2012 NR10

NORTHERN EUROPE

Auto-ID could lessen the industrial storm facing pharma

Rangel Group improves delivery times, traceability and customer service thanks to a Proof of Delivery/Collection solution

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content edito RETAIL

03 Mobile scanning and inventory solution improves bed logistics

10 Full traceability provides survival power for retailers

12 New European certified SaaS solution for mobile payment

PHARMA04 Voice and image based solutions help

reduce the supply chain cost base

MANUFACTURING06 Achieving excellence in shipping

verification

TECHNOLOGY07 New and ergonomic mobile workstation

FOOD & BEVERAGE07 100% available labeling solution

TRANSPORT & LOGISTICS08 8,000 deliveries a day at the right time

and place

Zetes UK - Maidenhead Horizon - Honey Lane

Hurley SL6 6RJ Maidenhead

UK Tel: + 44 (0) 162.850.1800

Fax : + 44 (0) 162.850.1896 sales@uk.zetes.com

This is the Northern Europe edition of the Zetes newsletter. For more information visit www.zetes.com

Responsible Editor: Sarah Dheedene, rue de Strasbourg 3, 1130 Brussels, Belgium

Reinvent yourself!

Dear reader,

How do you stay ahead of the competition? It’s the age-old question that confronts every supply chain stakeholder. Continuous effort invested in achieving return on productiv-ity, cost efficiency and excellent customer service is always crucial, but made more difficult by market dynamics and changing customer requirements. These things add to the challenges but can also – for those who are able to adapt their processes in time – create numerous opportunities.

In the pharmaceutical industry, for example, increasing numbers of generic products and stricter legislation are putting pressure on costing models for many manufactur-ers. However, investment in areas such as the efficient management of logistical processes is helping to combat the effects of lower prices on profit margins. In retail, multi-channel selling and e-commerce are creating opportunities for companies who can guarantee excellent stock control, returns and store management. And for suppliers of de-livery services, such as the parcel specialist Rangel, the provision of enhanced services and flawless delivery help retailers meet the expectations of increasingly demanding customers.

In this Globe, we are pleased to illustrate how mature and innovative Auto-ID solutions continue to provide added val-ue in a changing supply chain. This is demonstrated through energy supplier Schneider Electric, bed manufacturer Swiss Sense and meat-processing company Ter Beke, all of whom have opted to review their processes and thus ob-tain a competitive advantage. Should you face similar chal-lenges, we would be delighted to consider how, working in partnership, we could achieve this for you too.

Alex DriesenSenior VPNorthern Europe & South Africa

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Dutch manufacturer and retailer of box springs and mattresses, Swiss Sense differentiates itself with quality beds that guarantee a good night’s sleep. The company now has seventy shops (sixty in the Netherlands), a production base in the Philippines and a new head office with 10,000 m2 of warehouse space, in the Dutch town of Uden. Swiss Sense also has eight shops in Belgium, two in Switzerland, one in both Curaçao and Aruba and another in Germany. CFO Camiel Wels explains why process optimisation and logistics automation are important to their business.

What is your market differentiator?

Camiel Wels Our name was chosen for the feeling of reliability and quality that it conveys. These are our core values and we achieve them by keeping the whole supply chain under our own management - from product development and production, to logistics and ultimately service provision to customers. We also invest continuously in business process optimisation and any necessary IT systems. A good recent example of this is the logistics solution implemented for RF scanning, mobile printing and mobile shop inventory management, all of which are integrated with our SAP ERP system.

What is the most important objective of your investment in automation?

Camiel Wels To increase productivity and facilitate successful growth without increasing head count at our central office – which is only possible if supporting processes and systems are properly organised. We also needed a new WMS and the right infrastructure at our new warehouse. After making the decision to replace our old business system with SAP, it was crucial to select a logistics supplier from within the SAP partner network.

How did you find this solution?

Camiel Wels Ctac, our SAP partner, recommended talking to Zetes. During pre-implementation discussions we identified we needed more software functionality than first thought. We initially planned to extend SAP with a customised application for in-store stock management, but Zetes suggested a ready-made mobile solution in the form of Nucleus. Using an off the shelf solution like this is easier and cheaper for us to maintain than something bespoke, especially given how fast new stores are opening.

