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Management of returns

Returns management redefined

The processing of returns has always been a part of everyday business in press wholesale. The expense for the manual processing (counting, sorting, collecting, resource separation, disposal, etc.) is high. Therefore, the wholesaler must process the returns with a streamlined process and naturally requires inexpensive systems.
The rapidly increasing internet trade has significantly increased the scope of returns processing. The trader’s profits are not to be found in the settling of returns. This process is a ‘necessary evil’ and likewise requires systems with an attractive price-performance ratio.

In the last 18 years AutoMatic has developed a family of returns management products specially for the cost-effective settling and processing of returns, and these are in use throughout Europe. In particular the various different products (dimensions, shapes, characteristics, etc.) have resulted in different transport and sorting processes. Also the quantities to be processed and the processing procedures have influenced the design of the respective systems.

The returns management family comprises a total of 6 systems, which can be employed independently or in combinations. The range stretches from manual processing stations through to fully automatic systems where the goods need only be fed into the machine.

Virtual returns can also be supported by camera recording. Each object is visually recorded during processing and then saved for the verification documentation. The current camera and computer technology makes this possible for very affordable costs. This creates trust and enables the verification of the processing procedure.

Even before smartphones were introduced to the market, we had all become used to the operation of touch screens, but have also been won over by the significant advantages in operation and display. There are touch screen versions of all members of the returns management system family available. AutoMatic also offers versions for tablet computer for the highest degree of mobility and for changing usage locations, whereby the communication with the sensors, actuators and higher-level computer systems is implemented via WLAN.

In particular where there are manual activities with repetitive sequences of movement, personnel often complain of physical stress and health impairing effects such as shoulder tension, muscular tension etc. through to health-related days of absence. AutoMatic have tasked themselves with the avoidance of these costly and demotivating influences. All return management systems from AutoMatic are ergonomically optimised and enable the processing in many cases in a seated position and/or in relaxed position.

EVA

With the automated processing of returns, small products (pens, small toys, small bags, etc.) which are unable to be transported or which are only partially able to be transported, must be counted manually. Aside from human errors in counting, this process is very time-intensive. This type of process is not particularly well liked by operating personnel, especially where performance-related pay systems are in place.

MIMA

(Deutsch) Wenn es nur auf die Zählung der Objekte ankommt, eine manuelle Sortierung in nur wenige Fächer oder Boxen ausreicht und nur wenig Platz zur Verfügung steht, ist das Systeme MIMA genau die richtige Wahl.

SARA

With automated systems from other manufacturers, the objects must be individually taken by hand and placed in or on a transport system.

CORA

CORA is the little sister of MISCHA in the returns management family.

MISCHA

In particular in press wholesale, there is great mutual trust between the wholesaler and the publisher reflected in the contract for the virtual returns. Notably, the returns run through various different hands before delivery. Here too a mutual trust is desirable, but the adage: Trust is good, control is better, is particularly applicable here.

Also with the acquisition of the returns in other logistics areas, the quantities of the individual objects should be determined, quite apart from the reference to the suppliers, and then a suitable sorting undertaken. Above all however, the completeness and thus the value of the returns should be checked. Again and again significant portions of an object are purloined. This type of theft is often hard for personnel to detect or requires a significant investment of time.

With a weight check, even a CD/DVD that has been stolen from the case/box does not pass undetected. The possibility to feed the sorted objects as a stack significantly reduces the manual preparatory work, saves processing time, increases through-put rates and means that it is not necessary to separate out each individual object.

LISA

With the processing of returned goods it is not only the recording of the individual articles, the unit counting and the reference to the returning customer that need to be dealt with. An additional significant factor is the monitoring and checking of the delivery quantities, the proper sorting and separation of the different articles and the completeness and integrity of the goods.

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