Extending solutions beyond the warehouse

JOY ORLEK SPEEDING WAREHOUSE throughput is integral to a seamless supply chain and the right tools can make all the difference. In the case of mobile handheld computers, the Harmonic Group is one of the providers making major inroads into the market. South African-based, the company has distribution rights for best of breed units imported from Italy, Canada, the US and Slovakia, says MD Barry Baetu. “Our machines are rugged, to suit South African conditions, and connected via the cellphone network wherever you go. Particularly with the advent of GPRS you have a very affordable way of being online all the time to your people in the workplace, your delivery people, sales people and so on.” Designed for a wide range of environments, the units are waterproof, dustproof, and operate in a freezer or in blinding heat. “They’re what I call the third generation,” says Baetu. “But we don’t only sell products, we sell solutions. “We have three software engineers on board who develop our own software, customising it and linking it to suit customer needs. “We’re very strong in warehousing but also in the final mile type delivery where people deliver the product, scan it from the truck to the client, receive a signature as proof of delivery, and in addition take a picture of the person receiving the shipment, extending its capabilities beyond the warehouse environment.” Price is competitive, says Baetu. “Rugged will obviously be more expensive than non rugged but return on investment on rugged is far better because not only does breakage involve the cost of the unit itself but also loss of the day’s work, and that’s what people have to take notice of. “It’s most important for us to work with the client in terms of the benefits and return on investment to ensure that as far as possible we provide a closed-end solution.”