Mobile Warehouse Setup & Configuration
Here are Cetec ERPs recommended hardware, including scanners, tablets, barcode printers, and more. Cetec ERP customers use this hardware to meet warehousing and shop floor needs.
We offer these suggestions only as a guideline for smooth and efficient functioning of your warehouse and shop floor. The exact hardware your company needs may vary depending on your budget, desired functionality, preferred brand, etc.
- Mobile Tablet or Chromebook (Google Nexus, Samsung Galaxy Tab, Apple iPad, etc.) = ~$400
- Tablet Case = ~$50
- Mobile Scanner + Scanner Charger/Cradle + Power Supply (Symbol, etc.) = ~$800
- or USB Connected Scanner = ~$125
- Cetec ERP currently supports 1D barcode scanning (2D imaging or QR codes available per custom request)
- Stationary Barcode Printer for Receiving Clerk = ~$400
- Label Size (for Receipt labels): 4 in x 3 in
- We recommend Datamax-Oneil E-Class Mark III (This printer requires you to use a Windows computer. Make sure that you set your driver to print to 4” x 3” label).
- Cetec ERP does not resell hardware. The Cetec ERP system generates PDFs of barcoded labels, which you can print to a supported label printer directly from your web browser.
We always recommend you use a third-party or internal IT resouce to assist with hardware setup. Cetec ERP is hardware agnostic with respect to tablets, scanners, printers, etc.
If you are using a ruggedized Symbol scanner, here are some brief instructions on setup and pairing with a mobile tablet:
- Reset Scanner to Default Settings
- Set Scanner to Bluetooth Keyboard Emulation (HID Slave)
- Set Scanner to Variable PIN Code
- You should see the scanner in your iPhone/iPad Bluetooth list, Select it and it will ask you to scan in a 4- digit number. Be sure to use the alphanumeric barcodes (appendix E) and NOT the numeric ones in appendix D! Scan the four numbers and then scan the “End of Message” barcode.
To add automatic line/feed/carriage return
- Scan “scan options” barcode
- Scan “
" - Scan “ENTER”
For more information, check out the barcode scanners from Motorola/Symbol/Zebra here. You can find online user manuals for each one of those products from Motorola.
While warehousing can be run manually, Cetec ERP supports barcoding and scanning which makes the process faster, more accurate, and efficient. To use these advanced features, we recommend assigning barcoded bin location labels to each bin location or pallet location in your warehouse. If you already have bin locations labeled, feel free to continue to use those.
To create a new bin location label scheme, navigate to Warehouse » Bin Barcodes.
Once you are in Print Bin Labels screen, notice that only a thousand labels can be printed per batch. Noting the bin naming convention that we recommend – xxx (three or more digits to indicate aisle #) - xxx (three or more digits to indicate section #) - xxx (three or more digits to indicate bin) # e.g. 004-012-089 – enter the number of digits you would like to assign for aisle #, section #, and bin #. Once the number of digits has been assigned, enter the range of bin labels to be printed. While we call inventory space aisle, section, and bin according to the ascending level of specificity, the specific terms used - “aisle”, “section”, “bin” - are arbitrary. Within a warehouse, an aisle refers to the biggest unit of space, a section is a smaller space within an aisle, and a bin is the most specified level of inventory within a section. As long as this three units configuration is used to barcode your warehouse, the system does not care how this space is divided.
Filling out all the fields and pressing Print will take you to a print preview page with all the barcodes that fall within the specified range. Once you are there, you can print the labels and barcode your warehouse.
Bin barcodes are printed on 1in x 3in labels by default.
FIFO Level Inventory Control - FIFO stands for first in, first out. In receiving parts, Cetec forces the users to put away parts received at different dates into distinct bins. Later, this enables Cetec to guide the users to pick the older parts first before the newer parts get picked out.
Random Stock Method - Since the path to pull stock is dictated by Cetec, and not by the tribal knowledge of your warehouse personnel, it does not matter where you stock the parts at receipt and put away. This method of stocking inventory wherever you want to, or wherever makes sense proximity-wise, is called random stock method.
Receipt Traceability - Since Cetec ERP forces users to put away parts received at different dates into distinct bins, you can later track traceability data like date code, lot code, revision code, and serial numbers with ease. This data can sharpen your competitive edge in high margin verticals such as medical, military, aerospace, etc.
*Note, you may customize your labels and/or adjust print driver settings
Cetec auto-populates printable/scannable barcode files with corresponding warehouse labels. For printing purposes, it’s important to note the specific dimensions of each label.
Default dimensions are listed below in inches:
- Bin Location Label:”1x3”
- Serial/Piece Label:”1x3”
- Receipt Label:”4x3”
- Order Packing Label: “4x3”
- Order Line Packing Label:”4x3”
- Skid Label:”4x3”