Made4Net and TouchStar sign strategic agreement

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Made4Net, provider of supply chain execution software, has established a marketing partnership with TouchStar Technologies Ltd, a manufacturer of rugged mobile communications devices. Made4Net will now offer its manufacturing and logistics customers a complete radio frequency (RF) communications solution - based on TouchStar's high quality terminals - to streamline warehouse and distribution operations.

Made4Net and TouchStar's combined RF-enabled warehouse management solution is proven to significantly increase customer satisfaction and profitability through enhanced accuracy and efficiency in the warehouse. The Made4Net portfolio is broad and incorporates route planning, delivery management and container freight management software modules which, again, complement the TouchStar hardware range. The TouchStar range includes a variety of form factors including handheld mobile computers, tablet devices, in-vehicle computers etc.

As Simon Fishgang, Sales Director for Made4Net UK comments: "We have worked closely with many RF manufacturers over the past decade or so. Obviously, it's important to us that the hardware component of a warehouse automation project matches the inherent performance and reliability of our software. The majority of our clients are running time-critical logistics operations and the hardware has to provide real-time capability and, more importantly, sustain that level of performance. TouchStar hardware has an excellent reputation amongst a large established logistics client base and we are delighted to formalise our relationship."

TouchStar's rugged hand-held and truck-mounted RF terminals present warehouse operatives with real-time instructions, such as: goods-in procedures, pick assignments, put away instructions and replenishment duties, directly from Made4Net's warehouse management system. When these activities are completed, the RF terminals immediately provide data back to Made4Net to facilitate real-time inventory.

"RF-enabled warehouse management is a very exciting development for many of our customers as the improved accuracy and productivity in the warehouse is proven to yield huge savings and increase profitability," said Fishgang. "We are committed to offering the very latest in functionality and technology to enable clients to gain real competitive advantage and, as a leading provider of high-quality RF hardware, TouchStar is a key partner for our business going forward."

Mike Turner, TouchStar's Group Marketing Manager, is similarly enthusiastic: "In the logistics sector we rely upon third party software products to complete the total client solution. Our own reputation is directly influenced by our choice of software partner and clients can be assured that our criteria are very stringent. We are delighted to be working with Made4Net because of the breadth and quality of their software portfolio and the company's overall professionalism."

About TouchStar

TouchStar specialise in the design, supply and continued support of rugged mobile devices including hand-held, vehicle mount and in-vehicle fleet management terminals. With a high level of expertise within the logistics sector, TouchStar have the real world experience in wireless technologies and networks to integrate, install and support data capture systems into any logistics operation.

All of the TouchStar UK designed devices are based on cutting edge technology that covers all new and state-of-the-art data collection tools such as Barcode, RFID and Voice. TouchStar's solutions also include sophisticated application software for a wide variety of warehouse and supply chain operations.

Best fit mobile solutions that address key business issues

With over three decades of experience within the logistics sector, TouchStar have the experience to ensure your mobile computing solution successfully addresses your key business issues. Offering a complete range of consultative, design, manufacture, implementation and support services, TouchStar take you through the steps to create the "best fit" mobile computing solution that will deliver business performance improvements to your operational processes.

Longevity of supply - long term reliability

TouchStar design and support their own robust equipment specifically designed for the European Logistics market and provide a number of flexible and all-encompassing UK based support packages that guarantee continuous support throughout the lifecycle of your system.

TouchStar offer fully managed service including collection and delivery of pre-configured devices to allow rapid and seamless continued operation for the customer. A dedicated in-house engineering team also ensure quality repair and effective support.