Improved SERVMART Bar Code Labeling.

The designers of EPOS II assumed that most material arriving at SERVMART stores would be adequately coded for use by the system, thus minimizing the need for on-site labeling. We have found that not to be the case. Fewer than 30 percent of the line items stocked arrive with coded labels adequate for immediate use. The major reasons are poor compliance with standards by major suppliers, packages that although properly labeled contain multiple unlabeled units of issue, and local changes to units of issue to satisfy local customer demand. Even if all suppliers complied with MIL-STD-129J, the unit-of-issue problems would still require to label large quantities of incoming material indefinitely. The usable codes that do arrive, however, will provide a significant savings in relabeling costs. We recommend that currently planned configurations of bar code labeling equipment to be fielded so that all SERVMART stores EPOS II have the capability to affix a large number of labels. We further recommend that each SERVMART store use techniques such as scanning a book of labels at the checkout counter to identify unmarked, easily recognizable stock, and using fewer local units of issue to reduce labeling costs. Stores should also verify the quality of incoming bar codes and use as many of them as possible. Since each usable bar code received represents a significant cost savings, we recommend that NAVSUP aggressively seek improved bar code labeling in accordance with MIL-STD-129J by major SERVMART wholesale suppliers. Finally, we recommend that EPOS II software be modified to simplify the handling of uncoded receipts.