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We replaced our permanently connected scanner with this cute handheld terminal. We are using it to record the invoice and serial numbers of products we ship out. The records are automatically time stamped and uploaded to the computer once a week. We find that the terminal is much more flexible than our previous solution. Especially since we can scan big items directly in the warehouse without moving them to the shipping desk. The program that runs on our terminal was based on an example that came with the software library. Only very minor modifications were necessary to adapt the program to our environment. Thank you, ZEBEX America - you did a good job! The only downside of this ultra-compact terminal is that it likes to hide under the paperwork....
Overnight delivery is our business and every day customers get harder and harder to please. Fifteen years on the same dock providing sparkling service and suddenly the rules change. Using the pre-printed BOLs verified for proper piece count was out. Now each box number had to be individually manifested at the end of the day right there on the dock. Thousands of scans and a printed report in 4 hours while carefully loading freight that ranges from 1 to thousands of pounds. Zebex’s PDL-20 saved this one for us. Using three of these portables, we are scanning codes from small boxes in a cage and big freight on a pallet and everything in between. There is no extra moving of the freight because the freight handlers can scan anywhere they can reach, not just where the computer can reach. Easily downloaded into my database with the software provided, the day’s boxes are printed and signed for and we keep an important customer happy. Yes, we had to add two part-timers to be able to do all this scanning in a short time, but a task we were originally expecting would require an additional 16-20 man hours per day is being done with 6-8 because of the easy-to-use and reliable PDL-20.
Charles E. Hardy
MIS Director
Air Contact Transport, Inc.
The Application…
As one of the largest mortgage companies in America with hundreds of remote offices, managing the consolidation of inactive loans had gotten out of hand. Every day there was requests for individual files and often, due to loan sales, there was the need for bulk pulls.
The existing tracking system could not handle the integration of requests, retention, or index beyond a few fields.
If this company was going to continue their rapid growth, the records department was going to have to keep up their service levels.
The Thoroughbred Tech OPUS Software Solution...
OPUS 32 was installed with a Microsoft SQL Server and all data was imported. there were multiple imports initially to consolidate all the loan files into one large database. This is ideal since users only have to search one database.
The hardware of choice was the ZEBEX America PDL-10 Series Portable Data Terminal. This easy to use, 128K memory device was ideal with both programming flexibility and ease of use for the end user. Its integrated laser engine "scans everything", so efficiency on damaged or hard to read bar code labels really makes a difference. The application(s) were also physically tough on the hardware on occasion and the PDL-10 withstood the pounding as well as any piece of electronic equipment we have worked with. It was a key staple in making this application work.
Due to the large number of pulls per day, it is highly productive to use the OPUS pick list which is sorted by locations.
Today, all new loan files are automatically imported into OPUS, thus eliminating the need for data entry. Processes are now scheduled and large bulk requests, which can sometime be thousands of files, can all be handled without losses in productivity.
The Application:
Archive records were being stored everywhere and nobody knew where they were or how to request them. Its crucial that this international manufacturing company retrieve their records and manage the retention according to the law. Vital contracts could not be found and duplication of work occurred across divisions since no one could identify common projects.
The Thoroughbred Tech OPUS Solution...
The company decided to provide an Archive & Records Management service to all its divisions. A Certified Records Manager was engaged to review and submit a company wide Retention Schedule. The warehouse was converted into a storage facility for inactive records.
OPUS 32 was installed. Since no data was available electronically to import in, the initial load of about 40,000 boxes was indexed and entered into OPUS. This was completed in less that one month.
This rapid response would not have been possible without the correct hardware selection. The ZEBEX America PDL-10 was the hardware of choice and satisfied all application needs.
Warehouse users can download pick lists from OPUS to their ZEBEX Portable Data Terminal (PDL-10 or PDL-20) to assure accurate picks. Returning boxes are stored at random locations and OPUS updates these locations from the PDL-10 data.
The service has been so successful that the company has had to expand their warehouse by doubling its space. They no can truly mange the complete lifecycle of the record.
The Application…
The central file room for this large law firm was over staffed and bogged down with the number of requests for pull and creation of new files. While a first generation file tracking system was utilized to track active files, they could not properly manage the number of requests or track inactive files that were stored off site.
The staff was becoming frustrated and was overwhelmed.
The Thoroughbred Tech OPUS Solution...
OPUS 32 was installed. Data from the active tracking system and a database of the inactive data stored off site were imported into one database. This was very important providing users the means of locating all their data for a client, whether it was on site or off.
To minimize the volume of new folder requests, that would subsequently mean data entry, OPUS RealTime was installed. This system would also provide updates on existing records in OPUS, thus practically eliminating the need for data entry or editing.
The right hardware was critical and the flexibility of the ZEBEX America PDL-10 was selected. OPUS had been running in several different applications without issue on the ZEBEX PDL-10 and this rugged and reliable PDT continued in its application success.
As requests are submitted by the users, they automatically print out in the file room. Off site records are consolidated automatically by OPUS and electronically sent to their off site Archive Center once a day.
For those urgent requests, users will continue to come to the file room and the file room attendant will perform a 'Hot Pick' in OPUS, but most pulls are now from requests and can be scheduled.
The file room staff is now half the size it was prior to the installation of OPUS and the volume is higher.
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