WMS Improves Inventory Accuracy, Productivity At 350,000-Square-Foot Warehouse

Since 1915, Perkins (Taunton, MA) has been distributing disposable foodservice products. Over the years the company has grown to distribute cleaning and sanitation items, dry and frozen bakery products, and Italian specialty foods. To deal with the company's growing business and diverse product line, Perkins knew it would have to update its WMS (warehouse management system) to remain competitive.

Perkins' first step was to consolidate its five warehouse operations into one 350,000-square-foot facility from which its fleet of 65 trucks and trailers operate. It then looked to reseller daly.commerce (East Greenwich, RI), a provider of e-commerce-enabled enterprise solutions to distribution organizations, and mobile solutions provider Psion Teklogix (Erlanger, KY). As a part of its enterprise solution, daly.commerce delivered a WMS that relies on Psion Teklogix RF (radio frequency) technology.

Reseller, Vendor Develop WMS
Psion Teklogix implemented 14 of its model 9150 wireless gateways and equipped Perkins' workers with a range of handheld devices. It implemented four 7035 handhelds to be used in a freezer environment. These scanners allow workers to move in and out of the freezer environment. Since it is equipped with a heated LCD, the 7035 provides fast display refresh and clear viewing capabilities. Fourteen of Psion's 8260 vehicle mount computers were also installed.

Scan In Extreme Environments
The installation enabled Perkins to increase productivity and inventory accuracy throughout the facility. The Psion Teklogix devices have enabled employees to easily scan and track inventory as they move from the freezer to dry storage areas. The implementation of Psion Teklogix and daly.commerce's WMS has increased Perkins' edge in the disposable foodservice product business.