Heartland Computers Helps The Pampered Chef Put Warehouse Management Costs On Back Burner
The Pampered Chef, the premier direct seller of high-quality kitchen tools and part of the Berkshire Hathaway family of businesses, definitely has a recipe for success. Founded in 1980 by educator and home economist Doris Christopher, the multi-million dollar company today boasts over 69,000 independent Kitchen Consultants worldwide who demonstrate kitchen tools, tips, techniques and quick and easy recipes to consumers via in-home Kitchen Shows.
When The Pampered Chef recently consolidated two of its three distribution centers at its new, 780,000 square-foot corporate headquarters and distribution center in suburban Chicago, the company had a tall order: provide a comprehensive, efficient warehouse inventory/tracking system at the lowest possible cost. The direct seller turned to its barcode equipment vendor, Heartland Computers, for a solution.
"Heartland helped us determine the best course of action," said Josh Klinzing, Operations Engineer at The Pampered Chef. "We decided to extend and continue with our existing hardware, as opposed to putting in all new technology."
The Pampered Chef's legacy warehouse solution was comprised of a Norand server running Warehouse Management System (WMS) software; this component interfaced with the company's Enterprise Resource Planning system. Data collection for the WMS was accomplished in the company's various warehouses via Norand RT1700 Radio Data Collection Terminals using Norand 900 MHz Falcon radio technology. (Norand is now owned by Intermec Technologies.)
With Heartland's help, The Pampered Chef determined it could continue to run its legacy 900 MHz system without upgrading to a new 2.4 GHz (802.11b) solution that would require disposal of all its old terminals. Even though the Norand 900 MHz terminals have been discontinued, Heartland was able to supply 10 refurbished RT1700 handheld terminals just like ones the customer had been using.
In addition to the RT1700's, Heartland Regional Sales Manager Stacy Oblen proposed a novel forklift-mounted scanner/data entry solution. Eleven Norand RT5900 Vehicle Mount Terminals were each paired with a scanner from PSC Inc. The large-screen 900 MHz terminals were hard-mounted to the forklifts; the scanners were attached to the top of each truck using tethered cables and take-up reels, ensuring that the scanners weren't accidentally dropped or run over during use.
Both the RT1700 handhelds and the RT5900 terminal/scanner solutions transmit data by way of five new 900 MHz wireless access points installed in the ceiling of the new building. The new system, installed with Heartland's help, reliably records inventory and pallet traffic in the new distribution center, with no new software or operator training required. "By extending our current technology, Heartland saved us roughly $107,000 over the cost of a 2.4 GHz system," Klinzing said. "The solution also offers us a lot of flexibility. We can take a scanner from one building to the next, with no lost time or conversion costs."
According to Tom Koenen, Director of Sales at Heartland Computers, the solution his company provided for The Pampered Chef is indicative of the Heartland approach. "Because we sell both new and refurbished barcode and scanner products, we are able to configure solutions based on the needs of the customer," Koenen noted. "Our refurbished products are certified and supplied with a money-back guarantee — the longest in the industry."
If The Pampered Chef had started with a new system, it would have required 26 new handheld terminals, 11 truck scanners, and 15 access points, notes Oblen. "We easily could have sold The Pampered Chef all-new equipment, but our judgment was to keep the legacy system," Oblen said. "It's totally adequate for the company's needs and it saves them money. Overall it's been a good fit."
Added Oblen, "We've had a strong relationship with The Pampered Chef since 2000. After providing Josh and his team everything from batteries and chargers to scanners and system-wide solutions, this new WMS has been a great experience for both of us. In fact, The Pampered Chef referred a big customer to us, just based on the success they've had."
About The Pampered Chef
The Pampered Chef, founded in 1980 by Doris K. Christopher and now part of the Berkshire Hathaway family of businesses, is the premier direct seller of high-quality kitchen tools. At in-home cooking demonstrations, called Kitchen Shows, guests see products and recipes in action, learn quick and easy food preparation techniques and receive tips on how to entertain with style and ease — transforming the simple to the spectacular. Every year, more than one million Kitchen Shows are held, serving more than 12 million customers. The $700+ million company is led by Chairman and Founder Doris Christopher. For more information visit www.pamperedchef.com.
About Heartland Computers
Located in America's heartland in Wauconda, Illinois, Heartland Computers Inc. is a leading reseller of new, refurbished, and surplus radio frequency and barcode technology. Heartland specializes in satisfying both the new and legacy equipment needs of its customers, and is a business partner for all leading equipment manufacturers including Datamax, Glacier Computer, Intermec, LXE, Norand, PSC, Symbol Technologies, Teklogix, Telxon, Zebra, and others.
The company's inventory of handheld computers, laser scanners, printers, and related barcode peripherals are supported by a highly skilled maintenance and support organization. Heartland Computers, a privately-held corporation, can be found on the World Wide Web at www.heartland-usa.com.