Barring eventualities
by Jorg Stiller

A brand new video-documented barcode scanner location system developed by GEUTEBRÜCK GmbH is currently being installed for German logistics specialist Birkart Globlistics in their distribution centre in Mönchengladbach. Given that CCTV has already proved its ability to deliver savings in cost, increases in efficiency and improvements in customer satisfaction in distribution and warehousing operations, why are GEUTEBRÜCK’S customers prepared to pay about 50 percent more for scanner location? What are the potential benefits and how are these to be realised?

If goods are mislaid or damaged in a distribution centre where a CCTV system is recording all activity digitally, the video database can be searched to reveal the source of the problem much faster than videotape ever could. But it still requires the manual cross-referencing of the scanner data with the picture data: someone still has to establish from the scanned barcode data, when and where the goods entered the warehouse so that the video database can be searched by time and camera. 

So why a scanner location system? - Because this location system automatically reports both the identity of the scanner and its location, thereby completing the logical connection between the scanner data and the video recording. With this link established, the barcode itself can be used as a search criterion and investigation is really fast tracked.

The improved traceability from this kind of control promises both immediate and potential financial benefits. Effective video-supported traceability makes theft and fraud easier to detect and prove, and unjust claims (for goods dispatched in good condition, or already damaged on arrival) easier to defend. - Both of which represent savings in management time and a reduction in insured liabilities, which is reflected in reduced insurance costs.

Better traceability ensures greater accuracy, minimising short shipments and reducing associated investigation and rectification costs. Time spent on queries of all kinds is reduced and customers benefit from a more reliable, secure and accurate service. Perhaps crucially, improved efficiency and security can be a valuable competitive edge, enabling the logistics company to win new business from security-conscious companies who set high approval standards.

The new GEUTEBRÜCK logistics concept integrates the customer’s existing scanning system and computer network, with MultiScope-based CCTV and a local positioning system. The transponder-based local positioning system divides the whole distribution centre into location grids, which correlate with camera pictures. Existing hand-held RF barcode scanners, retro-fitted with ID modules, identify themselves to the positioning system at regular intervals and whenever the user moves into a different grid, so that the barcode data, scanner location and camera pictures can be automatically reconciled. The scanner operative’s duties remain completely unchanged. While he goes about his normal business the scanner’s ID generator keeps the positioning system fully informed of its whereabouts and status – all automatically and securely out of reach. The barcode data is filtered out of the data traffic in the company network and stored by the MultiScope II digital recording system.