Doughnut retailer Krispy Kreme has selected Intermec Technologies Corp.'s 700 Series Color mobile computers to streamline its distribution process. Krispy Kreme has doubled its number of retail locations since 2001 and currently is opening its first stores outside North America. Intermec 740 Color mobile computers and PW40 workboard printers already are at work on more than 140 delivery routes, and the company expects to have more than 500 Intermec mobile computers in operation when deployment to all company-owned stores, including Canadian and U.K. locations, is completed in 2004.
The 740 Color allows Krispy Kreme to replace manual, paper-based processes. Drivers now are able to use mobile computers and printers at retail locations to record deliveries and returns, access customer sales history, print invoices and capture a digital signature for delivery verification. When drivers return to the company store, the daily activity record can be uploaded from the 740 to Krispy Kreme's host computer system in seconds. The system already has reduced the amount of time required for daily reconciliation to approximately two minutes per driver, compared to 15 to 30 minutes when manual data entry was required.
Intermec partner Velocitor Solutions is providing implementation support and customized software to automate route and back-office operations and to integrate the mobile information with Krispy Kreme's enterprise applications.
"The savings we're gaining from the mobile system allow us the ability to better utilize or sometimes mitigate the need to add additional resources that we may need to support our expansion," said Krispy Kreme CIO Frank Hood. "Many people -- our retailers, route drivers and back-office personnel -- count on this system for timely and accurate information. The intuitive design of the Velocitor software and reliability of the Intermec equipment make it all possible."
Intermec Technologies Corp. www.intermec.com
Krispy Kreme www.krispykreme.com
Velocitor www.velsol.com
