Electronic Retailer - January 2012 - 36

is sitting in the warehouse. By tapping into our secure network, customers can review order status and warehouse inventory from any location in the world using their iPhone, Blackberry or computer. They know exactly how much inventory is being held, where batch codes are located, whether any stock is nearing its expiration date or when it was manufactured. Warehouses that fail to adopt hightech solutions will pay customer service representatives to spend hours reviewing

inventory information with their clients, who likely won’t be pleased when they have to spend their own time on the phone tracking down information and fielding online complaints. Today, it is vital that companies invest in current software and hardware rather than settling for the status quo. Research the latest options and determine if they can improve productivity, help you scale up for growth and augment the service you provide to your customers.

Pass Along the Savings
Today’s technologies lend themselves to a wide range of opportunities for warehouses and other businesses to cut costs and pass along these savings to their customers. For instance, earlier this year we installed a new high-efficiency lighting system driven by motion sensors. Up until this time, we had to light up large sections of the almost 250,000-squarefoot warehouse that were inactive due to the wait time for warming up the old fixtures. So, for an investment of approximately $50,000, we replaced all of our light bulbs with motion sensor fixtures and fluorescent bulbs, using the latest in energy-saving technology. This one cost-cutting measure, made possible through today’s high-tech lighting offerings, lowered the company’s $25,000 monthly electricity bill to $17,500 – for an annual savings of $90,000, which we can pass along to our clients by offering competitive rates and enhancing our services.

The Bottom Line
Using best practices that adopt new technologies, a traditionally low-tech warehouse can offer competitive prices to its client, while consistently growing its capacity and concurrently maintaining profitability and service. This tech infusion enables companies to grow, even during challenging economic times. We credit, in large part, the latest computer systems and technologies for aiding in our growth. Thanks to the latest systems, we’re looking toward the future with optimism – and our customers are reaping the benefits. Remember, an outsourcing partner’s job is to solve problems. So don’t shy away from high technology simply because it seems too sophisticated for the industry. If it solves a problem and helps cut costs, embrace it. Jack Sandbach is the founder and CEO of Packaging and Distribution Resources, a New Jersey-based warehouse and distribution company that serves the direct response, consumer packaged goods and cosmetics/personal care industries. Visit www.pdrnj.com.
546810_a2b.indd 1

36

electronicRETAILER | January 2012

8/12/11 4:24:40 PM



Electronic Retailer - January 2012

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Electronic Retailer - January 2012

Calendar of Events
Your Association, Your Bottom Line
Industry Reports
FTC Forum
eMarketer Research
IMS Retail Rankings
Jordan Whitney’s Top Categories
Lockard & Wechsler’s Clearance & Price Index
SENSAtional Marketing
When Words Can Hurt
‘Because They Can’t Afford to Get Sick’
Guest Viewpoint
Guest Viewpoint
Inventor’s Corner
Legal
Payment Processing
Member Spotlight
Advertiser Spotlight
Bulletin Board
Advertiser Index
Classifieds
Rick Petry
Electronic Retailer - January 2012 - cover1
Electronic Retailer - January 2012 - cover2
Electronic Retailer - January 2012 - 3
Electronic Retailer - January 2012 - 4
Electronic Retailer - January 2012 - 5
Electronic Retailer - January 2012 - 6
Electronic Retailer - January 2012 - Calendar of Events
Electronic Retailer - January 2012 - Your Association, Your Bottom Line
Electronic Retailer - January 2012 - Industry Reports
Electronic Retailer - January 2012 - 10
Electronic Retailer - January 2012 - 11
Electronic Retailer - January 2012 - FTC Forum
Electronic Retailer - January 2012 - 13
Electronic Retailer - January 2012 - eMarketer Research
Electronic Retailer - January 2012 - 15
Electronic Retailer - January 2012 - IMS Retail Rankings
Electronic Retailer - January 2012 - 17
Electronic Retailer - January 2012 - Jordan Whitney’s Top Categories
Electronic Retailer - January 2012 - 19
Electronic Retailer - January 2012 - Lockard & Wechsler’s Clearance & Price Index
Electronic Retailer - January 2012 - 21
Electronic Retailer - January 2012 - SENSAtional Marketing
Electronic Retailer - January 2012 - 23
Electronic Retailer - January 2012 - 24
Electronic Retailer - January 2012 - 25
Electronic Retailer - January 2012 - When Words Can Hurt
Electronic Retailer - January 2012 - 27
Electronic Retailer - January 2012 - 28
Electronic Retailer - January 2012 - 29
Electronic Retailer - January 2012 - ‘Because They Can’t Afford to Get Sick’
Electronic Retailer - January 2012 - 31
Electronic Retailer - January 2012 - 32
Electronic Retailer - January 2012 - 33
Electronic Retailer - January 2012 - 34
Electronic Retailer - January 2012 - Guest Viewpoint
Electronic Retailer - January 2012 - 36
Electronic Retailer - January 2012 - Guest Viewpoint
Electronic Retailer - January 2012 - 38
Electronic Retailer - January 2012 - Inventor’s Corner
Electronic Retailer - January 2012 - Legal
Electronic Retailer - January 2012 - Payment Processing
Electronic Retailer - January 2012 - 42
Electronic Retailer - January 2012 - Member Spotlight
Electronic Retailer - January 2012 - 44
Electronic Retailer - January 2012 - 45
Electronic Retailer - January 2012 - Advertiser Spotlight
Electronic Retailer - January 2012 - Advertiser Index
Electronic Retailer - January 2012 - Classifieds
Electronic Retailer - January 2012 - 49
Electronic Retailer - January 2012 - Rick Petry
Electronic Retailer - January 2012 - cover3
Electronic Retailer - January 2012 - cover4
https://www.nxtbookmedia.com