Pursuit reveals automated picking list innovation

A unique stock management tool is one of three new products being launched at IJL by jewellery sales, inventory and back-office systems technology producer Pursuit. The new innovation, Pick-lister, removes the need for compiling picking lists manually. It combines software with a handheld device that records the barcode and a digital image of each item. The unit connects automatically in real time with the back-office software suite’s interconnected goods-in, stock transfer and stock distribution records. Created specifically for retailers with multiple branches or a combination of shops and concessions, its development has benefitted from inputs and user trialling by a jewellery retail group with dozens of outlets. The hardware element of Pursuit’s Pick-lister innovation is a smartphone-sized Opticon H-28 device incorporating a barcode scanner. The link to the Pursuit system’s stock management functions is in real-time via wifi. Mike Burns, managing director, Pursuit Software, said: “Pursuit’s mission has always been to automate as many sales, inventory management and management reporting functions as possible. “Our new Pick-lister product is a response to feedback from multi-shop and online retailers in the Pursuit user community. In this instance, the need was well understood. What was lacking was a piece of hardware of suitable quality and functionality to make it work. When the Opticon unit became available, we had the basis for our in-house team of software engineers to develop a solution.” The new unit is designed for head office use or wherever new stock is received and held before distribution to individual branches within a group. It is also fully compatible with Pursuit’s separate software system specifically designed for wholesalers. Another of the new developments Pursuit is unveiling at IJL includes a new mobile PoS front-end designed to connect with a variety of sales, stock and admin systems supplied by other providers. Burns added: “In addition, we are introducing a new enhancement for monitoring ring sizes held at different branch shops. It automatically tracks items switched between branches, and the transfer of rings that require resizing. “Besides demonstrations of the latest refinements in jewellery retailing technology, visitors to our stand at IJL will also be able to experience something completely different – state of the art slot car racing in the IJL Pursuit Grand Prix challenge. Whether you are a show visitor or an exhibitor, take your place on the starting grid.”