In today’s logistics operations, where the growth of e commerce and ongoing labor shortages continue to challenge the industry, achieving both accuracy and speed on the warehouse floor is more important than ever.
This case study highlights how Yusen Logistics (Americas) Inc. (YLA) implemented the warehouse DX solution HAKO-FLO® at its Chicago facility—an expansive warehouse with approximately 194,000 ft² of floor space—and how the system successfully addressed key operational issues.
Challenges Faced: The Limitations of Manual, Paper-Based Operations
At YLA’s Chicago warehouse, an important distribution hub covering the U.S. Midwest region, several issues were arising during export operations:
- Risk of incorrect shipments: Concerns over mislabeled or incorrectly tagged cargo
- Information bottlenecks: Paper-based reporting caused delays in sharing operational updates
- Lack of real-time coordination: Warehouse teams and management had difficulty accessing shared information instantly
To address these challenges, YLA chose to implement HAKO-FLO®, a centralized platform that utilizes RFID, mobile devices, and cloud technology to digitize and streamline warehouse operations.
Three Core HAKO-FLO® Services Transforming Daily Operations
At the Chicago site, YLA has been leveraging three core functions of HAKO-FLO® to automate and standardize tasks that were traditionally reliant on manual, visual checks.
- RFID Query – Automated Cargo Verification
RFID tags are scanned to verify the accuracy of targeted cargo.
Benefits: Enables fast, contactless, and precise verification that significantly reduces human error. - EZ-report – Digitalized Inspection Reporting
A tablet-based tool that allows staff to capture and submit photos and comments on cargo damage or packaging abnormalities.
Benefits: Standardizes reporting quality, eliminates manual paperwork, and reduces dependence on individual experience. - EZ-SnapAir – Faster Photo Capture for the Worksite
A smartphone-based camera tool works with EZ-report as a companion device.
Benefits: One-handed operation enables workers to capture and record images without interrupting their workflow, improving on-site efficiency.
Results: Real-Time Visibility Leads to Faster Decision-Making
All data captured through these services is automatically consolidated in the cloud-based HAKO-FLO Cloud platform. This makes it possible for warehouse teams, management staff, and even remote offices to share information—including images—in real time.
YLA’s Quality Assurance Director, Mr. Yosuke Shibata, shared the following comments:
“Leveraging RFID and photographic documentation has reduced the risk of errors and oversights. The quality of inspection processes has improved, and response time to customer needs has shortened. The ability to instantly access reports via HAKO-FLO Cloud has proven extremely helpful, allowing management to review field updates in real-time.”
Looking Ahead: Advancing Digital Transformation Across Warehouse Operations
At TOKYO ELECTRON DEVICE AMERICA INC., the successful deployment at the Chicago warehouse serves as a model for future expansion. We plan to continue broadening the use of RFID and exploring additional applications to further support digital transformation (DX) tailored to warehouse environments.
If you are looking to improve operational accuracy without disrupting on-site workflow, we invite you to contact us.
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