Identifying Opportunities for Applying AIDC Technologies
Analysis of data handling processes is a significant key to identifying
appropriate applications and to establishing the requirements that have to
be fulfilled in realizing an effective AIDC approach. This includes
data structuring, the type or types of AIDC technology to use, system and
associated technology requirements, economic and people-based needs that
have to be satisfied. As far as the technologies are concerned a
foundation for selection may be developed from a consideration of
technological attributes, and how they relate to requirements without
going into too much technical detail on how these attributes are manifest.
However, this may not obviate the need for more detailed technical
considerations when moving to the specification, implementation and
maintenance of a practical system.
In many situations AIDC is key to providing highly efficient solutions
for a wide range of carrier and data collection needs, particularly where
there is a requirement to identify items, individuals, data, events and
locations.
By considering the main areas of application for AIDC, the set of
questions presented below have been structured to assist in determining
the potential for applying AIDC in small to medium enterprises (SMEs).
Management of Information
Capacity to handle goods
Throughput
Inventory Space
Personnel
Reliability
Security
Transportation
Sortation
|
Do you have problems and errors in handling information?
Is re-keying of data a common occurrence within your company?
Do you have many keying errors?
Is management information readily available?
Is the management information accurate?
Do you encounter difficulties in tracking documents and sources of
information?
Are aspects of your data handling slow and frustrating?
Where responses to such questions indicate difficulties the prospect
may exist for using AIDC. |
|
|
Do you encounter problems or inefficiencies in tracking goods
internally?
Do you encounter problems or inefficiencies in organizing customer
orders?
Are your part of a supply chain in which the demands for more
efficient handling of goods in being demanded?
Are you sufficiently competitive in dealing with goods?
Do you encounter problems or inefficiencies in delivering orders?
Are you being required to bar code or apply AIDC in respect of your
goods?
Do you have the potential to handle more goods, but feel constrained
by the staffing implications?
AIDC can often allow you to handle more volume of goods and enhance
the efficiency with which the goods are handled. |
|
|
Is the throughput of business, goods, manufacturing processes,
services or information made difficult or slow due to errors in
informati9on or inefficient data handling?
Do you have an effective system for tracking customer orders?
Do you have an effective and efficient system for managing processes?
Do you see potential for increasing throughput, but feel constrained
due to staffing implications?
AIDC can often allows increased throughput with savings in time and
without an increase in staffing |
| |
|
Is your goods handling constrained by the space available?
Are you having to spend more on space than you feel is justified?
IS the space available for handling goods efficiently organized to
allow effective and efficient storage and retrieval?
Do you have difficulties in tracking items within the space available?
AIDC may help you to carry less stock, and therefore require less
space for storage. AIDC may also allow better organization of
stock and more efficient handling. |
| |
|
Do you have a need to introduce or enhance time and attendance
monitoring?
Is manual data entry a significant feature in your business?
Do you have a need to formally link jobs to individuals?
Do you have problems in tracking and managing manual processes within
your company?
AIDC may help you to reduce personnel for manual data entry and
handling of goods, freeing them to be gainfully employed elsewhere. |
| |
|
Do you have a need to reduce errors in data or information used
within your business or provided for customers?
Are errors arising within the goods handling or service activities of
your company that are causing harm?
Do you see any opportunities for improving reliability of data
gathering activities within the company?
AIDC invariably provide scope for reducing errors in data or
information handling. |
| |
|
Do you have a need for personal identification of employees within
the company or for the services they provide?
Do you have a need to introduce or improve controlled access to secure
areas?
Do you have problems of theft or misappropriation of goods?
Do you have a need to introduce or improve controlled access to
information and/or computer-based information management systems?
Do you have a need to introduce or improve the security of goods
delivery?
Do you have a need to introduce or improve a proof-of-delivery
service?
AIDC can often provide scope for improving access control, and reduce
losses due to theft and proof of delivery. |
| |
|
Do you have problems in tracking and managing transportation?
Do you have information-based problems in organizing the flow of goods
to distribution?
Do you have difficulties in maintaining service and maintenance
histories on vehicles?
Do you have problems in tracking and recovering pallets and
containers?
Do you have information-based difficulties or inefficiencies in
loading and unloading goods to and from goods-carrying vehicles?
AIDC can often provide the basis for better management of
transportation and distribution through better data handling. |
| |
|
Do you encounter bottlenecks, difficulties or inefficiencies in
sorting goods or items?
Do you encounter stockpiling problems due to sorting difficulties?
Do you need to introduce a means of identifying and sorting goods on
conveyors?
Do you have a need for improving a process or processes for sorting
goods, items or materials within a manufacturing, supply or service
activity?
AIDC can offer the possibility to sort goods automatically and avoid
bottlenecks and stockpiling. |
Top of page
|
