Rouse TECH Talk – ROUSE TECHnologies

Apr 01

QUICK LOAD (2) (Note #13 on “Ingles Upgrades”)

By Graham Rouse in Ingles Bulk Products, RouseTECH Solutions, Uncategorized

The Rouse Quick Load funnel with the adaptor makes it convenient to load a whole case of products at once.

Dear Ingles Markets,

The white adaptor above allows staff to use the Rouse Quick Load Funnel to conveniently load whole cases of bulk products into the Scoop Bins. I made it from corrugated panels.

It stores overnight on my mobile workstation and sits on the fixed work table with the funnel on truck days.

It is an accessory that extends the value of the funnel for loading products and saving work time.

Other Bulk product sections can profit from using something similar.

Graham Rouse
Produce Associate
Ingles Markets #53
————————
Designer/Inventor (5 USA patents)
Rouse TECHnologies LLC
“Custom Solutions For Superior Results™”
GMR@RouseTECH.com (864) 654-4166

LINKS TO INGLES MARKETS UPGRADE NOTES

#01 — THANK YOU!
#02 — GRAHAM ROUSE?
#03 — BACK UP DRAWERS
#04 — FALSE BOTTOMS
#05 — ONLINE SPREADSHEET
#06 — MOBILE WORK STATION
#07 — AT A GLANCE (A) GRAVITY DISPENSER MARKINGS
#08 — AT A GLANCE (B) SCOOP DISPENSER MARKINGS
#09 — AT A GLANCE (C) TUB DISPENSER DIPSTICK & TAG
#10 — AT A GLANCE (D) TUB “BUD” INVENTORY COUNT
#11 — AT A GLANCE (E) BULK WALL “BUD” INVENTORY COUNT
#12 — QUICK LOAD (1) GRAVITY DISPENSER
#13 — QUICK LOAD (2) SCOOP DISPENSER
#14 — QUICK LOAD (3) TUBS
#16 — QUICK LOAD (4) “BUDs” (price, place, store)
#17 — NEAT MADE EASIER (shelf spa strip)
#18 — ACCESS MADE FASTER (door pull tabs)
#19 — DAILY ROUTINE (1st) fill in top shelf
#20 — DAILY ROUTINE (2nd) fill in lower shelf
#21 — DAILY ROUTINE (3rd) restock BUDs
#22 — DAILY ROUTINE (4th) restock dispensers

Apr 01

QUICK LOAD (1) (Note #12 on “Ingles Upgrades”)

By Graham Rouse in Ingles Bulk Products, Ingles Markets, RouseTECH Solutions, Uncategorized

The Rouse Quick Load Funnel (shown here in two views) enables loading a whole case of products at once.

Dear Ingles Markets,

I made this custom-designed and fitted funnel from sheets of corrugated plastic. It is light, durable, and efficient when loading cases of products into gravity dispensers.

Only one or two products come in cases so large that an empty gravity dispenser cannot hold it all. Others fit in empty spaces above the black lines I applied to the dispensers.

The funnel is stored overnight on my mobile workstation. During the work day, it rests on the backsplash of a fixed work table used to process incoming cases of bulk products.

All Bulk Product sections at Ingles Markets could benefit from using similar funnels.

LINKS TO INGLES MARKETS UPGRADE NOTES

#01 — THANK YOU!
#02 — GRAHAM ROUSE?
PRIMARY TOOLS
#03 — BACK UP DRAWERS
#04 — FALSE BOTTOMS
#05 — ONLINE SPREADSHEET
#06 — MOBILE WORK STATION
AT A GLANCE
#07 — AT A GLANCE (A) GRAVITY DISPENSER MARKINGS
#08 — AT A GLANCE (B) SCOOP DISPENSER MARKINGS
#09 — AT A GLANCE (C) TUB DISPENSER DIPSTICK & TAG
#10 — AT A GLANCE (D) TUB “BUD” INVENTORY COUNT
#11 — AT A GLANCE (E) BULK WALL “BUD” INVENTORY COUNT
QUICK LOAD
#12 — QUICK LOAD (1) GRAVITY DISPENSER
#13 — QUICK LOAD (2) SCOOP DISPENSER
#14 — QUICK LOAD (3) TUBS
#15 — QUICK LOAD (4) “BUDs” (price, place, store)
TOUCH-UPS
#16— NEAT MADE EASIER (shelf spacer strips)
#17— ACCESS MADE FASTER (door pull tabs)
DAILY ROUTINE
#18 — DAILY ROUTINE (1st) fill in top shelf
#19 — DAILY ROUTINE (2nd) fill in lower shelf
#20 — DAILY ROUTINE (3rd) restock BUDs
#21 — DAILY ROUTINE (4th) restock dispensers
EFFICIENCY –> PROFIT
#22 — STANDARDS

