Lumber company taps 3G Touch, Socket Communications for combined solution to increase order processing and fulfillment efficiency
Concord, Ontario March 30, 2006 Lumber and moulding products company Kelleher Corporation has implemented a combined mobile hardware and software solution from 3G Touch Solutions and Socket Communications as part of an initiative to streamline its order placement and fulfillment operations.
3G Touch Solutions is a provider of corporate information systems solutions, and Socket Communications offers mobile productivity products. Using Palm Treo 650 smartphones with integrated Socket barcode scanners, the 3G Touch solution provides Kelleher with a simple way to capture and communicate order status, product information and account information in the field.
Kelleher implemented the combined solution to replace a manual process that was unable to keep pace with the growing needs of its biggest customer, The Home Depot. The new system allows Kelleher to provide immediate, on-site, up-to-the-minute order information to representatives throughout The Home Depot's network of 1,800 home improvement stores, increasing the speed of order fulfillment.
"Kelleher required a solution that would turn its market challenges into a competitive advantage," said Joe Olsen, vice president U.S. operations at 3G Touch Solutions. "The previous system of order fulfillment, which took up to 10 days, has now been reduced to a 24-hour turnaround through increased efficiency in the processes of data entry and communication."
The combined solution incorporates the Socket SD Scan Card with custom software from 3G Touch designed to interface directly with Palm Treo 650 smartphones. The Socket scanners plug directly into the Palm Treo 650 via the SD slot and read bar codes containing key product, inventory or customer information. The combined solution provides remote access to inventory and order information on any of Kelleher's 5000 active SKU's.
"Treo smartphones from Palm with Socket scanners and the 3G Touch software allow us to connect with all of our customers like never before, helping us rapidly deliver orders of any type and quantity from our product line," said Paul Herzog, vice president of marketing at Kelleher. "At the end of the day, our ability to give customers quality products as quickly and effortlessly as possible is what keeps them satisfied and loyal."
"In the mobile age, service enterprises are expected to function and deliver in real-time," said Peter Phillips, vice president of marketing at Socket. "The combined end-to-end mobile hardware and software solution from Socket and 3G Touch has enabled Kelleher's sales representatives to fulfill sales orders with unprecedented speed and accuracy."
Additional Articles of Interest
How do you avoid losing a limb as you're working with new technologies? A supply chain icon offers his take on this conundrum. Read more in "Executive Memo: Stepping into the Deep Water," in the February/March 2006 issue of Supply & Demand Chain Executive.
To build a competency in supply network design, this consumer products company first had to build confidence. Read more in "Designing the Best Supply Chain Gillette Can Get," in the February/March 2006 issue of Supply & Demand Chain Executive.
Concord, Ontario March 30, 2006 Lumber and moulding products company Kelleher Corporation has implemented a combined mobile hardware and software solution from 3G Touch Solutions and Socket Communications as part of an initiative to streamline its order placement and fulfillment operations.
3G Touch Solutions is a provider of corporate information systems solutions, and Socket Communications offers mobile productivity products. Using Palm Treo 650 smartphones with integrated Socket barcode scanners, the 3G Touch solution provides Kelleher with a simple way to capture and communicate order status, product information and account information in the field.
Kelleher implemented the combined solution to replace a manual process that was unable to keep pace with the growing needs of its biggest customer, The Home Depot. The new system allows Kelleher to provide immediate, on-site, up-to-the-minute order information to representatives throughout The Home Depot's network of 1,800 home improvement stores, increasing the speed of order fulfillment.
"Kelleher required a solution that would turn its market challenges into a competitive advantage," said Joe Olsen, vice president U.S. operations at 3G Touch Solutions. "The previous system of order fulfillment, which took up to 10 days, has now been reduced to a 24-hour turnaround through increased efficiency in the processes of data entry and communication."
The combined solution incorporates the Socket SD Scan Card with custom software from 3G Touch designed to interface directly with Palm Treo 650 smartphones. The Socket scanners plug directly into the Palm Treo 650 via the SD slot and read bar codes containing key product, inventory or customer information. The combined solution provides remote access to inventory and order information on any of Kelleher's 5000 active SKU's.
"Treo smartphones from Palm with Socket scanners and the 3G Touch software allow us to connect with all of our customers like never before, helping us rapidly deliver orders of any type and quantity from our product line," said Paul Herzog, vice president of marketing at Kelleher. "At the end of the day, our ability to give customers quality products as quickly and effortlessly as possible is what keeps them satisfied and loyal."
"In the mobile age, service enterprises are expected to function and deliver in real-time," said Peter Phillips, vice president of marketing at Socket. "The combined end-to-end mobile hardware and software solution from Socket and 3G Touch has enabled Kelleher's sales representatives to fulfill sales orders with unprecedented speed and accuracy."
Additional Articles of Interest
How do you avoid losing a limb as you're working with new technologies? A supply chain icon offers his take on this conundrum. Read more in "Executive Memo: Stepping into the Deep Water," in the February/March 2006 issue of Supply & Demand Chain Executive.
To build a competency in supply network design, this consumer products company first had to build confidence. Read more in "Designing the Best Supply Chain Gillette Can Get," in the February/March 2006 issue of Supply & Demand Chain Executive.
