BRITISH HEART FOUNDATION GOES MOBILE WITH CODEGATE

Published 13th November 2008

Oxford: 12 November, 2008: Mobile data solutions specialist Codegate has announced that the British Heart Foundation (BHF) is rolling out its mobilewarehouse stock management solution across its specialised Furniture and Electrical Stores nationwide. Codegate has tailored mobilewarehouse to specifically meet the BHF’s requirements to improve the accuracy of its stock inventory management and remove the need for paper based processes.

BHF’s Furniture and Electrical Stores are one of BHF’s latest business ventures enabling the charity to raise money for pioneering research into the prevention of heart disease. There are currently 42 Stores containing a range of goods such as second-hand dining suites, sofas, white goods and electrical products.

“We needed a mobile stock control solution to ensure we have accurate inventory management, stock identification and stock recording,” explained Steve Biddle, Head of Finance, IT & Project Development, at British Heart Foundation. “During trials of mobilewarehouse at our Northampton store, Codegate’s team demonstrated a wealth of knowledge and experience both in retail and stock control. This enabled them to develop a tailored solution based on the mobilewarehouse platform that met our individual business requirements.”

Codegate’s mobilewarehouse software, running on Unitech PA962 rugged mobile computers, enables BHF employees to record goods as they are received via the PA962’s touch screen. A unique barcode reference is generated for each item and a label containing the barcode and price can be printed there and then using Zebra QL220 mobile printers.

“Once each item has been recorded, Codegate’s solution enables us to have complete visibility of our stock. It allows us to analyse in detail what is being sold and also eases the management of store transfers, price adjustments, stock write offs and customer returns,” said Steve Biddle.

“Importantly, Codegate was able to develop the application so that we could record additional information about an individual product. This functionality enables us to record portable appliance testing certificate numbers, which are required by law for the resale of second hand electrical items. Now the information is stored electronically we have a complete audit trail,” concluded Steve Biddle.

“We are delighted that our mobilewarehouse solution is helping the BHF to improve its operational processes and hope that the optimisation of their stock inventory will allow more money to be raised supporting the invaluable charitable work that they do,” concluded Terran Churcher, MD of Codegate.