THE COMPANY:
Superior Highwall Miners specializes in self-contained, highly productive, cost efficient coal mining systems. The system is operated and maintained exclusively on the surface and at no time does any crew member go underground thereby providing a very safe work environment.
THE CHALLENGE:
Superior’s highwall miners contain thousands of components that need frequent replacement due to the high intensity of mining. These components are bought exclusively from Superior and must be shipped to locations spanning the globe. Before implementing Scanco’s solution, Superior utilized a 3-step manual process of receiving in product. A purchase order was created in MAS 90 then product was checked against the P.O. Next, the warehouse manager would manually write any exceptions on a sheet that was to be submitted to the data entry clerk. Unfortunately for Highwall, the data entry took second seat to getting the product out to the customer. The purchase orders were never updated, product was immediately sent out and inventory was anything but accurate. With over 1,500 pages of open Purchase Orders, David Barker, Director of IT at Superior Highwall Miners, decided to call Scanco.
THE SOLUTION:
Superior’s warehouse is fast moving and their inventory system needed to be the same. After discussions with David, it became clear that a real-time inventory system was the only way to go. David decided on 2 Radio Frequency (Wi-Fi) handheld devices to scan inventory in as it is received and immediately update their MAS 90 system. Barcoded labels are now generated upon receipt using MASPrint Designer to ensure tracking all through the distribution process. Inventory numbers in MAS accurately reflect what is available for shipment and the piles of paperwork are a distant memory.
Barker says, “Scanco has truly saved our company thousands of dollars a year with the implementation of their RF solution. Now our warehouse people have time to do the job they were hired to do instead of the constant flow of paperwork. We have also successfully cut out 75% of the manual data recording and at the same time been able to maintain an inventory accuracy never before seen at Superior Highwall Miners. Thank you so much Scanco, Theresa Boros, and Kate Heim for improving our warehousing and in turn enabling us to manu- facture a truly "Superior" product.”
MAJOR BENEFITS:
- Reduced 75% of manual data entry
- Inventory Accuracy nearing 100%