All posts by Daniel Krentz

Supply Chain Tracking of High Value Items

Filed in:Data | Data Visibility | Solutions | Supply Chain,

Supply chain tracking has gone through quite a transformation over the last few decades. With a continually growing inclusion of technology into each facet of the chain, operations have evolved and given corporations the opportunity to truly improve their bottom lines. As with any evolution, however, there are certainly glitches along the way. One of the major challenges that have come to light in recent years is the inability to properly track high-value assets/containers.

Monitoring the use and location of assets/containers is critical in inventory management. There are four core components that make tracking high-value items so significant:

  1. Improving supply chain visibility
  2. Automating as much of the process as possible
  3. Keeping partner and customer relationships intact
  4. Increasing the company’s bottom line by focusing on ROI, loss prevention/anti-theft, and avoiding additional operational costs

Properly tracking high-value items/containers means dynamically incorporating technology into already existing systems and operations. On top of that, however, it can also mean modifying existing systems and operations to adequately solve this notable issue. Knowing how to incorporate these additions and changes seamlessly is key.

At Wireless Data Systems, Inc. (WDS), we were given a firsthand look into the true magnitude of tracking high-value assets and furniture supply chain tracking.

Problem Solving to Safeguard High-Value Assets

One of our clients was shipping a container full of high-value IT equipment to a port in Europe. The equipment was unpacked, configured (updated), and repacked. Unfortunately, the container manifest had a serial number for a computer that did not exist on the container. This mismatch ended up having a catastrophic impact. The pro forma invoice did not match the actual contents of the container and the contents claimed on the pro forma. In this scenario, the company then runs the risk of getting the container impounded.

This scenario highlighted the undeniable need for a unique high-value item repacking module that was robust, dynamic, and, most importantly, dependable. As such, WDS developed a solution that made it fast and accurate to pull any empty box in the warehouse and use that box for any of the 50-60 PCs that the client was repacking and loading onto the container.

How did this fair? The response was remarkable. Our new module provided a solution to the operational problem in the warehouse. Plus, we were able to give the client great confidence that high-value containers would not be held due to mismatching data on the documentation.

The complexities of shipping container tracking cannot be overstated. Any glitches in operations can be devastatingly costly and ruin business relationships. At WDS, we extinguish the glitches with a system that tracks assets of any value flawlessly.

Why Track High-Value Assets/Containers?

The failure to properly track high-value assets/containers can result in irreparable damage to an organization. Items may be held by customs at the destination, disrupting all supply chain timelines and ruining customer relations. In addition, this may lead to financial penalties. The loss of items has an enormous impact on a company’s bottom line.

In fact, mistakes are impossible to economically reverse (i.e. the cost to return wrong items is too costly and most times considered a loss). This makes accuracy vital. Accuracy in tracking works to reduce disputes upon receipt of the final destination. Some of the most critical reasons for tracking high-value assets/containers include:

  • The loss of items has a substantial impact (financial, operational, relational, and more)
  • Even small delays can impact deadlines and customer satisfaction
  • Items/containers are of greater value to thieves
  • High-value assets are under greater scrutiny for imports and exports

The ROI of a supply chain tracking system for high-value assets is multifaceted. Avoiding a disruption in the supply and distribution chain has huge financial implications. How much would it cost to leave cargo behind? How much would it cost for cargo to be delayed? How much would it cost for cargo to never reach its final destination? Calculating these numbers showcases the importance of tracking for high-value items.

WDS Specializes in High-Value Items Tracking

Loss prevention is an imperative aspect of any supply chain operation. For containers, for instance, the system must be able to verify the accuracy of the item identification markings (i.e. Item Numbers, Serial Numbers, Pallet, and Country of Origin). When it comes to dealing with high-value items, the stakes are high.

The following are some of the best practices that must be employed in high-value asset/container tracking:

  • Always serialize high-value assets and track them with an inventory management system
  • For containers, verify all items are on the manifest
  • Use a system that gives the greatest visibility into asset management data
  • Implement tracking at each step: Initial receipt, storage, truck loading, unloading, etc.

At WDS, we not only keep up with best practices and standards in our robust tracking system, but our technology goes above and beyond to ensure accuracy, dependability, and speed. In addition, we understand that each organization necessitates a unique set of requirements. Our system can be modified to handle unique situations. Plus, in the near future, WDS will be able to assist in the tracking of high-value assets virtually from anywhere.