What else does the logistics solution offer?

Camiel Wels We have three solutions – for RF scanning, printing and store inventory management. As far as the hardware was concerned, we let our employees evaluate and choose the

barcode scanners and label printers they wanted to work with. They preferred the LXE MX7 handheld scanners and LXE VX3 truck mounted terminals; store inventory management is carried out with Motorola MC3190 handhelds. Printing of all packaging labels, lists and price labels is done using Zebra ZM600 barcode printers.

‘ Logistics processes are easier to monitor and manage centrally ‘

What benefits have you seen?

Camiel Wels We have only been using the logistics automation solution for a few months but are already finding that productivity is increasing as expected. Logistics processes are also easier to monitor and manage centrally. Because this aspect of our business is so critical, downtime is not an option. We avoid downtime by having reserve hardware stocks which also help during peak periods and we rely on our Zetes Care service contract for supporting the solution.

Logisticians sleep tightBed specialist Swiss Sense implemented a mobile scanning and inventory solution integrated with SAP to optimise logistical processes. In just months, the high growth company has seen productivity increase in line with projections.

RETAIL

Downtime in Logistics is not an option

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Auto-ID could lessen the industrial storm facing pharma

Voice and visual identification offer practical options for pharma companies looking to reduce their supply chain cost base. Ultimately, every situation is unique and a careful review of existing processes and technologies available will ensure the best balance of efficiency, accuracy and cost effectiveness can be achieved.

Voice directed working lends itself well to an e-commerce environment

PHARMA

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As an industry, pharma used to be regarded as recession proof and highly profitable, regardless of the economic climate. This is set to change as the industry enters a critical period between now and 2016. In a research report by Deloitte and Thomson Reuters, the internal return on investment rate for R&D departments is expected to drop this year to 8.4% from 11.8% in 2010, in part due to increasing costs of bringing new drugs to market.

Launching new products is more difficult now than in the past. Firstly, developing drugs is extremely expensive, both in terms of costs and achieving final regulatory approval. Added to this, most drugs that could solve the major health problems affecting the largest economies have already been invented, making it harder to identify real product development opportunities.

Another problem is increased competition due to generic drugs. According to the IMS Institute for Healthcare Informatics, 18 out of the top 20 best-selling drugs globally will lose their patent protection by 2015. Analysing the figures another way, it means 40% of pharma’s existing core revenues will be open to attack from competitors able to replicate their formulas with cheap, generic medicines.

‘ Pharma needs to optimise its supply chain and find new, innovative ways of distributing products to protect eroding profit margins ’

This rise in the volume of generic medicines will significantly increase price pressure on branded products. To counter this will require some rethinking of core elements of their business operations, of which the supply chain is a critical variable cost centre. As already seen in the retail industry, the traditional linear supply chain model is changing for pharma, as direct sales via the Internet and mail order become more prevalent.

Pharma companies therefore need to adapt and identify new, more innovative ways of working and distributing products to protect their profit margins. Examining the way key supply chain processes could be optimised with auto-ID technology, they can potentially eliminate unnecessary costs and thrive in the face of these challenges.

Generic warehouse technologies for a generic new world

The warehouse is a significant cost centre and one where processes can be optimised relatively easily. Many warehouse operations are highly labour intensive yet with a moderate investment in technology, can be streamlined to not only improve

productivity and associated costs, but be more accurate, which in turn, supports lean inventory models.

Manual stock picking can absorb half of warehouse costs

Efficient and accurate stock picking is a fundamental part of good supply chain management. In Zetes’ experience, half of all costs associated with the warehouse function relate to picking which is manually driven. Whether stock is being picked for delivery to a pharmacy, hospital, or being shipped directly as an e-commerce order, picking with voice technology delivers very fast operational returns.

‘ Retailers with successful multi-channel businesses offer useful case studies having optimised stock picking to juggle different order profiles ’

For pharma companies selling directly via the Internet, retailers with successful multi-channel businesses offer some useful voice case studies. They have optimised stock picking processes to juggle entirely different order profiles, combining the picking of cases and bulk orders with large volumes of single item e-commerce orders. Getting the balance right is fundamental, since online orders are expected to arrive very quickly and be correct, which can be costly to achieve without the right investment in auto-ID technology.

