Inbound logistics in the food and beverage manufacturing industry refers to the specific processes and activities involved in managing the flow of raw materials, ingredients, and packaging materials from suppliers to the manufacturing facilities of food and beverage companies. It encompasses the unique challenges and considerations associated with handling perishable and often temperature-sensitive goods. Inbound logistics includes forklifting, inspection of incoming goods, as well as carrying out quality control checks.
Key aspects of inbound logistics in food and beverage manufacturing are as follows:
By efficiently managing inbound logistics in the food and beverage manufacturing industry, companies can maintain product quality, reduce waste, comply with regulations, and ensure the timely availability of materials for production, ultimately supporting customer satisfaction and brand reputation.
The Datalogic PowerScan™ 2D Auto-Range enables forklift operators to scan 1D and 2D barcodes on items to be repositioned without leaving the vehicle. Accurate at multiple reading distances, the unit provides effective identification during forklift operations in all types of conditions. Combined with the SD9030 dongle and the Rhino II vehicle mount computer, the PowerScan 2D Auto-Range helps deliver full traceability in intralogistics environments.
Forklifts are one of the most critical pieces of equipment in food and beverage manufacturing, warehousing, and distribution centers. Almost all raw ingredients, additives, and finished products, at some point, rest upon the steel forks of these little trucks. As an integral part of the logistics workflow, forklift operations, supported by a handheld scanner like those in the Datalogic PowerScan series, present an excellent opportunity for goods identification and promoting full traceability in intralogistics environments.
For flexibility and reliability, the PowerScan 9600 series adapts to meet the needs of almost any environment. The single device, which is equipped with an auto-range reader, efficiently and accurately captures barcodes at near, mid, and far distances. Efficient warehouse operations are further promoted by the scanner's capability to be used in all conditions with snappy read times and Datalogic's green spot "good-read" visual feedback.
To keep up with the pace of modern logistics, Datalogic has built its scanners for dynamic barcode reading. Superior motion tolerance means forklift operators can capture codes in both static and dynamic situations and never have to leave the vehicle. This flexibility delivers high operational efficiency throughout the environment.
Of course, any industrial barcode reader must be capable of enduring the rigor of the toughest jobs in demanding intralogistics environments. Here, Datalogic's scanners shine. The PowerScan 9600, for instance, is built to IP65 and IP67 standards. Smart battery technology and wireless charging maximize charging efficiency and battery life, ensuring the scanner is always ready to go.
Workers must track and report picked parts in warehouse operations in real time. The Datalogic Skorpio X5™ mobile computer is the optimal choice for any application requiring reliable data collection in mobility. Offering maximum performance and ruggedness in an ergonomic design, the Skorpio X5 includes a unique midrange imager and a 2D Extra-Long Range (XLR) imager.
Incoming inspection is a critical quality assurance step in the food and beverage industry. Also known as a receiving or material inspection, the process validates the quality of purchased raw materials based on the specific criteria stored in the warehouse management system. The Datalogic Skorpio X5 allows quality assurance personnel to resolve issues during preproduction, saving time and money. Here's how it works.
Utilizing the linear and 2D Extra-Long Range barcode-reading capabilities of the Skorpio X5, product ID info is read and then verified using a portable data terminal (PDT). This information is then efficiently transmitted to the warehouse management system (WMS). By matching incoming goods against a reception list, the products' expected quantity, quality, and condition are verified. This process also drives efficiency downstream by ensuring that checked-in items are moved to and stored in appropriate locations and are properly inventoried for picking, tracking, and later identification.
The Datalogic Skorpio X5 is an advanced mobile computer that receiving inspectors can easily manage and process products with missing or unreadable barcodes. Personnel can manually enter information that is automatically shared with the WMS using the PDT. Promptly identifying incoming items and correcting poor reads on the fly means businesses can quickly troubleshoot issues with the product or supplier.
At the heart of the Skorpio X5 is a powerful processor running the latest Android OS. This ultra-fast, high-performing key-based mobile computer has the largest multi-touch display in the PDT market. It delivers everything companies need to ensure the utmost productivity and to stand out in terms of effectiveness and efficiency. Users will even be able to run the most demanding mobile applications simultaneously. The ergonomic, lightweight, and ruggedized design makes the Skorpio X5 comfortable and practical, even in the most demanding settings. Reliable wireless charging and the capability to "hot swap" batteries make the device suitable for long shifts and ready to scan without interruptions.
Following the incoming inspection, warehouses perform a quality check. Each item is verified to ensure it is free from damage or other faults. Products that pass the examination are classified as ‘good’, then stored or sent to processing. Those that fail inspection are removed from the supply chain. The quality check requires proper item identification, quality status assignment, and item tracking to ensure full traceability in the WMS. Datalogic's HandScanner paired with its Memor 11™ PDA is the ideal wearable-mobile barcode reading solution, enabling a wide range of applications in the warehouse environment.
Maintaining quality across the food and beverage supply chain is imperative for meeting safety standards and ensuring product freshness. One of the most important links in monitoring quality is inspecting products or ingredients as they arrive at the facility from suppliers. Fortunately, flawless product identification and effective data handling are possible using a lightweight, wearable HandScanner linked to a personal digital assistant like the Datalogic Memor 11.
The ‘HandScanner’ from Datalogic is the lightest and the smallest wearable scanner in the market. Key benefits include ease of use, hands-free picking, and fast data capture. These features accelerate productivity dramatically while reducing unnecessary, repetitive tasks and associated errors. Mounted comfortably and ergonomically on the back of the hand, the HandScanner is thinner and less intrusive than traditional ring- mounted scanners.
The Memor 11 from Datalogic is a state-of-the-art full-touch PDA with a megapixel scanner and a 5-inch display. It was designed for enterprises seeking the power of a mobile computer with a robust design, ultra-reliable battery management, and enhanced scanning performance. It is ruggedly built to withstand the harshest conditions, yet slim and compact enough for a comfortable fit in the operator's hand.
Effective data handling begins with reliable data capture. The HandScanner and Memor 11 combination provide ease of operation with a hands-free barcode reading solution for warehouse personnel in any environment. With this technology combo, even products with missing or unreadable barcodes can be managed and processed through manual data entry.
Operator productivity is enhanced through continuous feedback. Acoustic, haptic, and visual prompts alert the operator to data capture status even in harsh, noisy, or dark working environments. This feedback makes the Memor 11 solution ideal for picking, fast data capture, and boosting warehouse productivity.
Efficient and effective quality control in food and beverage manufacturing is a challenge. The increasing demands on production throughout global supply chains have amplified the hurdles. Fortunately, with advanced technology products like the Memor 11, it's possible to keep up. The solution reduces repetitive tasks and minimizes data-entry errors resulting in operation optimization.
