Sarabec Hearing Equipment Ltd

A tailored service for Sarabec Hearing Equipment Ltd.

The Company:

Sarabec® is a UK-based leader in hearing equipment for people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or use hearing aids. With over 40 years of experience, they provide high-quality, non-hearing aid solutions that help improve your everyday life – from watching TV and answering the phone to staying safe and connected at home.

At Sarabec®, they offer simple hearing solutions for anyone with or without a hearing aid to help keep you safe, independent and aid your daily living.

They have a wide selection of products including; TV listeners, amplified telephones, extra loud doorbells, alerting systems like smoke alarms, alarm clocks, and baby monitors for deaf parents so you don’t miss a thing!

The Need:

Sarabec faced several operational challenges stemming from manual processes and limited system capabilities:

Manual Serial Number Tracking: Serial numbers were recorded manually on printed delivery notes at the point of despatch, with no digital traceability at the point of receipt. This made warranty claims and proof-of-purchase requests time-consuming and error-prone.
Inefficient Documentation: Delivery notes were printed in duplicate—one for the customer and one for internal filing—resulting in unnecessary paperwork and administrative overhead.
Lack of Real-Time Visibility: Serial numbers were not captured in the system, limiting visibility and traceability across the supply chain.
Order Management Limitations: The existing system lacked flexibility for handling parked orders and partial shipments, which are common in their operations.
Web Order Processing: Web orders were manually entered and processed through invoices, creating inefficiencies and increasing the risk of errors.

The Solution:

Bridge WMS was implemented to digitise and streamline Sarabec’s warehouse operations, with a focus on improving traceability and operational efficiency:

Serial Number Capture: Serial numbers are now recorded directly within Bridge WMS at the point of despatch, with the option to extend this to the point of receipt. This ensures accurate tracking and simplifies warranty and compliance processes.
Automated Documentation: Delivery notes are automatically generated with serial numbers included, eliminating the need for manual entry and physical filing.
System Integration: The WMS integrates with existing systems to support the use of BOMs and works orders, enabling serial number capture at the point of production completion.
Flexible Order Handling: The system supports parked orders and partial shipments, aligning with Sarabec’s operational needs.
Web Order Optimisation: Web orders are now entered as sales orders and processed through handheld devices (HHDs), streamlining the workflow and reducing manual intervention.

The Benefits:

The implementation of Bridge WMS delivered measurable improvements across several key areas:

Improved Traceability: Serial numbers are now digitally recorded and easily retrievable, enhancing after-sales support and compliance.
Operational Efficiency: Automation of documentation and order processing has reduced administrative workload and minimised errors.
Enhanced Flexibility: The ability to manage parked and partially shipped orders provides greater control over complex despatch scenarios.
Future-Readiness: The system is scalable and adaptable, with the potential to support future requirements such as full traceability and barcode integration.

“We took the decision to implement Bridge WMS in early 2022. This followed an extensive period of communication and on site visits by MJM staff. We cannot praise enough the professionalism of The MJM staff, both then and ongoing.

We have no regrets about implementing the system. It has brought about massive improvements to the way we handle our stock, bringing greater accuracy and efficiencies. Many Thanks to the staff at MJM for their initial and ongoing support.“

– John Swindale & Colin Foxton Sarabec Ltd