The ChallengeBUYology 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 SolutionSo 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

CASE STUDY – BUYOLOGY

BUYology Warehouse and Discount Stores Deploy the Casio DT-X8 for effective stock capture with a low capital outlayRugged, handheld device preloaded with ECR bespoke software provides slick, fast stock inventory upload for stores and warehouse alike.

Casio Electronics Co. Ltd. Harp View, 12 Priestly Way, London, NW2 7JDTel: 020 8450 9131 | Web: www.casio.co.uk

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.

Chris noted. “Seamless and fast warehouse processing is essential to keep the shelves effectively stocked. It’s

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.

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.”

Casio Electronics Co. Ltd. Harp View, 12 Priestly Way, London, NW2 7JDTel: 020 8450 9131 | Web: www.casio.co.uk

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