By Paula Heikell,
Logistyx
Though a significant amount of the paperwork involved in the
manufacturing, shipping and logistics processes has been replaced by more
efficient digital systems and electronic forms, the need for printed materials —
especially labels and barcodes — remains strong in the warehouse.
Some companies continue to meet that need with industrial
printers fixed in place at various locations within their warehouse,
distribution center and other industrial operations.
Advertisement
But a growing number of businesses are investing
significantly in mobile printers, wearable devices, cordless barcode scanners
and other digital technologies to enable their workers to take their technology
with them as they move from one task to the next.
All of which begs the question: What’s the payoff of mobile printers?
As reported in Modern Materials Handling, it can be
significant: “Using mobile printers to eliminate the distance that workers
travel to pick up labels can boost productivity, often providing a full return
on investment (ROI) in less than a year when used in warehouse, distribution
center, and other industrial environments. The ROI is especially strong for
facilities with existing wireless LANs, because a relatively small incremental
investment in mobile printers creates new ways to increase efficiency, reduce
operator errors, and leverage the wireless infrastructure investment.”
Yet even with the lucrative ROI that mobile printing
promises, fixed industrial printers can — and often do — help make a significant
contribution to the bottom line.
Make The Right Choice
For Your Business
To help determine whether industrial printers, mobile
printers or a combination of both types are the best choice for your business
to help maximize your efficiency and achieve ROI, consider four key questions:
1.
How does
your warehouse environment impact your printing needs? If the bulk of your
printing involves producing volumes of barcode labels, fixed industrial
printers will deliver the faster print speeds you require. Industrial-grade
printers also have the durability to perform in demanding environments of
extreme temperatures and hazardous conditions.
2.
Are RFID
labels a key component of your operations? To print RFID labels or tags,
fixed printers are the only viable option right now on the market. Mobile RFID
printing may one day become practical, but the technology that exists today is
mostly experimental.
3.
How would
mobile printers improve your operations? Mobile printers allow workers to
perform critical labeling tasks throughout a warehouse, distribution center or
other industrial facility — as well as outside the four walls — on the spot,
wherever they’re needed. If your workers already use handheld, wearable or cart-mounted
computers, mobile printers are an ideal complement. Many companies find them
ideal in certain areas of receiving, inventory, packing or shipping. Mobile
printers are also effective for field sales or service staff when printing
receipts, small-scale invoices and proofs of delivery.
4.
How would
you need your mobile printers to perform? Though virtually all of them
offer portable, print-on-demand convenience, mobile printers can vary in terms
of durability, price and performance. If you need mobile printers that will
withstand extremely tough wear and tear, then rugged, military-grade mobile printers
are your best bet. Lightweight and drop-resistant mobile printers can withstand
everyday use and abuse in both indoor and outdoor working environments, while
also providing fast quality printing that ensures your barcodes and receipts
are seamlessly readable and scannable. If you only require on-the-go receipt,
invoice or ticket printing, then compact and lightweight models will easily handle
those needs.
To answer these questions, you need not go it alone.
Consider seeking the advice of trusted peers or partners with experience
identifying and solving these types of printing challenges.
Paula Heikell is Vice
President of Product Marketing at Logistyx, a leader in transportation execution systems (TES). She has spent the
past 25 years working with technology companies in the transportation software
industry. Heikell can be reached at paula.heikell@logistyx.com.
