oneGRID Hardware and Software in Use
Let yourself be convinced by the application examples and good experiences of our customers in distribution and (micro) fulfillment centers as well as in manufacturing companies.
Use Cases
Amazon Inc.
Multinational e-commerce retailer
With Google, Apple, Microsoft and Facebook, the multinational conglomerate Amazon is one of the big five companies in the American information technology industry.
The company's offerings range from the classic marketplace to cloud computing, digital streaming and artificial intelligence. With its marketplace, which generates an annual revenue of $386 billion, Amazon is now the world's largest online mail order company.
300 million customers rely on Amazon's offerings globally. In Germany, the Amazon Marketplace accounts for 6.7 percent of total retail sales.
The task
Minimise maintenance effort, increase process speed.
With its online marketplace, the global group Amazon is one of the largest retailers in the world. In order to be able to respond to the enormous amount of orders in its logistics centres, a smart solution for fast and reliable picking became an absolute necessary.
At Amazon, the mechanical HMI components of the Pick-by-Light were highly susceptible to errors during daily operation and had to be replaced on average every six months. For the Group, this meant additional high maintenance costs, operating losses and the risk of extended delivery times for customers twice a year.
You can learn more about CAPTRON`s Solutions in the Video
Amazon Fulfillment Center in Troutdale, USA
The solution
CAPTRON was able to replace the mechanical HMI components in the Amazon logistics centres with capacitive hardware, thus achieving both of the dealer's objectives.
As a pioneer in the field of capacitive sensor technology, CAPTRON was a favourite of Amazon in the choice of new HMI applications.
On one hand, the error rate of the HMI components fell to less than one percent with the sensor expert's customised smartCAP buttons. In the first two years of use of the oneGRID system at Amazon, there were no downtimes during ongoing operations. Amazon was able to reduce its maintenance costs to an absolute minimum and significantly shorten delivery times.
On the other hand, the extended functionality of the smartCAP buttons as pick units helps to increase the process speeds. The buttons, which allow quantities to be displayed and processes to be acknowledged, guide employees quickly and intuitively, making them much more productive. For Amazon, maximised order picking performance translates into shorter lead times, improved delivery capability and lower shipping costs for customers – which also contributes to their satisfaction.
Dr Roland Aubauer, Senior Director of Research and Development at CAPTRON, summarises the success: "All in all, Amazon was able to use the oneGRID system to significantly increase the efficiency of the pick stations in its logistics centres – by 13.5 percent in Mönchengladbach, for example – and this at an unbeatable price-performance ratio. The changeover is likely to have paid off for Amazon at all levels. In addition, Amazon employees work far more ergonomically and intuitively without additional training."
Today, CAPTRON's capacitive technologies are used worldwide in Amazon logistics centres. The dealer is already designing new department stores with the Pick-by-Light and having older buildings retrofitted on a piecemeal basis. For more than three years, the response rate of the solution has been 0 percent.
Truma Gerätetechnik
System supplier for motorhomes and caravans
Experience nature in all its splendour outside, enjoy maximum comfort inside: Truma's extensive product portfolio has been making carefree camping a reality for more than 70 years.
The family-owned company develops and manufactures with 800 employees worldwide at the Putzbrunn site near Munich and has branches in the UK, Italy, Sweden, USA, China and Australia.
The leading system supplier for camper vans and caravans in Europe is a top employer and is one of the hundred most innovative medium-sized enterprises in Germany.
The Task
Our extensive product portfolio is usually accompanied by accessory sets and assembly material.
The assembly material can sometimes include up to 20 different components that need to be packed. To optimize the packaging process, a workstation is equipped with oneGRID sensors.
The Solution
CAPTRON was able to replace the mechanical HMI components in Amazon's logistics centers with capacitive hardware, achieving both of the retailer's objectives.
As a pioneer in capacitive sensor technology, CAPTRON was an Amazon favorite when it came to selecting new HMI applications.
For one thing, the error rate of HMI components using the sensor expert's custom smartCAP probes dropped to less than one percent. In the first two years that the oneGRID system was in use at Amazon, there were no failures during ongoing operations. Amazon was thus able to reduce its maintenance costs to an absolute minimum and shorten delivery times even further.
On the other hand, the extended functionality of the smartCAP pushbuttons as pick units helps to increase process speeds. The pushbuttons, which can be used to display quantities and confirm processes, guide employees quickly and intuitively, making them much more productive. For Amazon, the maximized picking performance translates into shorter lead times, improved delivery capabilities and lower shipping costs for customers - which also pays dividends in terms of customer satisfaction.
Dr. Roland Aubauer, Senior Director Research & Development at CAPTRON, summarizes the success: "Overall, Amazon was able to significantly increase the efficiency of the pick stations in its logistics centers once again with the oneGRID system - in Mönchengladbach, for example, specifically by 13.5 percent; and at an unbeatable price-performance ratio. The conversion is likely to have paid off for Amazon on all levels. In addition, Amazon's employees work much more ergonomically and intuitively without any additional training effort."
Today, CAPTRON's capacitive technologies are used in Amazon logistics centers worldwide. The retailer is already designing new warehouses with pick-by-light, and is having older buildings retrofitted piecemeal. For more than three years, the solution's return rate has been 0 percent.
SSI Schäfer
Innovative logistics partner
The foundations for the now international SSI SCHAEFER Group were laid more than 80 years ago. Across six continents, more than 10,500 employees develop innovative concepts and solutions in the customers’ industries, thus shaping the future of intralogistics. The company takes advantage of opportunities offered by digital networking and transfers them to the world of complex material flows, increasing the efficiency of the global supply chain.
In accordance with the "Think tomorrow" principle, SSI Schäfer creates intelligent solutions and cutting-edge technologies for a modern today and a progressive tomorrow.
The Task
Create an ergonomic workplace for order pickers and thus support the specialists in the warehouse of SSI Schäfer intuitively and ergonomically with the paperless order picking process.
You can learn more about CAPTRON`s Solutions in the Video
SSI SCHÄFER expands supply chain management at ARVATO
The Solution
smartCAP sensors and oneGRID software not only ensure better ergonomics at picking locations and a quick induction of new employees, but also higher quality and a lower error rate
Employee activity is supported by sensors and the connected oneGRID software. The picking locations and the quantity to be picked are visually displayed to the employee. The removal of the components is confirmed by the smartCAP button. The oneGRID system requires no effort and can be operated without fatigue even after many operations. The smartCAP buttons also indicate the number of products to be picked and are therefore more ergonomic than an extra display mounted at eye level. The buttons are a little recessed and do respond to the hand, for example, but not to books or boxes that are pushed over the buttons.