When it comes to tracking high-value assets, the stakes are too high to rely on anyone but WDS. Our mission is to track everything, everywhere, all the time. Contact us today to learn more about our asset management system.

Employee Productivity with WDS TSX™ 3PL Systems

Filed in:3PL | Employee Productivity | WMS,

Employee Productivity with WDS TSX™ 3PL Systems

Improving employee productivity is a universal goal for business owners across every industry. From comfortable working conditions to state-of-the-art equipment and tools, from incentive-based pay to improving company culture, and from increased training to placing an emphasis on self-care, companies truly try it all to achieve maximum productivity. 3PL systems are proven to increase employee productivity.

According to a recent study from Gallup’s State of the American Workplace report, the United States loses $483 to $605 billion per year due to actively disengaged employees. That number is astonishing and underlines the massive value of maximizing employee productivity in the workplace.

3PLs looking to get the most out of their employees have tried all sorts of methods, but the truth of the matter is that knowledge is often the largest hurdle. Who are your most productive employees? Do you know which employees are underperforming?  Is your executive team able to make informed decisions about compensation and bonuses?

The answers to these questions are critical, yet most organizations lack the internal knowledge and data to make strategic choices. Companies once lacked the technology to collect this data, until Wireless Data Systems, Inc. (WDS) broke the mold for 3PLs everywhere.

Enter TSX™ systems, the state-of-the-art, real-time IT solution created to offer unparalleled data forensics for 3PL management. Armed with the power of data visibility, these applications will transform your employee productivity and thus, your bottom line.

Measuring Productivity for Unmatched Success

3PLs deal with a lack of employee visibility all of the time. This leads to a lot of internal issues, many of which are unbeknownst to management. As such, every TSX™ system provides management with unsurpassed visibility into operations. The way the system works reveals inefficiencies in operations as well as high-performance indicators, all of which guide executives to make informed, strategic decisions about personnel.

For instance, let’s look at Employee A and Employee B. Each of these employees works the same shift and thus the same number of hours. However, Employee A is able to process 10 times the number of orders as Employee B. The problem? They are both getting paid the same amount.

As a result, employee resentment towards management and the company grows. This leads to frustration, bitterness, and often disengagement with their day-to-day responsibilities. The worst part? It’s all avoidable with the right technology in place.

The TSX™ System’s Automation-Assisted Operations include:

  • Receiving
  • Putaway
  • Picking
  • Shipping
  • Packing
  • Inventory Counts

There is an audit trail of all transactions recorded as they occur, including all handheld screens viewed by the user. With real-time data, management is aware of the top performers. All of the data is trackable on the Transaction Dashboard, making the system user-friendly for all.

TSX™ provides the critical data that clearly illustrates high-performing (and low-performing) employees’ productivity. Armed with this newfound data visibility, management can then recognize productive employees, often making them 100% dedicated to the company. Empowered with facts-through-data, management may confidently compensate or recognize their champion employees.

Productivity-based pay has proven instrumental in transforming a 3PL’s ability to outperform their competition and reach new levels of efficiency. The TSX™ system provides the structure that allows for employee productivity to skyrocket.

The 3PL solutions at WDS have been accumulated through 30 years of experience in building and implementing state-of-the-art hardware and software solutions. We are steadfast in our commitment to developing technology that solves our customers’ problems and propels them forward amongst their competition.

Powerful 3PL Solutions for 3PL’s of Any Size

Filed in:3PL,

The key to success for 3PL’s both large and small lies in the details. From accuracy to security to timeliness, relying on technology lays the foundation for a smooth operation each step of the way. At Wireless Data Systems, Inc. (WDS), we understand the value of data and we have built our business on the backs of state-of-the-art technology paired with unmatched customer service. In doing so, our customers benefit from 3PL Solutions that meet their specific needs.

With the onset of COVID-19, 3PLs have seen massive growth in business due to the rise in online ordering and online fulfillment. As such, it is critical that these companies can rely on dependable software to address said growth while maintaining a high level of security, accuracy, and accessibility. WDS can and has provided an answer to these problems in the form of the TSX™ 3PL Solution. With inventory visibility to see the status of everything received and reports generated monthly showing detailed information, nothing slips through the cracks.

