Is Your Company’s Supply Chain Safe & Efficient?
Unfortunately, scale house design has fallen victim to stagnation. This lack of attention and unwillingness to adopt new technologies has not only impacted efficiency it has increased the frequency of unneeded contact. Fortunately, applying modern technology can turn scale house management into a quick contactless process. Back in 2018, we released an article titled “The New Age of Scale House Management,” from our friends at AIST. This article outlined how Nucor Steel Gallatin utilized new technologies to improve shipments, reduce logistical errors, and increase through time to under one minute. In today’s world, the tips outlined in this article are more relevant than ever.
How Automation Can Save Time and Reduce Contact?
In order to keep employees and customers safe over the last year, companies have been forced to adapt quicker than ever. Unfortunately, many new procedures designed to limit face-to-face interaction have slowed supply chains and increased costs. Logistic centers like scale houses have long had the reputation of hemorrhaging money, so additional procedures have only exacerbated the problem. Although scale houses may not always function as a profit center, that doesn’t mean that they have to live with their reputation as a cost center. Companies like Amazon and Walmart have proven that efficient logistics can be the driving force for growth. With new developing technologies for weighing and data management, increasing scale house safety can actually reduce costs and increase efficiency. Below, we outline three improvements from our original 2018 article plus a new technology from our friends at Mettler Toledo.
Barcodes
Company issued barcode identifiers enable the system to follow each driver through the entire process. This addition allows companies to track and control the flow of drivers in and out of their loading yards, therefore, preventing backups and mitigating potential safety hazards.
SCALE KIOSKS
Modern all-in-one scale kiosks reduce face-to-face contact by integrating technologies previously dispersed around a scale yard including weighing terminals, barcode scanners, cameras, and intercom systems into one central location. This means drivers never have to leave their vehicles to complete their transactions. Kiosks can also help operators by allowing any scale to be put into or taken out of service with the flip of a switch.
Check-in Stations
For high-traffic scales where all-in-one kiosks and sitting on the scale for an extended period of time is not an option. Self-service scale houses create a contactless check-in environment. Each check-in station can be individually partitioned to help drivers observe the current safety guidelines. Since there can be multiple stations set up at once, drivers can quickly move through the check-in process and eliminate the need to wait for an extended period of time.
Introducing the DataBridge Express
For facilities using trusted drivers or company trucks, Mettler Toledo’s DataBridge™ Express is the perfect all-in-one solution. This mobile application allows divers to quickly check-in and perform scale transactions using their phone in conjunction with a special scale kiosk. The truck drivers simply scan an identifying QR code, make a few quick selections, then they are ready to go.
THE NEW AGE OF SCALE HOUSE MANAGEMENT
To learn more details about the processes implemented by Nucor Steel Gallatinet you can view the original article in its entirety here. When you’re ready to improve your scale house design and management Premier Scales & Systems along with our partners can assist you through simple operator software, unattended driver kiosks, or more comprehensive complex solutions.
