Improve processes with the printer on the forklift

Against the background of global supply chains, decreasing delivery times and cost pressure, companies across all industries face the challenge to optimise their processes. Especially in warehouse management there is a huge potential for increasing the productivity of employees and reducing costs.

An example is the use of printer solutions that are used for the packaging and labelling of products and other items such as component parts or shelves. Virtually every product has to be labelled several times: when it enters the warehouse, when it is repackaged and sent to an interim storage facility and finally before being dispatched. Mobile printers make a major contribution to simplifying the work in the warehouse. Mounted on warehouse vehicles such as forklifts, mobile printers can produce labels, parcel stickers and receipts whenever and wherever they are required so they can be attached to the right items immediately. Faulty labelling can be eliminated almost completely.

Since space is often restricted and environmental conditions are challenging in the warehouse or on the loading dock, the mobile receipt and label printers must meet a range of important requirements. Only then can transport and logistics companies gain the maximum benefit from these technologies, optimise their workflows and improve cost efficiency. The following tips help warehouse managers to select the most suitable printing solutions for their warehouse requirements.

Robustness

The environments in which forklifts operate can be extremely challenging. Like the vehicles also the printers that are installed within must be capable of withstanding impacts and vibrations as well as very high and low temperatures or humid conditions. Cast metal housings have proven themselves exceptionally rugged in real-world applications and offer reliable protection for the technology.

Printing in the smallest corner

Space is at a premium in industrial trucks so the printers have to be compact. Moreover, the installation must be done flexibly according to the given space: Additional mounting options such as mounting plates are very suitable for this task. When users select a mobile printer they also have to be careful that it can be installed in its normal position as well as vertically on the wall or even upside down – while complying with the installation guidelines and safety regulations.

No action without energy

Since forklifts are always on the go, the printers also have to operate without energy through the wire. A voltage transformer should be used to connect the device to the forklift’s own power supply and to eliminate the need to exchange or charge batteries at a central station thereby disrupting work routine and reducing productivity.

It prints and prints

Mobile printers in industrial trucks should not only be as small as possible, they also have to offer a high level of performance. For example, depending on the size of the label, the MP Compact4 Mobile Mark II from Datamax-O’Neil by Honeywell can process rolls of up to 1,000 labels. Large label rolls offer companies a number of key advantages. First, they are simpler to manufacture and consequently cheaper to purchase. Second, the rolls do not have to be replaced as frequently. This reduces the number of interruptions in the workflow and thus makes employees more productive.

Ready-to-use in no time 

Many warehouse employees have to wear leather or rubber gloves while working. To make replacing label rolls as easy as possible, the printer must have large levers for opening covers, flaps etc. that can be operated even while wearing gloves. A simple paper feed mechanism, e.g. in the form of a slit at the side of the device, also simplifies the process considerably. Ideally, staff has to be able to replace rolls without having to open any flaps or remove any covers. Moreover, they have to be able to replace wearing parts without the need for special tools. Also important: simple and rapid integration of the printers into existing infrastructures.

Take a long view 

Any customer considering the purchase of a mobile printer solution should ensure that its overall operating costs are as low as possible. The buyer should be certain that the product and spare parts will be available for a number of years to come. Comprehensive service, maintenance and support should also be available so that any faults can be eliminated quickly. This helps preventing time-consuming replacement of defective units at headquarters, lost working time, the resulting financial losses and impaired customer satisfaction to the history books.

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