The Human Side of Automated Data Collection

Getting More Value with People-Friendly Mobile and Wireless Applications

While we kick back in our air-conditioned office, staring at a 19" flat panel monitor and pounding away on an ergonomic keyboard, the factory floor and warehouse offer much more challenging conditions in which to work. Although there are rugged handheld computers designed to operate in these harsh environments, survive the occasional drop, and provide the required mobility, a shop floor setting presents other challenges that are often overlooked when implementing a company-wide AIDC solution.

In our quest for more efficiency, we get frustrated with our operators and their "lack of discipline," while often the applications we require them to use are actually making their job more difficult. The accountants and operations managers are pleased with the improved material tracking detail and accuracy, but the people doing the real work consider our data collection systems a nuisance and just another management mandate that hinders getting the work done.

So, what can be done to make this a happier union?

When we evaluate our existing applications or consider new solutions, are we taking into account all of the factors that impact overall effectiveness, value, and acceptance?

• Does poor lighting make the character-based shipping application difficult to read?
• Are your operators fumbling around with their handheld computers trying to perform picking transactions as they are pulling product off the shelf?
• Can John in receiving, who has never been confused for a piano protégé, navigate the numerous keypad entries and three-fingered key combinations required to perform the hundreds of receipt transactions he performs daily?

You may not even realize that your current AIDC system isn't being received or used as enthusiastically or effectively as you'd hoped because that solution doesn't take into account the above environmental limitations. Great progress has been made by the device manufacturers and the application and tool developers to provide a framework for effective mobile and wireless data collection with a new eye toward the challenging environment of the warehouse and shop floor. Here are some approaches being integrated with handheld technology that are worth considering:

• Pen based and touch screens
• Use of color
• Sound and voice recognition
• Wireless printers and scanners

Automated data collection systems have a notable impact on your company's operational activities and the personnel who execute them. Applications that are crafted to work in harmony with the idiosyncrasies of the workplace and the needs of the workforce have a better chance of acceptance and success.

To achieve that, you will have to go beyond the joint design sessions; the RFPs and conference room pilots-you need to put on that old pair of jeans and experience it yourself!

Learn more about The Human Side of Automated Data Collection by downloading our free whitepaper. Visit us at www.pragmatyxs.com for more information on how Pragmatyxs help you build a people-friendly mobile and wireless solution.

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