4 Reasons to Equip Your DSD Operation with a Backup Printing and Labeling Solution

In supply chain operations’ dynamic and fast-paced landscape, businesses face incredible pressure to move goods faster. Printers play a vital role in accurate inventory tracking and the smooth distribution of goods through the supply chain.

You know the fast-paced, always-on nature of direct store delivery all too well – especially when it comes to perishable goods that must be delivered on time. With most DSD drivers making at least 12 or more stops every day, mobile technology can take a beating on the road. This often leaves companies with broken printers and downtime they can’t afford.

Having a backup solution at the ready can help your operation avoid hours of downtime and significant production losses that stem from:

Out of stock parts and replacement printers

Supply chain disruptions and other shipping complications

Driver training for new equipment

Diversify your printer arsenal and gain a competitive advantage that will keep you miles ahead.

4 benefits of having a backup DSD printer

1. Less downtime/dwell time

   Distribution companies rated dwell time as the second highest concern in 2021¹, and understandably so. Deliveries must be on time to keep shelves adequately stocked and customers happy. And drivers can’t get back on the road until they’ve provided accurate invoices – printed on-demand. Ensuring a reliable fleet of working route printers helps your drivers make every second count. Case in point: this fast-growing malt beverage distribution firm saves 30-60 minutes every day for each of its 300 drivers by using reliable mobile printers and smart route software.

   

   Help to save 30-60 minutes every day per driver

2. Improved driver satisfaction and performance

   Printer failures cause big pitstops. Business is disrupted, deliveries are delayed, and drivers bear a large brunt of the stress. By equipping your drivers with a backup printing solution, you can reduce “stress-related” fatigue and ensure ongoing efficiency. With reliable printers, drivers won’t have to waste time troubleshooting, rush to make up delayed deliveries, and make potentially dangerous decisions on the road. They can focus on the job, not on the technology.

3. Increased agility and better customer service

   Thanks to rough over-the-road conditions, driver mishaps, and all-day use, DSD routes can be tough on printers. (Even the most rugged devices aren’t likely to survive the weight of a 2.5-ton truck.) Having a secondary printing source lets work resume immediately so you can streamline operations while satisfying customers. This type of agility is especially important for perishable food distributors, who must maintain a real-time system for rotating and optimizing orders based on sales and demand.

4. Cost savings

   According to a recent report, 2021 was the costliest year ever in trucking and distribution². And we all know that costs have continued to surge in the past few years. With driver wages and fuel costs making up 59.8% of the total operational cost per mile³, it’s essential to optimize drivers’ time on the road – giving them the tools they need to cover more ground in smart ways. Having backup printers that keep drivers efficient enroute helps bypass the added costs of dwell time, missed deliveries, and lost deals – protecting your bottom line instead. With a full-functioning toolkit of printers, drivers are empowered to make on-time deliveries that help surge sales.

    

   59^%

   59% of the total operational cost per mile is driver wages and fuel.

Find a backup printer that has your back

At Brother, we pride ourselves on over 100 years of “at-your-side” customer support. With robust warranty programs, ample in-stock options, and a lineup of printers that can keep up with the rigors of DSD work, having your back is what we do best.

RuggedJet series

With innovative technology, fast print speed, all-day battery life, and enhanced drop protection, RuggedJet mobile printers are route ready. These powerfully portable devices are a uniquely competitive solution for today’s busy DSD operations – easily printing 2-inch to 4-inch invoices, labels, and receipts from handhelds, tablets, and smartphones. Browse convenient accessories to mount or carry – ensuring on-demand printing right where you need it.

• Proof-of-delivery receipts
• Sales receipts
• Invoices
• Returned goods receipts

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Titan Industrial Printer series

We understand that distribution warehouse printers face grueling demands too. Don’t risk downtime and production loss from printing problems. Set your supply chain up for success with a Titan Industrial Printer. Print large volumes of clear, scannable barcodes at up to 14ips^4,5 and even scale up to 600dpi⁵. Get seamless warehouse labeling system integration and convenient connectivity from an industrial barcode printer.

We put the Titan to the test in our own warehouse, including a print run of 250,000 labels — you can read about our results here.

• Shipping labels
• Pallet labels
• Bin labels
• Container labels

See how high-efficiency printing impacts every aspect of your operation.

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