McLane Co., Inc., a supply-chain services company, has initiated early testing for a "smart handheld" system, designed for use by independent grocery and convenience store retailers. The in-store ordering system, dubbed Smart Handheld for Independents, gives small chains the same capabilities to manage their physical inventories and order placements that large operations have used for years, according to the company. Users get the ability to track order history, create orders and track upcoming distributions, all from a single device. The system can print four different types of labels and shelf tags, and access historical information for individual items. It integrates with the McLane Premium Order Management Suite, which handles such tasks as order procurement, item and category management, inventory turns and manufacturer compliance. Smart Handheld for Independents will be available to customers by early September of this year, following beta testing with a select group of customers, McLane said.
McLane Co., Inc