The scene is Baldor Electric Co., a manufacturer of electric motors headquartered in Fort Smith, Ark. About 14 months ago Jeff Hines, software applications manager, information services, began a wireless project to automate data collection at the company's 35 finished goods inventory locations. Using wireless-enabled barcode technology from Intermec Technologies Corp., warehouse personnel now update Baldor's SAP-based enterprise system in real time. Inventory receipts and issues and shipping transactions are automated via barcode scanning. The automation also eliminates back-office involvement and speeds warehouse audits. Hines says audits at Baldor's largest warehouse take two hours instead of two days. His recommendations for implementing a wireless strategy follow:
Think big. Leverage the technology into as many processes as possible.
Update enterprise system in real time from the wireless device.
Develop your own wireless transactions that fit your business.
Listen to the people who will use the wireless devices. Involve them in the system design early.
Use wireless to replace any process that requires writing things down.
Use your own IT people. Train them and let them develop wireless transactions that fit your business.
Don't tie your wireless system to a batch input process requiring time-deferred file transfers.
Don't farm out the work to outsiders who don't know your business.
Don't skimp on hardware. Get industrial-strength equipment from a manufacturer that can support you.