Our TSX™ 3PL Solution is a very powerful system that relies on shared data and seamless integration options for all-size companies. With automated integration, a robust built-in billing module, and a customer portal for easy access, WDS technology truly transforms the business practices of our customers, and thus, their customers.

The days of communicating on paper are long gone. Today, 3PLs looking to achieve efficiency and accuracy must rely on a software solution that is customizable, web-based, and offers real-time data acquisition. At the end of the day, our TSX™ 3PL Solution serves one primary purpose: improving your bottom line.

TSX™ 3PL Solutions benefits

So, why use the TSX™ 3PL Solution? What features and benefits will it provide to you?

Automated Billing

Data errors have been the bane of 3PLs existence for far too long. Transactions must be entered accurately and timely in order to keep the company profitable and efficient. Unfortunately, 3PLs are at risk of losing 30% or more every month in transactions, all of which could have been billed for. In most cases, transactions either were not entered or entered incorrectly. These inefficiencies can kill a company’s bottom line, and they are all avoidable.

The TSX™ 3PL Solution is a transaction-based system, meaning it is equipped to handle all different billing models and meticulously tracks billing for each and every transaction. The transactions are written into the system billing tables in real-time, including details such as the user ID that performed transaction and all pertinent data like item number, quantity, pallet ID, date and time down to the second, and more.

Then, the system takes that information and generates a monthly report outlining the transactions that the 3PL did for all of their customers, containing detailed information about when the transaction was executed and who executed the transaction, and then generates an invoice based on the 3PL’s billing table.

Flexibility and customization put the TSX™ 3PL Solutions into a class of its own. Everything is customizable to address specific billing methods. Plus, 3PLs have the ability to edit charges to give customers discounts and make any other custom modifications necessary.

An automated system is imperative for 3PLs. All too often, transactions are lost on the floor when dealing with paper reports, manual inputs, and user error. As a result, lost revenue is inevitable. With the TSX™ 3PL Solution, however, billing is thorough, accurate, and error-free, ensuring that nothing slips through the cracks.

Customer Integration and Order Entry

Our 3PL customers sell their warehousing services to small, medium, and large partners which have goods that need to be picked, packed, and shipped to their consumer customers. If the partner is a small mom and pop shop, the challenge for the 3PL is that those partners do not have IT departments or technology to efficiently communicate those orders to the 3PL.

As such, these partners will either make telephone calls to dictate the order details to 3PL customer services reps (CSRs), who then must manually enter the orders into our 3PL system. The other typical method is to send emails with details about the order that the CSR then needs to swivel chair data enter from the email, or fax the orders to the CSRs, that again must be re-entered into our system.

To accommodate customers, large and small, the TSX™ Integration Manager provides the 3PL with multiple options to offer their partners to automate the import of their orders in a fast, accurate, and efficient manner.

SCORE® Online Order Entry Portal

Our Online (Web) Order Entry Portal, called SCORE® (Supply Chain Online Requisition Express), provides a fast and efficient tool that allows customers to enter orders directly into the 3PL system. The partners can create templates based on marketing campaigns for items where they expect high volume again, and with three clicks of the mouse place those orders in seconds. There are screens for a two phase approval/release process, or the orders may be released for immediate processing.

TSX™ Import Agent – Excel Spreadsheet Templates

We provide the 3PL partners with standard Excel templates with the format and required fields of information the partner must provide with their orders. Sometimes just providing the partner with a quick and simple format to follow the 3PL pseudo automates the inbound order processing. Excel spreadsheets are the least efficient process, but are the at least better than communicating order data via fax, email, or phone call.

TSX™ EDI Integration Suite

This interface is the most widely accepted between trading partners, and is the most widely selected method among medium to large partners. This proven technology imports the data from the 3PLs partners and automatically imports it into our 3PL system. We provide the 3PL partners with standard 3PL EDI templates that include the required and optional fields of information needed to process orders.

TSX™ 3PL Native Order Entry

The final interface is an order entry screen within the 3PL system that our 3PL customers’ staff may use to enter the orders manually. These screens are similar to the SCORE® system mentioned above, but is not meant for access by the 3PLs partners. It is for internal use and is used specifically for the partners that can only send orders via phone calls, fax, or email.

