More Space Requires More Support from a Managed Mobile Services Partner
CUSTOMER SINCE: 2017
DESCRIPTION: National Outdoor Equipment Retailer
SERVICES:
PRODUCTS:
Retailers that increase the size of their warehouse have numerous factors to consider beyond the physical buildout itself. TRG recently worked with a leading outdoor equipment company as they doubled their warehouse space. While the retailer enjoyed the extra space, they quickly discovered that their legacy handheld devices could not keep up.
E-commerce is the core of their business, with 80% of sales generated from their extensive online store. Just as they were transitioning to their new warehouse, the pandemic began and increased demand for sporting equipment. As online orders surged, they struggled to process the influx of orders while using the antiquated equipment.
Having a Managed Mobile Services Partner in Your Corner
The retailer had been a long-time customer of TRG. Prior to the move, TRG had helped the customer extend the life of their legacy handhelds. By actively repairing and refurbishing devices, the customer had successfully kept their 10 to 15-year-old mobile computers in service. During busy seasons, the company supplemented their permanent fleet with device rentals, which were sent fully kitted and ready to use out-of-the-box, eliminating virtually all set-up time and maximizing productivity.
However, as the customer began operating out of the new facility, it was clear their existing tech infrastructure was not equipped to handle the increased square footage. Mobile devices struggled to maintain network connectivity across the entire warehouse, causing confusion and wasted time. TRG initially conducted remote wireless site surveys, then followed-up with an in-person evaluation. This effort identified tweaks to the system that mitigated most of the connection drops, but the legacy devices still ran slow. Ultimately, the customer decided it was time to upgrade their fleet and turned to TRG for guidance.
Upgrading Legacy Equipment Improves Overall Warehouse Efficiency
One benefit of partnering with a managed mobile services partner is the opportunity to test devices from multiple manufacturers while working through a single point of contact. TRG configured and shipped demo devices from several top manufacturers for testing. After a 30-day in-house demo, the customer decided to purchase Honeywell CK65s and CT40s for use in the warehouse for inventory purposes. The CT40s are specifically used as a wearable for picking smaller items.
With the increased demand brought on by the pandemic, the customer evaluated their shipping and receiving operations and decided to upgrade the devices used in these workflows as well. The customer was still using large, rugged handhelds for shipping and intake, which was limiting their efficiency. Many of the company’s key products are oversize, bulky items such as mountain bikes, skis and snowboarding equipment. Warehouse staff was exerting unnecessary energy to pick the devices up and down while handling these large boxes.
TRG introduced the customer to the ProGlove MARK 2 hands-free scanner, a light and small yet rugged device. These devices incorporate a wearable scanner that weighs less than the average smartwatch—only 1.41 ounces. With smaller, wearable technology, warehouse staff was no longer slowed down by weighty devices. The MARK 2 streamlined the company’s shipping and intake processes, eliminating inefficiencies and enabling them to smoothly process the increased workload without adding staff.
The MARK 2 barcode scanner pulls its settings directly from the server, which meant the customer was able to use the new equipment within two minutes of taking it out of the box. The devices can fully charge within two hours, which means virtually no charging downtime, and improved the customers’ scanning with its ability to perform up to 3,000 scans per charge. The financial investment in the new devices is protected by the MARK 2’s IP43 rating against dust and water, as well as its ability to withstand up to 50 drops from 6.5 feet onto concrete. The customer can rest easy knowing they are outfitted with some of the most durable equipment on the market.
Making Device Rollout Efficient, Effective and Economical
By partnering with TRG, this customer was able to troubleshoot and resolve wireless network issues and later rollout new devices in an efficient, effective and economical manner. Without proper guidance, the transition could have been very disruptive to their business, particularly at a critical time when they were already struggling to keep up. With years of experience with this customer and numerous other customers and device manufacturers, TRG was able to help identify the most effective device for their workflows and negotiate the best price from the manufacturer. The customer’s fleet is now set up to support their success for the next five to 10 years, and TRG will continue to support them as they grow.
At TRG, we pride ourselves on being an extension of our customers’ in-house teams. In partnership with leading OEMs like ProGlove, we leverage a proven track record to reduce, if not completely eliminate, headaches during equipment upgrades.
Contact us today to identify the mobile computing device(s) that will minimize disruptions and maintain operational stability as demands grow. Let us help you facilitate intelligence-based workflows across your entire operation and increase the efficiency of your retail warehouse.
ABOUT TRG
TRG is a global managed solutions provider focused on mobility, point of sale and payments. With facilities across the United States, Canada and Europe, we provide the most comprehensive suite of lifecycle management services – from warehouse to boardroom and deployment to retirement. Our mission is to Make Technology Simple, helping customers accelerate projects, drive application success, improve employee/customer experience and maximize ROI. We’re relentless in our drive to find innovative, effective ways to enhance customer operations and challenge conventional thinking along the way.