Benefits of the improved base station include:

• Saving the cost of a separate device
• Saves counter space
• Electronic detection for counterfeit currency

Using this new feature is very simple: a button located on the base station turns on the UV LEDs. Operators should then hold the item to be verified under the LED lights to ensure that the special fluorescent marks becomes visible. The LEDs are set to switch off automatically after approximately 2 minutes. By pressing the button a second time within 10 seconds will keep the UV LEDs lit for an indefinite period of time. To turn them off, simply press the button again.

• Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.1 OR CE.net 5.0
• Barcode Scanner / 2D Imager
• Mobile radio for voice and data
• Increased memory (128 MB RAM / 256 MB Flash)
• High speed processor (XScale™ PXA 310 @ 624 MHz processor)
• Bluetooth® wireless communications
• Ruggedized with 4 ft drop to concrete resistance
• Image Capture

These features, combined with a sleek, ergonomic design and a color touch-screen make the Datalogic Memor an easy to use portable solution.

The Memor can be used to fulfill a variety of different data capture needs. Currently, the Memor is ideal for pharmaceutical applications, GS1 DataBar scanning, retail environments, rugged environments, and field force automation. Miles Data has developed an ID Scanning/Age Verification System application using the the Datalogic Memor. See it in action: Digital Doorkeep

Scan the customer’s ID and the full color LCD display reflects what product(s) the customer can legally purchase. The image below reflects a 20 year old customer who can legally purchase tobacco (18 or older), but not alcohol (21 or older). These age thresholds are customizable so you’re able to configure your system to verify any age – depending on the age restricted products you are selling.

Digital Doorkeep is a Product and Service of Miles Data Technologies.

The customer is a leading manufacturer of equipment for the agriculture industry with facilities throughout North America. The warehouse management software (WMS) requires a constant connection to the host application, so the network must be completely reliable at all times, and in any environment.

Challenge

Design a wireless network that provides wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling coverage so that devices can connect to the internal network without the use of CAT5/CAT6 cables. The devices needing to connect to the network include the following:

• LXE MX7 – 1/4 VGA, handheld mobile computer with the Windows CE 5.0 operating system
• LXE VX6 – 1/2 VGA, truck mounted computer with Windows CE 5.0 operating system
• Misc. Laptops & Desktops – Various manufacturers with Windows XP, Vista, and Mac OSX operating systems

In addition to the variety of devices in use is the variety of environments in which the devices will be operated in. The different environments for this particular wireless network design can be categorized as follows:

• Indoor

  • Production: 170,000 square foot facility with 20′ ceilings. Area contains mostly large, metal machinery and conveyors.
  • Warehousing: 300,000 square foot facility with 40′ ceilings. Area contains densely stacked product on 30′ high racking. Product can be any number of materials.
  • Office space: 42,000 square foot office area with 9′ ceilings. Area contains mostly cubicles and a small row of offices.

• Outdoor

  • Storage: 68,000 square foot yard housing metal product. Area is subject to extreme temperaturs – cold and hot.

Solution

Design, develop, and implement a wireless network to provide wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling coverage in all areas needing coverage. The implemented hardware must be capable of withstanding harsh environments, as well as provide efficient coverage zones in the different environments.

The first step in determining the hardware required for proper coverage is to conduct an on site wireless site survey. The site survey tests different access points and different antennas in the many different environments and allows the Systems Engineer to determine the best infrastructure for each environment.

After discussing the initial requirements with the customer it was determined that the Cisco 1240 Series Access Point would meet meet the needs of the Network Admin. After performing an on site wireless site survey it was determined that a combination of antennas, each specifically chosen for the different environements, would be used.

• Cisco Dipole – 2.2 dbi gain
• Cisco Diversity – 4.5 dbi gain
• Cisco Yagi – 13.5 dbi gain
• LXE Spire – 3 dbi gain

Results

The integrated solution resulted in an efficient wireless network that provided adequate coverage in all required areas throughout the 500,000+ square foot facility. The different types of antennas minimized the required number of access points and kept the total cost of the solution well under budget.