Voice directed working lends itself well to an e-commerce environment because of the speed and accuracy achievable, especially for multi order picks. If voice picking is combined with Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs), further benefits can be achieved because pickers no longer steer their pallets or roll cages to the next location, but can instead dedicate their time entirely to optimising the picking process.

100% shipment accuracy and supply chain visibility

There are other opportunities for pharmaceutical manufacturers and distributors to benefit from data capture technology. Image-based solutions can ensure that the right medicines are sent to the right pharmacy or hospital. The effectiveness of these systems to achieve 100% accuracy of shipped pallets is proven. This technique is also straightforward to inspect items when preparing boxes or crates on the production line, manage returns and create a log of all unique identifiers placed on crates and cartons in order to maintain a record of products shipped. For manufacturers adopting the Direct To Pharmacy distribution model, a technology such as this will help to control labour costs and minimise errors.

PHARMA

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Why do you need automated shipping verification?

Marc Casanovas Our logistics centre is very busy. We export products to more than 100 countries and inspecting all our dispatches manually is a very time-consuming process. After preparing the orders, operatives would assemble the pallets in accordance with the shipping list and would then use RF readers to check every single bar code on every single box to make sure everything was correct. However, as customer satisfaction is paramount at Schneider Electric, we wanted to enhance our efficiency and reduce the time spent on this process as well as eliminate as many errors as possible.

Why did you select an image-based solution?

Marc Casanovas We had been working with Zetes for a couple of years to improve product identification and we mentioned the need to optimise shipping verification. After installing a semi-automatic baling line for pallets, Zetes proposed the Visidot solution, which is a system of industrial cameras to carry out automated checking. The advantage of Visidot is that you can capture all the barcodes in a matter of seconds.

How does the solution work at Schneider Electric?

Marc Casanovas Once the pallet has been assembled after picking, a conveyor belt takes it to a turntable which has been integrated with the Visidot system. This detects that there is a pallet to decode, takes a picture and simultaneously captures all

the barcodes on the boxes constituting the pallet. The turntable then rotates 180 degrees and images are captured on the other two sides of the pallet. Visidot is combined with a weigher to give the exact weight of each pallet as an additional means of verification.

‘ It is important for us to have a reliable system which minimises the possibility of incidents and, if any do arise, to be able to take action immediately ‘

All the decoded data is pooled to eliminate duplicates and validated with user-specified filters before delivery to the main ERP system. Once the pallet has been confirmed as correct, it is baled and dispatched. In the event of an incident, operators receive a real time alert and visual guide to solving the problem, which may be, for example, an incomplete pallet, a code missing from a box, or the detection of boxes which do not correspond to the pallet being dispatched. Data for each pallet is stored for information and statistical purposes. The images are stored for visual proof confirming the delivery of the order and its condition.

What are the most important benefits realised with this solution?

Vicent Lamarche It is very important for us to have a reliable system which minimises the possibility of incidents and, if any do arise, to be able to take action immediately. We are very satisfied with the Zetes Visidot system because it meets the high standards of excellence we strive for in all our processes. First of all, it automates the checking of orders to be sent out, which saves us time and increases the reliability of our product dispatching. It also provides us with data in real time, thanks to the integration of the solution with our ERP system. And, last but not least, we have visual evidence of the packages dispatched and their condition. Thanks to the combined work of Zetes’ experts and our technical team, we now have a robust, reliable, easy-to-use solution to verify all our shipments.

The images are stored as visual proof of the delivery

Achieving excellence in shipping verificationSchneider Electric, a global energy management specialist, uses an image-based solution to make shipping verification faster and more accurate. Marc Casanovas, Engineering Manager, and Vicent Lamarche, Distribution Manager at their Barcelona Logistics Centre discuss.

MANUFACTURING

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100% available labelling solution

All your devices on one mobile workstation

Belgian fresh food group Ter Beke-Pluma uses a labelling system from Zetes to identify boxes of pre-packed meat. It means they can benefit from very precise labelling and less downtime. Chief engineer Johan De Schrijver explains how it works.

Why does Ter Beke place a premium on its labelling system?

