The Australian distribution arm of Nike required more from their warehousing facilities. They needed a new larger warehouse to be constructed and designed so as their goods could be received, processed, and dispatched in a matter of hours. Nike required the flexibility to move and arrange stock shelving and cope with additional stock volumes at a moments notice. This requirement demanded real-time inventory data management and an automated stock control system capable of being updated from the workplace.

Toll Logistics was Nikes Third Party Logistics Provider, and when presented with these supply chain demands, they knew what to do they called Peacocks .

Toll Logistics asked Peacocks to design and install an RF solution for the new distribution centre before it was even built or operational, in fact the only construction in place was the concrete slab. The plans for the interior of the warehouse included a multi story mezzanine, offices, and high-density high-rise racking systems, all of which create major obstacles for RF signals.

Dulux turned to Peacock Bros. (their current label manufacturer) who came back to Dulux with an amazingly simple and cost effective solution: The Zebra Z4M thermal barcode printer, installed in every Dulux manufacturing plant in every state.

For more information, contact your nearest Peacock Bros. office on: 1300 723 282 or email: pbsales@peacocks.com.au

For New Zealand customers, information can be found on our New Zealand website: www.labelnz.com

Toll Logistics also needed a fast ROI turnaround to make this work for them, they needed it completed professionally and it needed to function seamlessly from the very minute it was installed and to add pressure there was virtually zero testing time available prior to go-live.

Peacocks have a long track history (20 years of experience) of providing 'right first time', on time RF data solutions for some of the largest companies in Australia. The new warehouse needed to be equipped with the most modern wireless data RF solutions possible to function at the pace and accuracy required, making Peacocks MD&B the perfect choice.

Standard Access Point antenna configurations don't have the ability to deliver on what was required, so Peacocks designed a single directionally focused, deep range, RF radio coverage pattern throughout the workspace. Peacocks MD&B, being vendor independent, offered Toll/Nike a large selection of handheld and forklift mounted scanning products for this project. After extensive research and testing, it was found that Intermec handheld and forklift-mounted devices would best suit the environment, due to their reliability and light weight construction. Intermec's dual Access Points also offered reassuring growth potential and investment protection.

Tolls Information Systems Manager, Mr. Andrew Helm, said During the initial installation and testing period, Peacocks couldn't do enough to assist and make the data RF installation work for us, they really knew their stuff. They were able to use the sites furnishings and structure to carry RF signals to every point within. Everything implemented had the ability to handle extra workload, and could be expanded upon to cope with the needs of the future stock rotation volumes.

Peacocks viewed this challenge as an opportunity to build a long term business relationship with Toll, and were determined to equip Toll with the most advanced real-time warehouse data management devices available. Having a track history of consistent improvement, this was not going to be any exception. The end result was success!

The centre is now a veritable hive of activity, every single one of Nike requirements having been fulfilled, and an additional fifty-five handheld's added to the site, effectively doubling the warehouse load, without any complications. Mr. Helm remarked, For Nike, the whole RF solution is transparent, the fact that there are no problems shows that this is a professional installation. The wireless systems also offered Nike the opportunity to implement Voice Over IP (VOIP) handheld telephone units at a later date, making data communications throughout the distribution centre easier and more cost effective.

By relying on their vast experience and utilizing their broad knowledge of RF technology, Peacocks were able to provide Toll and Nike with the most effective solution possible. It is these strengths that continue to make Peacocks MD&B the first choice as RF and Wireless solution providers in Australia.