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Better inventory management

An intriguing piece of inventory management is in operation at the tail end of a new canning line at Founders Brewing in Grand Rapids, MI.

Print-and-apply labeling is integrated with WMS at Founders.
Print-and-apply labeling is integrated with WMS at Founders.

A thermal-transfer print-and-apply labeling system from ID Technology applies to the pallet wrap a pressure-sensitive label. Printed on this label by a Zebra print engine is a bar code generated by something called the Brewer’s Edge Warehouse Management System, a cloud-based solution from HighJump. The forklift driver who picks the finished pallet from the line scans this bar code and, instantly, the brewery’s inventory system is notified that X number of cans, lids, and cartons need to be re-ordered. Also updated is finished goods inventory, which means that if anything like a recall would ever be needed, Founders would have immediately at its disposal a clear, real-time snapshot of where finished goods are in the supply chain.

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