WAYS TO USE CLOUD DISPLAY DEVICES
Using IoT to Boost Productivity and Efficiency in the Warehouse
EXPAND YOUR EXISTING
Picking Carts
Lights can attach to your existing picking carts. There is no need for expensive custom carts with heavy batteries. Repurpose your stock carts, utility carts, pallet trucks, electric mules, or platform trucks!
You can easily configure your devices for cluster picking, batch picking, or a variety of other order picking methods.
Pick pallets or broken case quantities with the fulfillment process that suits your warehouse or distribution center. We supply the equipment and code examples to get you up and running.
BOOST PRODUCTIVITY IN NEW WAYS USING THE
Internet of Things (IoT)
The Internet of Things(IoT) is a network of physical devices that exchange data. IoT devices can monitor their environment, report a status, receive an instruction or take action. IoT has been used in the supply chain to track shipments in real-time or automatically recognize the need to restock inventory.
Our Cloud Display Devices allow you to leverage the internet-of-things to increase productivity in your warehouse or distribution center. You can use these IoT devices, to quarantine stock, display QA status, or implement will-call at your physical store for the efficient pick-up of e-commerce orders.
Place a device on a picking cart to guide the picker to the next location or place one on a forklift and dynamically allocate equipment to various employees.
will-call · quarantine · directional device · instructional device
What is a Cloud Display Device?
A REST API or simple URL causes the wireless Cloud Display Device to light up in one of several colors with up to five lines of custom text, a barcode/QR Code, and an icon. These Internet-of-Things (IoT) devices can enhance warehouse and supply chain operations in all sorts of ways!
Frequently Asked Questions
Battery Life:
Two AAA batteries can last a year or more. Check out our battery life estimator for more information about how the brightness, duration, and frequency of use can change the expected life of your batteries. Each device displays its own battery voltage, and the server monitors the batteries, so you can see from your desk which devices drop below a preset voltage threshold.
Speed:
Devices take about a second to respond to commands, so the system is not designed for very fast moving pick lines, but works fine for most normal operations.
Display Time:
The system is very flexible. You can set the number of display seconds in the REST API or URL that you use to light up a device (see integration for more details). Your software can also pause between calls to give pickers time to get to their next location. Alternatively, you can actually chain calls together so that a device remains illuminated until the picker has acknowledged the action, and the acknowledgment causes the next device to light up for the next pick.
Using Cloud Display Devices with Picking Carts
The most logical and economical way to start using Cloud Display Devices
You can mount Voodoo Robotics wireless IoT Cloud Display Devices to any type of picking cart (e.g., a rack on wheels, a flat cart, a forklift truck, or reach truck). You can place the devices on any piece of mobile equipment used to pick or place inventory. The mobile equipment can have one or many mounted devices (mounting to shelves, section of shelves, totes or bins on the cart), using arrows, if desired, to point to specific places around the devices. You will need multiple Turbos mounted throughout the picking area.
Cloud Display Devices light up with information about where to put inventory on the picking cart or to pick inventory from the cart and to put it elsewhere. You can use devices on a forklift or other warehouse vehicle so that they light up for validation and display instructions or tasks.
The system is so flexible, you can even put a directional device on the picking cart that tells the picker where to go or what to do next.
Having Cloud Display Devices on a picking cart helps guide the picker to the right order, bin, or shelf. They can also help to optimize batch-picking by simultaneously fulfilling multiple tasks and orders.
Sample Scenario: Using the Cloud Display Devices on a Cart
In this scenario, the carts and/or bins on the cart have mounted Cloud Display Devices.
- The Picker scans the pick-ticket barcode. The Cloud Display Device on the cart lights up, guiding the picker to the next location.
- The Picker arrives at the next location and scans barcode on the location to confirm the correct location. The devices attached to the cart and/or bins on the cart light up with the quantity that the picker should place in that location.
- The Picker places each item as instructed on the cart and scans the barcode or presses the button on the device to acknowledge the pick. This process continues until the order is complete.
Sample Scenario: Using the Cloud Display Devices on a Cart
In this scenario, a forklift or reach truck has one or more mounted Cloud Display Devices.
- The Operator scans a pick ticket. The device lights up with instructions on where to place a pallet or pick up a pallet at a particular location.
- The Operator arrives at the location and scans it. The device attached to the forklift/reach truck either lights up with a confirmation or flashes and makes a sound indicating the wrong location.
System Flexibility:
- Attach to any piece of equipment used to move inventory
- Display any information on the device (instructions, directions, validation)
- Devices can light up in one of six colors, flash and/or play a custom tune
- Display barcodes, QR Codes, or icons
- Display custom “static” information (for example, order information, time of delivery, inventory information, etc.) while the device is idle
Questions? Browse our three most frequently asked questions, give us a call, schedule a demo or order a starter kit!
