Case Study: Thorlabs achieves 10% boost in same-day shipping accuracy and near-zero errors with RF-SMART

Thorlabs - Customer Case Study

Thorlabs, a global designer and manufacturer of photonics equipment headquartered in Newton, New Jersey, needed to reduce costly shipping errors across more than 12,000 similar SKUs, improve same‑day shipping accuracy, and advance LEAN automation without disrupting their existing Microsoft Dynamics AX ERP. To meet these goals they evaluated and selected RF-SMART’s automated data collection solution to tighten inventory controls and eliminate manual paper processes.

RF-SMART implemented its data‑collection solution integrated with Microsoft Dynamics AX at Thorlabs’ Newton and Munich facilities, revamping pick-and-pack workflows and extending Dynamics AX warehouse functionality. The result: a 10% increase in same‑day shipping accuracy toward a zero‑error goal, the lowest year‑end inventory adjustment ever (0.3%), reduced inventory on hand, fewer new‑user errors, eliminated paperwork for picking/packing, and much greater supply‑chain visibility — measurable gains driven by RF-SMART’s implementation.

Thorlabs

Sam Rubin

Senior Operations Manager