Datalogic Skorpio Handheld Computer
Hastings Entertainment, a multimedia superstore with 146 stores in 20 states has been serving customers in Amarillo, TX since its first store opend in 1968. Hastings has a business model that encompasses all types of media and entertainment, and is very innovative. Consumers can buy books, movies, and more, in the store and online. Hastings also offers media rentals. Buy-backs are a challenge in the store and online. “A customer comes in with a stack of books and they can sell it back and use it for credit to purchase something else or get cash back,” explained Kristi Wall, Hastings Entertainment POS Installations Project Manager Ms. Wall oversaw the rollout of nearly 750 Skorpio Pistol Grip Gun rugged handheld computers throughout the store chain.
Hastings has a constant influx of new products and services, and tries to stay one step ahead of its customers’ requests. Hastings needed a handheld computer that can keep up with its employees and hold up in a fast paced retail environment. Paper and pen cycle count won’t do, when this much material is involved. But the devices Hastings was using resulted in more headaches, according to Wall. Hastings needed a different solution. It had to be fast. It had to have a key pad with easy and efficient F-key functions. And it had to be durable. Hastings found all that and more in the Datalogic Skorpio. After test-driving several devices in stores, Datalogic easy-to-use Skorpio Gun handheld computer was the best choice. “We did our research,” Wall said. “When it came down to making a decision, Datalogic Skorpio handheld computer had many more advantages than any of the other ones.”
A lot of of media products flow through Hastings locations; the content is forever changing and the flow is virtually seamless, thanks to the Skorpio handheld computer. Wall was impressed with the speed in the Datalogic’s Skorpio. Hastings employees move fast and other devices just couldn’t keep up. “It was just so much faster than they had ever seen with our applications on top of it,” she said.
Hastings needed a dependable piece of equipment — in both form and function, more than just the fastest. They found the Skorpio delivers. Wall cites Datalogic’s Green Spot technology as a huge benefit for employees scanning a lot of products quickly.
With our previous scanners, employees were always checking the screen to be sure the item had been scanned. The Green Spot technology lets users know the item has been scanned by projecting a green spot right on the code. This spot providing instant visual verification that doesn’t take your eyes off the work. Administrative error cost the retail industry billions and a huge percentage of inventory lost, according to National Retail Security Survey information released in 2010. Technology like Green Spot can help retailers fight shrinkage and lost inventory.
Along with the security of knowing a scan is legitimate, Hastings workers found the Skorpio is also tough as nails. The Skorpio Gun features front and back rubber bumpers, a sturdy case and the best trigger mechanism in the industry. Employees even dropped the Skorpio from a facility rooftop. To their delight, the unit took the fall and kept working. Before the Datalogic unit was purchased, dollars were being wasted on scanner service and repair, according to Wall. “We were spending far too much money trying to maintain our old units,” she said.
As an experienced user of mobility, Hastings knows there can be challenges to the management of handheld computers spread out across many locations and areas. Having a handheld management system that was easy to use was the main priority. Pre-loading of Wavelink Avalanche software is standard for Datalogic, for remote management preloaded and licensed at the factory is standard. For Hastings, Avalanche facilitates software updates and security encryption key updates across their enterprise. So far 10 updates have been deployed system-wide, all with no errors or issues. “We logged in, pushed out our package, we made one phone call,” Wall said. Employees simply restarted their scanners and all units were updated as required. Wall explained: “there was virtually no impact to the stores.”
Released Information with permission of Datalogic Mobile Marketing Department, June 18,2011