Operational efficiencies at The Body Shop enhanced by Traka

As a global leader in ethical and sustainable beauty products, The Body Shop absolutely recognises the importance of responsible resource management, business practices and asset security.

At the company’s main distribution centre, three large-scale Traka intelligent locker systems have been installed to manage different devices. The first uses Traka’s multi-bay cradle locker solution to manage 30 VoCollect voice-picking devices and Bluetooth headsets, all charged and ready to operate.

The second houses 40 Falcon hand-held scanners managed by Traka’s specialist Asset Master Locker range with charging and battery points located.

The third and final system presents secure storage for equipment specifically designed for the forklift truck drivers, with each locker compartment containing a Falcon scanner, radio and printer.

Each intelligent locker solution is offered with RFID asset detection and TrakaWEB software to provide managers with instant audit control capability such that they can establish exact times when physical devices are removed and returned to lockers.

Eliminating manual control  

To keep pace with high demands, the distribution centre operates on a 24/7 schedule. It’s constantly evolving, driving new standards in the design and use of technology to ensure that The Body Shop’s products reach stores in a timely manner in order to satisfy loyal customer demands.

A spokesperson for The Body Shop observed: “To operate at maximum capacity, we need to make it as simple and as quick as possible for authorised colleagues to not only gain access to the devices they need, but also ensure they are operational and in good working order. With the introduction of Traka’s solution, we have eliminated manual control, plus we now have a complete audit on all devices that we can access from anywhere. We’ve already noted increased accountability, traceability and fault logging, all of which join forces to reduce lost time and enhance operational efficiencies.”

The three locker solutions have been installed in two separate locations around the distribution centre such that members of staff can easily access equipment in their work area. Eliminating the need to travel to a central location and queue to access or organise equipment has led to improved productivity at the start and end of shift periods.

Traka has also made certain that all systems operate using the existing Paxton Net 2 access control cards, in turn minimizing facility disruption during or after installation. Access to different assets and equipment can only be granted to authorised personnel for their identified job specification, with staff only able to take one device or kit at a time.

Simple enhancements, significant difference

Lee Payne, Traka’s business development manager, informed Security Matters: “The introduction of Traka systems to The Body Shop’s distribution centre demonstrates how simple process enhancements can make a significant difference. From the initial brief right through to system implementation, we worked closely with the team to identify the exact requirements for each site and the accessibility needs for staff.”

Payne continued: “We understood the need for curfew notifications, fault logging and careful authorised access control. We planned with the team to separate out the systems into specific work areas and use the Traka orange to help the locker systems stand out, all with a view towards ensuring that vital time could be saved for staff and management.”

According to Payne: “The end result is a smoother and more efficient operation throughout the supply chain, which helps The Body Shop to continue its mission of delivering its best-loved ethical beauty products."

*Further detail concerning Traka’s solutions for the retail sector are available online at www.traka.com/global/en/solutions/sectors/retail