Datalogic mobile computers climb mountains

At the Mondial du Ski et du Snow exhibition, Datalogic Skorpio mobile computers ensure that the new equipment and accessories loan system works efficiently, maximizing the number of tests.

Recently founded in Annecy, France, Laurent Vernazs company, which specializes in IT development and consultancy, is involved in event and trade-fair management. The Les Deux Alpes ski resort, organizers of the 17th Mondial du Ski et du Snow exhibition, wanted to introduce a new test management system at this unique European event.

This event gives visitors the chance to try out, free of charge and before the season starts, all the new equipment and accessories for the following winter, e.g. skis, masks, goggles, helmets, etc. Le Mondial du ski et du Snow needed to find a way of managing the flow of equipment and accessories carefully and efficiently. Laurent Vernaz contacted Debonix, which supplied him with a high-tech flow management solution able to keep complete track of equipment and accessories on site.

For this event, a mobile data collection system was needed that would be able to operate in difficult environments and to withstand adverse weather conditions. When implementing the solution, major environmental restrictions were encountered: altitude of 3200m, temperatures of close to -12C, wind speeds of up to 60 km/h, extremely difficult installation conditions, lack of humidity and therefore large quantities of dust.

To maximize the number of tests and to simplify flow management, Jam France, a Datalogic Mobile partner, persuaded Debonix to look at Datalogic Skorpio. This mobile computer is compact, lightweight and rugged, as well as having IP64 protection and all the features necessary to ensure the event passes off as well as possible. In the interest of efficiency, nine Datalogic Skorpio computers were used: the staff scanned visitors passes at the entrance to the exhibitors village and each visitors data was recorded before entering. Data was gathered quickly thanks to the generous touch screen of Datalogic Skorpio mobile computers and patented green spot technology, which provides visual confirmation that the code has been scanned properly.

On leaving the village, the principle was the same: visitors would show their passes to register the equipment they had taken out on loan. Once tested, they presented their pass and the equipment taken out on loan so that it could be registered as returned. This system enabled equipment to be taken in and out, and all outgoing and incoming items to be identified. 

Stand exhibitors also used Datalogic mobile computers to enter the personal details of each visitor who used the service for identification purposes. The Datalogic Skorpio touch screen made this process faster and easier.

All this meant that, at the end of each day, it was possible to know what equipment had been tested, who had tested it and what tests had been recorded during the event. The Datalogic Skorpio also kept track of what equipment had not been returned. In total, the nine Datalogic Skorpio computers at the event recorded about 10,000 tests in the space of six days.

Able to offer excellent performance and to withstand difficult weather conditions, Datalogic Skorpio were not only particularly easy and quick to install, but they also ensured that the flow of equipment during the exhibition was as simple and smooth as possible. No cables were needed, just a charger, a Wi-Fi system and a charging stand. The Datalogic Skorpio allowed operators to move freely within the entire area at an altitude of 3200m due to its wireless communication capability.

To conclude, Laurent Vernaz emphasized that using the Datalogic Skorpio has helped reduce queues and eliminated the concerns linked with the equipment loan system. Enthusiastic about the positive and encouraging results obtained on this occasion, Laurent Vernaz is now considering extending the equipment and accessories flow management system to ski hire stores.