Bring your own

Consumers have become accustomed to intuitive digital experiences on their mobiles and tablets but while software built to enable an abundance of consumer activities on mobile devices forges ahead, programmes and applications for use in the enterprise space are lagging.

Even for simple tasks employees are too often frustrated by clumsy designs that pale by comparison with the sophisticated experiences of consumer smartphone apps. Some cloud-based tools, including Box, Dropbox and Google Analytics are elegant, accessible and, as a result, widely used by every size of organisation. But when you consider tools available, specifically for the supply chain or to assist warehouse management, too many address only the largest players or are designed to run on cumbersome, outdated hardware.

One example is barcode scanning, which is all too often carried out using bulky handheld scanners. But why not enable warehouse employees to carry out these essential tasks using a smartphone such as the iPhone?

Sophisticated software is designed to work seamlessly on smartphones and deliver robust scanning and data capture performance that meets the tough requirements of warehouse operations. Just as consumers access their favourite app, so the gamut of supply chain processes from order entry and inventory management to asset tracking can now be accessed and administered via the scanning applications on the iPhone which are readily available through enterprise app stores. The Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) trend could also provide a versatile alternative to traditional scanners if employees’ devices were barcode scanning enabled.

The communication capabilities of the smartphone can be leveraged to exchange real-time data for increased visibility into warehouse operations; the GPS provides the exact location of an event or item; the camera delivers visual evidence relating to packages; and sensors monitor productivity through movement. 

Warehouse managers often consider these devices as unsuitable for use in industrial settings. But there are rugged options, or ruggedised cases can be used. When looking at rugged case options, it’s important to understand that many vendors already offer cases that pass the same, or often higher, ruggedness certifications as traditional rugged scanners.