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Tag: panasonic

DP World Boosts Terminal Productivity with TOUGHBOOK

Posted on by David Priestman

DP World Southampton faced significant challenges with its paper-based system for managing container loading and unloading. This traditional method was not only prone to errors but also inefficient, particularly in the terminal’s harsh weather conditions. As the terminal sought to enhance productivity and ensure the accurate placement of containers, the need for a more reliable and modern approach became clear.

Rugged Durability Meets Uninterrupted Connectivity

After a thorough evaluation of various devices, DP World chose Panasonic TOUGHBOOK. With the rugged durability to withstand extreme conditions and the ability to provide users with real-time data, the devices were the perfect choice to help staff make on-site decisions quickly and accurately. After the trial Panasonic TOUGHBOOK G1 tablets were deployed across the terminal’s 15 key cranes, marking a significant shift from paper to digital operations.

The new system allowed vessel planners to make instantaneous updates to container positions, with the information immediately available to the leading hands on the vessel. This real-time communication reduced errors and increased productivity, ensuring that containers were correctly placed every time.

Elevating Productivity, Efficiency, and Customer Satisfaction

The introduction of TOUGHBOOK led to a noticeable increase in crane move rates, which shortened ships’ stays at the terminal and allowed them to depart for their next destinations sooner. The reduction in misplaced containers also translated into cost savings and greater operational efficiency.

Furthermore, the live updates provided by the tablets improved customer service, with real-time information from the terminal shared directly with customers through the DP World Southampton website to offer enhanced transparency and service.

In addition to the cranes, Panasonic TOUGHBOOK 33 rugged notebooks were deployed in straddle carriers, responsible for moving and stacking containers. The Panasonic ProServices team designed bespoke docking units for these devices, ensuring their safe and easy use within the carriers. Maintenance teams at the terminal also adopted Panasonic TOUGHBOOK 20 and 33 rugged notebooks for diagnostics and maintenance tasks.

Foundations for the Future

The integration of Panasonic TOUGHBOOK tablets at DP World Southampton has transformed the terminal’s operations. The success of the TOUGHBOOK tablets’ durability, long battery life, and overall performance at DP World Southampton proved they could withstand the demanding environment of a busy shipping terminal, while keeping teams connected.

By digitising processes, improving real-time communication, and enhancing productivity, DP World has set a new standard for efficiency in the shipping industry. This has encouraged other terminals within the DP World network to adopt similar solutions, fulfilling the company’s ambition to modernise terminal operations.

Visit TOUGHBOOK for Material Handling to learn more about how Panasonic can help you overcome technical and environmental challenges to work with greater efficiency, accuracy, and productivity.

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Seamless Rugged Wireless Barcode Scanning

 

 

Rugged, Forklift-Mounted Tablet

Posted on by David Priestman

Managing the logistics of a large-scale beverage wholesaler is a complex task, especially for a company with a 150-year history like Otto Pachmayr GmbH & Co. Mineralwasser KG. With an annual distribution of approximately 6 million crates and drums across a product range of over 1,800 items, the company recognised the need for a modern IT solution to streamline its extensive warehouse operations and distribution processes.

As the demand for efficiency grew, the company sought a more robust solution to enhance their operations and ensure customer satisfaction. They found this in a cutting-edge IT system combining the Panasonic TOUGHBOOK FZ-G1 with the warehouse management system WMS.O, developed by ita vero GmbH.

Reliable Devices for Demanding Work

The rugged design and portability of TOUGHBOOK FZ-G1 made it the ideal choice for long hours of demanding usage across the 11,000m2 warehouse. The 10.1” tablet, integrated with forklift guidance systems and mounted securely on vehicles, allows for seamless digital management of all logistical processes, from goods reception and stockpiling to picking, loading, and final delivery.

Able to withstand drops, vibrations, water, dust, and extreme temperatures, the TOUGHBOOK was the perfect solution for the challenging conditions within and around the warehouse. Whether navigating the high-bay racking or enduring the rigours of daily use, the robustness of TOUGHBOOK was a decisive factor, as Maximilian Pachmayr explains: “The device performance and durability were fundamental selection criteria. Another major criterion was that the devices are extremely robust and can be implemented in all our logistics areas.”

This durability, coupled with a user-friendly, graphics-based interface has eliminated language barriers and minimised training times, allowing staff to operate more efficiently.

Increasing Availability and Reducing Errors

The implementation of the TOUGHBOOK and WMS.O system has brought significant improvements to Otto Pachmayr GmbH’s operations. Product availability has risen to an impressive 99.5%, while the error rate in consignment picking has dropped below 1%.

These results highlight the effectiveness of the new system in enhancing both operational efficiency and customer service, with Dr. Otto Pachmayr adding: “Regarding the hardware, we were unwilling to compromise. Therefore, we chose Panasonic TOUGHBOOK tablets and the Panasonic service partner PWA Electronic GmbH. Our goals and expectations on the new system have been completely fulfilled.”