Questions? Browse our three most frequently asked questions, give us a call, schedule a demo or order a starter kit!
Pick by Light from a Pick Wall
The simplest, most basic way to use Cloud Display Devices
This scenario uses Cloud Display Devices as a next-generation pick-by-light system.
Each slot or location on a warehouse picking wall has a mounted Cloud Display Device (and a Turbo mounted within 50-75 feet). When a paper or paperless picklist initiates, via an RF barcode scan, tablet, voice, or another method, the relevant Cloud Display Devices light up, indicating the item and quantity to pick. After picking, the operator acknowledges the pick with a button press. The order picking process continues until all items have been picked. Warehouses with multiple pickers can have the devices specify the picker by name and play a custom tune.
Simple Step-by-Step Process for Picking by Light:
- The Picker initiates a picklist (scan, voice, tablet, etc.).
- Devices light up, indicating the product and quantity to pick).
- The Picker acknowledges each pick by pressing the button.
- The Picker repeats step 3 until the pick list is complete.
Pick by Light Flexibility:
- Address the picker by name
- Display unique SKU, size, quantity, color or custom information
- Light up, flash, play a tune
- Synchronize updated inventory counts when the pick is completed
Questions? Browse our three most frequently asked questions, give us a call, schedule a demo or order a starter kit!
Put-by-Light to a Put Wall
Using Cloud Display Devices for Order Sortation
This scenario illustrates using Cloud Display Devices as an Internet-of-Things put-to-light system.
Each slot or location on a put-wall has an attached Cloud Display Device and a Turbo is located within 75 ft. When the operator scans a pick ticket, picklist or SKU, the devices on the put wall lights up with item and quantity that should be placed in the specified location. After completing the task, the operator can press the button to acknowledge the put and scan the next pick ticket or SKU. This process continues until the operator has placed all the items in the appropriate slots or totes. Operations with multiple operators can use a different button light color, have the devices play a custom tune, and display the operator’s name.
Step-by-Step for Putting by Light:
- The operator starts the Put list by scanning a pick ticket, pick list, or SKU.
- Cloud Display Devices light up, indicating the product and quantity to place in that location.
- The operator acknowledges each Put by pressing the button on the corresponding device (or by scanning the barcode on the device).
- The operator repeats step 3 until all items are in the appropriate locations on the put wall.
Put-by-Light Flexibility
Taking this put wall example a step further, not only can you have Cloud Display Devices light up for picking or putting by light operations, but you can have them flash with information instructing the operator what to do next. When a slot or storage location is complete, meaning all products in the order are present, the device can flash, indicating what the warehouse operator should do next. For example, the instructions might be to take the order to the packing or shipping department or to do a cycle count before sending items to the next department. Perhaps your put wall is a dual purchase put-wall / will-call area. When a customer comes to pick up the order, or when a delivery truck arrives, all the slots destined for that customer or truck light up.
Quarantine and Quality Control
Actively guide inventory through a QC process or passively monitor the status
Inventory is often quarantined or locked-down until it is released from a quality control process. Cloud Display Devices can actively guide employees through the quality control process through alerts that display five lines of custom text. Or, when using the devices passively, the device can display static data (QC status, lot number, time of arrival, date to be processed, etc.).
Quarantine Examples:
- A parts manufacturer may need to check the quality before adding a new batch of inventory to a kit or using the parts to create a new product.
- A chemical manufacturer may want to double check a batch of chemicals before mixing.
- A distribution center may need to check the quality of a new shipment of inventory that has been problematic in the past.
- A food distributor may receive a variety of produce and use it to prepare multiple products for shipment.
A Cloud Display Device attached to a rack, tote, bin, cart, or almost anywhere can alert employees to take action. Maybe the product is ready to move or maybe it cannot move until quality control (QC) is complete.
The device can also display static data when it is does not have an active instruction. For example, it can display the QC status of the items stored in that location, the lot number, time of arrival, date to be processed or whatever you need.
Quality Control Flexibility
- Use the device for multiple stages of the quality control process
- Store background information on the device
- Lights up, flashes, plays a tune
- Devices can be attached to a moving pallet or container for non-idle inventory
Questions? Browse our three most frequently asked questions, give us a call, schedule a demo or order a starter kit!
Questions? Browse our three most frequently asked questions, give us a call, schedule a demo or order a starter kit!
