BUYology Warehouse and Discount Stores Deploy the Casio DT

CASE STUDY – BUYOLOGY
BUYology Warehouse and Discount Stores
Deploy the Casio DT-X8 for effective stock
capture with a low capital outlay
Rugged, handheld device preloaded with ECR bespoke software provides
slick, fast stock inventory upload for stores and warehouse alike.
The Challenge
BUYology Stores are changing the face of discount
shopping across the South West of England. Using a
business model that facilitates large pop-up discount
warehouse shops housed on low cost lease sites offering
fast-moving lines, BUYology is able to pass its greatly
reduced overheads along to its discerning shoppers.
BUYology have grown over recent years, and now have
eight stores selling thousands of top quality lines at rock
bottom prices. Chris Stanford, of Buyology, keeps a
keen eye on driving operational efficiencies through the
deployment of intelligent, empowering technology:“For us, delivering the customer high quality items at great
prices is derived by optimising turnover of fast selling lines
and making savvy purchasing decisions within our large
portfolio of stock items. Optimising available stock per
store and providing accurate shipping from the warehouse
has been, and will always be, key to our success and for
that we need reliable, rugged data capture devices.”
The Solution
So when some of the previous handheld devices
suffered failures in-store, Chris turned to BUYology’s
trusted point of sale partner, ECR Concepts, for initial
advice. ECR Concepts noted that alongside the obvious
quality deficiencies, the devices often failed after being
handled roughly and struggled to store large volumes
of stock data. The previous solution also lacked some
of the desired functionality. Another device was trialled
but quickly rejected as it, too, proved not to be rugged
enough or to have the necessary storage capacity.
Further investigations identified the Casio DT-X8, which
is not only one of the toughest handheld devices on the
market, but offers ample on-board flash storage for large
stock inventory files. ECR Concepts quickly realised that
the functionality offered by the DT-X8 could be utilised
to offer an enhanced solution including local printing via
Casio Electronics Co. Ltd. Harp View, 12 Priestly Way, London, NW2 7JD
Tel: 020 8450 9131 | Web: www.casio.co.uk
difficult to express the gargantuan leap from manual
docket picking to where we are today using the ECR
ScanPal enabled DT-X8.”
The DT-X8 was used initially to check labels on the
shelves were displaying the right item and price. In
addition, ECR Concepts had programmed the device to
assist with item promotion through label printing and shelf
billing of POS poster stationery to produce an immediate
and eye catching product display.
Bluetooth, fast Ethernet data download via the cradle
and customised stock taking functions. After a successful
trial, the fully encased, shock proof and rugged DT-X8,
along with the ScanPal software from ECR Concepts,
was selected and 2 units were purchased for each store
and multiple units for the main warehouse.
Feedback from BUYology was instantaneous with
warehouse associates noting that the device was
extremely easy to use, comfortably fitting into their gloved
or bare hands. The DT-X8 features an easy to read TFT
colour display and with ECR’s simply-to-use scrolling
menus, warehouse associates quickly adopted the
device as an indispensable tool. When knocks and drops
occurred, inevitable in a logistics environment, users had
the assurance that the DT-X8 is effectively drop tested
and verified for drops from up to 3m onto concrete.
The DT-X8 simply resumes the data collection it was
working on without any break in service. When placed
on the Ethernet enabled cradle, transaction processing
was deemed easier and faster than ever before and
an altogether simpler process compared to the USB
connections of the previous solution.
Enabled with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi ready, the DT-X8s
connect automatically to warehouse printers. Labels are
printed via belt printers; stock is then picked, packed and
labelled and sent for store delivery.
The DT-X8 also handles the large and varying inventory
of over 100,000 items with seamless ease. The Barry
central office creates and broadcasts changes to
stores over the network whilst the store based DT-X8’s
download the changes when placed in the cradle. The
flash memory continues to store data even if a loss
of battery power occurs, for example, if the device
were to remain off the recharge cradle for many days.
When rebooted, inventory data is still safely stored on
the internal storage area of the DT-X8. In fact, this is a
scenario that has not yet occurred given the DT-X8 is
powered by one of the highest quality Li-Ion batteries
available and features an automatic switch off following
periods of inactivity.
Chris concludes: “The Casio DT-X8 isn’t the cheapest
handheld to buy, but its longevity and enhanced
functionality represents excellent value for money. Loaded
with ECR’s ScanPal, it’s proved to be a winning and
valued combination for BUYology.”
Key points
IP67 compliant
Drop-tested to 3 metres
Integrated WLAN and
Bluetooth
microSD slot
Windows Mobile Embedded
CE 6.0
2.7” Blanview colour LCD
display
Up to 25 hour battery life
Available with NFC/RFID
Available with laser or
C-MOS imager
280g light
Chris noted. “Seamless and fast warehouse processing
is essential to keep the shelves effectively stocked. It’s
Casio Electronics Co. Ltd. Harp View, 12 Priestly Way, London, NW2 7JD
Tel: 020 8450 9131 | Web: www.casio.co.uk