Forklift-Mounted Tablet

Otto Pachmayr GmbH & Co. Mineralwasser KG’s adoption of Panasonic TOUGHBOOK devices, alongside the WMS.O has revolutionised their logistics operations. Combining rugged, portable, and user-friendly devices with a well-designed warehouse management system has equipped the company to set a new standard for efficiency and customer satisfaction in the beverage industry.

https://info.business.panasonic.eu/materialhandling.html

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Case Study: Real Time Mobile Interaction with Vessel Loading and Discharge

 

Forklift Warehouse Operations with TOUGHBOOK

Posted on by David Priestman

Managing logistics in a busy warehouse is a demanding task, especially for forklift operators navigating tight spaces and handling fragile products. Elitfönster, Swedish window manufacturer, produces over half a million windows annually. With such a high volume, maintaining efficiency while ensuring accuracy and safety in inventory management is critical.

Clearing the Paper-Jam

Historically, Elitfönster had relied on paper-based systems to manage warehouse operations. Forklift operators at the company’s Lenhovda facility had to sift through piles of paperwork to track and process deliveries. This method was not only time-consuming but also prone to errors, which could lead to misplaced goods and delays in production. The need for a more efficient, accurate, and user-friendly solution became increasingly apparent.

Elitfönster turned to Panasonic TOUGHBOOK to address these challenges as part of their digitisation initiative. The rugged TOUGHBOOK G1 and N1 models were introduced across the warehouse, replacing cumbersome paper trails with digital records, allowing for real-time registration, storage, and handling of goods.

Portable Devices for Demanding Environments

The TOUGHBOOK devices have proven to be a game-changer for Elitfönster. Jens Sandvej-Grandin, Head of Production, explains how the switch to digital systems has streamlined warehouse operations: “Now we can digitally register, store, and handle all the goods that come to our storage facility – and for this we use Panasonic TOUGHBOOK G1 and N1 devices. This makes tasks such as inventories easier. And that’s one of the main reasons we chose TOUGHBOOK.”

The TOUGHBOOK’s rugged design, capable of withstanding harsh conditions, has made it the perfect all-weather device for Jens and his team: “You can read the screen while scanning thanks to it suitable shape and angling. The device can also be used outside in the rain and the snow for example, which is very useful for us.”

Material handling team leader Christoffer Hult highlights how the user-friendly nature of the TOUGHBOOK, with its vehicle mounting options and the ability to detach and carry the device, make it ideal for navigating the warehouse’s narrow spaces: “You always have the computer next to you in the truck, so that you can check where all the items are placed and directly register when an item has been moved… When driving into narrow spaces, we can detach the computer and carry it with us… It’s a huge help. The computer works very fast, and as I said, is very easy to use.”

Increasing Efficiency with Greater Visibility

The introduction of TOUGHBOOK at Elitfönster has not only done away with the time drain associated with manual paper processes, but also led to greater visibility across all operations, and a range of other improvements:

“We have reduced the time from goods reception to production by half. We have above all increased security and have a better overview of our goods here on the floor. We scan our goods in the different storage spaces, so that we know exactly where we place each individual pallet.”

Elitfönster’s adoption of Panasonic TOUGHBOOK devices has revolutionised its warehouse logistics, resulting in a more agile, secure, and efficient operation that significantly boosts the company’s productivity and sets a new standard for warehouse management.

https://info.business.panasonic.eu/materialhandling.html

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TOUGHBOOK N1 gets powerful refresh

 

Rugged, Extreme Performer

Posted on by David Priestman

Rugged technology leader Panasonic has recently launched a flat version of its TOUGHBOOK N1, optimised for logistics and delivery users.

Blizzards. Hurricanes. Deserts. The warehousing and logistics industry faces many challenges, but fortunately those sorts of extremes are not usually part of a typical day’s headaches.

Wait a second, though. Warehouses and DCs are relentless, 24/7 environments, where speed, focus, accuracy and reliability are all vital watchwords. Then there is the delivery industry, with constant unpredictable disruptions to add to the existing mix – daylight or night-time conditions, heavy rain, ice-cold temperatures, and extreme heat, even in northern Europe, as summer 2022 has demonstrated across the continent.

In short, Panasonic’s innovations in the rugged mobile space are on to something. The result is the N1 Flat, the latest in the company’s pioneering TOUGHBOOK mobile series, designed to have the versatility and strength to match all demands in many sectors, including logistics. The TOUGHBOOK N1 Flat has an integrated camera-based barcode scanner that can recognise a variety of different barcode types and is one of the thinnest and most lightweight handheld devices in the 4.7″ category – making it ideal for mobile workers in the postal and courier services, transport and logistics, plus the rugged capability to thrive in temperature-controlled environments. The handheld device can also be easily paired via Bluetooth as part of a dedicated scanning solution, for example, for those using wearable barcode readers in a warehouse.

“We are taking the heart of what TOUGHBOOK is – hard work and endurance – and we’re taking it into the relentless world of warehousing,” says Mike Willett, TOUGHBOOK lead in retail, T & L and manufacturing at Panasonic UK. “It’s about versatility – it can be handled in different ways, on the arm, as a chest-wearable, it will withstand a two-metre drop on to solid concrete. There’s a lot of excitement about it.”