Johan De Schrijver We produce hundreds of processed meat packs per minute. These need to be packed in accordance with the requirements of our various customers. Due to company expansion, all warehouse processes were being modernised, including our out-dated labelling system. The main requirements of a new system were robustness and continuity. The system also needed to be integrated with our existing OPUS ERP system, offer high precision labelling, be user-friendly and able to take large label rolls.

What system was installed?

Johan De Schrijver We are using a labelling system based around Intermec PX4i printers and Zetes MD4000 printer applicators with

a conveyor belt. A label is applied onto each meat pack using a vacuum plate. Since the start of 2009, we have commissioned 12 devices in Wommelgem. The new system is future-proof, which means that as we grow, the number of labelling installations is expanding. We are now using 3 Intermec printers, 5 single (capable of labelling up to 20 boxes per minute) and 2 double Zetes printer applicators. The latter have been set up in tandem by the conveyor belt because we needed something for the paté line that goes faster.

What are the benefits of the solution?

Johan De Schrijver Today, we have a lot less downtime as a result of system defects. As we are using larger label rolls, a shift team can work 8 hours straight without having to switch rolls. Moreover, operators have no trouble switching the layout of labels according to the customer. Labels are applied to within 5 mm accuracy limits, printing and legibility of bar codes is top notch and our ink cartridge consumption has gone down. Finally, Zetes offers a fast and efficient service.

IND, Zetes’ German subsidiary specialising in the production of high quality truck-mount terminals has launched the e-Craft: a new and ergonomic mobile workstation. It is extremely robust, plus easy to maintain and repair.

Operations like inventory, goods in and workshop functions sometimes require the use of a mobile workstation capable of accommodating terminals, scanners and printers altogether. These processes require freedom of movement and, like most supply chain related activities, high equipment availability. In response, IND Systems GmbH has designed, developed and produced the e-Craft.

IND’s new workstation concept also makes maintenance and repairs very easy. The complete electronics system resides in a removable drawer. This means the entire drawer can be sent to Zetes’ Repair Center in the event of a malfunction and, in accordance with the maintenance agreement, a customer would receive a replacement within 24 hours. The exchange, including electronic connection, requires no tools and can be carried out quickly, even by inexperienced employees.

Robustness and manageability have also been taken into consideration. The IND e-Craft is based on a chassis of powder-coated steel with four articulated rollers and two height-adjustable surfaces. Each of these can bear loads of up to 60 kg. This means the e-Craft can carry almost any device needed for warehouse operations. A battery output of 65Ah with 24 V means the e-Craft can operate autonomously for entire shifts.

This new mobile workstation has enhanced IND’s product offering, which already includes several truck mount terminals. These have been integrated with Zetes’ solutions at many customers including Morrisons, Globus (TBC), Carlsberg, DHL, Port of Hamburg (HHLA), EDEKA, Daimler, BASF Coatings and Rockwool.

TECHNOLOGY

FOOD & BEVERAGE

The e-Craft is extremely easy to maintain and repair

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TRANSPORT & LOGISTICS

8,000 deliveries a day at the right time and placeRangel Group, a leading express courier and logistics services provider in Portugal implemented a Proof of Delivery/Collection solution. Following their investment, delivery times, traceability and customer service were improved significantly.

Guaranteeing tight delivery times

Rangel Group handles 60,000 parcels and 8,000 deliveries a day. Its Rangel Express business unit specialises in shipping parcels weighing less than 30 kg and wanted to improve its operational performance. From 8 distribution centres spread across Portugal, 180 drivers collect and deliver parcels shipped to and from both B2B and B2C customers. To guarantee accurate delivery times (for example, 9am, 11am etc.) parcels must be traceable and shipped as quickly as possible. Rangel used to rely on a system based on RF terminals whereby operators scanned a “master list” of delivered or collected goods rather than individual parcels, but this was prone to errors. To improve customer service levels, accuracy, traceability and to offer customers additional functionality, the old RF system need to be upgraded.

Standardising processes

“In the past we have developed software internally, but in this instance developing new features for the existing system was going to require too much time and resource. We also wanted to be able to easily add extra functionalities to the solution in the future,” says Jorge Rafael, CIO of the Rangel Group.

Confirming why they selected Zetes, Nuno Rangel, CEO of the Rangel Group said, “It was clear from the outset that Zetes had the skills we were looking for. Their solution is sturdy, flexible and the building blocks could be adapted to our specific needs.”

