Data Capture in Transportation and Logistics
MANUFACTURING INSIGHTS OPINION
Manufacturer supply chains are becoming longer and more complex and have real challenges getting timely and accurate information to the right place at the right time. These globally distributed supply chains present the largest challenge to the transportation and logistics organizations whose efforts to make operational and execution processes more efficient and effective are regularly hampered by late, inaccurate, and incomplete data caused in large part by the inefficient transfer of logistics data through the use of manual forms and input to capture that data.
Although the use of digital capture devices appears slightly more mature in the transportation and logistics part of the supply chain, there is still the view that substantial improvements can be made in the business process. While nearly 80% of logistics functions still use paper forms and 52% of the data is input manually, more worrisome is that one-fifth of the data captured manually is not entered at all. This leaves only 28% of the data being entered either with a digital scanning process or through the use of a digital pen. Certainly, this lack of automation is contributing significantly to the poor level of data accuracy and corresponding shipping errors within transportation and logistics.
The benefits of moving to digital capture of transportation process data are significant. Respondents identified improvements in their ability to store/retrieve information, improved process efficiency and lower costs, improved data accuracy and timeliness, as well as a more robust form of signature capture for regulatory compliance. This last point is significant as we are seeing a lot of interest in governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) in the supply chain in general and in logistics specifically. Management of trade and customs compliance, anticounterfeiting, and supply risk management are all increasingly dependent upon accurate transportation process data to function seamlessly. It is the view of Manufacturing Insights that automated, digital capture of logistics data is a critical foundational capability to effectively manage GRC and a distributed global supply network.
OKI Architecture Overview
The goal of OKI is to define an architectural framework that facilitates the development and delivery of educational software applications. This architecture is being generally described by two service layers defined by implementation independent Application programming Interfaces (APIs). One, Common Services, provides hooks to institutional infrastructure and other fundamental services that provide a backbone for higher level services and applications. The second layer, Educational, will bundle functionality that is of particular usefulness to the developers of various kinds of educational software applications.
By defining Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) that are not bound to any one implementation of a particular service, OKI intends to provide a boundary layer that buffers educational software from infrastructure that is localized or that might go through changes that would otherwise require major re-writes of code at an application level. The services themselves are also intended to be modular, bound together loosely through shared objects and interfaces.
The goal of all this is to facilitate development and sharing of educational software applications, which OKI commonly calls "Tools." Development is facilitated through providing a rich set of services allowing developers to concentrate on the real pedagogical aspects of design and not about basics like how to authenticate a user or where to store documents and metadata. Sharing is facilitated through the abstraction provided by APIs, allowing an application built at one institution, using a particular collection of infrastructure services, to be easily transported to another.
Digital Forms Technologies Streamline Retail Operations
GLOBAL RETAIL INSIGHTS OPINION
Leading retailers eliminate processes that result in unexpected costs, poor execution, or unsatisfied consumers. Retailers that utilize assets, people, processes, and technology most efficiently will be winners, even in tough economic times. Global Retail Insights’ survey of 75 retailers regarding their use of streamlined printing and data capture technologies makes it clear that for many, there are numerous opportunities to improve. Distributed forms printing and data capture technologies reduce costs, improve process efficiency and data accuracy, and enable "green" operations.
Retailers should evaluate how they can extend the value of current investments and invest in new technology that substantially enhances data acquisition and forms processing and removes barriers to operations improvement. Improving these labor-intensive and error-prone processes will position retailers to be more customer centric, thereby freeing operations to focus more energy on serving customers well.
IN THIS WHITE PAPER
In this white paper, Global Retail Insights, an IDC company, discusses how retailers are utilizing digital capture technologies to reduce costs, improve process efficiency and data accuracy, and be more "green." Results from a survey fielded in September 2008 provide the basis for an evaluation of the current situation, benefit opportunities, and future outlook for digital capture technologies in retail.
In this white paper we explore the state of forms processing (paper and electronic) across operational areas but target forms processing that supports store operations. Based on the survey results, Global Retail Insights believes many retailers are missing a significant opportunity to improve distributed enterprise forms processing and data acquisition. We identify processes that retailers should streamline from paper to electronic forms utilizing in-store multifunction printing, dot matrix printing, on-demand printing, color printing, and digital pens.
Data Capture in Transportation and Logistics
MANUFACTURING INSIGHTS OPINION
Manufacturer supply chains are becoming longer and more complex and have real challenges getting timely and accurate information to the right place at the right time. These globally distributed supply chains present the largest challenge to the transportation and logistics organizations whose efforts to make operational and execution processes more efficient and effective are regularly hampered by late, inaccurate, and incomplete data caused in large part by the inefficient transfer of logistics data through the use of manual forms and input to capture that data.