Mar 22

AT A GLANCE (E) (Note #11 on “Ingles Upgrades”)

By Graham Rouse in Uncategorized

Rouse Back-Up Drawers at the bottom of the Bulk Products Display Wall

Dear Ingles Markets,

These drawers hold products that replace cups sold from the display shelf immediately above. They are easy to slide out, and counting the cups inside them is usually easier than counting cups in drawers under the self-service tubs. These drawers hold fewer cups.

A label on the front end of these drawers lists a recommended range of cups of that product to maintain in the drawer. Whenever the quantity drops below that range, cups of the product should be added.

Many of the drawers under the Scoop Bins hold two different products. In these instances, the front end of the drawer will have two labels. Each label will list a recommended quantity range of cups of that product to
maintain in that drawer.

Each label also gives the location code for adding products to the drawer. Normally, that location is one of the Scoop Bins or Gravity Dispensers above.

It is a simple system that conveniently stores appropriate quantities of backup products to replenish the display shelf above.

This system could serve all Ingles Markets’ Bulk Product sections very well.

LINKS TO INGLES MARKETS UPGRADE NOTES

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Mar 19

AT A GLANCE (D) (Note #10 on “Ingles Upgrades”)

By Graham Rouse in Uncategorized

_.Rouse Back-Up Drawers under the self-service tubs of the Bulk Products Display Floor.

Dear Ingles Markets,

Rouse Back-Up Drawers slide out easily to allow a quick count of under-counter inventory. Combine that count with the number from the matching product tub above. When the total is less than or equal to the reorder number on the label, order a new case of products. (The reorder number is on the right end of the label’s second line).

It is simple and convenient.

It is a system that can benefit all Ingles Bulk Product operations.

LINKS TO INGLES MARKETS UPGRADE NOTES

Feb 18

AT A GLANCE (C) — (Note #9 on “Ingles Upgrades”)

By Graham Rouse in Uncategorized

Rouse Tools make it easier to determine inventory in self-service tubs.

Dear Ingles Markets,

The Rouse Dipstick and Tag circled on the cover of this note are tools for quickly and easily determining the approximate number of 16-ounce cups of product in a self-service tub.

The tag on the hinge of the tub’s lid comes from the same roll of Ingles tags that customers use to record the PLU of the product they plan to purchase. I mark the tag with one horizontal line for each level of false bottom used in that tub. One glance at those lines gives me a rough idea of the inventory in the tub.

The lines on the dipstick give a more accurate measure.

I combine the estimate from the tub with an inventory count in the associated Backup Drawer (“BUD”). If the total is equal to or less than my pre-established reference number, I will order a new item case.

The reference number is printed on the front end of the BUD and alongside this item on the master spreadsheet I carry and display on my electronic tablet. ( Others might display their spreadsheet on a laptop computer, smart phone or even a paper print out.)

This system makes it quick and easy to determine when to reorder.

LINKS TO INGLES MARKETS UPGRADE NOTES

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Jan 29

AT A GLANCE (B) — (Note #8 on “Ingles Upgrades”)

By Graham Rouse in Ingles Bulk Products, Ingles Markets, RouseTECH Solutions

Rouse Scoop Bin markings make it easier to determine product inventory and needs.

Dear Ingles Markets,

The cover of this note shows a second example of a marking system I created to make it easier and faster to assess bulk product needs.

(1) Each Scoop Bin Dispenser has a horizontal strip of black tape on the left side. The placement varies by product. When the product level drops below that line, then there is room to accept a new case of products.

(2) Each Scoop Bin Dispenser has a white vertical strip on its left side. Numbered arrows mark how many 16-ounce cups of products are needed to reach that level.

It only takes a glance to determine the actual inventory and to learn if there is room to hold another case of products when ordered.

All Bulk Product sections can benefit from implementing something similar to my system.

LINKS TO INGLES MARKETS UPGRADE NOTES

Jan 24

AT A GLANCE (A) — (Note #7 on “Ingles Upgrades”)

By Graham Rouse in Ingles Bulk Products, Ingles Markets, RouseTECH Solutions

Rouse Gravity Dispenser markings make it easier to determine product inventory and needs.

