News from TPN: The Pallet Network (TPN) is upgrading its mobile tracking system with new ultra-rugged Intermec CK71 handhelds, software and accessories from Peak-Ryzex.
The new barcode scanning terminals will give TPN the ability to scan 2D barcodes at long range. Peak-Ryzex will also provide a range of Managed Mobility Services to ensure smooth start up of the project and ongoing reliability and availability of the new devices.
“Peak-Ryzex provides TPN with a single point of contact for our scanning solution, which is extremely important for the smooth running of our system. We knew that our legacy equipment was ready for upgrading and Peak-Ryzex was able to help us to select the best solution for our tracking system, which in this case was the Intermec CK71. The company provides us with a single point of contact for all things scan related, so our business relationship with Peak-Ryzex is much deeper than simply as a hardware supplier,” says Mark Duggan, Commercial Director at TPN.
“The value added services we have access to include flexible financial options, project management, software staging to ensure that the devices are ready to use the moment they come out of the box, and a comprehensive maintenance package that includes Next Working Day Exchange.”
The use of 2D barcodes is part of TPN’s forward thinking policy on cutting edge logistics technology as these provide additional data for tracking freight and provide important information throughout its pallet distribution network that spans the UK, Ireland and Europe.
TPN operates a ‘hub and spoke’ distribution model. TPN Members, who are independent transport companies, collect pallets from their customers, consolidate and trunk the freight to the hub facility in Minworth, near Sutton Coldfield in the Midlands. The palletised freight is then unloaded, checked, scanned and placed into numbered bays representing specific postcode areas within the UK, Ireland and Europe.
The pallets are then loaded onto trunk vehicles destined for these specific postcodes and the vehicles return to the Members’ depots – each TPN Member is a regional specialist with an allocated area. On arrival at the depot, the freight is unloaded, checked and scanned before being loaded onto delivery vehicles for despatch and delivery.
“TPN is a forward thinking company that appreciates how scanning technology is essential to the smooth running of its operation and to provide customer service excellence. We are delighted to assist TPN in this project and look forward to seeing the rollout. Peak-Ryzex has successfully implemented hundreds of systems within the transport and distribution market so we understand the specific needs of our logistics customers,” says Damian Penney, Managing Director at Peak-Ryzex Europe.