Why? Well as a kid I was a big fan of Space Ghost and I kind like the idea of pointing my hand at a bar code label / evil space alien and blasting it with my laser. I know you young kids think Space Ghost is a Talk Show host on the Cartoon Network, but in my day he was a full-fledged Super Hero!

Symbol WT4000 Series Wearable PDT

Besides my desire to pretend I’m still a kid with super powers, the WT4090 wearable computer is exactly what is prescribed for data transactions in the warehouse. Other terminals have to be holstered or placed down while the person counts out the number of Salt Water Taffy boxes to send to the Cracker Barrel in Pooler, GA.

Holstering a device takes unnecessary time per transaction. When a person sets a non-tethered terminal down, it is sometimes sucked into the same vortex that many of my socks have entered when I put them into my clothes dryer.

The WT4090 is always on the ready. Patiently waiting on your arm as you thoughtlessly use an Exacto knife to cut the top off of a new carton of “I’m with Stupid” t-shirts. It lightweight and has an easy to read color display. The WT4090 has come a long way from its predecessors which had small monochrome screens and weighed as much as a VW Beetle.

Click here to see Symbol’s WT4000 in action.

You always knew when you walked into a warehouse that used the old wearables because some of the women had large forearms and squinty eyes. They kind of looked a little like Popeye after a while!

RS507 Hands-Free Corded/Cordless Imager

The only things I have not liked on the WT4000 Series is the lack of a Touch Screen and the fact there is a cord running along the back of your hand connecting the scanner to the CPU (could be a safety issue).

Both of these shortcomings are now available options on the wearable device. Kudos to the project manager at Motorola for listening to those of us who believe that whining incessantly is a good thing.

As an order is received into the WCS, desktop applications or portable data terminals (mobile devices) are used to verify receipt and the put away of inventory items.

Validation of the order number, item number, put away location, and quantity can occur via bar code scan, voice input, or keyboard entry. This validating reduces errors and quickens the overall receiving process.

Click here to see Symbol’s WT4000 in action.

Moving the inventory to its new home presents numerous automation opportunities like automated conveyor systems and automated guided vehicles (AGV). These devices can reduce or eliminate fork trucks being used for material movement thereby reducing your carbon footprint. (You have got to think “green” in the warehouse after all.)

Remstar® has a device called a Shuttle that can greatly improve efficiency and reduce the time to store and retrieve inventory. It provides dense storage and ergonomically positioned work spaces. Click here to see a video of a VLM in action.

Items can be inducted into totes or containers in batches. The WCS uses efficient put away algorithms so that the time and resources needed for the stocking process is greatly reduced.

At the induction point, cross-docking opportunities are presented to the operator. Back orders can be filled quickly by eliminating the need to stock the item and then retrieve it at a later time.

ScottTech has an Induction Manager module that demonstrates how an induction tool can be utilized. (http://www.scotttechllc.com/docs/InductionManagerAbout.pdf)

Anthony J. DeSalvo

Software Development Manager
ScottTech, LLC

http://www.scotttechllc.com – http://www.celution.com

mailto:adesalvo@scotttechllc.com