Additional Features

In addition, the TSX™ 3PL Solutions highlight inefficiencies in work production with industry leading data visibility. With the ability to showcase data that underlines employees who are working fast and efficiently, and those who are not, employee productivity skyrockets. Put simply, the system was designed to be brutally honest with data, which allows employers to recognize and reward their best performers.

Some of the most prominent benefits include:

  • Transactions-based system allows for maximum efficiency, as it looks at all transactions and puts them against billing tables to see what to charge customers
  • Billing tables for customizable services and rates that give 3PLs flexibility and control, allowing them to grow regardless of employee count
  • Real-time data collected makes operations efficient, accurate, and fast
  • Multi-level security offers 3PLs comfort and reliability
  • Extensive reporting keeps meticulous track of all transaction and generates invoices, ensuring that operations and billing are precise
  • Scalability with EDI Integration means companies can lean on automation, instead of personnel, to grow exponentially
  • Dashboards allow for transparency and visibility that enables users to see inventory and all transactions

Modern 3PL Software for All 3PL Challenges

The TSX™ 3PL Solution is a system unlike any other. Built from the ground up with state-of-the-art technology, 3PLs benefit from a rich feature set that not only addresses common challenges, but identifies future challenges before they become a problem. From saving time and labor costs to offering scalability and efficiency unlike anything of its kind, this customizable solution makes 3PL operations smooth and reliable. With an abundance of benefits and features, the TSX™ 3PL Solution plays a prominent role in improving your bottom line.

At WDS, our 3PL solutions benefit from our more than 25 years of experience in successfully designing and implementing complete software and hardware solutions for some of America’s most well-known corporations. We are committed to continually pushing the envelope as we utilize technology to exceed our customers’ expectations and identify opportunities for future growth.

Making a Smart Investment with Credit for Increasing Research Activities

Filed in:Tax Credit

The federal government established a program to help support innovation as well as research and development for all companies based in the U.S. that undertake an at-risk venture, specifically involving R&D (research and development). Enacted in 1981, the R&D credit-officially called the Credit for Increasing Research Activities was consistently extended (16 times) prior to becoming a permanent fixture known as the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act of 2015.

Since a portion of development at Wireless Data Systems, Inc. are self-initiated new modules, we have been utilizing the tax credit for the last 3 years. A lack of customer initiation is what puts us in the category of research and experimentation. In many cases, we develop systems with trends in mind, not customer needs, and then we sell the system later.

The last several months of the pandemic have transformed the business operations across nearly every industry. Companies are having to pivot their entire offerings and the way they do business post-COVID. For example, companies are having to invest in web meeting solutions to adapt to a work-from-home mentality. They are having to increase their e-commerce offerings and have to research and invest in new technologies to facilitate that. The changes have opened the door to new opportunities and new risks.

Leaning on Technology for Your Business Post-COVID

At WDS, we are proud to have over 30 years of experience in successfully designing and implementing complete software and hardware solutions. As such, many of the companies impacted by COVID could benefit greatly from two of our solutions. Specifically, we have a Proof of Delivery (POD) and Direct to Home solution that solves many of the new issues companies are now facing.

Proof of Delivery (POD) offers:

  • Complete chain of custody tracking (reported in real-time)
  • Asset to location validation
  • Validation that asset scanned within a geofence
  • Verified accountability of all users
  • Audit trails of all user transactions

Direct to Home/Self Install Kit (SIK) offers:

  • Customer order entry portal
  • Fulfillment of the order’s equipment
  • Shipping with tracking
  • Confirmation of doorstep delivery

These solutions can completely transform a company’s ability to do business. For example, retail locations close and citizens are hesitant to allow technicians and service personnel into their homes. As a result, we have seen the recent explosion of goods being delivered via FedEx, UPS, and USPS.

Our POD product is designed to address the ever-growing issue with porch theft. In addition, the SIK product allows companies to ship customer-installable equipment to their customers since they are not able to roll trucks with technicians.

The point is, with these tax credits, companies may file for an R&D credit against the investment they made to implement and integrate our solution with their existing systems. Being innovative in spending with the R&D credit can position companies to outlast their competition and thrive during even the most uncertain of times.

