Countryside case study
Background
Countryside Partnerships is the UK’s leading mixed-tenure developer, bringing together modern and efficient delivery methods to create sustainable communities where people love to live.
With over 60 years’ experience in building homes and placemaking, some 40 years ago, the company took its first steps into the world of partnerships, building relationships between the public and private sector to increase housing supply.
Countryside’s placemaking approach not only builds high quality homes, but also thinks critically about the social and digital infrastructure, transport and green spaces needed to nurture a vibrant, connected and healthy community. Engaging with and listening to local communities and partners are key to this work.
Their approach incorporates design for life principles, notably creating a place, which connects with the existing community. Their commitment to delivering sustainable communities, ensuring a better quality of life for everyone, now and for generations to come, is further supported by their social and economic programme of training, and local and wider employment opportunities.
The Solution
Countryside approached Bar Code Data with a unique challenge: to provide a barcoding and labelling solution which could withstand their harsh manufacturing environment, to create and design product labels to last throughout the production process and beyond. Crucially, the label platform had to integrate with Countryside’s Microsoft Dynamics Navision ERP system.
Countryside selected Bar Code Data as their partner due to their extensive experience and track record in providing unique barcode applications in this area.
Bar Code Data’s expert team recommended the lightweight and versatile Zebra MC3300 mobile computer for the reading of barcodes and tracking of products. The distinctive form factor ensures maximum ease of use and user productivity, this rugged and durable device comes with an excellent IP rating and drop spec so it can survive the tough environment of a manufacturing plant.
Bar Code Data recommended two industrial printers to complement the MC3300, the ZT230 and the 220xi4, both from Zebra Technologies. The ZT230 combines the durability of a metal frame and cover with an icon-based LCD graphical interface and larger ribbon capacity for long lasting usage in demanding environments. The 220xi4 is ideal for industrial applications due to its rugged reliability and superior print quality, boosting productivity with faster print and connection speeds.
The solution created by Bar Code Data is fully operational, it is used to track products throughout the manufacturing process and provide real-time, business-critical data on the status of orders, stock levels and where these products have been used.
Using Zebra’s Printer Profile Manager, which is part of Zebra’s Print DNA suite of software tools, Countryside can maximise printer uptime. This allows their IT department to easily manage their networked Zebra Print DNA printers from anywhere and at any time, eliminating time spent travelling to a location to troubleshoot a printer.
In order to streamline the buying process and ensure all printer consumables were up to the standard required for printing labels used in a harsh environment, Bar Code Data also supply complementary products such as labels and ribbons, as well as Zebra OneCare’s maintenance solution.
The Result
“We selected Bar Code Data as our partner on this turnkey project as they demonstrated the confidence in being able to offer the right solution that would meet our needs. As a Zebra Premier Partner the range of options available to us from BCD was extensive, after careful consideration we received their proposal and recommendations.
The supply of the equipment was handled in an efficient and speedy manner and the installation, training and go live was fully supported by the technical team at BCD. We are delighted with the solution and now look forward to working with BCD going forward.”
Adam Clammer – Countryside Partnership
Jonathan Houghton, Senior Account Manager from Bar Code Data explains, “Working with the team at Countryside we have designed a bespoke, fit for purpose solution that can be easily replicated at future sites. The solution includes a customisable automated label design suite, to ensure maximum up-time and eliminate label printing errors in the manufacturing process.
Having designed similar solutions for other customers the Bar Code Data technical team quickly grasped the requirements from Adam and his team, delivering a bespoke offering to Countryside on time and ready to go. These are exciting times for our relationship between the two companies.”