Customer Pick-up
Quickly locate order for customer pick-up or delivery
Will-call is the process by which an order is placed online or via the phone and then picked up in person. Many retailers, such as Target and Walmart, allow customers to place an order online and then pick it up from the store. This process is should be quick and efficient, but often the customer is left waiting while an employee searches for the right order.
The will-call or pick-up process can be optimized by attaching Cloud Display Devices to racks, bins, totes, carts or almost anywhere. When the customer or third-party delivery person arrives, the device lights up with two lines of custom text. For example, it could display, “Order 39983 for Jerry O’Connor” or any text you need.
Cloud Display Devices can also allow you to place inventory in a particular order, reducing the time it takes to locate a specific order and thereby improving efficiency and customer satisfaction.
How it Works:
A REST API or simple URL causes the Cloud Display Device to light up with any five lines of text, including barcodes or QR codes. When receiving a customer order or when an order is ready for pickup, your system can either find an empty slot that has a Cloud Display Device and automatically generate a call to the device with a QR code for that particular location. You can email this QR code to the customer or delivery person. When they arrive and scan the code, the associated Cloud Display Device lights up with the order number and customer information. It’s easy!
Will-call and Pick-up Flexibility
- Devices can indicate where to place the order and, when the customer or delivery person arrives, where to find the order
- Store multiple sets of background information on the device (order, customer info, date placed, pick-up date, etc.)
- Devices can light up, flash, and/or play a tune.
Kitting & Sequencing
Pre-package or Pre-label Components
Kitting is a process in which related items are packaged together as a single unit. Kitting reduces part and component assembly time and leads to greater order fulfillment efficiency within the supply chain.
Simple Example
The operator scans a pick-ticket or purchase order (PO) associated with the tote in which the items will be placed. The scan causes the associated Cloud Display Devices to light up with quantities of each item that needs to be placed into that particular tote. After picking the item, the operator acknowledges the pick with a simple button-press. When all items are in the tote, the operator sends the tote to the next department and begins the process again.
Kitting Step-by-Step:
- Scan a pick ticket or PO associated with a specific tote.
- Cloud Display Devices light up, indicating the product and quantity that should be picked and then placed into the tote.
- When the pick is complete, the operator acknowledges the pick with a button press.
Kitting Flexibility
The system is extremely flexible and can accommodate complex kitting processes with multiple assembly stations. For example, if the order requires a sequence of kits, follow the above example and when the first kit is finished, the next set of devices light up, indicating which items belong in the second kit. When all kitting for the order is complete, the operator sends it to the next department and begins the process again.
Also, devices can be attached to the back of each location, so when the stocker comes by, they know which slot will need new inventory or where to place the back stock without interrupting the flow of the kitting department.
Using an Internet-of-Things (IoT) assembly technology is especially beneficial for third-party logistics facilities that require specialized kitting services and assembly solutions for customers with complex order fulfillment and supply chain management needs.
Video Coming Soon
Questions? Browse our three most frequently asked questions, give us a call, schedule a demo or order a starter kit!
Video Coming Soon
Questions? Browse our three most frequently asked questions, give us a call, schedule a demo or order a starter kit!
Using Technology to Optimize Flow Racks
Picking and Putting Efficiently
A flow rack is a specific rack or area of the warehouse where employees pick inventory from one side while restocking from the other side. Depending on how large this area is, you could mount Cloud Display Devices on both sides of the flow rack or just one side.
For example, a grocery store might have a refrigerated rack where order pickers pick dairy products and the back side of the rack is for restocking. By placing Cloud Display Devices in each location, the devices can help to optimize this process. When a restocker scans a barcode (from a list or a box of inventory), the Cloud Display Devices light up, indicating where the inventory should go.
This can also work in a warehouse or distribution center or anywhere you need to pick or put items using a flow rack.
How it Works:
Utilizing a light system on a flow-rack effectively combines the operations of a pick-wall with a put-wall. When a picker scans a barcode, the associated Cloud Display Devices on the picking side of the rack light up with the picking information. An employee on the other side of the wall can scan a different set of barcodes to light up devices with information for restocking.
The same concept works for sortation and shipping. Pickers, guided by lights and messages, place picked inventory into one side of the flow rack, while shippers package and ship orders from the other side of the flow-rack.
Devices can also store background information such as SKU, lot numbers, date of arrival, expiration date, or any two lines of text you need. This data can be accessed by pressing the button on the device to scroll through the screens.
Flow Rack Flexibility
- Any five lines of custom text including bar codes, QR codes, and arrows
- Lights up or flashes and can play a custom tune
- Feedback protocol
- Optional automation using barcodes
- Flow-through option (place devices on both side of the rack, one side for picking and one side for restocking)
Get Started
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