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Mobile data collection at schuh thanks to DENSO Handheld.

Mobile data capture is becoming increasingly important in the retail sector: so often it is essential to have the right products on the shelf at all times, to keep goods as scarce as possible, and to be able to check stock levels in real time. The British shoe retailer schuh shows how efficient the use of mobile data capture devices can be in this respect. For years, it has relied on mobile data capture with devices from DENSO in its stores - for better customer service and increased sales potential.

In 1981, a small store in Edinburgh opened its doors and soon rose to become a renowned brand in the British fashion world: the shoe retailer with the both apt and memorable name "schuh". Today, it has over 100 stores in the UK and Ireland, offering more than 80 different brands - including Nike, Converse, Adidas, as well as its own label. From day one, schuh has stood for an exceptionally wide range of merchandise, which the small Edinburgh store offered in a relatively small space. But as the company grew, so did the sales and warehouse space - and with it the demands on merchandise and warehouse management and customer service at the point of sale. Where once people worked idly with paper and pencil, modern technology is now in use: mobile data capture using mobile data capture devices.

Mobile data collection improves merchandise management and customer satisfaction

It was not so long ago that schuh used pen and paper for its processes. A method that is not only very time-consuming, but also prone to errors. Both the time component and the error rate can be significantly reduced: with the help of modern auto-ID systems. schuh recognized this enormous potential of mobile data capture devices to increase efficiency, which not only simplify data collection in the course of an inventory. Employees in direct sales talks also benefit from the small handheld devices for mobile data capture.

Because in retail, the desired merchandise - in this case shoe size or color - is not always available on the sales floor: Shoe size or color - is not always available on the sales floor. Sales consultants often rush to the warehouse in search of the desired model. And it is no less rare for them to return empty-handed and with an apologetic expression. The result: wasted time, a disappointed customer and wasted sales potential.

Such situations can be solved much more elegantly: Automated networked data management is the key here, starting in the "background" at merchandise entry. With the help of mobile data capture devices, the recording of inventory is almost error-free compared to the pen-and-paper method and requires only a fraction of the time. The same applies to the recording of incoming and outgoing goods. This has the decisive advantage that employees at the point of sale have up-to-date information on inventory more quickly - provided that all the data recorded is transmitted via WLAN or integrated operating system and sales staff have access to it. The latter is ensured by having mobile data capture devices available on the sales floor as well. It is only logical that a successful company like schuh relies on  mobile data capture optimization for the management of its inventories and with regard to high customer demands at the point of sale as well.

The right data capture device: handy, intuitive and robust - efficient

To find the perfect mobile data collection device for schuh's applications, the company relied on the recommendation of its partner Banctec: the BHT-1500 handheld terminal series from DENSO WAVE. In particular, the Bluetooth-enabled 1505BB model from the 1500 series immediately impressed. Connected to a tablet or smartphone, recorded data including current inventory information is now transferred conveniently and automatically. Thus, thanks to their BHT devices, schuh's sales consultants have direct access to all important information to quickly and conveniently provide their customers with information on the availability of a model. This transparency not only helps the sales consultants. Since introducing the BHT-1505BB handhelds into its processes, schuh has been able to create much more accurate demand and supply forecasts and plan accordingly.

And it gets even better: to the delight of the employees for schuh, the mobile data capture device not only saves unnecessary trips to the warehouse, but is also particularly handy. The BHT-1505BB weighs just 128 grams with its powerful rechargeable battery. The light weight makes handling much easier and minimizes arm fatigue during constant use. Thanks to the BHT-1500 series' unique scanning angle and powerful barcode scanner, users can scan barcodes while viewing the screen. Even hard-to-read codes (1D and 2D) are reliably read by the integrated barcode scanner, the same goes forRFID. As a result, the scanner ensures efficient work with an optimal handy application. In addition, the mobile computer has a keyboard, which enables easy one-handed operation thanks to the ergonomic design of the device.

In addition to functionality and handling, the robustness of the device was important to the decision-makers at schuh. After all, it's no secret that warehouse environments in particular can sometimes be very hectic. All it takes is one jerky or quick movement and the mobile device quickly slips out of the hand. Normal smartphones are then often damaged at the first drop. The mobile data capture devices from the BHT-1500 seriesThey are drop-resistant from a height of two meters and therefore very robust. This saves schuh not only potential frustration and trouble, but also unnecessary costs for the purchase of new devices.

More efficiency, transparency and process reliability thanks to mobile data capture

One thing is certain: without mobile data collection in the retail sector, at the point of sale, optimized merchandise and warehouse management as well as reactions to changes in demand in real time are virtually impossible. This is also evident at the British shoe retailer, whose merchandise management has improved significantly since the introduction of the BHT-1505BB handheld terminal from DENSO. The small device has had a major impact on both inventory and customer experience. After only a short time, schuh was able to see the many benefits of using the BHT-1505BB terminals in a reduction in costs and an increase in efficiency. And perhaps the use of the mobile computers in the employee area was just the beginning: data capture devices are also being used more and more frequently in the area of self-shopping. For example, customers can independently scan barcodes on products and draw and pay their bill fully automatically at the checkout terminal. A promising outlook for schuh and for retail companies in general.

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