In the high-velocity world of modern distribution, the "last mile" is often the most critical. For companies managing massive inventories, the ability to provide 24/7 autonomous pickup options is no longer a luxury—it is a competitive necessity. By integrating K*Track, the Advanced Package Tracking solution from FDC Solutions with the Meridian Smart Locker, independently-owned Caterpillar dealers like Carter Machinery are transforming how they deliver value to their customers.
This integration is a complement to traditional parts counters and offers a modernized, autonomous fulfillment model that minimizes downtime and optimizes labor.
Watch this video to learn more about how Carter Machinery is using K*Track and Meridian Smart Locker to help customers spend less time waiting for parts and more time on the job.
The Back-End Engine: WMSv2
While the customer interaction happens at the locker, the process begins in the warehouse. WMSv2 from FDC Solutions provides the robust software architecture needed to manage complex inventory environments.
Real-Time Data Sync. WMSv2 mirrors inventory levels and order statuses across the enterprise instantaneously, ensuring the data in the warehouse matches the data in the front office.
Traceability. It offers granular point-to-point tracking, allowing managers to monitor parts from initial receipt through the picking and packing stages.
Platform Flexibility. Designed as a browser-based application, it can be deployed on modern cloud architecture or existing on-premise servers, providing maximum IT flexibility.
The Interface Bridge: K*Track Advanced Package Tracking
The true "connective tissue" between the warehouse and the automated locker is K*Track, designed specifically for visibility and accountability during the handoff.
Integrated Locker Handoff. K*Track manages the interface with the Meridian Smart Locker, providing real-time visibility into the status and location of orders.
Versatile Delivery Scenarios. Beyond lockers, K*Track supports route deliveries, shop order pickups/deliveries, and jobsite deliveries, ensuring a consistent tracking experience across all channels.
Accountability Tools. To eliminate disputes, K*Track utilizes digital signature and image capture, storing an electronic audit trail of exactly when and where an item was staged.
Offline Connectivity. K*Track's companion mobile app with a "disconnected mode" ensures that tracking data is captured even in remote areas without a cellular signal, syncing automatically once the device is back online.
Proactive Communication: Event-Triggered Notification
An intelligent messaging engine developed by FDC Solutions bridges the gap between parts staging by warehouse personnel and parts pick-up by customers.
- Automated Alerts. Locating a package to a locker automatically triggers a text message or email notification.
- Actionable Data. Messages can contain unique access codes or QR codes, allowing the customer to quickly retrieve their items without any staff intervention.
- Multi-Condition Logic. Notifications can be customized based on specific events, such as notifying different teams depending on which branch or drop box is utilized.
The Physical Handoff: Meridian Smart Locker
The final link in this chain is the Meridian Smart Locker, a secure, modular storage solution built for industrial environments.
24/7 Accessibility. These heavy-duty steel units allow customers to retrieve parts "after hours or before dawn," providing an essential advantage for crews who need to be on the job site before a standard business day begins.
Intuitive Interface. A touchscreen kiosk serves as the command center, where customers can authenticate themselves via QR codes, PINs, or RFID cards.
Modular Design. The lockers can be configured with varying compartment sizes to accommodate everything from small electronics to large industrial components.
Synchronized Workflow: Picking to Retrieval
The value of this integrated system is most apparent in the fluidity of the workflow:
Picking. WMSv2 guides the warehouse team through efficient picking and packing.
Staging. The staff uses K*Track to scan the items into a specific locker compartment. This is the moment the digital system confirms the physical location for the customer.
Notification. K*Track instantly sends the customer their unique credentials.
Retrieval. The customer approaches the 24/7 locker at their convenience, enters their code, and the door automatically opens—completing the transaction in seconds.
Transforming the Customer Experience
By allowing customers to pick up parts "even if it is after hours or before dawn," Carter Machinery provides its customers with the ultimate competitive advantage: time. Technicians can pick up parts on their way to a job site at 4:00 AM, ensuring that the machine is operational before the standard workday even begins. This removes the need for field crews to leave job sites early just to beat the parts counter’s closing time, thereby increasing the overall productivity at the job site.