Directa Optimizes Stocktakes with SYSPRO Barcode Technology 

Customer Profile

Established in 1971, Directa is a leading UK industrial and office supplies company. It offers a wide range of products, including tapes, safety signs, abrasives and batteries, to meet the needs of businesses throughout the UK.

A traditional company accustomed to manual data capture for stocktaking, Directa called in Syspro to help it get to grips with auto ID technology. In just two days of consultation, Directa’s employees were confident to use the devices for its next quarterly stocktake.

Directa was concerned about losing data as it moved from paper to a computerized stock management system. Syspro did all the initial transporting of data with Directa so that the in-house team could see how secure and compliant Syspro is. The company’s objectives were to save time and labor while freeing up its purchasing department and eliminating the need to spend hours manually tallying up stocktake information. Syspro and the Opticon devices helped Directa meet those goals.

Directa’s Opticon barcode scanners allow the automatic capture of warehouse locations, stock codes and quantities simply by scanning the barcode. The captured data is stored temporarily in the memory of the scanner in a flat data file format before being uploaded to SYSPRO. The data is validated before it is imported into SYSPRO, providing Directa with fast access to accurate information about the physical stock in the warehouse. The data is then reconciled against the stock held in Syspro.

Eventually all of Directa’s stocktakes will be completed by scanning the items in the warehouse. Once the items have been scanned, the stock information will be sent to Syspro using the scanner cradle. Then, the operator logs into Syspro, presses import and the system does the rest. The added benefit of adding the barcode system to Syspro is the ability to run reports in real time and analyze them much sooner than before – there is no need to way for all the reports to be collated manually as the system provides all the information automatically at the touch of a button.

The Outcome

The Syspro solution successfully modernized Directa’s financial and distribution processes. Directa also uses the barcode scanners and a Zebra Technologies barcode label printer to help streamline its warehouse operation and stocktaking procedures.