DHL needed a new solution for the registration of the HP part returns for all EMEA parts, because the previous system was deprecated. The return of HP parts is a reserve logistics process in which all parts of HP from all over Europe that are returned to DHL are registered. HP regulates all their returns through DHL. The received parts are examined and either placed in stock or scrapped. The process involves the registration of incoming transport to the DHL site, unloading shipments and manually scanning all parts received.
Business Need: DHL needed a new solution for the registration of the HP part returns for all EMEA parts, because the previous system was deprecated. The return of HP parts is a reserve logistics process in which all parts of HP from all over Europe that are returned to DHL are registered. HP regulates all their returns through DHL. The received parts are examined and either placed in stock or scrapped. The process involves the registration of incoming transport to the DHL site, unloading shipments and manually scanning all parts received.
Solution: The entire process from truck announcement to the DHL site, and assignment of the dock for unloading and departure from the site, is covered in the Mendix application. It supports a part of the examination of the parts and scrap registration as well. When a part arrives at DHL it will be scanned and HP will be directly informed. When HP is informed, they will immediately communicate about the next step for a certain part. Parts which are needed directly will be captured during scanning. The application is also used to print SPL-labels (shipments and parts) on a zebra-printer in the DHL network. The application has roles for different types of users. The application supports tablets for unloading shipments and printing shipment labels. It runs on a device on a pallet truck, which requires easy to use screens. The scanning part is done using wearable ring scanners. The challenge was to let the user scan without using the keyboard or mouse in the application. This meant that after scanning, input logic determined whether another input had to be scanned or a label had to be printed. After printing a label, the application is ready for scanning the next part. Printing labels in de SPL-format to IP-address of a Zebra-printer in the DHL-network is another feature of the application. For the printing we used eMagiz to get the message to DHL. In Mendix the printers are maintained with IP-address in order to be flexible in printer assignment. The application is able to daily import approximately 300.000 HP-parts and hourly export all scanned parts for reporting to HP.
Results: With the application, the entire process from truck announcement to the DHL site is automated. All data that is needed, is automatically collected with use of scanners. Also, multiple parts can be scanned uninterruptedly which saves time. No keyboards or mouses are needed during the scanning process. Because the application automates the process, human errors are reduced.