Third-party logistics service provider FMI Int'l has increased its order fulfillment accuracy to near perfect rates following implementation of Dolphin 9550 mobile computers from Hand Held Products, powered by Adaptus Imaging Technology. The mobile computers have increased FMI's Pick & Pack processing speed by nearly 30%.

Retailers, led by Wal Mart, favor Pick & Pack service for its ability to reduce costs associated with on-premise overstocking. By shipping only the exact product requiring replenishment to the retailers, FMI helps to keep popular items on the shelves while preventing an overflow of slower moving products.

FMI, along with Progressive Microtechnology, an Ohio-based partner of Hand Held Products, Inc implemented the Dolphin 9550s in late 2004. Since then, FMI has seen a noticeable increase in the efficiency of its packers and reduced the human error that resulted from hand-written orders.

After FMI receives an order, a packer is given a printed bar code that contains the entire order manifest. Using the Dolphin 9550, the employee scans the bar code, and the manifest is uploaded to the device. Each item in the order is then individually scanned and packed while the order manifest on the mobile unit and FMI's main servers updates itself in real-time.

"By using the Dolphin 9550s we have improved our order accuracy and processing speed by leaps and bounds and that has had a direct impact on our customers' bottom line," said Paul Gaidis, FMI's senior vice president of information technology. "We have found that the Dolphins virtually eliminate human error, and their extended battery life prevents the need for employees to swap batteries during their shift. In addition, the fact that the Dolphins run on a Windows Mobile platform made implementation a fast and easy process with seamless communication between the devices and our Windows terminal server."

"The level of expertise and proficiency that FMI has achieved in their Pick & Pack service is directly linked to speed and accuracy -- both leading to customer satisfaction," said Kevin Ahearn, vice president and general manager, Mobile and Wireless, Hand Held Products, Inc.