MHW Magazine News and stories from the Materials Handling Industry
Spirit Data Capture Limited, the independent mobile computing and data
capture consultancy, has supplied new Intermec CN3 Personal Digital
Assistants (PDAs) to Stapleton’s (Tyre Services) Limited. The devices
have already enhanced Stapleton’s stock control and customer account
control.
Stapleton’s was previously using PDAs in its delivery vans to provide
point of delivery control and also used them for stock control in the
company’s warehouses. However, the PDAs needed to be upgraded as they
lacked sufficient functionality. The company’s IT Department started
looking for robust and reliable devices that also had a GPS tracking
capability.
Alex Biggs, an IT Support Technician in Stapleton’s IT Department, says:
"We searched the Internet to find a suitable supplier and eventually
chose Spirit Data Capture Limited. This decision was based on two main
factors: value for money combined with their ability to support the
devices in the future."
Stapleton’s opted for Intermec CN3 PDAs. These compact but powerful and
rugged mobile computers incorporate a range of communication
technologies and have integrated GPS functionality and a colour camera.
They have been designed specifically for use by mobile workers.
The new Intermec CN3 PDAs are already being used for point of delivery
stock control. They are installed with Stapleton’s bespoke software.
This uses GPRS to talk to a server which manages the interface between
the Intermec devices and the company’s stock databases. Stapleton’s
also has GPS tracking software and remote control software for device
maintenance.
Alex Biggs reports: "The new devices have already made a difference.
They provide us with better stock control and more effective customer
account control. As we can monitor the drivers’ movements in real time,
we can also control the efficiency of the delivery process much more
effectively."
He adds: "We have been very pleased with Spirit. They pay good
attention to detail throughout the order, supply and repair processes.
We have an on-going programme of works within the IT Department and will
continue to include Spirit Data Capture as one of our key suppliers in
the future."
