The Skype’s the restrict

Maybe
it’s time to cut the cord.

Cell phones. PDAs. Bluetooth.
Wireless communication continues to advance in our personal lives and in the
business world. Acceptance in packaging departments has been spotty at best,
though. Perhaps you would use more wireless technology if you could clearly see
the benefits.

Well…take a look at these production and
marketing ideas:

1. Henry Morris, senior vice president of
operations and engineering at Smithfield Foods, told attendees at the PMMI Annual
Meeting in September about a fast new way to troubleshoot machinery to help cut
downtime.

The Smart Tech system from Marlen
uses a hardhat equipped with a video camera and microphone. People at different
locations throughout the world-such as a mechanic at a Smithfield plant and a
technical service rep at a Marlen facility-connect through Skype, an
inexpensive internet-based global communication service.

The
helmet-cam, as it’s called, significantly speeds up diagnostics because
communication is in real time and hands free so the mechanic is able to
immediately perform whatever task the service tech recommends.

No
travel means less cost. No waiting for a service tech to show up means getting
back to production mode quicker.

2. Expect to see a flurry
of marketing promotions, such as special bar codes on packages, that connect consumers
to a company’s website or other downloads through their cell
phones.

For example, Sam’s Wines and Spirits, a
Chicago-based store selling imported and domestic liquors and gourmet foods,
gives customers special promotions-while they’re in the store-through text messages
on their cell phones.

Here’s how it works: Shoppers use
their cell phone to send a text message to 30364 with the word “Sam’s1.” They
then receive text coupons that they show at the register to receive a discount.

Consumers can also get recipes, promotions and more from
Springer Mountain Farms by taking a picture with their cell phone of a special
two-dimensional bar code on packages of the company’s organic chicken (see this
new package for more details).

3. Check out my blog for my
third idea.  F&BP