Leveraging the Credit for Increasing Research Activities

The R&D credit enables companies to make investments in a critical capacity. With an innovative approach, organizations have the opportunity to withstand unforeseen situations and remain profitable. At WDS, we take pride in our ability to create software solutions that make an impact.

Are you interested in learning more about our cutting-edge POD or SIK products? Please contact us today.

Reducing Custom Software Development Costs

Filed in:Custom Software | Problem-Solving | Solutions, , ,

Custom and semi-custom software can solve problems off-the-shelf solutions just can’t do. The reason is obvious: off-the-shelf software is meant to appeal to broad audience while custom solutions are tailored for a specific set of solutions.

The downside of custom software solutions is cost. While off-the-shelf software effectively spreads the cost over a large user base, custom code has a targeted scope. Companies must balance the cost savings of going with a pre-packaged program plus consider the additional cost of swivel chair and manual processes required to make up for its lack of features. This incremental cost of making up for the lack of functionality of a canned software package may far outweigh any savings in the software itself. It could end up costing your company more in the long run.

To help overcome the initial development costs of a custom or semi-custom software solution, companies should consider a transaction-based or pay-per-use model. These pricing models are becoming widely embraced, particularly by those with low volume needs or those whose usage fluctuates in and out of peak periods.

While every pricing model has different impacts, a pay per transaction model has compelling advantages:

  • Cost of initial development
  • The amount you pay is tied to the number of transactions placed, and ideally, the revenue being made
  • The system provider is equally invested in the success of the system
  • No need to manage user licenses

Obviously, there are things to consider when pursuing a transaction-based model, such as:

  • The amount paid over time could end up costing a lot more than a traditional licensing model
  • The incremental cost can become a financial burden if other operational costs are not in line with revenues

If your company’s transactions are tied positively to revenues, then the transaction model likely makes sense. It also reduces the exposure should transaction levels not achieve anticipated results.

If revenue and transactional volume are not positively related, you may have larger problems than a transactional model can solve.

Obviously, not all software providers offer a pay per transaction pricing model. At WDS, we pride ourselves on providing the exact solution our clients require. This includes pricing our solutions in a way that helps our customers achieve their operational and financial goals. That could be transaction-based pricing, perpetual licensing, or a hybrid of both that enables manageable startup costs and balance flexibility with predictability. The important thing is that we partner with our clients to achieve mutually beneficial goals.

If your company is facing challenging software and support costs, a transactional model may be the way to go.

Leveraging GPS Asset Tracking

Filed in:Elections | GPS | Security | Solutions,

Most of us use GPS in some form or another every day. Whether it be navigating to your destination or tracking your rideshare, the Global Positioning System has enhanced our lives. However, many organizations are not utilizing GPS asset tracking to their maximum benefit.

GPS powers vehicle location and in-vehicle navigation systems that are widely used throughout the world today. By combining GPS position technology with systems that can display geographic information or with systems that can automatically transmit data to display screens or computers, a new dimension in transportation and GPS asset tracking is realized.

In addition to longitude, latitude, and altitude that we are familiar with. (GPS provides a critical fourth dimension – time. Each GPS satellite contains multiple atomic clocks that provide very precise time data to GPS signals. GPS receivers decode these signals, effectively synchronizing each receiver to the atomic clocks. This enables users to determine the time to within 100 billionths of a second, without the cost of owning and operating atomic clocks.

Precise time is crucial to a variety of economic activities around the world. Communication systems, electrical power grids, and financial networks all rely on precision timing for synchronization and operational efficiency. The free availability of GPS time has enabled cost savings for companies that depend on precise time and has led to significant advances in capability.

Precise Location + Precise Time = Cost & Security Advantages

WDS is leveraging GPS technologies into our TSX™ systems and mobile applications. With accuracy down to 10 centimeters and precise atomic time, you will be able to track where and when critical assets have been transported, delivered, and transacted. For additional security, integrate geofencing and be alerted when an asset is moved beyond an authorized location.

WDS recently launched a Proof of Delivery (POD) mobile application for Elections. With this app, elections departments can track critical polling assets, ballots, and election-night dependencies in real-time. The app supports full integration into TSX™ Elections or can be used as a standalone app for smaller elections operations.

With the continuous modernization of GPS, we can expect even more beneficial features to come. WDS is committed to GPS technologies and will continue to provide the best-in-class solutions that benefit our customers.