Datalogic and Kemtek – driving innovation together
Datalogic and Kemtek don’t just excel at providing Auto ID solutions for the retail sector. They’re also experienced at listening to what end users want, and then delivering devices and services that meet those requirements.
Through their ‘Voice of the Customer’ Program, Datalogic regularly engages with customers around the world to learn more about how their scanning and data capture experiences can be improved. Combined with Kemtek’s deep ties to their reseller network, and the exceptional business intelligence that this delivers, the foundations have been laid for innovations that are aligned with end users’ needs.
A history of innovation
Datalogic has always been an innovative OEM, and was the originator of many of the Auto ID functions we now take for granted. Datalogic’s interactions with customers have shown that end users require reliable, modular devices with the ability to read more than just bar codes, and which offer future proof features as an alternative to purchasing new devices (this last point also dovetails neatly with Datalogic’s sustainability focus).
Datalogic Territory Account Manager Jan Hurn shared these insights on Auto ID innovation powered by the relationship with Kemtek, and also flagged some of the company’s most recent breakthrough products and features.
Datalogic’s innovations can be traced back to the introduction of the first 2D Fixed Retail scanner, the Magellan 3200VSI – a breakthrough that reduced scanning time, improved data acquisition success rates, and dramatically reduced manual data entry burdens.
Improving the user experience
Datalogic’s deep insights into UX have led to multiple innovations. These include wireless charging, which is not only more convenient, but reduces wear and tear on devices as there is no longer any need to physically connect them to a charging cable or charging dock with copper pins. This increases device lifespan and reduces support costs, and Datalogic backs this feature by offering a significant saving on all service contracts for wireless charging devices. This in turn leads to a more sustainable approach to device management, with scanners not needing to be replaced as often.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is already beginning to deliver on its promise to remove mundane, repetitive tasks from people’s job descriptions, with the Datalogic Powerscan DPX scanner among the first Auto ID devices to take advantages of machine learning to customise and streamline life for end users.
Changes to the way that devices communicate with people – such as employing light rather than sound to indicate a successful scan – reduce workplace stress, and make Auto ID technology more inclusive. Eliminating audible success tones also increases battery life and reduces the reliance on operators listening for a good decode noise or beep. This helps boost productivity and empowers operatives to reach their KPIs in what can be very tightly controlled environments.
Collecting and sharing information
The more information that can be captured and shared by an Auto ID device, the more easily scanned items can be tracked, traced and differentiated. Datalogic innovations in this area include devices that are able to read OCR-A and OCR-B fonts (as well as bar codes) and thus capture information including batch numbers and expiry dates. Direct Part Marking (DPM) reading is another way in which Datalogic scanners can add value across supply chains.
Boosting productivity
Aspects of device design and performance, including ergonomics, play a major role in helping users get more done in the same time. As mentioned earlier, the way that devices communicate is also critical. Skorpio smart battery technology from Datalogic features LEDs on the battery that indicate its state of charge and battery health and therefore lets users easily select a fully charged and healthy battery at the start of their shift, confident in its ability to last for the entire time they will be using it. This also helps supervisors to manage multiple batteries and devices, and allocate resources appropriately. Datalogic Skorpio and Memor devices can also withstand battery changes without rebooting, further reducing downtime and improving user productivity.
By retaining a clear commitment to the end user experience, and with the benefit of Kemtek’s insights into UX as gained from their reseller and customer contacts, the relationship between these two companies looks certain to deliver further retail sector innovations.
To learn more about Datalogic Auto ID retail solutions from Kemtek that go beyond technology, contact Anthony Shumba on +27 (0)11 624 8000 or by email at anthonys@kemtek.co.za
