One of the world’s largest wine producers operates a vast distribution network that moves millions of cases of wine annually from production facilities to retailers, restaurants, and distributors across the United States and beyond. Managing that volume with precision — directing forklift operators to the right pick, loading box cars to maximize available space, feeding bottling lines without interruption, and running it all through SAP Extended Warehouse Management (SAP EWM) — demands a forklift computer built for long-term reliability, campus-wide wireless coverage, and a bright, always-readable display. The JLT1214P delivers on all of it.
The Challenge of Scale in Beverage Warehousing
Wine distribution warehouses operate under conditions that challenge standard computing equipment on multiple fronts. Temperature variance is a constant factor — wine storage requirements mean that cellars and cooled zones must maintain precise conditions, while dock areas and dry storage fluctuate significantly with seasonal weather. Forklift operators transition between these zones throughout their shifts, exposing mounted terminals to rapid temperature and humidity changes that cause condensation on standard screens and accelerate component wear.
At production scale, a winery’s warehouse processes an enormous diversity of SKUs — different varietals, vintages, bottle formats, pack configurations, and regulatory label requirements — all moving simultaneously through inbound, storage, pick, and outbound workflows. The accuracy of real-time WMS data depends entirely on forklift terminals maintaining reliable connections throughout every pick cycle. A dropped terminal session or a screen that fogs when moving from cooler to dock doesn’t just cause inconvenience — it breaks the audit trail that traceability and compliance depend on.
WHY THIS WINERY CHOSE JLT
The selection of the JLT1214P was driven by a combination of hardware capability and a partnership model that goes beyond the device itself. The company needed a terminal that could operate reliably across a very large campus, run demanding SAP EWM applications without compromise, and remain in service for the long term — avoiding the disruption and cost of frequent refresh cycles. JLT’s proven lifecycle longevity made that commitment credible.
Screen brightness was a decisive factor in the evaluation. Forklift operators work across indoor warehouse aisles, staging areas, and dock environments where ambient lighting varies significantly. The JLT1214P’s high-brightness display ensures the screen is clearly readable in all conditions — reducing errors and keeping operators moving at full throughput regardless of where they are on the campus.
Wireless performance across a very large campus was equally important. Large winery distribution campuses present challenging RF environments — expansive building footprints, mixed construction materials, and significant distances between access points. The JLT1214P’s wireless performance maintained the stable, persistent SAP EWM connectivity the operation depends on throughout the facility, without dropped sessions or dead zones that force operators to stop and re-authenticate.
“JLT’s expertise in consulting and developing locked-down device images means our computers are used only for the purpose they were intended — protecting our SAP EWM workflows and keeping operators focused on the task at hand.” -Logistics Operations
CUSTOMIZATION THAT FITS THE OPERATIONOff-the-shelf hardware rarely fits the exact physical requirements of a large, complex winery distribution environment. JLT worked with the company to deliver meaningful hardware customizations that made the JLT1214P integrate cleanly into its workflows. Quick-disconnect cables simplify terminal swaps and reduce connector wear in high-cycle forklift environments. Pedestals configured for wrapping stations give operators a fixed, ergonomically positioned terminal exactly where they need it. Beyond hardware, JLT’s expertise in consulting and developing locked-down device images ensures that each terminal runs only the software it’s supposed to run. This protects the integrity of the SAP EWM environment, prevents unauthorized use, and eliminates the support burden of managing general-purpose devices in an industrial setting where OS stability and application consistency are critical to throughput.
| SAP EWM
FULLY SUPPORTED APPLICATION |
7yr+
PROVEN DEVICE LIFECYCLE |
Large
CAMPUS-WIDE WI-FI COVERAGE |
WHERE THE JLT1214P IS DEPLOYED
The JLT1214P is deployed across three primary forklift workflows within the winery’s distribution operation, each placing distinct demands on the device’s performance and connectivity.
| 🍷 PICK DIRECTING & BOX CAR LOADING
A custom application on the JLT1214P directs forklift operators to the correct product to pick and instructs them precisely how to load product into box cars to take maximum advantage of available space — eliminating guesswork and optimizing outbound load efficiency. |
🏭 LINE FEED TO BOTTLING STATIONS
Forklift operators use the JLT1214P to manage line feed to active bottling stations and staging areas, ensuring continuous supply to high-speed production lines without interruption or mis-sequencing. |
| 📦 FINISHED GOODS STORAGE & TRACKING
Loading and tracking product movement to finished goods storage locations is managed through the JLT1214P, giving the warehouse real-time inventory visibility and maintaining the accuracy of location data throughout the SAP EWM system. |
🔧 WRAPPING STATIONS (PEDESTAL MOUNT)
At wrapping stations, JLT1214P units are deployed on custom pedestals with quick-disconnect cables — integrating the terminal directly into the wrapping workflow with a fixed, purpose-built installation that holds up to continuous daily use. |
LONG-TERM VALUE THROUGH LIFECYCLE LONGEVITY
The winery’s business model calls for hardware that delivers a long service life — avoiding the operational disruption and capital expenditure of frequent device refresh cycles. JLT’s track record of supporting devices well beyond typical enterprise hardware cycles made the JLT1214P the right choice for an operation that demands consistency and stability from its technology investments.