Mobile Computing and Barcode Solution Helps Herzog Save Thousands With Improved Asset Management

Herzog Contracting Corp. faced a major challenge when they realized that for each and every project, they replaced at least 10 percent of the tools employed. The only system in location for organizing and tracking equipment was every crew's foreman taking tools on the "honor program." The resulting expense of lost and stolen property was having a main impact on Herzog's profitability. One project alone resulted in the business replacing far more than 1,000 tape measures.

An chance arose in 2009 when Herzog signed the contract for constructing Denver's West Corridor Light Rail Project. The organization asked Dynamic Systems Inc., a software program corporation which develops barcode information collection applications, to support them implement an asset management solution. The answer incorporated a mobile computing system with the ability to label and scan barcodes on each tool owned by the business.

The Criteria

There were various points to think about ahead of choosing a mobile computing method. Very first, the company operates by sending out crews to their work web-sites. There is no centralized office and normally no Online. Also, the nature of the function environment referred to as for a heavy-duty resolution that would not be affected by dust, dirt, or becoming dropped on concrete. If barcodes were utilized, they had to be durable and smaller enough to fit on any type of tool. Barcodes necessary be rapidly and quickly scanned so that new tools could be logged into the program without having interrupting a project.

The Answer

The total solution for Herzog's challenge incorporated Honeywell's Dolphin 7850 mobile laptop and Honeywell's Focus 1690 hand-held scanner, with Dynamic Systems' CheckMate software for tool tracking, and preprinted 1D and 2D barcodes.

Honeywell's Dolphin 7850 has a user-friendly, touch screen interface, and also has a signature capture functionality allowing tools to be signed out electronically, consequently encouraging responsibility and ownership. The signature also offers a legal record for the provider in instances where highly-priced tools or equipment go missing.

Preprinted 1D and 2D barcodes were designed to meet Herzog's precise size and durability needs. Honeywell's Focus 1690 is a hand-held location-imaging scanner that can quickly read these barcodes. The scanner utilizes Dynamic System's CheckMate ToolRoom software, which allows data from the barcodes to be loaded into an electronic library for tracking of tools. The software program is able to classify tools by value and to monitor significantly more costly tools more carefully. With out wireless access, the updates are not created in actual-time, but they can nonetheless be performed a couple of times a day so that the database can be applied to track down the exact location of precise tools at any given moment.

The Outcome

Because employing the new mobile computing and bar code solution in Might possibly 2009, Herzog is saving an estimated $20,000 per month due to decreases in tool and equipment loss. The firm has been able to see a new sense of ownership and responsibility among foremen and crews. Also, the ability to know where certain tools are at any given point has saved time and increased productivity.

Herzog looks forward to utilizing the exact same mobile computing and bar code program at other websites, expecting to see the exact same rewards. The company plans to implement a duplicate technique in upcoming North Texas Rail Project.