Although the use of digital capture devices appears slightly more mature in the transportation and logistics part of the supply chain, there is still the view that substantial improvements can be made in the business process. While nearly 80% of logistics functions still use paper forms and 52% of the data is input manually, more worrisome is that one-fifth of the data captured manually is not entered at all. This leaves only 28% of the data being entered either with a digital scanning process or through the use of a digital pen. Certainly, this lack of automation is contributing significantly to the poor level of data accuracy and corresponding shipping errors within transportation and logistics.
The benefits of moving to digital capture of transportation process data are significant. Respondents identified improvements in their ability to store/retrieve information, improved process efficiency and lower costs, improved data accuracy and timeliness, as well as a more robust form of signature capture for regulatory compliance. This last point is significant as we are seeing a lot of interest in governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) in the supply chain in general and in logistics specifically. Management of trade and customs compliance, anticounterfeiting, and supply risk management are all increasingly dependent upon accurate transportation process data to function seamlessly. It is the view of Manufacturing Insights that automated, digital capture of logistics data is a critical foundational capability to effectively manage GRC and a distributed global supply network.
OKI Printing Solutions Introduces New Retail SignDirector Solution to Help Retailers React Faster
MOUNT LAUREL, N.J., August 26, 2010- SignDirector™ is an efficient way to electronically distribute and manage signage across retail operations
OKI Data Americas, which markets its products under the OKI Printing Solutions brand, introduces the SignDirector Solution, a web-based application that allows retailers to react quickly to the marketplace by printing signs on-demand at the store level. Compatible with OKI’s digital color printers, the solution allows stores to easily print onsite with OKI’s driverless printing capabilities, reducing the need to outsource or print and ship signs because the right signs are immediately available from corporate.
“This solution is ideal for corporations that want to streamline processes and better manage in-store promotions across all locations to increase efficiency and time to market,” said Terry Cruikshank, Sr. Manager, Industry Marketing at OKI Data Americas. “SignDirector gives headquarters full control over in-store signage and reduces outsourcing and eliminates wasted signs through electronic distribution. Additionally, the solution simplifies the printing process for store employees, therefore overall productivity increases.”
The SignDirector Solution from OKI Printing Solutions helps companies simplify in-store sign printing and become more cost-efficient. Through the use of unlimited defined merchandise departments and store groups, promotions can be localized and quickly updated to reflect product availability or other adjustments. Store personnel simply log into the company portal and select the signs needed by name or thumbnail and click print.
The "One of a Kind" OKI pro510DW Digital Color Web Press is Now Available
MOUNT LAUREL, N.J., August 18, 2010
The innovative pro510DW is now available for shipment, producing short-run color continuous print jobs on various roll tag, paper and label stocks
OKI Data Americas, which markets its products under the OKI® Printing Solutions brand, is excited to announce the OKI pro510DW digital color web press is available for shipment, along with product accessories. Priced at under $46,000, this game-changing product can print short-run color continuous tags and labels with the ability to also produce up to 85,000 prints per day. With various data capabilities, no two labels will look the same! The web press will be displayed at the upcoming Labelexpo Americas, Graph Expo and SGIA Expo to showcase live the product’s innovative capabilities. The pro510DW is also available for purchase through #1 Network dealers.
The compact and easy-to-operate web press produces customized continuous web printing with exceptional color quality. The pro510DW digital color press also supports an optional re-winder to produce roll to roll printing expanding its uses into production applications. Unlike anything else in the market, businesses can now produce a wide range of color tags and labels in-house as needed.
“With the pro510DW, our customers can now print short-run professional quality color labels and tags, allowing them to increase the level of customization to more customers, at smaller quantities without significant cost penalties, said Rich Egert, Strategic Technology Providers, General Manager for OKI Data Americas. Businesses can print on-demand as needed, significantly changing the supply chain practices for label of the past. With the ability to produce the exact quantity needed, they don’t suffer from large overruns which are customary on roll press runs.”
Results from OKI "Color Lab" Experiment Show Color Images Increase Retention and Recall
MOUNT LAUREL, N.J., August 10, 2010- “Color Lab” experiment conducted at the International Society for Technology in Education Conference supports theory that people retain more information with color images
OKI Data Americas, which markets its products under the OKI® Printing Solutions brand, conducted an informal “Color Lab” experiment at the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) to test the theory that color visuals help increase learning and retention. The interactive presentation proved the theory to be true, as 100 percent of the experiments showed participants scored better with questions that pertained to the color images versus the black and white images.