The Way it Works

1. The bar code on the back of the patron’s driver license is scanned by a bouncer or a door person.
2. The encoded data is fed into our web based age verification system.
3. Our web based software system immediately calculates the patron’s age, and parses out other identifying information.
4. Age, height, gender, and drivers license expiration date are displayed to the bouncer or door person.
5. The screen flashes green if the patron meets the age requirements, red if not.
6. Patron name, age, birth date, gender as well as city, state and zip of residence is stored for future marketing efforts and patron reporting. All data is accessible via the online reporting system.

System Benefits

1. Comply with city and state law with immediate verification of patron age BEFORE they enter your establishment.
2. Immediate notification of invalid or expired driver license provide a red flag for ID misuse.
3. Displays in an easy to read format the identifiable physical characteristics to deter ‘ID sharing’.
4. Software is web based, allowing you to verify IDs and access reporting system from anywhere in the world. This means that you will NEVER have to install or update software.
5. Reporting System helps you understand your patrons. View a detailed list of all patrons or filter by age, gender, or time of visit. [view screenshots]
6. Collect patron data to better target daily specials or promotions.
7. Track peak traffic times to properly staff your workforce.
8. The entire system is scalable. Manage one site or manage hundreds of sites with the same web based software platform. Create multiple users within single sites to verify patron data at different check points.

Care-A-Lot Pet Supply has been providing customers with pet supplies since 1989, either through their catalog, online store, or retail stores located in Newport News and Virginia Beach, VA. The distribution center (located in Virginia Beach, VA) operates from a facility with over 50,000 square feet and more than 2,800 products stored, ready to fill orders. The distribution center is responsible for maintaining all supplies offered by the Care-A-Lot Catalog, On-line store as well as all retail stores.

Challenge

Care-A-Lot’s challenge was to increase productivity and improve efficiency while receiving products from suppliers and fulfilling orders placed by patrons of Care-A-Lot’s catalog, online store and retail stores. “We receive and ship thousands of products a day and we needed something to help streamline the process,” said Paul Camping, Inventory & Receiving Manager for Care-A-Lot Pet Supply.

“In the past our employees had to take all of the ‘To Be Received’ or ‘To Be Shipped’ products from their location, to the computer and then to their next destination. This process was cumbersome and inefficient.” said Camping.

Solution

“As our company has grown it has been my responsibility to find new technologies that simplify procedures and increase productivity,” said Richard Pekarsky, Network Manager for Care-A-Lot Pet Supply. “A technological intervention was needed in our shipping and receiving process, however, we were initially unable to find technology that would meet our specific needs. Newcastle Systems not only provided exactly what we needed, but also afforded an incredible purchasing experience.”

The NB400 Series carts were tested in the distribution center, by scanning in new products at the receiving docks. The carts were then moved to inventory pallets where products were pulled, scanned, and prepared for the shipping department. “The carts were so successful that more were purchased for our retail store locations,” said Pekarsky.

Results

Since the carts have been introduced in May of 2006, their workers are more efficient and productivity has increased by 40%. It has also decreased the time employees dedicate to product movement. Due to the mobility and wireless ability of the carts, their employees have larger work areas which has allowed for a more prolific work environment. “The cost savings of the carts were immediately apparent,” said Camping. Care-A-Lot also uses the carts as label makers for pallets and general organization. “It saved time when you can print out a label while standing in front of it instead of walking across the warehouse to a workstation printing it out and walking back,” said Brad Voorhes, Supervisor for Care-A-Lot.

“I chose Newcastle Systems for many reasons – its ease of mobility, long lasting battery, ease of use and ability to choose our own hardware. Our business relies on our ability to receive and distribute products swiftly and efficiently. We rely on Newcastle Systems to help us accomplish that goal.”

Mercury is the world’s leading manufacturer of marine propulsion systems. The success of Mercury Marine has not occurred by chance. Since the company was founded in 1939, Mercury has consistently emphasized quality, innovation and reliability. That pledge remains as strong today as ever. Mercury Marine, a division of Brunswick Corporation of Lake Forest, Ill, began as the Kiekhaefer Corporation of Cedarburg, Wisconsin, when Carl Kiekhaefe and a small but dedicated staff of employees sought to design and produce the best possible boat engine.

