Unique ID Drives ANC Forward with the 4800i

Industry: Logistics
Application: Electronic data entry
Product Solutions:
Hand Held Products 4800i Area Image Scanner

Executive Summary

When ANC Limited, one of the UK’s major independent parcel carriers, decided to use scanners to replace their manual data entry system, they consulted automated data capture and mobile computing specialist, Unique ID, to provide them with a solution.  

For over 8 years, Unique ID have been developing barcode products and solutions, providing clients with a combination of advanced Auto ID technology and creative thinking resolutions for their data capture needs.  After an initial consultation with ANC to decipher their precise requirements from the new system, Unique ID recommended the 4800i industrial 2D image scanner from Hand Held Products, with whom they hold Premier Solution Partner status.  This choice was based on the speed and consistency with which the units could decode PDF417 bar codes.

Company Profile

ANC is an independent business services group based in Newcastle-Under-Lyme, Staffordshire. The company specialises in express delivery services throughout the UK and the rest of the world. Founded in 1981, it has become one of the most flexible logistics organisations in the UK, with a workforce of over 4000 people, and a fleet of 2200 vehicles operating from 105 locations.

The Business Challenge

With some of the consignments that need to be delivered by the company, no customer manifest is provided. Previously, data on the consignment had to be entered manually, which was a time-consuming process. ANC therefore decided to explore the possibility of using PDF417 codes to speed data-entry and reduce errors.

The Solution

The 4800i was the first hand held area image scanner to be powered by Adaptus™ image scanning technology from Hand Held Products, which has set new standards in 2D Industrial Area Imaging. The 4800i offers rapid, accurate and reliable decoding, designed to boost efficiency and productivity.

ANC felt that the 4800i would meet all of its criteria, and purchased 120 of the scanners. Dean Hughes, ANC’s Programme Manager, explains: “The 4800i’s decoding speed was the most important factor, along with its consistency in achieving successful scans. We tried many other scanners, but they were slower or required more than one attempt to decode successfully. That would have deterred our users straight away, as they expect a successful scan every time."

The company’s customers send a data file with details of all the consignments they are dispatching to ANC. They also print a label containing a PDF code, which is attached to the consignment. This label contains the essential information required to enter the consignment onto ANC’s administration system if the data file fails. In the event of failure, this code is scanned by the 4800i units. ANC’s administration system has a special data entry screen, and the user selects this screen and then scans the PDF417 code. The data from the scanner is fed into the system and then into the database.

The Benefits

Dean Hughes remarks: "The Hand Held Products units have been performing very well so far. Although they are only used for consignments that have no manifest, they are saving a significant amount of time and trouble compared with our previous manual inputting system.  We are grateful to Unique ID for recommending this product, and for the support they have shown us during the implementation of this new system".