Ring scanners and warehouse efficiency

Picking and replenishment processes account for up to 70 percent of warehouse operating costs. That presents an opportunity for increasing profitability through better efficiency.

According to a recent Zebra study, “as order volume increases and per-order value decreases, pick and fill costs eat away at margins, and warehouse managers are looking for new solutions to help protect profitability.”

Automating the picking process is a key step toward improving the accuracy and expediency of the process. Equipping them with ring scanners, like the Zebra RS419, is essentially hands-free scanning. Rather than hold the barcode scanner or reader, warehouse workers simply point, leaving the picker free to move products and packages.

The ROI on the investment in ring scanners is easy to measure. Look at the number of cases received, picking rates and accuracy, putaway rates, and the number of units handled for each task involving barcode scanning.

The RS419 scans up to 15 feet away, giving the picker more freedom. The SE966 scan engine enables the ring scanner to read even damaged barcodes, and the battery lasts a full shift. The trigger allows the choice of two scanning modes. Pull it once to scan one barcode or hold it down for continuous scanning.

We also like the ergonomic design of the Zebra RS419. It weighs only two ounces, so the scanner doesn’t put strain on the picker’s hand. It can be worn on the left or right hand, and the finger strap is easy to replace, so you can give each picker their own strap.

Pair the ring scanner with a wearable computer, like the Zebra WT410NO for a multimodal solution.

Stay tuned to learn more ways to increase your warehouse efficiency. Or contact Data Source Media.