UK – Mondi, a leading force in the British packaging and paper industry, has joined forces with Anyline, a mobile data capture company, to pioneer a barcode scanning solution utilizing autonomous drones.
In a bid to enhance its inventory management processes across numerous expansive warehouse facilities, Mondi explored various technological avenues, including handheld RFID (radio-frequency identification) and camera scanners.
Opting for innovation, Mondi enlisted Anyline to implement its mobile data capture technology within autonomous DJI Mini 3 Pro drones.
Prior to the introduction of barcode scanning drones, the inventory process relied on multiple workers using forklifts to elevate two individuals at a time for scanning purposes, a task often conducted sporadically, sometimes annually, across vast warehouses.
This method entailed working at considerable heights and necessitated additional safety precautions, often leading to overtime work outside regular warehouse hours.
Now, a solitary drone operator can seamlessly scan inventory aisle-by-aisle within warehouse operating hours. This modernized approach enhances safety, accuracy, and eliminates the need for exhaustive after-hours warehouse counts.
Rainer Steffl, Chief Information Officer at Mondi, remarked, “Implementing autonomous drones for warehouse inventory presented an exhilarating challenge. After months of rigorous testing, troubleshooting, and integration with our backend systems, we have successfully completed our inaugural full warehouse inventory count, validating the efficacy of this technology.”
Mondi’s steadfast commitment to sustainable packaging solutions aligns harmoniously with Anyline’s proficiency in mobile data capture technology, spanning diverse industries.
This collaboration not only signifies a significant stride towards innovative and streamlined inventory management but also underscores the pivotal role of sustainability in technological advancements.
The utilization of drones, equipped with cutting-edge data capture technology, heralds a new era in inventory management, promising heightened efficiency, safety, and a diminished environmental impact.
As global momentum towards sustainable practices intensifies, the partnership between Mondi and Anyline serves as a blueprint for merging technology and sustainability to achieve operational excellence.
This collaboration not only underscores the potential of synergizing advanced technology with sustainable principles but also lays the groundwork for future innovations that could revolutionize the landscape of inventory management and beyond.
Bitly launches automated 2D barcode API solution
In a separate development, Bitly, a leading global software-as-a-service company, has unveiled its automated Application Programming Interface (API) solution for 2D barcodes, ushering in a new era in how companies manage product data and consumer engagement.
2D barcodes, a sophisticated variant of QR codes, are poised to supplant traditional barcodes on consumer-packaged goods (CPG) and retail product labels and packaging, offering enhanced data capture capabilities and fostering deeper connections between consumers and brands.
These barcodes encapsulate a Global Trade Item Number (GTIN), enabling seamless scanning of products at checkout and providing direct links to pertinent consumer information via URLs.
Bitly’s innovative public API solution empowers businesses to assign GTINs to entire product lines, streamlining the generation of myriad customized 2D barcodes. This scalable solution facilitates the creation of thousands of codes, ensuring seamless integration across various facets of company operations.
Kelsey Stevenson, Chief Product Officer at Bitly, remarked, “As the transition to 2D barcodes gains momentum and consumer expectations regarding sustainability, accessibility, and immersive brand experiences continue to rise, CPG companies and retailers are compelled to modernize their approach to connected packaging.
“By harnessing Bitly’s new public API, we’re simplifying the process for companies to scale their 2D barcode creation efforts, thereby enhancing product tracking and supply chain efficiency.”
This announcement coincides with observations from GS1 US, a division of the global standards organization GS1, which indicates that the CPG and retail sectors are increasingly embracing 2D barcodes for packaging, with widespread adoption projected by 2027.
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