Retail giant, EMKE Group, adopts wireless technology

According to Pawan Singh, Account Manager, DCS, "This Wireless Solutions would allow EMKE staff to make online requisition of goods from the retail outlets to central warehouse thus ensuring faster and correct replenishment of goods".

Data Capture Systems is a leading provider of business enabling solutions and technologies with offices in UAE, Bahrain and Kuwait. It has been working with OnLine Distribution to combine world-class products from Symbol with its own professional expertise to provide solutions across industry sectors that include Retail, Manufacturing, Logistics/Warehousing, Postal and Courier, Healthcare, Government, Hospitality, Oil & Gas, Education, Utilities, Van sales and Telco.

"Using Symbol's products helped EMKE to monitor stock levels at all times and update its back office systems in real time," pointed out G. Sathiya Kumar, Business Unit Manager-Auto ID, from OnLine Distribution.

EMKE Group has been using Symbol products over the past seven years. It was using Symbol handhelds (batch units) in a 'batch process' to scan goods and upload the information to their back office systems, entailing delays of several hours before the system was up to date. EMKE's central database servers are Oracle on Linux Platform. Both Symbol and DCS have conducted site surveys and trained EMKE IT staff to familiarize them with its WLAN (wireless LAN) products, its basic usage and trouble shooting.

"We were very clear in what we needed for our stores," said EMKE Group spokesperson. "We specified our requirements because we felt that we needed to upgrade to WLAN for our new stores to enable real time updates, since stocks and merchandising can change quite regularly. Real time updates through the new system will give us a strong advantage in a very competitive market." The same WLAN system also connects the Avery Weigh Scales at these retail outlets.

While implementing the solutions, the company (EMKE) shifted from traditional DOS based mobile computers to latest Pocket PC mobile computers which enables its staff to use multiple application using the same hardware. The company's central database servers run Oracle on Linux Platform.

4131 access point
The Spectrum24 4131 Access Point mobilizes today's fast-paced workforce with instant, secure wireless access to corporate intranets, and the Internet - while eliminating the expense and time of wiring when your information system requirements call for temporary and ad hoc networking. The result is greater productivity, improved communications, and better customer service. It provides WLAN performance required for advanced mobile networking and business-critical wireless voice and data application support, including 10/100 Base-T Ethernet connectivity, the industry's most open and advanced security solution.

PDT8100 series
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"The installations in phase 1 has been up and running for the past two and half months and we are quite happy with its performance," pointed out the EMKE spokesperson. "We are now discussing with DCS on implementing the next generation of solutions in our upcoming new stores and our existing stores in the UAE. We would like to upgrade some of our old Symbol equipment to its new WLAN solutions."
EMKE Group also intends to implement similar WLAN solutions in their outlets in Kuwait and Oman.