Individual scanning, 100% traceability

Rangel’s new solution needed a significant amount of customisation to suit existing work process. Each operator is equipped with an Intermec CN50 PDA to enable every parcel in transit to be individually scanned at various stages. For instance parcels are scanned at reception, when dispatched from the distribution centre and upon delivery to the customer. Although individual scanning slows the process down, the benefits offered to customers and Rangel as a result more than compensate. These include:

• Accuracy. Far fewer mistakes are made, both when loading trucks and during delivery or collection. The terminal issues a direct warning if elements are missing or if the wrong parcels are scanned.

• Visibility. Real-time communication means Rangel knows precisely where all packages are during collection or delivery phases. Customers can also check the location of shipments at any time via Rangel’s web portal.

‘ Far fewer mistakes are made, both when loading trucks and during delivery or collection ’

Additional functionality, better customer service

Real-time communication also brings other benefits that improve efficiency for field operators and back-office staff. For instance,

• Communication. If a driver arrives at the delivery address and the recipient is absent, the operator notes this on his terminal, which is then immediately communicated to the back office. This way, customer service can notify the recipient and arrange for delivery to be completed. The mobile terminal also acts as a telephone, enabling operators to be reached directly.

• Efficient route planning. The terminal’s 3G receiver allows for optimal integration of additional deliveries or pick-ups into the drivers’ pre-planned routes.

THE PROJECT AT A GLANCE

Challenges

• Streamline Proof of Delivery/Proof of Collection processes

• Offer better traceability

• Improve customer service through additional functionality

• Standardise processes throughout the Rangel Group

Solution

• Zetes’ Proof of Delivery/Proof of Collection solution

• Intermec CN50 hardware

Results

• Faster, more accurate deliveries

• 100% visibility of packages “on the road”

• Future-proof, thanks to innovative features such as mobile payment and authentication via eID

• Fast implementation: first results visible in just 8 months

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TRANSPORT & LOGISTICS

Reduced administration, less paper

• During disputes, mobile operators can enter details that are easily retrieved from the system and can also photograph the condition of parcels.

• If a delivery is made on behalf of a third party, the signed document is scanned and forwarded to the host system, serving as digital evidence.

‘ Employees are now coming to us and asking when new functionality will be added to the system ’

Future-proof system

“Rangel has already taken a major step forward thanks to this new system,” says Jorge Rafael, “but that is not the end of it. Together with Zetes, we are exploring the possibility of implementing other innovative applications. We are considering integrating mobile payment capability with the mobile terminals, offering customer authentication using eID, GPS-assisted navigation and much more.”

Short deadlines, large-scale rollout

The Rangel Express project went live in 8 months. After a pilot phase in one of the smaller distribution centres, 170+ Rangel Express drivers are now using the solution. “Not only are customers more satisfied, employees are also happier”, says Edgar Monteiro, Rangel’s Project Manager. “After initially being reluctant to adopt the new processes and technology, employees are coming to us and asking when new functionality will be added,” he says.

Rangel’s CIO is also satisfied. He concludes, “It was a tough decision to change our work processes and bring in Zetes, but thanks to their co-operation and excellent work, it proved to be the best decision we have made in the past few years. The hard work is not yet over for Rangel. Over the next few months the Rangel Expresso/FedEx (international deliveries), Rangel Pharma, and Rangel International Sea & Freight business units will also be equipped with the new solution, bringing in another hundred or so empowered drivers.”

The terminal issues a warning if elements are missing

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The ‘web shopper’ and mobile user: drivers of the new economy ?

Traditional approaches to consumer segmentation are becoming less valid, which is influencing the way retailers operate and their migration to multichannel or omnichannel models. According to common definitions, multi or omnichannel retailing allows a shopper to order from anywhere and have goods shipped to different locations according to individual preferences.

This trend has been fuelled by the ubiquity of the web and smartphones. It means customer expectations have completely changed and they now expect to switch channels interchangeably to order online and deliver to store, return online orders to a store, check stock availability and pre-order in store.

The omnipresence of the web as an essential selling platform and the incredible growth of smartphones as an additional communication tool, have completely changed things. Bigger retailers have understood this and responded rapidly but the same is not necessarily true for small to midsized retailers.

