Until the pandemic, many consumers and customers may never have given a thought to distribution centres (DCs) – and yet these are vital links in the chains that have enabled economies worldwide to maintain some semblance of normality, as well as giving governments the ability to respond to and manage the crisis.
While the need for distribution centres has never been more apparent – nor their profile higher – the current crisis has also highlighted areas where operational change is needed. Increasing automation and the use of smart devices offer important and necessary productivity and safety improvements. As a leading supplier of mobile computer solutions, Honeywell is at the forefront of efforts to shape the future of the distribution centres on which we all depend.
Further apart, closer together
For the foreseeable future, DC employees will need to observe much stricter social distancing and device cleaning protocols. With potentially fewer co-workers per shift or in any given space, order picking, fulfilment, shelf replenishment and dispatch within DCs will need to be reimagined to ensure continued effectiveness.
Honeywell has taken the time to understand these challenges, and is able to advise customers on technology deployments that can deliver equal or enhanced productivity whilst adhering to new guidelines on device cleaning protocols, zero-touch working practices and device chain of custody.
Using software to solve problems
Honeywell Operational Intelligence is a centralised, remote asset management solution that assists the meeting of productivity targets through reduced contact and device downtime. The software has been updated in 2020 to include new healthcare crisis features.
These include asset check-out/check-in (assigning custody device tracing); device cleaning manager (for managing adherence to asset cleaning protocols and schedules); remote control and device system wipe (for contactless, remote IT support and device management that’s compatible with social distancing measures, and mitigates risks of data loss in case of theft or device misplacement); and proximity detection (provides alerts if two Honeywell device-enabled users come within a predetermined safe distance of each other).
Until a vaccine is made widely available, these measures will be essential for ensuring business continuity and providing employees with the confidence to return to DCs and other shared workplaces.
Meet the Honeywell CK65 mobile computer
Fully compatible with the healthcare crisis measures newly added to Honeywell Operational Intelligence, the Honeywell CK65 mobile computer is engineered to deliver results whilst surviving the rigours of Distribution Centre environments.
Its rugged design allows it to survive drops onto concrete floors from an impressive 3m, while its longer battery life (good for up to 3 shifts on a single full charge in cold storage scenarios) means fewer workflow interruptions.
At the heart of the Honeywell CK65 is the new FlexRange™ imager. Utilising advanced opto-mechanics, this sophisticated imager has no moving parts, thereby significantly reducing the maintenance burden.
It has true near or far (up to 9+ metres) scanning range capabilities, and its speed and accuracy let your team members get more done in less time (as well as enabling the following of social distancing protocols). The CK65 mobile computer is also compatible with Honeywell’s Disinfectant-Ready Housings (DRHs).
Device Support
Honeywell Smart Talk keeps all device-enabled employees in constant contact, without the need to physically meet. This allows for meaningful collaboration and motivation whilst again observing COVID-19 safety protocols.
Combined with Honeywell Edge Services for ultimate device support, the ability to seamlessly transmit and share information will help shape the future of distribution centres – the vital cog in the machine that is our modern, hyper-connected economy.
To learn more about how Honeywell is helping to shape the future of DCs, please visit https://kemtek.co.za/prod_brand/honeywell/, contact Hendrik Booysens at hendrikb@kemtek.co.za or call him on +27 (0)83 415 1445.
