Peacock Bros has worked with Australia's largest hunger relief charity to introduce an automated barcode solution designed to improve warehouse operations in response to rising demand for food relief services.
The charity, which distributes food and groceries to support a broad network of community programmes, has experienced a significant increase in requests for assistance across Victoria. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the organisation was providing aid to tens of thousands of people on a daily basis, but that figure is expected to more than double by the end of 2024.
During the pandemic, the charity faced a number of operational challenges, such as increased demand, inconsistent food donations, reduced volunteer numbers, and disruptions to existing processes. These difficulties exposed inefficiencies in its warehouse systems and resulted in ongoing productivity issues and errors which continued after the initial pandemic response period.
In response to these challenges, the organisation made the decision to transform its warehouse management processes. The charity turned to Peacock Bros to deliver a comprehensive solution that would automate key tasks and enable better management of inventory and distribution.
Peacock Bros provided an end-to-end solution that integrates advanced hardware and software to streamline operations. The project involved introducing radio frequency (RF) devices, mobile computing devices, bespoke Peacock Bros labels, and industrial printers, with the goal of creating seamless tracking and management of incoming and outgoing goods.
David Perry, National Sales Manager, Peacock Bros, said, "We recognised the need for a solution that not only integrated cutting-edge technology, but also gave them the support and flexibility to adapt to changing circumstances. Our solution aimed to supercharge short-term performance, and at the same time, we could then start weaving in new ways of working to ensure the changes would stick."
The introduction of mobile warehouse technologies has marked a significant improvement over the previous system, which relied on manual, paper-based processes that were slow and prone to error. Now, volunteers are equipped with Honeywell CK6X series handheld devices, allowing them to scan both inbound and outbound barcode-labelled goods. This technology helps ensure the accurate recording of food items received and speeds up the picking and packing process.
The handheld devices are managed through SOTI MobiControl and Ivanti software.
This configuration is designed to create a user-friendly and seamless operating environment, enabling volunteers to work efficiently without lengthy training on new processes.
The barcode system has resulted in improved operational efficiency, making it possible for volunteers to have an immediate impact even with minimal training. According to the charity, this has been particularly important in addressing increased demands for food relief services.
The rise in accuracy and the streamlined approach to handling inventory and orders have enabled the organisation to manage higher volumes of requests, ensuring that essential support reaches those in need promptly.
With these changes in place, the charity has reportedly been able to overcome some of the persistent challenges introduced by the pandemic. The warehouse management system implemented by Peacock Bros is now positioned to support continual growth in demand, offering a scalable and efficient way to support its ongoing mission.
