Real-time update of Customer's system using hand-held devices

The moment a coil of aluminium is unloaded from a truck for storage at SACD's Durban warehouse - the customer's computer system is automatically updated to record the fact. And updated again when that item is packed into a container for exporting.

A wireless handheld PC is used to scan the barcode of each aluminium case as it is unloaded (or packed). The handheld then directly updates SACD's database -recording the receipt, and simultaneously updates the customer's database as well.

This means that both SACD's and the customer's systems have recorded the most up-to-date information about the location of an aluminium case. Not only is the data in both systems more accurate and reliable - but this is achieved without anyone doing 'data-capturing'.

This system has been in operation for over a year at SACD Freight's Durban warehouse, and has proved reliable and effective.

The combination of this approach with other EDI messages such as pre-advices, and packing instructions also allows for significantly improved controls and auditing. For example:

• The cargo received on the truck can be automatically compared to the electronic pre-advice - identifying missing items immediately.
• The electronic packing instruction automatically becomes a picking list - simplifying the searching for the correct item.
• Each item is checked against the customer's database before being packed into a container. Not only does this reduce the risk of the wrong items being packed - but also provides for additional quality or credit checking - right up to the time of the item being packed. A shipment can be prevented if part of a batch has failed laboratory testing, or if the consignee has turned out to be a bad credit risk.

This service uses advanced technologies such as Wireless Hand-Held devices, EDI and XML Web Services - and has involved working very closely with the customer.

This type of project is obviously not something we will be able to do with every customer - it demands a high level of IT competency and willingness from the customers involved.

This project clearly shows though, that SACD Freight is more than willing to engage with customers to create partnerships in order to improve delivery of information and services.

More technical details of this project can be found here.