Real time visibility is a critical survival factor

To compete with large retailers, a small retailer needs to control its costs and inventory levels at all times. Today, a committed retailer, small or large, needs systems to visualise stocks on line, which are centrally integrated with warehouse systems for live monitoring of product availability levels.

To execute an effective multi or omnichannel business strategy, a retailer needs to know what stock is in its many stores and warehouses and be able to quickly identify the most convenient way to get the required item to the customer for the lowest cost, in the shortest timeframe. A database showing stock levels real-time also drives web sales, mobile sales, ongoing store replenishments, payments, returns and ultimately cash flow.

Working like this requires a new warehouse infrastructure , with different ‘zones’ within the warehouse to fulfil the many different order variables – e-commerce fulfilment, click and collect fulfilment, store replenishments. Added to this list is the need to manage store transfers to support click and collect sales and incoming returns.

‘ A good multichannel returns policy potentially means sales could be boosted as consumers perceive less difficulty in returning unsuitable goods ’

Reverse logistics influences mobile payments

Returns remain a hot topic because retailers are set up to sell, not process returns. As much as 33% of all sales have to be managed back into the supply chain. You can expect even greater volumes of returns because people are increasingly buying on impulse and customer expectations on service are high.

A good multi-channel returns policy potentially means sales could be boosted as consumers perceive less difficulty in returning unsuitable goods if they really cannot afford them.

As an alternative to RFID, vision based technology can automate large scale returns management which is otherwise highly labour intensive, by limiting the amount of manual intervention required and maintaining high accuracy levels.

Mobile payment solutions linked to returns will become widespread as they enable the retailer to align cash flow with stock management. Doorstep payments, combining payment on delivery or refund on collection options facilitated by mobile applications offered by logistics partners are now already available and a good example of this trend in practice.

The launch of many auto-ID solutions for small to mid-sized retailers shows that they lack resources and visibility to sustain such a complex way of working. Without a fail-proof monitoring system and 24/7 support services, a breakdown in the delivery

Traceability = Adaptability The growth of e-commerce and multi-channel selling have increased Retailers’ needs for Supply chain Automation and AutoID solutions. But with flat consumer demand, traceability is an even more a critical factor to improve margins and inventory levels. 

RETAIL

Customer expectations have completely changed

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WHO’S BENEFITTING FROM AUTO-ID?

MOVIANTOZetes’ TotalProof solution, allows this logistics service provider for the pharma industry to benefit from complete traceability of temperature-sensitive products.

NIGHTLINEIreland’s specialist e-commerce delivery company has invested in new proof of delivery technology and wireless infrastructure from Zetes. This was delivered as a 3 year managed service, giving Nightline a risk free and flexible way to spread the costs of its IT investment.

GLANBIATo comply with customer requirements, Irish food manufacturer Glanbia has implemented a Print & Apply solution. Each product has a unique label combining information such as manufacturer, lot number and best before date.

DIARY

RETAIL FORUMAPRIL 2012Whittlebury Hall

THE TOTAL SUPPLY CHAIN SUMMITMAY 2012Birmingham

FIELD SERVICE & MOBILE WORKFORCE MANAGEMENT 2012JUNE 2012Sopworth House, Hertfordshire

LOGISTICS & SUPPLY CHAIN FORUM OCTOBER 2012 Aurora

For updated information on these events, please visit our local websites

CONTACT A SPECIALIST

MOBILE PAYMENTGerrit-Jan (GJ) SteenbergenVP 3i Innovation & Competence Centregj.steenbergen@zetes.com+31 (0) 6 109 47 141 INDMartin SchönGeneral Manager IND Systeme GmbHm.schoen@ind-systeme.com+49 (0) 5085 9554 35 LABELLING SOLUTIONSJean-Jacques SchormansGeneral Manager 3i P&A Innovation Center jean-jacques.schormans@zetes.com+32 475 81 8383 GENERAL CONTACT DETAILSGraham Jones+44 (0)1628 501 841graham.jones@uk.zetes.com

process is inevitable and can prove to be fatal for a retailer engaging in eCommerce and mobile payments .

