— Newsletter Archive: Newsletter Vol. 12, 2024/7/17 —
This series of newsletters introduces solutions that utilize the logistics management solution “HAKO-FLO” to improve the efficiency of manual tasks such as “receiving/shipping management,” “inventory management,” “stocktaking management,” and “documentation,” including cargo damage reports, and beyond.
In our last newsletter, we covered the Microsoft Azure environment in which the HAKO-FLO CLOUD service is running and the role of the HAKO-FLO CLOUD service.
In this issue, we will go through some of the Microsoft Azure services used by the HAKO-FLO CLOUD service.
PAT. P
HAKO-FLO Services for Warehouse Floor Operations
As we have mentioned in previous newsletters, HAKO-FLO service is a cloud service solution that manages and provides information obtained from RFID labels, QR codes, or OCR (Optical Character Recognition) attached to goods, materials, and cargo in warehouses.
This information is read by the HAKO-FLO application installed on the devices provided by the HAKO-FLO service and sent via the Internet to the HAKO-FLO CLOUD service built on Microsoft Azure, where it is stored.
HAKO-FLO applications here refer to applications such as EZ report, RFID Query, and TAG provided by HAKO-FLO.
Receiving and Receiving Inspection
The HAKO-FLO service assigns a unique identification code to each object managed in the warehouse, and manages the identification code and accompanying information using RFID tags and QR codes. The HAKO-FLO application reads these RFID tags and QR codes to recognize objects in the warehouse.
For example, by linking RFID with, such as SKU codes, item names, and product codes in advance and managing them, it can refer to information on an object from a scanned RFID tag. Also, since RFID can scan many items at once, it is possible to instantly process which item, how many, and when it was received.
Since the scanned information is stored and managed on the cloud service, information on incoming objects can be referenced from the office or remote locations without being on the warehouse floor.
The HAKO-FLO CLOUD service implements functions to display and search stored information according to purpose.
For example, it can display the objects received on a particular day by item or list them by product code (Group Display feature).
It can also display only specific items, or to narrow down the display to only those items that contain a specific code in the product code (search feature).
For example, if the same product is classified by size, such as ‘PRODUCTA-L’, ‘PRODUCTA-M’, ‘PRODUCTA-S’, it can narrow down the display to only those product codes that contain the word “PRODUCTA”. to list all ‘PRODUCTA’ with all the sizes.
When objects are managed on shelves in a specific warehouse, QR codes can be used on each shelf to identify the shelf position. By reading the QR code on the shelf where the object is placed, and uploading that information to the cloud service, the shelf position of each object can also be managed.
If shelf location information accompanies each object, the cloud service can search and display which shelf in the warehouse a particular object is located, and to identify where in the warehouse the object is located. Thus, it can find the desired object without having to walk around the warehouse looking for it, thereby improving work efficiency on the warehouse floor.
Stock Taking
In many warehouses, inventory is primarily a visual check, which is a labor- and time-intensive task, but it is an essential task that must be performed periodically to maintain warehouse management operations.
The HAKO-FLO RFID Query service instantly reads RFID tags, making it possible to locate objects without the need for visual confirmation. RFID tag information read during inventory is managed by the cloud service, making it possible to list what is and is not in the warehouse.
For example, it can display inventoried and uninventoried items by the product code, and if shelf position information is also attached to the object, it can list stored objects by shelf position.
If the shelf location of the object is also managed, if there is an object that is not scanned during the inventory, it can identify the shelf where the object should be located, and by utilizing the search mode of RFID Query, it can find a specific object in the warehouse.
When reporting the results of inventory scanning, the data of inventory results can be exported from the HAKO-FLO CLOUD service in CSV file format, which can then be imported into Excel or other applications to keep a record of the data as a report.
Picking and Outgoing Inspection
When shipping out or receiving an object, it is important to perform an inspection to ensure that the correct object has been picked.
The HAKO-FLO service can verify that the correct objects have been picked by creating a list with the HAKO-FLO CLOUD service of the objects and scanning the picked objects.
If shelf location information accompanies each object, the cloud service can search and display which shelf in the warehouse a particular object is located, and identify where in the warehouse the object is located. Thus, it can find the desired object without having to walk around the warehouse looking for it, thereby improving work efficiency on the warehouse floor.
After confirming that the correct objects have been picked and packed for shipment, the objects can be scanned again for shipment confirmation and the information uploaded to the cloud service to keep a record of what was shipped and when.
In addition, by entering the destination code into the HAKO-FLO application during shipment and uploading it to the cloud service along with the scanned information, shipment information for each destination can be confirmed by the cloud service.
For example, it can list the objects shipped last month to a specific destination and attach to the report the item and product codes, quantity, and date of shipment sent last month.
Utilization of Data in HAKO-FLO CLOUD Service
The HAKO-FLO CLOUD service supports customers’ warehouse operations by further utilizing cloud services, such as utilizing the accumulated data for demand forecasting as statistical data on increases and decreases in the quantity of goods, and for inventory control as inventory data showing how much inventory has remained in the warehouse since the warehouse received the goods.
We are also promoting activities to support our customers’ warehouse operations by further utilizing our cloud services.
We offer an easy-to-implement service “HAKO-FLO” that utilizes cloud services and other technologies that are highly effective for business efficiency. We also provide consulting services to help our clients utilize these technologies in their workplaces.
If you have any warehouse management issues, please contact us.
To Inquiry Page
