Project Overview

The School District Warehouse aimed to modernize its operations by improving its label printing system. The warehouse invested in a Zebra industrial label printer to streamline workflow, but the existing manual process was slow, repetitive, and inefficient. Staff had to copy and paste data across multiple spreadsheets and manually edit labels, leading to wasted time and errors.

To solve this, I developed and deployed YellowLabels, a web-based label printing application that automated the entire process. The new system reduced label creation time from 5 minutes to just 20 seconds per item while improving accuracy and efficiency. It automated data retrieval, seamlessly integrated with the Zebra printer, and provided a centralized, easy-to-use interface for warehouse staff.

The Challenge

Before YellowLabels, warehouse staff relied on a complex, multi-step process to print labels:

• Maintaining two separate spreadsheets (Receiving Log & Item List)
• Manually copying and pasting item details into a label template
• Generating barcodes one by one using Zebra Label Designer
• Searching for fact sheets manually in office files
• Manually updating logs after printing labels

This process took 4-5 minutes per label and involved 15 steps, leading to frustration, inefficiencies, and inconsistent labels.

The Solution

After analyzing the workflow, I designed and built a fully digital and automated web application using:

• Node.js & Express.js (Backend)
• React.js (Frontend)
• MongoDB Atlas (Cloud Database)
• AJAX (Real-time search functionality)
• Heroku (Hosting)

Key Features & Enhancements

• Instant Item Search – Staff can search by item code or description, with results updating instantly.
• One-Click Label Printing – Staff select an item, enter the expiry date, and print—no manual template editing needed.
• Automated Receiving Log Updates – The system logs all printed labels automatically, eliminating manual data entry.
• Fact-Sheet Integration – Each item includes a direct link to its fact sheet, reducing unnecessary searches.
• Role-Based Access Control – Staff access features based on their permission level (e.g., warehouse clerks vs. receiving clerks).
• Custom Domain Access – Hosted at YellowLabels.org for quick access within the warehouse.

The Results

• 90% Faster Processing – Reduced label printing time from 5 minutes to 20 seconds and from 15 steps to just 3.
• Standardized & Error-Free Labels – Eliminated mistakes caused by manual entry.
• Cost-Effective – Runs at just $110 per year, delivering high efficiency at minimal expense.
• Increased Productivity – Staff spend less time on repetitive tasks and more time on critical operations.

Testimonial

"I never thought this process could be made so easy—it's as simple as it gets! We truly appreciate your talent and dedication in supporting us."