Full traceability offers the leverage to survive in Retail

In an environment where sales volumes are not increasing, it is important to identify reliable performance indicators – e.g. generating the maximum profits possible per sale and measuring return on capital employed. Consequently, the emphasis for many retailers will be on streamlining existing product ranges to focus on high performing products, which deliver the highest return on initial capital employed.

Streamlining stock also means greater polarity between the types of items retailers offer, with more demand expected for either very low cost budget lines or super luxury items and fewer middle range options. This polarisation is mirrored in the high street stores where ultra discount and top end brands are the best performers.

High levels of competition means keen attention paid to cost cutting. In addition to rationalisation, costs can be reduced by cutting the volumes of stock held. This minimises risk but having less stock in the supply chain means faster turnaround levels from warehouse to store are required to minimise out of stocks. Techniques such as cross docking to reduce materials handling costs and speed up stock turnaround times will become more widespread.

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It is easier than ever for shoppers to compare products and prices before buying. Added to this, consumers expect flexibility in terms of where and when they pay – two trends fuelled by the number of mobile devices, tablets and smartphones in use. This is creating new services and payment forms because offering the right payment option at the right time helps achieve competitive advantage. Also important is the speed and convenience with which payments are processed. Zetes has responded to this with Payment Gateway: the first Software as a Service (SaaS) solution designed for mobile payments. Gerrit-Jan Steenbergen, VP Innovation Centre at Zetes, explains.

What is Zetes Payment Gateway?

Gerrit-Jan Steenbergen Zetes Payment Gateway is a SaaS solution which facilitates credit and debit payments via mobile terminals and/or tablets. It works on rugged mobile terminals with integrated PIN pads and on tablets with a separate PIN pad/printer, applications where both payment and application run on a single device.

What makes this special?

Gerrit-Jan Steenbergen Firstly its European certification, which ensures the mobile payment solution can be used in every country, thus delivering a big cost saving on transaction bundling. Of course, no one can develop a European certified payment solution in isolation. Zetes is working closely with EDB ErgoGroup and top

international banks. Payment Gateway is already certified for Visa (V-Pay), MasterCard (Maestro) and American Express will follow.

‘ Zetes’ mobile payment solution can be used in every country, thus delivering a big cost saving on transaction bundling ‘

Besides lower transaction costs, the solution also offers transparent reporting, since payment and transaction are linked within one application. This means better monitoring and simpler administration. Payment Gateway is a complete SaaS solution so all security updates, new certificates and other IT issues are centralised and customers don’t have to perform solution maintenance themselves.

Which transactions are supported?

Gerrit-Jan Steenbergen Zetes Payment Gateway facilitates secure mobile payment and processes all payments with payment cards (credit and debit cards), loyalty programme cards, telephone (NFC) and internet payments.

What markets and applications will be big adopters?

Gerrit-Jan Steenbergen In the transport and logistics sector, Proof of Delivery is important, particularly for high-end products. With Zetes Payment Gateway, it’s possible to register delivery plus sell additional services and settle payment on the spot. This makes it easy to respond to customer requirements, return packages or issue refunds. It also provides detailed information on debit and credit transactions through administrative reporting.

In the retail sector - in-store and outdoor - mobile payment allows you to grab impulse sales opportunities and helps to increase capacity at peak times with mobile Point Of Sale (POS) units for Queue Busting. This is useful not just in shops, but outside, for example at order pick-up locations, for payments in garden centres and selling at events.

What does the future hold?

Gerrit-Jan Steenbergen The number of conceivable applications for mobile payments is already huge and will increase in coming years. Possibilities include mobile shops, donation campaigns for charities, deliveries to restaurants and the supply of products and services into homes.

WWW.ZETES.COM | ALWAYS A GOOD IDBELGIUM | COTE D’IVOIRE | FRANCE | GERMANY | GREECE | IRELAND | ISRAEL | ITALY | NORDIC COUNTRIES | PORTUGAL | SOUTH AFRICA | SPAIN | SWITZERLAND | THE NETHERLANDS | UNITED KINGDOM

Why manage your mobile store and payments separately?You manage mobile Point of Sales of Proof of Delivery processes and want to link your payment system to it ? It is possible with the Zetes Payment Gateway, a European certified SaaS solution for mobile payment.

RETAIL

Mobile payment applications will continue to increase