This piece was intended for decision makers in the manufacturing space investigating solutions for creating a more streamlined and efficient shipping process. The company I wrote for sold mobile barcode scanners geared towards manufacturers and wanted to be seen as an expert for thought leaders in the industry.
For a lot of people, online shopping represents one of the best things about living in the digital age. With a single button tap, multiple products magically seem to show up on doorsteps within just a few days of placing the order. Any experienced manufacturer, though, knows very well that “magic” has nothing to do with this complicated, behind-the-scenes process.
Instead, seamless customer delivery experiences happen because of complex organizational and manufacturing workflow systems. Mobile barcode scanning plays a large role in the success of these processes, particularly since it allows businesses to quickly, efficiently, and accurately track products and deliverables across multiple networks. Here are three reasons why mobile barcode scanners are worth the investment for manufacturing companies.
Real-Time Tracking
Manufacturing can get complicated, especially when it comes to keeping track of a production line. Mobile barcode scanning software provides businesses with real-time data updates on each step of assembly. Transparency in manufacturing is important, and employers need to be able to tell when something has gone wrong in the production process. Mobile barcode scanning offers this clarity because it allows factory managers to see how everything is performing on a holistic basis.
Mobile barcode scanning also improves the accuracy of shipping and delivery. Products need to get to the correct destination and show up at the right time, something that mobile scanners ensure. Item verification becomes easy when employees can simply scan an outgoing package’s barcode and scan it again upon arrival. In some cases, this also helps consumers know when packages arrive on their doorsteps with text or email alerts.
Cost Reduction
Order placement and shipping in the manufacturing industry typically requires lots of manpower and long hours of manual checking and re-checking. With mobile barcode scanners, the time required to complete these tasks significantly decreases. Less time employees spend on the floor also means less overall overhead. Accuracy and efficiency both improve, and total cost goes down.
Since barcode scanning technology can live on any mobile device, employers don’t need to spend obscene amounts of money on fancy tracking products. All they need is the software program and phones capable of running it. Also, manufacturing companies typically can skip expensive employee onboarding programs. Most barcode scanning programs are simple for iPhone and Android users already familiar with snapping photos for social media and don’t carry a steep learning curve. In this way, both manufacturing employees and their employers benefit.
Ease of Use
Simple platforms and processes lead to less technical hiccups and personnel mistakes. Since barcode scanning software can live on almost any mobile device — including phones and tablets — employees can install it on the device and brand of their preference. Rather than having to learn the ins and outs of a new system, workers can focus on what really matters to manufacturers: doing their job.
When it comes down to it, mobile barcode scanning does work a little bit like magic. It quickly and efficiently parses barcodes. It requires minimal effort from employees and keeps orders on schedule. Although any manufacturing veteran knows that magic belongs in fairy tales, mobile barcode scanning solutions may be the closest thing to it in the real world. To find out how your manufacturing business could benefit, contact us at [Business Name]. We want to help you work smarter, not harder.