He says the hype is backed up by results and confides that many major 3PLs and retailers are already in discussions to replace current devices with the TOUGHBOOK N1. Mike Willett believes that the combination of rugged versatility and flexibility allied to competitive pricing (€1380/ £1176 plus tax) is making the difference.

Rugged tech

How has Panasonic been able to deliver such a bundle of treats at an affordable price, though? Their smart move has been to remove the scanning engine on the Flat N1, with the camera able to replicate the functionality of the scanner by pointing a red dot at the barcode in question – that’s one huge chunk of cost removed at a stroke, with no detriment to the package of tools available. “Thinking of sectors such as logistics, we wanted to deliver all the benefits of rugged technology, but with all the convenience and handling ease of a smartphone. The TOUGHBOOK core is all there – 12 hour battery life, daylight mode, hot, cold and rain settings. So we’re seeing the N1 flat used in stock picking and in Proof of Delivery (PoD) applications. The number of certifications we have sought and achieved is very high in consequence.”

Ever conscious of the flexible requirements of customers, Panasonic has ensured that, in addition to the scanning functionality, a range of wearable options and docking stations, including chest-mounts and holsters, are available. All docking links, accessories and wearables are manufactured by Panasonic to TOUGHBOOK standards, so that there is no ‘weak point’ in the armoury. He points out: “What would be the point of producing such an outstanding device, if its effectiveness was compromised by the other products in the range?”

Panasonic is proud to call itself the ‘Rugged Home of Android’, taking steps to ensure that TOUGHBOOK N1 flat is up to speed with all latest iterations of the global mobile operating system. The N1 Flat Mark 3, which launched in September 2022, is using Android 11 technology, which Mike Willett say will guarantee lifecycles to 2028 and 2029 and beyond. “We’re with you for the long haul. It’s a device that we’re going to support for a very long time.”

Recognising that busy clients have resource and personnel bandwidths to factor in, Panasonic provides support via Panasonic Complete Android Services and Security (COMPASS) – offering everything needed to configure, deploy and manage TOUGHBOOK rugged Android tablets and handhelds securely in the business across the full lifecycle of the solution.

Technology to Support the Last Mile

Posted on by David Priestman

That last mile in the delivery supply chain is one of the toughest for businesses to master. These days we have all become used to receiving our deliveries at the place of our choosing – home, work or a drop-off smartlocker. All these options mean that delivery drivers, logistics and warehouse workers are now busier and more in demand than ever.

They can often be seen lugging around a bulky handheld device to help them manage their day-to-day supply chain challenges. You will have seen them squinting to read the screen in bright sunlight or bad weather, stabbing clumsily at the display to register something on the app – all while trying to juggle the device and their delivery. But they rely on the technology for their work schedule and recording every aspect of the delivery. There is good news for delivery drivers as they will have a new technology best friend with the introduction of the TOUGHBOOK N1 Flat handheld device.

It’s a flat version of Panasonic’s already popular TOUGHBOOK N1 rugged Android handheld. It has an integrated camera-based barcode scanner that can recognise a variety of different barcode types and is one of the thinnest and lightest handheld devices in the 4.7″ category – making it ideal for mobile workers in the postal and courier services, transportation and logistics. With its handy form, the device can be easily paired via Bluetooth as part of a dedicated scanning solution, for example, for those using wearable barcode readers in a warehouse.

Delivery workers will also love it because there will be no more struggling to read the screen and record information. The HD capacitive multi-touch daylight readable display is designed for use by workers in bright sunlight or in the rain and those wearing gloves. The device can also be used with an optional Pen, for more accurate signature recording and recognition capabilities.

For those that need to capture documents or use a webcam, there is an 8MP rear and 5MP front camera. Its communication capabilities are also unrivalled in the rugged handheld market with voice and data and roaming WiFi options.

It doesn’t matter how busy the schedule, the device is designed to operate for up to 12 hours with user warm swap battery functionality. It runs the Android 11 operating system with long-term security updates and is equipped with Qualcomm Octa Core processor with a 4GB of RAM memory and 64GB of Flash storage.

And there are no concerns if this device is dropped, falls out of the van or gets a soaking. It’s fully rugged and tested to MIL-STD-810G standards and can survive drops from a height of 2.1m. For those working in cold temperatures, such as frozen and chilled food delivery drivers, the operational temperature range of the device is from -20° to +50°C.

The IT support team will also love this new mobile worker companion. The TOUGHBOOK N1 Flat is Android Enterprise ready and has the support of Panasonic Complete Android Services and Security (COMPASS) – offering everything needed to configure, deploy and manage TOUGHBOOK rugged Android tablets and handhelds securely in the business across the full lifecycle of the solution.

In the busy world of last mile delivery, couriers and logistics, mobile workers need a device that is intuitive to use and tough enough to stand up to the every day knocks and scrapes of the challenging work environment. The TOUGHBOOK N1 Flat is that ideal rugged device from navigating to the next drop-off, through to scanning the barcode, capturing a signature or taking photos of safe delivery. It looks set to become their new best friend.

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TOUGHBOOK N1 gets powerful refresh

 

 

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