Does ice cream need its own identity? Ice cream manufacturer Froneri says "yes," and not just for taste reasons. The company, which employs over 10,000 people, acquired five plants in the USA in the early 2020s, which have now been connected to the IT system with the help of the identification technology provider Aisci.

At high temperatures, even ice cream can run into problems with proper handling. In this case, however, the issue was more about IT hardware, which must meet specific requirements for the food and telecommunications sectors. Its timely procurement, extremely challenging in times of chip shortages and long delivery times, was successfully accomplished with the support of the identification experts from Bad Salzuflen.

At the start of the takeover of the US production facilities, Froneri discovered that employees at the US sites were using very few mobile data capture devices. Some picking processes were even still being done with pen and paper.

Fig.: Froneri-Schoeller

Nils Holzgrefe, IT Business Solution Manager Operations at Froneri, knows that outdated data capture devices and paper-based processes are not an option for the globally operating company: "We started digitally recording our goods over 20 years ago." For benchmarking, efficiency, and digital traceability, Froneri has been using a self-developed shop management system (Measurement Executive System, MES) for years. The mobile data capture devices are connected to this system and run on the Android operating system. "We have our own Android app for this," explains Holzgrefe.

Clearly, outdated Windows CE systems or even using pen and paper were out of the question. "Among other things, we needed modern mobile data collection devices and industrial PCs in the production area," explains Holzgrefe.

Froneri wanted to use the mobile scanners, for example, to enable the digital recording and tracking of packaging materials (folding boxes, film, etc.). The company also needed terminals: industrial PCs with 15-inch touchscreens, used in production areas so that employees can view, start, and complete their tasks. Other terminals (12 inches) are required on forklifts to optimally and in real time network status information about the location of pallets and raw materials.

In search of a partner for reliable procurement in light of the global chip crisis, the ice cream manufacturer turned to the Aisci experts, who have been supplying Fronerio with technology for years.

Furthermore, many of the mobile data entry (MDE) devices were designed for use in deep-freeze environments, at around minus 30 degrees Celsius, specifically in the food industry. Few systems on the market meet all these requirements. Exporting the technology to the USA also presented a bureaucratic hurdle that needed to be overcome.

So Aisci Ident GmbH contacted many different suppliers and vendors worldwide. Wehmeyer: "For example, we sourced 60 label printers in Asia and had them shipped directly to the USA to meet the deadline. We handled the entire logistics for procuring all the relevant equipment; it was a considerable logistical undertaking. And we wanted to make it as easy as possible for our customer."

Aisci therefore had to ensure that deliveries arrived on time. "It's clear that our customers need to be able to rely on this," explains Sven Pszolla, Regional Sales Manager at Aisci, who was also involved in the project, "and it's naturally our job to make sure that happens."

Froneri assisted the customer in identifying mobile data capture devices that met all requirements, advising on system selection, choosing devices for live testing, handling the complete procurement logistics, pre-configuring all systems, and meeting all delivery deadlines

For example, Aisci Ident recommended the Honeywell CK65 Gen2 Cold Storage mobile data acquisition device to Froneri for use in the deep-freeze area. "If we had handled the selection and procurement ourselves," said Holzgrefe, "it would have taken longer. And many of Aisci's competitors quickly fall short when it comes to the specific requirements of the deep-freeze sector."

In total, Aisci supplied approximately 200 terminals, 400 scanners, and 60 label printers to equip Froneri's new US locations. After installing their proprietary software, this hardware enabled integration with the company's Measurement Executive system. The scanners and terminals also facilitate data transfer to the accounting department and JD Edwards, Froneri's ERP system.

www.aisci.de