sites

• area of interest :

most items require no “intervention”

30% of items arrive without labels

these items are labelled at goods-in

all items must leave within 12 hours

labelling efficiency is the key

Reference sites

• example: DHL (Sweden)

- is using Zebra QL320 mobile printers
- QL320 investment based on:

* man hour savings

* faster processes
* increased productivity
Reference sites

• example: Halfords (UK)

- is replacing desktop printers with Zebra QL420 mobile printers
- QL420 investment based on:

* saving up to 42 man hours per week

ROI payback
* increased warehouse productivity estimated at
£22k / €31k p.a.
* reduced errors

- alternative would be major warehouse re-design.

Reference sites

• Halfords areas of interest :

1) “bulk breakdowns”

items arrive in bulk containers

but are traded in smaller units

so have to be repacked

e.g. spare parts, components,

software, pharmaceuticals, books,
CDs & DVDs, clothing.
Reference sites

• Halfords areas of interest:

2) “tote” shipping units

re-useable plastic containers

sent to >450 store destinations

often changed during picking

each change requires a new label

taking up to 5 minutes.
Reference sites summary

• customers who should be interested:

smaller, less structured supply chains

incoming goods outgoing goods

not already labelled incomplete cases
1 pallet = multiple line items modified cases
1 shipment = multiple SKU’s variable consignments

• result = strong ROI / payback case for mobile printing

• sectors = 3PL, electronics, automotive, cd & dvd retailing.
Information sources
• website
(www.zebra.com/en/mobileroi.htm)
 information sources
• ROI calculator – see how much you can save !
(http://www.zebra.com/is/roicalc.htm)
Conclusion

Zebra wireless mobile

printers help prevent costly
mistakes and save operator
walking time. The result is a
rapid ROI and increased
service levels.