Rugged Mobile Computers: Curveball Leisure Chooses TouchStar and Zebra TC21 for Warehouse Efficiency
27 June 2024
TouchStar
Technologies,
a leading provider of rugged mobile computer solutions based in
the UK, is delighted to announce the addition of Curveball Leisure to their
customer portfolio. Curveball, a worldwide distributor of video games and
consumer electronics, has selected TouchStar for a technology rollout of the
latest rugged handheld devices to support real-time efficiencies and accuracy
within their picking and put-away processes.
Company Background
With over 30
years of industry experience, Curveball Leisure is a premier global gaming
distribution leader, partnering with publishers, retailers, and players to
deliver a diverse selection of market-leading video games and consumer
electronics. They are dedicated to delivering excellence across the board, and
their customer focus drives a culture of innovation and continuous improvement
in all aspects of their distribution operations.
The Business Requirement
Curveball
tasked TouchStar with specifying a solution to primarily increase productivity
within the put-away and picking functions. As part of the technology
investment, Curveball required a robust rugged mobile
computer
unit that provided the flexibility to be used for different processes, offering
a lightweight and ergonomic solution for handling both box and single items
within their warehouse distribution operation. The introduction of RF
technology into the operation is part of a broader technology investment that
will facilitate real-time transparency of their distribution operation and
eliminate paper-based processes.
Richard
Pearce, Operations and Supply Manager at Curveball Leisure, comments,
“Having used RF technology within a previous company, I knew the benefits that
this would offer to Curveball in terms of further process improvements. Removal
of paper, transparency, and increasing picking speeds were just a few areas we
were looking to improve. Having worked with TouchStar in the past, I knew they
would provide the expertise in the device specification process and be able to assist
us with the right level of support to ensure a smooth rollout of the final
proposed solution."
Rugged Device Recommendations
TouchStar
recommended Zebra’s TC21 touch computer
for the operation. Featuring a lightweight, ergonomic, and durable design, the
TC21 offers a highly customizable device perfect for Curveball’s scan-intensive
environment. Handheld and pistol grip options were selected for both the
put-away and picking processes, and the additional option of a wearable wrist
mount also appealed to Curveball as they sought to take advantage of
comfortable hands-free. The new rugged handheld computers will equip operatives
with advanced scanning capabilities, helping identify and track goods while
capturing accurate stock information to further support efficient and flexible
warehouse processes.
Richard
continues,
“As we move towards the go-live of the new rugged devices, we are excited by
the benefits we know the RF rollout will deliver in our operation. We can’t
thank TouchStar enough for their support and recommendations. With the TC21, we
feel that we have a device that fully fits our brief, with the scalability and
potential to roll these out to other areas in our operation.”
Peter
Marsh, Sales Director for TouchStar, comments, “With over three decades of
experience supporting the rollout of mobile computing solutions into
distribution operations, we were thrilled to have the opportunity to work with
Curveball. We feel that the TC21 is a great technology fit for the business,
with proven integration into their new software system and as the perfect tool
for task and process efficiencies. We are looking forward to the rollout and
future joint projects with Richard and the team.”