Newcastle Systems has introduced two new products that help users move their workstations through the aisles of a warehouse or distribution center. The company's mobile powered workstation carts are set up to run computers, printers, scales, bar-code scanners, and other electronic hardware.

Newcastle's new Power Swap System allows users of its NB Series Mobile Powered Workstations to switch out a depleted battery with a fully charged one in only 30 seconds. The spent unit is then recharged at a standard wall outlet.

For warehouses that already have their own carts and wish to create their own powered workstation, Newcastle can now provide them with just its cordless AC power unit, the PowerPack Series Portable Power System.

Mobile workstations are most commonly used for mobile on-demand label printing with the carts transporting and powering the needed laptop, bar-code printer, scanner, and other hardware. While there are also handheld printers that can create on-demand labels, these smaller printers are often not able to handle the high volume or larger label sizes an operation might need. These workstations allow companies to make their larger printers mobile.

Mobile workstations are also useful for inventory management applications as they allow users to view their enterprise resource planning or warehouse management system while out on the warehouse floor. These types of systems are often easier to view on a full screen as opposed to a handheld, says Christine Wheeler, marketing director of Newcastle Systems.