Ask the expert: Tarek Hassaniyeh

Expert:Tarek Hassaniyeh
Regional Channel Manager, Motorola – Enterprise Mobility Business, Middle East

There is a growing demand from industries that require handheld computers for warehouse solutions throughout the Middle East. As the region is becoming a major logistics hub, industries such as retail, third party logistics, and aviation for cargo are expanding and are in need of solutions for their warehousing operations.

Nowadays, new structures of advanced data capture offer businesses the ability to further automate processes within the warehouse, bring in the benefits of supply chain automation as well as cost-effectively reach regulatory compliance and more.

Throughout the logistics environment, there are a wide variety of opportunities to deploy various advanced data capture technologies to automate and help error-proof collection. For warehouse solutions, voice directed, barcode scanning and RFID can be used on its own or together to automate standard warehouse functions, streamlining everything from processes on the receiving dock to put-away, replenishment, letdown, picking, packing and shipping. Regardless of the choice of technology you choose to apply – the result is improved productivity, realtime inventory visibility to support better strategic business decisions, realtime order status for better customer service, and better utilisation of your assets.

Today, you may only have barcode scanning deployed throughout your logistics environment but in the near future, enterprise strategy, supplier mandates or government regulations may require you to add RFID capabilities in certain areas of your business.

The expansion of data capture technologies poses several major challenges. You need to be able to add emerging data capture technologies without wearing away the benefits of mobile data capture through high capital and operational expenditures for deployment and ongoing management of disparate systems.

You need to be able to implement these seemingly disparate technologies without adding tremendous complexity to your IT infrastructure.

Companies today need to deploy various data capture technologies in various areas of the business at different times. In order to cost-effectively meet this important business need, you need a single, highly flexible framework that allows the advanced data capture technologies of today and tomorrow to peacefully co-exist.

There are a number of benefits for warehouse operators using handheld scanners. For example, it reduces user errors, improves efficiency and productivity while lowering costs, automates the tasks performed by the field force and captures data at the point of business activity, and finally, the information is captured in electronic format to enable faster activity within the warehouse.

Devices need to offer multiple data capture technologies right out of the box – or the ability to add technology to the device at a later time. For example, if you need a barcode scanning and RFID technology today, it is much more cost-effective to buy a single multipurpose device to reduce device and management costs. However, if you only need bar code scanning, and are just beginning to explore the possibility of adding RFID in your warehouse, you should be able to purchase a device that offers the flexibility to add RFID functionality at a later date to protect your investment.

Since you have employees walking the warehouse floor, employees on forklifts, and employees using material handling equipment you need devices that offers a broad array of form factors to meet

the needs of the various types of workers and functions, such as handheld devices which are designed to be mounted on vehicles and equipment.

The logistics environment is particularly demanding therefore the devices you choose also need to offer a rugged design to endure the wear and tear of ‘all-day every-day’ use in the warehouse, especially here in the Middle East where the temperature and humidity gets quite high.

Devices also need to be able to withstand everyday drops and bumps, and offer the features and functionality required for combination indoor and outdoor use.