SmartTE: A Game-Changer for Connectivity and Warehouse Productivity

CUSTOMER: APS (Assheuer + Pott GmbH & Co. KG)

INDUSTRY: Manufacturing 

SOLUTION: StayLinked SmartTE and StayLinked Evolve

About StayLinked

StayLinked is the proven market leader in Terminal Emulation for the supply chain industry and continues to drive innovation with the most advanced software solutions available for the warehouse. StayLinked enables customers to easily migrate to state-of-the-art devices, measure and optimize productivity with cutting-edge business intelligence, and interface with ground-breaking technologies in the areas of automation, robotics, and emerging IIoT technologies. For more than two decades, StayLinked has delivered revolutionary software products with unparalleled customer satisfaction and world-class support to hundreds of partners and thousands of customers around the globe.

  The Customer

APS (Assheuer + Pott GmbH & Co. KG) is a commercial hospitality equipment manufacturer and logistics provider with multiple warehouse locations across Germany and Spain. Their operations require efficient inventory tracking, real-time proof-of-condition documentation, and uninterrupted connectivity to maintain seamless supply chain workflows.

  Implementation Partner

The solution was implemented by Scheffer & Hille, a specialized IT solutions provider led by Sebastian Finke, who has over 30 years of experience in warehouse technology. As a trusted advisor to APS, Sebastian played a crucial role in migrating APS from legacy terminal emulation to StayLinked SmartTE, ensuring a seamless transition with zero downtime and immediate productivity gains.

The Challenges

Before implementing StayLinked, APS faced significant operational inefficiencies due to:

• Unreliable Connectivity – APS relied on a proxy-based session management solution, which resulted in frequent session drops, particularly when workers moved between warehouse buildings or crossed streets. These disruptions delayed workflows and caused costly re-scans and re-entries.
• Inefficient Proof-of-Condition Process – APS had difficulty documenting pallet conditions in low-light areas, leading to customer disputes over shipments.
• Complicated Legacy System Management – APS previously used legacy terminal emulation, which required manual device-by-device updates and lacked real-time administration.
• Productivity Losses Due to Connectivity Issues – Each lost session resulted in an average of up to 10 minutes of wasted time per occurrence and carried the risk of corrupted order data. Given the volume of transactions, APS estimated that connectivity issues were costing them over 300 labor hours per month.
• Labor Shortages & Multi-Language Barriers – APS, like many European logistics companies, struggled with a shrinking workforce and increasing reliance on employees from multiple countries. The need for a fast and efficient multi-language localization solution became critical.

The Solution

APS implemented StayLinked SmartTE, which instantly resolved their connectivity problems and enabled seamless warehouse operations.

Frictionless Connectivity, Zero Downtime

With StayLinked, APS experienced zero lost connections across its entire warehouse network.

• Session Persistence Across Buildings – Workers move freely between warehouses without experiencing dropped sessions or repeating scans.
• No More Proxy-Based Bottlenecks – Eliminating the old proxy-based system improved transaction speeds by 20% and reduced the time required for client configuration adjustments by a factor of over 35, as previously, more than 35 devices had to be configured manually, whereas now a single configuration applies to all devices.
• 5G-Ready for the Future – StayLinked’s lightweight architecture ensures seamless operation over Wi-Fi, LTE, and 5G networks.

Productivity Impact:

• Eliminated 300+ hours of lost productivity per month
• Reduced transaction delays by 20%
• Improved warehouse workflow efficiency by 30%

Cost Savings from Eliminating Session Drops:

• Annual labor savings: $108,000 (based on 300 hours/month at $30/hour)

“Since implementing StayLinked, APS has not had a single lost session. This solution is incredibly stable, and connectivity is no longer a problem."

—Sebastian Finke, Scheffer & Hille

$50K+ in Savings on Claims Prevention

APS deployed StayLinked Evolve Image Capture to improve its shipment documentation process, preventing costly customer disputes. Due to the immediate success, APS expanded its StayLinked deployment with 26 additional Evolve licenses, covering over 35 devices for image capture and workflow optimization.

• High-Resolution Image Capture in Any Light Condition – StayLinked’s adaptive flash optimization ensures clear, detailed images even in dimly lit warehouse zones.
• Seamless File Integration with APS ERP – Each image is automatically named using order numbers and timestamps, making it easy to retrieve proof-of-condition documentation.
• Improved Claims Resolution – APS can now instantly verify shipment conditions, reducing the risk of chargebacks and dispute claims.

