EN 
NL Using MQTT with eMagiz for seamless integration with ProGlove
Revolutionizing sorting efficiency at PostNL CBS
In the realm of postal services, precise package sorting is crucial for upholding customer satisfaction and operational excellence. This holds particularly true for PostNL, one of the biggest postal organizations in The Netherlands. At their sorting centrum IMEC in The Hague, they handle millions of packages destined for export, necessitating efficient processes to meet increasing customer demands.
Looking for a suitable solution for a more efficient workflow
At the IMEC sorting center, floor employees faced a number of challenges during the sorting and nesting process. They had to manually lift packages off the conveyor line, and then use a handheld mobile computer to scan each package's barcode for status and destination verification. This involved repeatedly picking up and setting down both packages and the handheld device. The mobile handheld devices needed a separate application to scan barcodes and provide feedback. The reliance on this additional mobile application increased the number of applications to be maintained within their IT landscape.
Ignoring the risks of these inefficient workflows could jeopardize the entire sorting and routing process. Ignoring the delays at this stage could negatively affect the performance of their downstream workflows, which could then lead to overall process delays and reduced customer confidence. Enough reason for PostNL to look for new solutions to minimize delays, optimize sorting operations and reduce the operational costs of maintaining their scanning equipment.
Processing more parcels in a short time thanks to smart solutions
PostNL finally chose to replace handheld mobile scanners with ProGloves, which are smart gloves with scanners and displays. As smart wearable devices, the ProGlove scanners can report scans and receive instructions and feedback from business systems via the WebSocket and MQTT protocols. Initially, PostNL chose the WebSocket protocol but due to some stability issues, they switched to the MQTT protocol. The ProGlove scanners allow employees to receive and give real-time feedback instructions to shop floor workers thanks to the MQTT protocol. PostNL hosts the MQTT broker with eMagiz, so scan results are transported to a customized system.
This implementation has made the handling process more efficient and also reduced the physical strain on employees. Thanks to the ProGlove, employees can pick up and scan parcels in a shorter time. In addition, PostNL no longer needs to invest in developing and maintaining a separate native mobile application exclusively for the scanners.
Words from our customer
“We want to streamline our sorting and routing processes by integrating ProGlove scanners with our enterprise system. Previously, we piloted the connection between them via WebSocket protocol. However, as we scaled it up to accommodate increased message traffic for more business processes in our workflow, we were faced with reliability and efficiency issues, hindering our expansion. With the MQTT connection facilitated by eMagiz, we can now manage higher message traffic volumes, enabling us to cover more business processes, from scanning and nesting items into receptacles, routing them into correct containers, and allocating them to outgoing trucks.” - Geronimo Hess, Functional Service Owner at PostNL.
Optimized processes and reduced costs thanks to MQTT protocol
The smart ProGlove gloves have greatly improved the efficiency of parcel sorting at the IMEC sorting centre. By streamlining the scanning and nesting processes of parcels on the floor, together with the real-time feedback capabilities of eMagiz and the MQTT protocol, PostNL has optimised its processes, reduced costs and reduced the burden on its employees. This integration of smart, portable technology underlines the commitment to customer satisfaction, operational excellence and cost efficiency within PostNL's logistics operations.
