Carreras
Spanish Storage and Distribution Company Implements Radio Frequency System to Maximize Information and Minimize Errors
In 1989 Carreras set up a specific division devoted to storage and distribution. The division consisted of 16 regional offices in Spain and another 11 throughout Europe ranging from 1,500 to 30,000 square metres in size. Carreras is a sector leader, with excellent integrated logistics service based on availability, integrity and reliability.
“Psion ’s terminals are very tough, watertight and durable. They bring us reliability. Warehouses are rather tough environments. And then there are temporary workers in the staff. RF is fundamental to our system; everything stems from the order the worker transmits via the gun. If it is lost or broken, we lose a fundamental working tool” - Héctor Benito, Head of the Information-Technology Department.
Challenge:
- Carreras relied on a paper-based system for the logistics of its storage and distribution division
- Under the paper-based system, Carreras’ inventory control was limited which had resulted in an error incident ratio of 0.5%
- Logistics quality and reliability were suffering, and the costs of mistakes were increasing
Solution:
- Carreras implemented a warehouse-by-warehouse migration from a paper-based operation to a radio frequency (RF) system
- An RF infrastructure was initialized with aerial access points in all warehouses
- Warehouse workers were equipped with rugged Psion handheld and vehicle mount terminals, equipped with barcode readers and wirelessly connected for real time information management.
- Psion controllers manage data traffic, speed optimization, security, and protection against session losses
- MapRF software is used to centrally manage the RF system remotely
Benefits:
- Improved quality and reliability – Carreras reduced its error incident ratio to 0.3%
- Continuous inventory control enables mistakes to be observed immediately
- Reduced costs of employee turnover since replacing staff is less problematic due to simplified system
- Increased productivity since workers spend less time correcting errors
- Enhanced employee satisfaction due to user-friendliness of system and error-reduction
- Improved customer satisfaction resulting from real time information such as the exact location of goods, how they are being handled, and what is in stock