Twenty-one “Color Lab” experiments were conducted over the three-day tradeshow at the OKI Printing Solutions booth. The booth attracted 290 show attendees to participate, ranging from teachers, administrators, IT practitioners and other education professionals. Three sets of color and black and white images were presented to each group followed by multiple choice questions pertaining to each image. Each group received printed results from their experiment, emphasizing the positive impact color had on their learning retention.
OKI Printing Solutions Showcases ProColor Series at Fall Tradeshows
MOUNT LAUREL, N.J., August 3, 2010- OKI Data Americas, which markets its products under the OKI® Printing Solutions brand, today announced it will be showcasing the innovative proColor Series at four upcoming graphic arts and production tradeshows to demonstrate the line’s ability to deliver short-run on-demand color output across various media types including envelopes and labels. The proColor Series will be displayed at the following shows:
Label Expo (September 14th – 16th 2010)
Chicago, IL
Graph Expo (October 3rd – 6th 2010)
Chicago, IL
SGIA Expo (October 13th – 15th 2010)
Las Vegas, NV
Graphics of the Americas Expo (February 24th – 26th 2011)
Orlando, FL
“The proColor Series is truly a line of innovative products, allowing companies to produce short-run color print jobs in-house rather than outsourcing,” said Rich Egert, Strategic Technology Providers, General Manager for OKI Data Americas. “The tradeshows give us the ability to increase exposure of the proColor Series and conduct live demonstrations with customers to show how these products can help grow their business.”
The proColor line was launched in January 2010, disrupting the graphic arts and production market with the pro810 Series, pro910 and pro930 cut-sheet printers, pro900DP digital color press and pro510DW digital web press.
OKI's Color Digital LED Printer Series Receive "BERTL’s Best "
OKI Data Corporation, a subsidiary of OKI Electric Industry Co., Ltd., which markets its products under the OKI Printing Solutions brand, today announced the receipt of the "BERTL’s Best" for the C610 Series and C711 Series of Color digital LED printers. The C711 received the Best Small Medium Workgroup Series Award and the C610 Best Compact Desktop Printer Award.
The A4 color digital LED printers, the C610 Series and C711 Series, increase the impact of color output, offer maximum efficiency for medium to large workgroups and provide users the flexibility and ability to print on a variety of media allowing color document production to take place in-house in an effort to reduce costs and save time.
The Business Equipment Research and Test Laboratories Inc., (BERTL) is an independent testing laboratory whose purpose is to provide objective, independent product evaluation reports and comparative analyses on imaging devices and software workflow solutions. Their primary focus is the end user. Since 1995, the “BERTL's Best” Award recognizes the best device, software, and product lines in the digital imaging marketplace that were launched during the year. The categories are based on desktop, workgroup, departmental and production work environments. BERTL's analysts review them to identify the select group of devices and software that stand apart from the others.The C610 Series is a perfect fit for small-to-medium sized businesses and medium workgroups enabling output with sharp detail and rich, dramatic color. Featuring a 400-sheet standard paper capacity (which is expandable to 1,460 with optional second and third paper trays), the C610 Series is also flexible enough to handle paper weights to 250 gsm. Powered by Single Pass Color Digital technology and 1200 x 600 dpi resolution, the C610 Series provides users crisp and clear output on a variety of media from 3” x 5” cards to 8.5” x 52” banner-size sheets.
OKI Printing Solutions Wins BLI Summer 2010 “Pick” Award for Desktop Document Management
Buyers Laboratory Inc. (BLI), the world’s leading independent evaluator of document imaging products and solutions, has announced its Summer 2010 “Pick” winners honoring outstanding document imaging software solutions. BLI’s prestigious “Pick” awards acknowledge the top-performing document imaging solutions evaluated in BLI's lab during the previous six months. Desktop Capture Solution from OKI Printing Solutions has been named Outstanding Desktop Document Management Solution by the editors at BLI.
“Document imaging solutions are proving to be the lifeblood of the industry,” noted BLI Managing Editor Daria Hoffman. “From the capture solutions that digitize and route hardcopies to the management software that helps customers retrieve files to the assessment and print management tools that enable a dealer to deliver managed print services, these solutions help resellers engage and retain customers in an environment where hardware alone has been a tough sell.”
Desktop Capture Solution Streamlines Capture and Management
Desktop Capture Solution is a desktop document management application that offers seamless, dynamic integration with Microsoft SharePoint and DocuWare document management systems. The solution combines Nuance PaperPort Professional 12—which delivers class-leading OCR, capture and management features—with unique-to-OKI drivers that add custom icons to the interface for drag-and-drop delivery to SharePoint or DocuWare.
“Desktop Capture Solution delivers all the features the vast majority of workgroups and departments require of a document management package,” noted Jamie Bsales, senior product editor for solutions at BLI. “And it’s also one of the most affordable document capture/management solutions BLI has found that offers true SharePoint integration.”
