The warehouse process at APL involves manual picking of items in order lots, which are then inspected to verify the required items match the order. We are looking to transition from a manual verification process to an automated ​/​ semi-automated verification solution. This system is designed to verify the accuracy of the products after they have been placed on a trolley and to be utilized at two key stages, post-pick and post-subcontract coating to ensure compliance with order specifications. Business Challenge: Orders of picked products are currently manually verified twice for order dispatch accuracy. This causes: • Accuracy Issues: Reliance on human inspection increases the risk of misidentification or oversight, potentially leading to order errors. • Inefficiency: Manual checks are time-consuming and delay order processing. • Costly investigation: Where errors have occurred digital images must be used to investigate, again this is completed manually. • Duplication of Effort: The verification process is required at two critical stages (after picking and after coating), further amplifying inefficiencies and the potential for errors. Current Process Overview: • Inspectors visually checking a trolley (See photo) of components against printed paperwork. • The inspector then completes the paperwork confirming the number of each item identified. • Errors are documented on this paperwork. Additional items are put to one side to return to the warehouse. Shortages are captured on the paperwork. • Shortages are entered into the Syteline system and replacement order lines are generated and released to pick. This process occurs at two stages: o Post-Pick Verification: Uncoated product that have been initially removed from warehouse racking and placed onto a trolley dedicated to the order being processed. o Post-Coating Verification: As above, but the product has been coated to meet final customer specification. Record Keeping: o An image is taken of each order after it has passed inspection. Objectives ​/​ Scope of work: • Automate the verification of picked products against order details. • Enhance the accuracy and efficiency of the verification process at both the post-pick and post-coating stages. • Provide an audit trail for each order to ensure compliance and support any required investigations. • Be cost-effective, with the option to duplicate the solution or deploy a single adaptable system for both process steps. • The solution should operate within the existing inspection footprint. • It is expected that trolleys of picked product will continue to be manually transported to and from the inspection area. No product handling automation is expected to be required. Constraints & Considerations: • Dual-Stage Use: The solution must be designed to verify items both immediately after picking and post-coating, either as a duplicated system or a single system used sequentially. The number of orders processed in a 16-hour time period (across two shifts) could be up to 500. • WiFi is available in the inspection areas. • Data: 2D Engineering Drawings of all products are available which also identify their part number. Weights of individual items are known. • User Adoption: The system should be intuitive, minimizing the training required for staff. • Interoperability: This is a focused solution within a broader digital transformation initiative, the system should function independently initially while allowing for future integration if needed. • Audit Requirements: Maintain a secure, accessible record of verifications to support quality assurance and investigative processes. Responses received through Fulcrum should include: • An outline of the solution (links to any relevant case studies would be valuable), alongside a written outline of how your proposed solution would operate. • A booking link through which we can book a meeting with you should we wish to discuss your response further. • Outline a rough deployment timeline that ensures minimal disruption to current operations. • Detail how costs would be structured. E.g One-off ​/​ staged costs, time and materials development, annual lease or hardware. o It is appreciated that further scoping ​/​ site visits may be required to determine final solution costs. • Highlight prior experience in implementing similar solutions. • A joint response to this project and our other listings (Warehouse Process Flow Data Capture) would be considered. Solution ideas that the team have discussed: • Vision system – using the 2D engineering drawings, and comparing against ‘standardised’ images. • Weight verification – Weighing the picked order and comparing against a known weights. Added by Fulcrum: The commission for this project will be 7% on all invoices for 12 Months from the payment date of the first invoice. Invoiced monthly, including GST, excludes any expenses charged to the client.

Budget

TBC