One of the largest independent Coca-Cola bottlers in the United States produces, sells, and distributes Coca-Cola and other beverages — more than 300 brands — across parts of the USA and other global regions. When sustained territorial expansion placed new demands on warehouse inventory systems, the company turned to JLT Mobile Computers. What began as a large-scale deployment of the JLT1214N forklift computer evolved into a full platform transition to Android as the company modernized its warehouse computing environment. It is a partnership that has been running since 2011 and continues to grow. It is a partnership that has been running since 2011 and continues to grow.
Phase one: JLT1214N deployed to support rapid territorial expansion
In 2017, the company began receiving more than 300 JLT1214N forklift computers as part of a major expansion into new franchise territories across Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Oregon, Washington, and northern Idaho — including distribution centers serving Albuquerque, Denver, Phoenix, Portland, Seattle, Spokane, and Tucson. The delivery rolled out through 2017 and into early 2018 in step with the expansion.
The driver was clear: rapid growth had required improving the company’s inventory system in its warehouse operations. The JLT1214N — JLT’s latest-generation logistics computer at the time — was selected for its leading reliability and performance in demanding warehouse environments. Built on a 64-bit Intel quad-core processor with custom dual-diversity antennas engineered for reliable Wi-Fi in poor-coverage environments, the JLT1214N delivered the persistent WMS connectivity and hardware durability that a large-scale, multi-state beverage distribution operation demands.
“We have used forklift computers from JLT since 2011 and the results and customer service have exceeded expectations. JLT been extremely helpful in has been extremely helpful in our continued growth, which has required improving our inventory systems in our warehouse operations.”
Phase two: transitioning from Windows to Android
As the company’s warehouse operations continued to mature and its technology roadmap evolved, the decision was made to move to an Android environment. The Windows platform that had underpinned the JLT1214N deployment had reached end of life, and the business required a modern, Android-based operating system that would integrate with next-generation WMS platforms, reduce operator training time, and provide a more intuitive, smartphone-familiar user experience for warehouse staff.
| PLATFORM EVOLUTION · WINDOWS → ANDROID
Part of JLT’s success with this customer was managing and delivering the transition from Windows to Android. The Android platform met the company’s evolving needs, and JLT’s Android build provided the stability and security required for a production warehouse environment — giving the operator the familiar feel of a modern Android device without sacrificing the enterprise-grade control and lockdown that mission-critical forklift operations demand. |
The new Android platform was the natural successor: running Android 12 on a purpose-built 12-inch rugged vehicle-mount form factor, it brought the intuitive usability of a modern Android operating system to the same demanding warehouse environments the JLT1214N had served. JLT’s expertise in developing locked-down Android images ensured the transition was controlled — terminals were configured to run only their intended warehouse applications, protecting WMS workflow integrity across a distributed fleet of hundreds of units spanning multiple states.
What JLT brings to the Android
The Android platform delivers Android 12 in a purpose-built 12-inch vehicle-mount form factor engineered from the ground up for demanding logistics environments.
- JLT PowerTouch™ technology: Makes the display fully operational with gloves and in wet conditions — critical for workers handling chilled and refrigerated beverage products across the company’s diverse facility footprint.
- Isolated power supply: The integrated 9-72V wide-range isolated power supply eliminates the need for external adapters across the mixed fleet.
- Advanced connectivity: Wi-Fi 6E provides the next generation of wireless bandwidth and stability for growing WMS workloads.
The transition from the JLT1214N to the Android platform represents not a change in vendor or direction, but a maturation of a long-standing partnership — from Windows to Android, from one proven JLT platform to the next, without interrupting the inventory accuracy and operational continuity that the distribution network depends on.