Dear Ingles Markets,

I created valuable marking systems at Ingles #53. They make it easier and faster to assess product needs. One example is on the cover of this note.

(1) Each Gravity Dispenser has a horizontal strip of black tape on the left side. The placement varies by product. When the product level drops below that line, then there is room to accept a new case of products
.
(2) Each Gravity Dispenser has a white vertical strip on its left side. Numbered arrows mark how many 16-ounce cups of products are needed to reach that level.

It only takes a glance to determine the actual inventory and to learn if there is room to hold another case of products when ordered.

All Bulk Product sections can benefit from implementing something similar to my system.

LINKS TO INGLES MARKETS UPGRADE NOTES

Jan 24

MOBILE WORK STATION — (Note #6 on “Ingles Upgrades”)

By Graham Rouse in Ingles Bulk Products, Ingles Markets, RouseTECH Solutions

This Rouse Custom Mobile Work Station makes managing bulk products easier and faster.

Dear Ingles Markets,

My Rouse Mobile Work Station has made managing bulk products easier and faster for me for years.

I made this version from an old BiLo cart, a corrugated plastic sheet, cardboard box scraps, and tape. It works well, but we will do better with a standard Ingles cart customized to my specifications.

The top layer includes a compartment at the far end for false bottom components and other accessories, a dispenser for cup lids, twin dispensers for rolls of labels, a dispenser for 16 oz cups, and an open work area at the near end.

The second layer houses extra lids and supplies.

The bottom layer holds extra cups and additional supplies.

It is a huge help to have all these components for working bulk products well organized and readily available while operating behind the counter, on the floor, and during the many trips back and forth.

LINKS TO INGLES MARKETS UPGRADE NOTES

Jan 24

ONLINE SPREADSHEET — (Note #5 on “Ingles Upgrades”)

By Graham Rouse in Ingles Bulk Products, Ingles Markets, RouseTECH Solutions

This sample output from a Rouse Spreadsheet lists Bulk Products to be ordered.

Dear Ingles Markets,

It can be time-consuming and confusing to check inventory and order bulk products several times a week. There are 90 bulk products in 88 self-service dispensers, 79 display columns of cups, and 90 plus Back-Up Drawers.

I devised a web-based spreadsheet to manage these tasks efficiently. It works on smartphones, tablets, and portable computers. The spreadsheet’s labels coordinate with markings at each product location, making it easier to find products and assess needs quickly.

An order list is extracted from the spreadsheet and sent by text to the person ordering for the department.

Once implemented system-wide, there is a potential bonus. Valuable local information could be easily collected centrally, analyzed, and used to facilitate corporate planning and management of bulk products.

Come check it out.

LINKS TO INGLES MARKETS UPGRADE NOTES

Jan 23

FALSE BOTTOMS — (Note #4 on “Ingles Upgrades”)

By Graham Rouse in Ingles Bulk Products, Ingles Markets, RouseTECH Solutions

The Rouse System of False Bottoms for Tub Dispensers can achieve this Bulk Products Wall Display’s Ease of Access and Full Appearance.

Dear Ingles Markets,

Ingles Markets uses many displays that both
(1) Maximize ease of access for customers and
(2) Maintain the appearance of fullness even when inventory is low.

There are 40 bulk product dispensers in the wall display on the cover of this note. They meet this standard.

The 48 tub dispensers in the associated floor cabinets do not. Each sale from the tubs reduces the ease of access and product visibility.

I devised a simple system of false bottoms for tub displays. My five-level system facilitates the ease of customer access and maintains the appearance of being filled within a couple of inches of the top.

It is one of my innovations that can contribute to a more attractive, efficient, and profitable bulk product business throughout Ingles. …. Come check it out.

LINKS TO INGLES MARKETS UPGRADE NOTES

QUICK LOAD (2) (Note #13 on “Ingles Upgrades”)

QUICK LOAD (1) (Note #12 on “Ingles Upgrades”)

AT A GLANCE (E) (Note #11 on “Ingles Upgrades”)

AT A GLANCE (D) (Note #10 on “Ingles Upgrades”)

AT A GLANCE (C) — (Note #9 on “Ingles Upgrades”)

AT A GLANCE (B) — (Note #8 on “Ingles Upgrades”)

AT A GLANCE (A) — (Note #7 on “Ingles Upgrades”)

MOBILE WORK STATION — (Note #6 on “Ingles Upgrades”)

ONLINE SPREADSHEET — (Note #5 on “Ingles Upgrades”)

FALSE BOTTOMS — (Note #4 on “Ingles Upgrades”)

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