Andrews Distributing is one of the most successful beverage distribution companies in the US, with 7 branch locations across North and South Texas and a history of consistent sales growth which they attribute to a commitment to customer service. 

Over the years Andrews has tried various technologies to improve their service at the point of ¬delivery and found that the best system was using a mobile computer and a portable printer to make any changes to their order and to print an invoice reflecting exactly what the customer received as they unloaded, even if they changed their order during the delivery.

While the Motorola MC75 handheld computer performed well, the printer didn’t stand up to the demanding environment. “Parts fell off inside the printers, paper didn’t feed well, customers found it difficult to read invoices, and we had service issues with the vendor,” said Scott Jenkins of Andrews Distributing. “Over time, we had a lot of return merchandise authorizations.”

Needing a better printing solution they trailed the Zebra RW 420 mobile printer and found that was one of the few that could meet the stringent IP5 dust and water resistance rating and the delivery staff found them both durable and easy to use.  By combining a Motorola mobile computer and Zebra portable printer they were also able to take advantage of Zebra’s Route Palette designed to carry both a Zebra portable printer and a Motorola mobile computer together while in use.  “It’s easier for delivery drivers to handle the mobile handheld computer and printer as one convenient piece,” Jenkins said.

The Andrews Information Technology team also neatly installed RW 420 Route Palette 4-Bay Power Stations on the wall at warehouses. When drivers return each evening, they simply hang their Route Palettes to charge the handheld and printer together overnight. Each morning, the palettes are ready to go.  As drivers interface with customers, they log order changes in their handhelds—and take payments—ensuring that customer accounts are updated in real time and accurately. On the spot, they print a correct, legible and professional invoice for customer records.

“When we can change invoices right there in front of the customer, the customer feels better and knows they have paid the correct amount,” Jenkins said. The mobile handheld and printer combination also enables Andrews to print static inventory sheets for each pallet of product each morning. Drivers scan the inventory tag printed with the Zebra printer, ensuring that the inventory on trucks and in the system match up. That simple capability cut morning inventory time from four hours to two hours and lets Andrews build orders faster.

At the time of delivery, customers also experience a seamless transaction. “Customers can read invoices more easily and changes are handled accurately right there,” Jenkins added. “They get one final, accurate, legible invoice.”

For the Andrews Information Technology team, the durability of Zebra printers has lowered the number of maintenance issues and return merchandise authorizations as compared to the non-Zebra printers.  

For more information on the Transport and Logistics solutions available from Zebra thermal printer systems, contact Peacock Bros. on: 1300 723 282 or email: pbsales@peacocks.com.au

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