THE COMPANY:
Harlow Marketing wholesales general line groceries, food shortage or surplus management or control services, food and nutrition policy planning and programs, hunger eradication programs, and emergency food supply services.
THE CHALLENGE:
As the demand for Harlow’s goods increased, their inventory problems also began to multiply. Four to five shipments a month were returned due to shipping errors and the customer complaints intensified. The inventory quantities in MAS 90/MAS 200 were off because the incorrect item was shipped but the correct item was invoiced and removed from inventory. When the incorrect item was returned to Harlow, it did not match the original invoice and confusion ensued.
Harlow also needed to bump up productivity in Physical counts and receiving. Physical counts were taking at least four days to complete and receiving was fast at the dock but the data entry was a monumental task.
THE SOLUTION:
Harlow Marketing began implementing the Scanco solution in late April. By May, they were shipping, receiving and doing physical counts using their three handheld devices. Harlow Marketing’s shipping errors where eliminated immediately after implementation. If the employee scanned the incorrect item, the handheld would notify them immediately to ensure correct shipments. Their physical counts went from four days to one and their receiving time was cut in half.
“We are definitely where we wanted to be when we started this project” said Lewis. “We are using the handhelds for nearly everything.”
MAJOR BENEFITS:
- 99% shipping accuracy
- Reduced shipping time by 25%
- Physical counts down from 4 days to 1 day
- Reduced receiving time by 50%