Symbol Technologies Africa have announced that leading retailer CNA, have invested in R2.2million in barcode technology both at point-of-sale and back-office inventory management applications. CNA, which was established in 1896, has grown to become one of South Africa`s leading retailers, with over 300 stores nationwide, meeting the country`s needs for cost-competitive books, music, videos, magazines, stationery, toys, software and other multimedia. In realising the importance of continuous enhancements to customer service and productivity especially in today`s competitive retail environment, CNA have implemented an electronic barcode-based solution for both point-of-sale and back office applications. The solution not only captures information quickly and accurately, but also ensures pricing accuracy, tighter inventory control and speedier customer throughput. Working closely with CNA and Symbol`s business partner, IBM, Symbol introduced the LS4000 hand-held scanner and LS5700 vertical scanner at POS and the PDT3100 portable data terminal for inventory control. The PDT3100 combines a powerful hand-held computer with a high performance laser scanner and is intergrated with CNA`s Windows NT compatible back office system. The terminal performs four major functions for CNA, namely: * The production of an annual inventory count to verify the location and quantity of each in-store product. * The performance of daily category stock takes to verify stock on hand against theoretical data. * The performance of efficient back-door receiving, checking for discrepancies on goods received against ordered data. * The recording of returned goods data. At present, over 340 scanners and 290 portable data terminals are utilised in 26 CNA branches, resulting in significant improvements in store operations and customer service. Customers no longer experience delays at the tills, with instant automatic data capture replacing key entry, and excellent data accuracy obtainable, even from poor quality barcodes. Store employees can now efficiently and accurately manage inventory, resulting in improved staff productivity and store management. Ian McAlpine, EPOS Roll-Out Project Manager at CNA says, "The barcode scanning solution from Symbol is fast, error-free and user friendly and has significantly improved customer service and inventory management. Our aim is to roll-out barcode scanning to the rest of our stores."
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