Client - Publishing company, book distributor
A specialized sorting and distribution system that has evolved with the expansion of infrastructure.
Client - Publishing company, book distributor
Who was the customer?
The client - a large book distributor and retailer needed to fully automate the process of accepting returns.
Customer challenges:
Cartons of books marked with EAN codes were delivered to the warehouse, which had to be:
- Quick scan and identify,
- Sort on 8 different output directions,
- Discard from the line copies that were not in the system (operator response required).
So far, the process has been labor-intensive and manual - required the involvement of approx. 10 people per shift, while at the same time generating errors, risking damage to books and increasing the time it took to reintroduce returns for sale.
Consistent picking and distribution system.
- The need to operate a complex infrastructure with fire gates and multiple safety zones.
- Need for efficient sorting and transportation different types of shipments (to company subsidiaries - in boxes, to end customers - in cartons).
- Need to increase capacity to serve 7,000-8,000 packages per day.
A solution designed by Intralog
We have implemented an advanced Sorter with high-speed cameras to read EAN codes, which automates the entire process:
- Scanning cameras on the go Instantly recognize the code of any book - without having to stop.
- The system automatically directs the book to the appropriate sorter output (8 directions).
- If the code is not in the system, the book goes into detention and the operator pulls it off the line for additional verification.
- The conveyors are adapted to small, lightweight dimensions (even books 100×70 mm), which minimizes the risk of damage.
The system is scalable and ready for increased volumes in the future.
Results: What did the customer gain by implementing the solution with Intralog?
- Reduction of manual work by 80% - what it used to do 10 people throughout the shift, now serving 2 people in 2 hours.
- Performance sorting up to 3,000 books per hour.
- Minimizing errors - Automatic EAN reading eliminates human error.
- No damage to books - gentle, automatic transport instead of manual flipping.
- Books back on sale faster - Lower storage costs for returns.
System ready for Customer growth and higher volumes in the future.
Summary:
Automating the acceptance of returns allowed the customer increase productivity by 5 times and reduce operating costs, while improving the quality of merchandise handling and reducing the time to reintroduce returns for sale.
