I was at a local convenience store today and noticed a delivery man standing with the store manager, looking at a little black box, about half the size of a desktop keyboard. All of the sudden, two pieces of paper pop out of it, the manager signs it as if he was closing the tab at a restaurant.
The delivery driver works for Solaray and I stopped him and asked him about his little machine. What he was holding was a small mobile printer with an Intermec (they make some of the best rugged mobile handhelds in the world) wireless device imbedded in it. The driver was delivering sunglasses, lighters and other trinkets to stock the convenience store shelves. He just consummated the transaction and notified headquarters without a single piece of paperwork, instantly, with this little marvel.
Solaray is a small, privately held company based in Sapulpa, OK. Sapulpa is known for Frankoma Pottery, not leading edge technology development. Solaray recognized the importance of mobile technology and had a company develop the platform for them, then purchased the company! No wonder they can manage 15,000 delivery locations across the United States.
