The supply chain and logistics industries continue to automate processes and implement new technologies because of the obvious benefits that they provide. The benefits include cost savings and increased workforce productivity all while receiving a fast return on investment. Mobile devices are just one cost saving tool that supply chain and logistics industries use. In this presentation we will discuss how mobile printers can help improve warehouse operations and where their benefits can be seen. Mobile printers are used in warehouse facilities to produce barcode labels and can be used in conjunction with other technologies such as warehouse management systems (WMS) and RFID systems. The reason that mobile printers have become a widely used technology is because they assist in eliminating operator errors and associated costs. Because the mobile printers can be moved around the facility or can be worn by staff, travel time throughout the facility is significantly reduced which increases productivity of both the operator and any other ancillary items such as forklifts. Overall time savings is, on average, 75%. Mobile printers can make many every day areas of operation more efficient and accurate. Some of these areas include: receiving docks, cross – docking, quality assurance, inventory putaway, picking, packing and order fulfillment. In the receiving area mobile printers can be used to print batch labels for expected orders (ASNs) and can even be used in outdoor yards for any bulk materials handling. If labels are printed and applied as inventory is received 100% labelling accuracy is expected. When using mobile printers to cross – dock time is saved by printing both the inventory label and shipping labels simultaneously. Because these are fast moving items it is beneficial to handle them efficiently and accurately. In the quality assurance area mobile printers are used to mark and track specific pieces of inventory being tested or identify products with special handling needs. This ensures high product traceability accuracy throughout the testing and handling processes. Labels printed from mobile printers can also be printed and applied as items are being putaway. This will reduce travel time needed to get labels from printers near offices and will reduce putaway time by nearly 38%. During the picking process mobile printers can be used to print labels used for sorting and staging. These labels can be easily associated to shipping labels printed at the same time. When packing items for shipping mobile printers are utilized to create labels to identify finished goods which can significantly reduce picking errors for similar finished goods products. In the fulfillment stage labels from mobile printers can be used to label inventory with order specific labels to verify order is complete and assist in verifying order accuracy. To learn more about mobile printing solutions contact me today at marketing@datexcorp.com or www.datexcorp.com

1. How Mobile Printing
Can Help Improve
Warehouse Operations
By: Angela Cox

2. Mobile Printer Use
For What Purpose are Mobile Printers Used?
• To produce barcode labels to attach to inventory. This is
efficient when paired with barcoding and RFID systems

3. Potential Benefits of Mobile Printers
How Mobile Printers Can Help Improve Operations:
• Reduce operator errors
• Eliminate costs associated with errors
• Streamline operational processes
• Eliminates travel distance/ travel time within facility
• Saves mileage on forklifts
Mobile printers can save on
average $29,000 per year
Mobile printing requires ¼
time as fixed printers

4. Where Mobile Printers are Used
1
Receiving Docks
• Print batch labels for incoming Advance Shipping
Notice (ASN) orders
• Can be used on indoor docks or outdoor docks if
bulk materials are being handled
Benefits
• Can assist in achieving 100% inventory labeling if
done as product is received
• May increase workforce productivity – not
necessary to leave dock area to print labels

5. Where Mobile Printers are Used
2
Cross - Docking
• Print inventory barcodes when received onto dock
• Print shipping labels with crossdock information
and apply in the same instance
Benefits
• Accuracy of fast moving items can be increased

6. Where Mobile Printers are Used
3
Quality Assurance (QA) Tasks
• Special labels can be printed to track inventory
through the QA testing process
• Identify product with special handling needs –
rejected, rework required, etc.
Benefits
• Higher product traceability through the supply
chain
• Product quality tracking efficiency may see
increases

7. Where Mobile Printers are Used
4
Putaway Tasks
• Inventory is labeled as it is placed in putaway
location to ensure location accuracy
Benefits
• May eliminate trips across facility to print labels –
users can print labels on putaway route reducing
mileage on equipment
Items labeled during putaway
are processed 62% faster with
mobile printers

8. Where Mobile Printers are Used
5
Picking Tasks
• Generate barcodes for staging or sorting
activities as picking occurs – associate to
shipping labels
Benefits
• Can eliminate trips back to the printer station –
reducing mileage on equipment
• Faster inventory picking times

9. Where Mobile Printers are Used
6
Packing Tasks (Finished Goods)
• Identify finished goods inventory with custom
labels
Benefits
• May prevent picking errors for similar items
• Assists in tracking inventory components used to
complete the finished product

10. Where Mobile Printers are Used
7
Fulfillment & Ship-to-Order Tasks
• Label inventory with order-specific labels
Benefits
• Verifies order is complete
• Helps to guarantee no duplicate items have been
packed - increasing order accuracy

11. Contact Us
800.933.2839
Online demonstration
marketing@datexcorp.com
Web chat
@Datexcorp
Datex Corporation