The Real FMX unit is installed on each piece of machinery

"Shrinkage is not a new and exciting diet," says John Valentine, Director at Real Telematics. "Rather it is something that really sticks in your throat when you look at your company's profitability levels."

Wikipedi defines shrinkage in financial terms as "the loss of products between point of manufacture or purchase from supplier and point of sale".

According to the Global Retail Barometer, South Africa ranks in the top 5 countries globally with significant shrinkage problems. "I believe this is not news to us," says Valentine. "I think we can see the evidence of this scourge in the massive Loss Control/Prevention industry that has sprung up in our country and this applies to nearly all industry sectors not just retail."
"Shrinkage includes profit losses suffered through theft, poor maintenance and damages etc., and whilst there is a very big focus on the theft related controls, there is not as much focus on the maintenance and damages related issues. This is where Real FMX and its periphery products comes in," says Valentine.

"Forklifts, and indeed all materials handling equipment, form a large part of modern day industry and can be found in practically all business sectors. They also form a significant part of Capex outlay, monthly maintenance and related expenditure. Real FMX assists in pro-actively reminding the Fleet Manager and Warehouse Controller of important tasks such as Service Intervals, Load Testing and Driver Licences. But it also helps with controlling costs on Excess Run Hours, Fuel and Electricity bills, parts wear and tear, as well as indicating where significant (and minor) Impacts have occurred in the operation that may have resulted in damages to the machine, other machines, racking, product and or the building itself," says Valentine.

"It is amazing how often we hear of forklifts that have driven through walls all by themselves or wiped out entire racks, or pallets of product with nobody having seen or heard anything. Real FMX will identify significant events, the machine used as well as the driver or operator involved," comments Valentine.

"We all tend to be very concerned about the high level Impacts and indeed there can be incredible losses identified in this part of the scenario. But too often we forget that as much damage can be caused in low level impacts. Forklifts are very heavy pieces of machinery and if you add a load to the forks, and couple this with movement or speed you can create inertia that will wipe out anything in its path, product or racking, with barely any impact registering at all."

Real Las is a laser alignment product that displays a visible laser beam on the racking

Real Las uses a wireless control to turn the laser on and off with a key FOB

"Real FMX does a great job in mitigating many of these risks. We then have Real Las a standalone product which is used mostly in high level racking warehouses. Real Las is a Forklift Laser Alignment product that displays a visible laser beam that travels up the racking as the forks lift to the point where you want to engage the load. This allows you to clearly see the pallet pick up point and insert the forks safely without causing damage to the racking and or product. Pickup at high levels can cause not only damages but also pose a health and safety risk if not handled correctly and with the correct machine for that type of application. We find that Real Las has been welcomed as a cost effective alternative to high reach cameras, particularly in these cost sensitive times," says Valentine.

"Real FMX creates accountability for all..."

Real Telematics
John Valentine
P: +27 82 469 0834
E: email
W: www.realtelematics.com
SF: Real Telematics ShopFront