Whether they are fishing, water skiing or just enjoying a day on the water, boaters rely on the power and performance of Mercury Marine engines to navigate them through all types of water. Mercury Marine relied on LXE and Miles Data to navigate its distribution center (DC) operations through a transition from legacy, DOS-based applications to wireless Web browsing.

“Now, the power and performance of LXE vehicle mounted computers drive parts distribution operations at Mercury Marine’s DC in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin with the reliability and speed that Mercury’s engines are known for. Mercury Marine is on track to meet or exceed its ROI target based on a 15 percent improvement in productivity and 99.5 percent of same-day shipments.

Mercury is the world’s leading manufacturer of marine propulsion systems. In 2006 the company was named Wisconsin Manufacturer of the Year and was rated number one in customer satisfaction by J.D. Power and Associates for its outboard and stern drive engines. The awards reflect Mercury Marine’s commitment to lean manufacturing, Six Sigma and customer focus, which also motivated the overhaul of the company’s 225,000-square-foot DC in Fond du Lac. The DC ships 10,000 parts and accessories a day to support international operations and serves as a regional distribution center for the Midwest.

The facility had a home-grown software system, a proprietary wireless LAN, and 12-year-old mobile computers. The long life was a testament to the system’s durability, but ongoing reliability was a growing concern and an increasing risk to the business. When Mercury Marine undertook a strategic initiative to expand throughput and capacity at the facility, it was clearly time to retire the legacy system.

“We needed to update the technology and increase the reliability of the system,” said Daryl Dahl, Mercury Marine’s distribution plant manager at Fond du Lac. “We needed a new system that would engage our distribution center associates more and increase productivity.”

The legacy system featured automated guided vehicles (AGVs) using antiquated software to communicate with the mainframe. The system controlled the vehicles, which drove associates to pick locations. The method of communication, referred to as “screen scraping,” proved to be problematic and unreliable for a system that needed to run 24/7. The legacy vehicle routing system had become very inefficient due to persistent RF signal drop off and processing delays. These performance problems in turn reduced productivity.

There were three major components to the upgrade: convert the wireless infrastructure from proprietary 900MHz technology to a highly secure, 802.11bstandard network; redevelop the legacy host and mobile computer software to run browser-based applications over the wireless LAN; and, install new mobile computers that could efficiently run the new applications and would be easy to support, yet would also match the rugged, durable performance the legacy
units had provided.

“At first, Mercury wanted to continue using DOS handhelds because they had worked so well in the legacy system, but we encouraged them to look at Windows units,” said Terry Prewitt of Miles Data, an LXE Elite PartnerPass program member who worked closely with Mercury Marine on the project. “When they saw the degree of control Windows gives network administrators over the computers, for example the ability to make remote updates and lock out users from making certain changes, they saw a lot of benefit in a mobile Windows platform.”

Mercury Marine selected full-screen vehicle-mounted computers from LXE, which feature a full-color, SVGA touch screen display and a Pentium® processor running Microsoft Windows® 2000. The rugged computers are mounted on forklifts used by DC associates to pick and ship orders.

“Our infrastructure supports Windows, and the LXE computers easily connect to our network,” said Dahl. “We like the LXE computers because of the size of the screen and the keyboard, its wireless connectivity, and because it has an Internet browser.”

Mercury Marine redeveloped its picking, shipping and other DC applications in Java 2 Enterprise Edition (J2EE) to run as browser-based applications from an Oracle Web server. Mercury chose a wireless network from Cisco Systems featuring 802.11b-standard Cisco Aironet® 350 Series Access Points to manage communication between the server and the new wireless mobile computers. The system has been highly reliable with minimal downtime, which has produced savings from reduced IT support requirements.

“Our associates were involved from the beginning to design the screens and to test them. Mutually beneficial relationships were formed during the development stage, which allowed the associates to take ownership of the system and accept it after it was implemented,” said Dahl.

Forklift operators receive picking instructions wirelessly from the host system on the color screen and use touch screen input to confirm activity and enter quantities. The large computer screen enabled Mercury Marine to design applications with large input buttons that are easy for associates to use.