Financial Impact of Proof-of-Condition Documentation:

• $50,000+ in estimated annual savings from eliminated claims
• Faster claims resolution, reducing processing time by 40%

“Ensuring fast and flawless delivery is one of our top priorities. We strive to meet customers' special packaging and accompanying documents. With the StayLinked Evolve Image Capture solution, we can document the condition of goods before shipment, ensuring transparency and quality assurance."

—Ben Becker, APS Head of Operations

Solving Labor Shortages with Language Localization

As APS expanded, it faced the growing challenge of integrating non-German-speaking workers into its warehouse operations. Workforce shortages across Europe led APS to hire employees from multiple countries, including Poland, Spain, and other Eastern European countries, many of whom did not speak German or English fluently.

• Instant Language Translation in StayLinked SmartTE – APS used StayLinked’s on-the-fly localization tools to provide warehouse workers with real-time, on-screen instructions in their native language.
• Seamless Workforce Onboarding – New employees immediately adapted to APS workflows, without requiring extensive training or printed translation guides.
• Dual-Language Learning Mode – Some employees switched between German and their native language, using StayLinked to learn German while working.

Impact of Multi-Language Localization:

• Reduced training time for non-German-speaking workers by 50%
• Increased workforce efficiency by 30%
• Lowered labor onboarding costs by an estimated $75,000 annually

“StayLinked’s tools enabled APS to keep operations running smoothly despite labor shortages. We didn’t have to turn away skilled workers just because they didn’t speak German."

—Gabriele Schulte-Steinhoff, APS HR Manager

Fast, Effortless Migration to StayLinked in Hours

APS’s transition from legacy terminal emulation to StayLinked was completed in just a few hours, compared to weeks of manual configuration required by traditional thick-client solutions.

• No Downtime During Migration – APS fully transitioned without interrupting operations.
• Centralized Configuration Management – StayLinked allows real-time updates across all devices without manual reconfiguration.
• Seamless Server Migration – APS successfully moved its StayLinked server to a new system without any operational impact.

Migration Efficiency Gains:

• Saved 50+ IT labor hours during migration
• Reduced system administration workload by 80%

“Moving from legacy terminal emulation to StayLinked was incredibly simple. We had everything running within hours, and the centralized management saved us countless hours of device configuration."

—Sebastian Finke, Scheffer & Hille

ProGlove Integration – Hands-Free Workflow Optimization

APS also enhanced productivity by integrating StayLinked SmartTE with ProGlove’s wearable scanners, achieving faster and more efficient barcode scanning.

• Real-Time Scan Validation – Eliminates errors before shipments are processed.
• Hands-Free Efficiency – Workers scan and document shipments faster, boosting throughput by 15%.
  

Impact of ProGlove Integration:

• 15% Increase in Scanning Efficiency – Workers are now able to scan and verify items 15% faster than before, improving throughput and reducing bottlenecks in the workflow.
• Near-Zero Picking Errors – The error rate during order picking has dropped to the per mille range—that is, fewer than 1 error per 1,000 picks, significantly improving accuracy and customer satisfaction.

“The combination of StayLinked and ProGlove has dramatically improved scanning accuracy and speed. The workflow is now truly frictionless, and using ProGlove wearables has significantly enhanced workplace ergonomics."

—Ben Becker, APS Head of Operations

The Results

Effortless Migration, Increased Productivity, Reduced Costs

APS trusted Sebastian Finke and Scheffer & Hille to deploy StayLinked based on their expertise in warehouse optimization and connectivity solutions.

With StayLinked, APS achieved:

• 100% session persistence – eliminated connectivity disruptions
• $158,000+ in total annual cost savings (from productivity gains and claims prevention)
• Seamless proof-of-condition documentation
• Effortless migration from outdated terminal emulation

APS continues to expand its StayLinked deployment, evaluating new automation technologies, including potential drone-based inventory tracking.

StayLinked + Scheffer & Hille:
APS’s experience with StayLinked SmartTE and Evolve demonstrates how seamless connectivity, real-time image capture, and hands-free workflow optimization create a game-changing advantage in warehouse operations.

“StayLinked is, without a doubt, the most reliable and efficient solution we’ve implemented. The team is responsive, and the technology just works. As a reseller and IT administrator, I can’t recommend it highly enough."

—Sebastian Finke, Scheffer & Hille