Synapse Wireless Case Studies ULINE's Smart Lighting Solution: Enhancing Efficiency and Impacting Bottom Line

Edit This Case Study Record

	ULINE's Smart Lighting Solution: Enhancing Efficiency and Impacting Bottom Line Synapse Wireless

ULINE's Smart Lighting Solution: Enhancing Efficiency and Impacting Bottom Line

Synapse Wireless

Technology Category	Networks & Connectivity - WiFi Sensors - Optical Sensors
Applicable Industries	Buildings Packaging
Applicable Functions	Facility Management Procurement
Use Cases	Building Automation & Control Smart Lighting
Services	System Integration
Challenge	Uline, a leading distributor of shipping and packaging solutions in North America, was facing a challenge with its lighting system. The company, known for its customer service, order accuracy, quick delivery, and low prices, needed its facilities to operate at peak efficiency. This included the 3,014 lights in its 800,000 square foot facility in Lacey, Washington. The company's Director of Engineering, Mike McConnell, was tasked with finding efficiency in every corner of the facility, including optimizing light to improve both operational and financial performance. The company had identified a luminaire that fit their needs, but struggled to find a reliable lighting controls provider that could deliver a solution at this scale to meet stringent energy codes and zoning requirements. The lights in the entire facility had to operate as a single system with one interface, adjust to natural lights from the skylights for daylight harvesting, and work with Uline’s existing IT systems. Other providers offered a mix of wired and wireless systems that were complex, hard to install and maintain, and couldn't scale to meet the size of the facility. Read More
About Customer	Uline is a family-owned business that has been the leading distributor of shipping and packaging solutions to businesses throughout North America for over 40 years. The company has built its brand on customer service, order accuracy, quick delivery, and low prices. With a robust, 800-page catalog and over 38,000 products, Uline operates an 800,000 square foot facility in Lacey, Washington. The facility houses thousands of individual luminaires and operates at peak efficiency, distributing several tons of product to customers on a daily basis. Read More
Customer Name	Uline Read More
Solution	Synapse provided a smart lighting solution that met Uline’s logistical needs and impacted their bottom line. The solution involved the installation of 3,014 high-bay luminaires at the Uline facility, integrated with Synapse’s SimplySnap wireless controls. SimplySnap is a scalable wireless platform that can manage multiple locations and single sites up to 10,000 lights. It allowed Uline to set up, control, monitor, and manage every light from a single user interface that integrates with Uline’s existing building management system (BMS). The high-bay lights respond instantly without delay and are optimized through SimplySnap’s precision controls and scheduling to respond to the natural lights from the warehouse’s skylights and enable daylight harvesting. The SimplySnap lighting solution comprises software and hardware components that are adaptable to multiple applications, providing reliable connectivity and control. The intuitive control and interface allowed for the creation of custom settings and schedules, maximizing Uline’s savings while giving them complete control of each light, bank, and zone. Read More Log in to view content
Contents

Technology Category

Networks & Connectivity - WiFi

Sensors - Optical Sensors

Applicable Industries

Buildings

Packaging

Applicable Functions

Facility Management

Procurement

Use Cases

Building Automation & Control

Smart Lighting

Services

System Integration

Challenge

Uline, a leading distributor of shipping and packaging solutions in North America, was facing a challenge with its lighting system. The company, known for its customer service, order accuracy, quick delivery, and low prices, needed its facilities to operate at peak efficiency. This included the 3,014 lights in its 800,000 square foot facility in Lacey, Washington. The company's Director of Engineering, Mike McConnell, was tasked with finding efficiency in every corner of the facility, including optimizing light to improve both operational and financial performance. The company had identified a luminaire that fit their needs, but struggled to find a reliable lighting controls provider that could deliver a solution at this scale to meet stringent energy codes and zoning requirements. The lights in the entire facility had to operate as a single system with one interface, adjust to natural lights from the skylights for daylight harvesting, and work with Uline’s existing IT systems. Other providers offered a mix of wired and wireless systems that were complex, hard to install and maintain, and couldn't scale to meet the size of the facility.

About Customer

Uline is a family-owned business that has been the leading distributor of shipping and packaging solutions to businesses throughout North America for over 40 years. The company has built its brand on customer service, order accuracy, quick delivery, and low prices. With a robust, 800-page catalog and over 38,000 products, Uline operates an 800,000 square foot facility in Lacey, Washington. The facility houses thousands of individual luminaires and operates at peak efficiency, distributing several tons of product to customers on a daily basis.

Customer Name

Uline

Solution

Synapse provided a smart lighting solution that met Uline’s logistical needs and impacted their bottom line. The solution involved the installation of 3,014 high-bay luminaires at the Uline facility, integrated with Synapse’s SimplySnap wireless controls. SimplySnap is a scalable wireless platform that can manage multiple locations and single sites up to 10,000 lights. It allowed Uline to set up, control, monitor, and manage every light from a single user interface that integrates with Uline’s existing building management system (BMS). The high-bay lights respond instantly without delay and are optimized through SimplySnap’s precision controls and scheduling to respond to the natural lights from the warehouse’s skylights and enable daylight harvesting. The SimplySnap lighting solution comprises software and hardware components that are adaptable to multiple applications, providing reliable connectivity and control. The intuitive control and interface allowed for the creation of custom settings and schedules, maximizing Uline’s savings while giving them complete control of each light, bank, and zone.

Impact #1	The SimplySnap solution provided by Synapse was a game-changer for Uline. It not only met all of Uline’s needs but also exceeded their expectations. The solution was cost-effective, energy-efficient, and simple to use. It provided a well-lit, optimal working environment for employees, enhancing their productivity. The system was so effective that it was chosen as the standard system for all of Uline’s future deployments, including parking lots, signage, and building lighting. Moreover, the solution also met the stringent Washington State Energy Codes, demonstrating its compliance with regulatory requirements. The success of the SimplySnap solution is a testament to the power of smart lighting in improving operational efficiency and financial performance.

Impact #1

The SimplySnap solution provided by Synapse was a game-changer for Uline. It not only met all of Uline’s needs but also exceeded their expectations. The solution was cost-effective, energy-efficient, and simple to use. It provided a well-lit, optimal working environment for employees, enhancing their productivity. The system was so effective that it was chosen as the standard system for all of Uline’s future deployments, including parking lots, signage, and building lighting. Moreover, the solution also met the stringent Washington State Energy Codes, demonstrating its compliance with regulatory requirements. The success of the SimplySnap solution is a testament to the power of smart lighting in improving operational efficiency and financial performance.

Benefit #1	Reduced energy use by 28% by implementing scheduling and controls strategies.
Benefit #2	Met the stringent energy codes required by the state of Washington.
Benefit #3	Successfully integrated with existing BMS system.

Benefit #1

Reduced energy use by 28% by implementing scheduling and controls strategies.

Benefit #2

Met the stringent energy codes required by the state of Washington.

Benefit #3

Successfully integrated with existing BMS system.

Download PDF Version

Overview

ULINE's Smart Lighting Solution: Enhancing Efficiency and Impacting Bottom Line

Operational Impact

Quantitative Benefit