“The new system is much faster and more reliable, and has allowed the associates to become much more engaged in their work,” said Dahl. “As an unexpected benefit, because associates have more information available to them, they’ve become good at sequencing their tasks to be more efficient and productive.”

When Mercury Marine began planning its system replacement, it set goals for the new system to provide a 15 percent productivity improvement, improve fill rates, support 99.5 percent same-day shipments and require less IT support. Miles Data’s recommended solution of LXE computers and Cisco wireless access points has helped Mercury Marine meet or exceed these goals and enjoy a better-than-expected ROI.

“A new system was not hard to justify because we expected efficiency improvements, quality improvements, and cost savings relative to increased productivity and less downtime,” said Dahl. “We are very satisfied with the new system and results have exceeded our expectations.”

Entergy Corporation, the second largest nuclear generator in the United States, is an integrated energy company engaged primarily in electric power production and retail distribution operations, owning and operating power plant with approximately 30,000 megawatts of electric generating capacity and 14,500 employees. Entergy delivers electricity to 2.6 million utility customers and has revenues of more than $10 billion.

Challenge

Entergy’s nine nuclear power plants operate under OSHA’s Lockout/Tagout Standard 29 designed to safeguard employees from unexpected startup of equipment and protection from hazardous energy. As an employer, a durable and standardized lockout and tagging procedure must be in place when machines and equipment are being maintained and serviced.

The existing manual printers provided labels that were often low quality or could not handle the condition of the plant well.

Solution

To ensure Entergy was exceeding regulations, a proactive approach was taken to find alternatives to the existing manual process of marking machines as dangerous or locked out. A team from Entergy began benchmarking alternatives. They landed on technology integrator, Miles Data Technologies, and the Zebra Technologies 105SL printing system. In less than three months, Miles Data was able to work with Zebra and provide a synthetic tag and thermal transfer ribbon formulation that is scratch and water resistant, and can be printed on-demand.

“Miles Data understood the strict OSHA requirements we were under and customized a solution for our nine nuclear sites,” said Jeff Lanum, Senior Project Engineer at Entergy. “They have always supported my rollout schedules and provided the best solution for the unique process at each location.”

Results

Since implementing the Zebra system, printing tags on demand has not been a problem. Employees were eager to jump on board because the printing solution made their workplace safer and saved them time by printing safety tags and labels on-demand.

“It’s been astounding – we’ve had minimal service calls and the equipment works all the time,” said Lanum. “I have put money in the budget for new printers the last few years, but the original equipment is still going strong. Some printers are over seven years old.”

A leading manufacturer of structural components came to Miles Data looking to eliminate the possibility of human error, and to improve efficiency in their inventory process.   Miles Data proposed a solution that involved a custom piece of software specific to the customer’s needs, and a range of hardware options which would meet the requirements of the software and withstand the harsh environments in which the solution would be implemented.

Challenge

The software would need to communicate with an existing database and would need to operate on a rugged mobile computer. Because the areas where data would be collected did not have wireless coverage, the software and the device would need to be capable of batching data and synchronizing when connected to a PC.

Solution

Miles Data Technologies and business partner StrategyBytes collaborated on developing an automated physical inventory system solution utilizing bar codes and mobile computers. StrategyBytes analyzed the software requirements while Miles Data helped determine the appropriate hardware solution. After a thorough business analysis, StrategyBytes recommended their Advanced Warehouse Inventory System (WIS) with a few minor modifications. Miles Data recommended the Intermec CN3 mobile computer based on form factor of the device, ruggedness and operating system. Employees played a key role in the selection of the mobile device knowing they would be the ones who needed to make the migration from manual data collection to automated.

Results

The structural component manufacturer has reduced the time it takes to perform physical inventory by more than 60%. What used to take 90 ‐ 120 minutes, now takes 30 minutes. In addition to the time savings, the manufacturer has better visibility to their inventory and a more accurate inventory. A bonus benefit has been the CN3 mobile computer is used for placing weekly orders. Instead of uploading to a physical inventory, they upload to a PO, and can adjust the order to fulfill an order for a specific truck.