OPTICON: eSL manufacturer with integrated eKanban software
OPTICON first electronic shelf label OEM to launch integrated Business Software for eKANBAN applications
With trends of smart bins, electronic kanban and worker enablement, companies ask for Use Cases of combining ePaper displays for rack labelling with a re-order button to trigger replenishment.
With the OPTICON SE-290A (https://opticon.com/product/se-290a/) eSL device there already was an economically interesting system from hardware perspective. While other eSL manufacturers do also have devices with pushbutton and updateability of display and LED-flash, now OPTICON is the first that roots deeply into the customer use case.
Although eSL (=electronic Shelf Label) nowadays technically being able “to do everything” with adjustment and IT-integration effort to do so, frequent customer requirements are focussed on this area with clear requests:
- No integration projects or lengthy technical workflow efforts to make the hardware do the job.
- From the beginning, Users will be workers and Supply Chain Managers, not IT specialists.
- Focus is on kanban workflows and stock level tracking, with material, quantity and demand as the semantics framework
- Include the data authority levels when being deployed as VMI solution (=Vendor Managed Inventory, the material suppliers takes care of system and logistics such as replenishments)
During international logistics fair LogiMAT 2026 in Stuttgart, Germany, OPTICON launched the integrated cloud based OPTICON eKANBAN Solution.
The cloud based system targets users from logistics: Kanban-flow specialists, Production and Maintenance workers, Supply-Chain Manager, Industrial Distributors providing supplier managed stock services.
- Roles, rights and data hierarchy levels within the cloud software reflect the need to share and manage data in cross-company logistics flows.
- Predefined KANBAN workflows are included, allowing to switch the hardware on and instantly start working in the desired use cases – no project, no integrator needed, to technical device training.
- Versatile KANBAN rules enable use for internal Kanban-Flow as well as when being managed by external logistics partner, eg. the Material Supplier., such as assigning a stock position to a bin/eSL and setting minimum quantity levels for triggering reordering, avoid duplicate orders with plausibility checks for each button press, traceability of material demands, orders and shipments.
- Included alerts and reports send demand notifications via eMail or Data Exchange in semantics typical for logistics, e.g. also via EDI or API. Graphic charts show current stock levels, material replenishment needs and consumption analytics.
- Changes of assigned materials, article data, stock level, etc are automatically synchronized to the ePaper display, also when the installations are distributed across companies.
- The integrated AddOn Store provides more features “as you grow”, such as “Predictive Demand Analytics”, “Customized fields” for e.g adding more Kanban-Data to entities, “2D rack” visualization as DigitalTwin of Kanban shelf fill levels, and more.
Providing a seamless experience for Industrial users, focused on their daily business of KANBAN material flow, is an absolute Unique Advantage.
The OPTICON eKANBAN Solution respects that Users need to digitize their logistics fast, with low CAPEX and instant results, avoiding IT-projects or technical experts trainings. User can start small and also grow to international eKanban application with deeper Data Synchronisation to ERP or corporate IT-systems.
Talk to OPTICON to learn more. https://opticon.com/