*Customer

US based global provider of Maintenance Repair and Operations Supplies. Their 5 large distribution centers located across the US are focused on quick and accurate delivery of supplies. *(As a privately-held company, it is their policy to keep the company name withheld.)


Challenge

This company's Rack Receiving Department is split into teams which are responsible for checking inbound material on their docks. Each team had two workstations: one for a material handler and one for a checker. These workstations were large, immobile, and tethered to the ceiling with power and data cables. Both the checkers and material handlers spent a great deal of time going back and forth between their static workstations and the material area in order to compare it to information on their computer systems.

According to Sean O’Neill, Rack Receiving Manager, "We needed mobile workstations so our employees would spend less time moving back and forth between their stationary workstations and material".
 

Previous static workstation	New mobile workstation

Solution

In addition to a mobile solution, O'Neill wanted a workstation with a much smaller footprint. "Our previous workstations were large and imposing. We also wanted to avoid power and data drops from the ceiling since they clutter the look of the receiving floor and present mobility limitations as well as vehicle safety concerns," says O’Neill.

"The Newcastle Systems’ NB Series Mobile Powered Workstation was the only cart we found that had the power capacity to run our existing IT devices. All other options we investigated were designed for a less industrial environment and were also made to run power-efficient devices like thin clients or laptops. Rather than redesign our IT infrastructure and burden ourselves with an additional, more expensive platform to manage, the NB400 Powered Equipment Cart let us keep a single platform across our entire company."

Result

“Due to the mobility of the NB Series Powered Carts, our checkers can now take their workstations with them to the material area, decreasing the amount of time they spend walking back and forth.”

"The significant reduction in walking has also increased our accuracy since checkers no longer have to remember important specifications while inspecting material. Basically - they can turn around and their workstation is right there!"

“The service we receive from Newcastle Systems is top-notch. They came out to see our operation and were always willing to change designs and customize several aspects of the cart to fit our exact needs.”

“Now, we’re recommending Newcastle Systems’ powered workstations to several other warehouses within our organization that are looking at redesigning their receiving departments.”

“Having spent years researching and testing a wide variety of cart options, I have only found one that met our needs - the NB Series Powered Workstation.”

Sean O'Neill, Rack Receiving Manager