Notes from the Field
Though the PrintPAD has only been in the market for a relatively short time, reports of its effectiveness are quickly
coming to light.
A Fresh Solution
Fresno, Calif.-based Producer’s Dairy (Producer’s) has served
the western United States for more than 75 years. The company
supplies fresh dairy products that distribution personnel deliver
directly to clients across this vast region.
Operating from 10 locations throughout California, Producer’s
has more than 2,500 customers. To satisfy customer expec
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tations, the company began using handheld computers and
portable printers about a decade ago. Since the handhelds had a
lifespan of only two to three years, Producer’s spent in excess
of $50,000 every cycle to replace the equipment. Added to this,
the handhelds had a daily failure rate of nearly 10 percent, attributed to the non-rugged nature of the devices. The unhappy
result: a loss of valuable time waiting for replacements, and dissatisfied customers unable to pay or obtain a receipt at the
point of sale.
Along with the aging handhelds, Producer’s used a portable dot matrix printer. These were mounted in dairy trucks, and
drivers had to go back and forth from the delivery site to the truck when printing an invoice or receipt. Further, the printers
required 8.5” x 11” paper and a printer ribbon, which combined, cost the dairy $40,000 annually. Using this size paper for
an invoice with one or two items was grossly wasteful, and as the handhelds didn’t allow for electronic signatures, hard
copies were needed for every receipt. These, of course, had to be filed. When receipts began consuming too much space,
they were scanned for electronic storage. With more than 2,500 customers, this was a labor intensive activity.
Notified in January 2007 that its handheld devices were being discontinued, Producer’s turned to VAR Ross Computer
Systems to search for a new route delivery solution. Ross helped Producer’s identify what products in the market would
be applicable; they trimmed the list to three vendors before a final solution was selected.
Producer’s chose Motorola MC70 handheld mobile computers and O’Neil
PrintPADs - Ross’ recommendation. The computers and printers are
integrated via a wireless Bluetooth connection. The handheld was chosen
because it has a large touch screen, is light and easy to carry, and yet is
highly durable. The rugged and reliable PrintPADs are thermal, compact,
and portable—eliminating the need for large paper and ribbons, and allow
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ing drivers to carry the integrated unit onto the site for electronic signature
and immediate printing of receipts.
The solution has proved highly efficient and cost effective. It allows Pro
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ducer’s to present properly calculated invoices, accept payment, and offer
a receipt at the point of sale. They are saving more than $40,000 a year in
paper and ribbon costs, as well as $15,000 annually in labor time formerly
used to scan receipts. According to Frank Sitwell, director of administration
at Producer’s Dairy, the company expects payback on the new route de
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livery system in less than two years. Moreover, the system is empowering
Producer’s to deliver what Sitwell calls “the things our customers expect us
to provide.”
PRINTPAD