Imaging Moves Into the Mainstream
Why 2D Imagers are Surpassing Laser Scanners for Bar Code Applications
Misperceptions about 2D imagers are changing fast, which is why 2D imagers are the fastest-growing category of bar code readers. Only a few years ago 2D imagers were (wrongly) considered a niche technology mostly used for reading 2D bar codes. Now they are becoming the technology of choice for most bar code applications, and lasers are on the way to becoming a niche technology. The reasons: 2D imagers are as fast or faster than laser scanners, can read all the same bar codes as lasers plus 2D symbols that lasers can’t, and can do much more.
Not only can 2D imagers read more bar codes than lasers – including QR Codes, Data Matrix and other popular 2D symbols – they can also do more than read bar codes. Imagers can take digital pictures, shoot video, capture customer signatures, scan documents and even process the scanned data. These capabilities, which are outlined in the graphic below, enable new business processes that are not possible with older-generation technology. In an era where workers are tasked with doing more – collecting more information, providing more documentation, being more productive, etc. – 2D imagers provide more flexibility.
2D imaging technology gives businesses the two things they need most from their bar code readers: outstanding performance in today’s applications, and investment protection to meet future needs. This white paper is a guide to 2D bar code imaging technology, including an overview of capabilities and how 2D imagers perform in traditional applications, the beneficial new business processes that imaging enables, and the advantages 2D imaging provides compared to laser scanners.
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Made for Mobility: The Unitech PA690 Handheld Computer
Enable you mobile workforce in any application!
The Unitech PA690 is a rugged outside-the-four-walls device designed to empower your mobile workforce in today’s competitive business environment. With multiple data collection options and a comprehensive wireless platform, the PA690 is mobility at its best.
The Industry’s Fastest Mid-Range Industrial Label Printers – Intermec PM43 and PM43C
Intermec Strengthens Printer Portfolio with Industry’s Fastest Mid-Range Industrial Label Printers
Intermec, Inc just released their new PM43 and PM43c industrial mid-range label printers, featuring the fastest throughput in their class. Suited for harsh industrial environments including transportation, manufacturing and distribution centers, the metal-constructed PM43 and more compact PM43c printers are built to perform by increasing uptime and reducing maintenance costs.
Built on more than 40 years of printing innovation history, the PM43 and PM43c mark the newest additions to Intermec’s industry leading line of rugged industrial printers. The printers offer the ultimate in reliable and intuitive communication options with a unique full color touch-screen, featuring a choice of 10 languages or easy to use universal icons, and a multi-lingual intuitive web-based user interface. The printers also reduce IT support needs with integrated device management, allowing the printers to be monitored from anywhere in the world via Intermec handheld computers, laptops, smart phones or tablet computers using WiFi or Ethernet connection.
Honeywell Announces the New Optimus 5900 RFID Mobile Computer
The New Optimus 5900 RFID Mobile Computer
The Optimus 5900 RFID is a versatile, light industrial mobile computer designed to deliver the benefits of radio frequency identification (RFID) and automated data collection for retail and supply chain enterprises. Providing quick and accurate reading of EPC Gen2 and ISO 18000-6B RFID tags, the Optimus 5900 RFID improves visibility of item-level inventory, helping retailers reduce item out of stocks and merchandise shrink, leading to increased sales and reduced operating costs. The benefits of RFID-based inventory management also extend to warehousing and distribution operations, offering fast and accurate tracking of products from delivery to point of sale.
The lightweight yet rugged mobile computer features an ergonomic form factor for ease of use over an extended period of time and comes complete with a crisp 3.5-inch screen, resistive touch panel and 28-key keyboard for accurate data entry. Integrated Adaptus Imaging Technology 5.0 provides advanced image-based data capture capabilities, allowing workers to perform all inventory management and mobile computing tasks on a single device.
Putting the Unitech HT630 to Work
Mobile computers can help increase the efficiency and accuracy of any process, from asset management to attendance tracking.
The Unitech HT630 was designed to meet the demands of a wide range of applications in a compact, rugged device. Â Â It offers high performance and flexible functionality at an affordable price. Â With an integrated laser or CCD barcode scanner, it supports all common 1D barcode symbologies. Its multiple memory configurations ensure support for the most resource intensive data capture applications.
Automating Your Field Force : Functionality – Six Final Questions
Functionality – Six Final Questions
In previous parts in this series, we’ve discussed how to decide whether or not to automate your field force, how to choose between consumer-grade and  rugged devices, and how to select the best mobile form factors for your deployment.
To conclude the series, what follows are six key questions you need to answer in order to conclude the decision-making process regarding a mobile deployment.
QUESTION 1 -Â OPERATING SYSTEM
Does your mobile solution need to run on Windows XP or Windows 7, or can it run on Windows Mobile? Key considerations here include the back-end systems your mobile solution needs to tie into and the applications it needs to run — does it need to tie directly into your ERP system, for example? If you don’t consider this in advance, you could find yourself unable to connect to important systems, or unable to run a crucial application.
One Access Point, Infinite Possibilities with Motorola’s Revolutionary AP 8132
Innovative design redefines Wi-Fi access and delivers outstanding flexibility
Retailers looking to transform shopping into an exceptional experience and enhance productivity can now turn to the new AP 8132 from Motorola Solutions, Inc. The first-of-its-kind modular Wi-Fi access point (AP) combined with Motorola’s WiNG 5 technology delivers an outstanding quality experience for wireless users with smartphones and tablets. The AP 8132 can multi-task with modules that can be used for 24×7 spectrum monitoring for improved wireless security, an environmental sensor for efficient energy management, and an IP camera to enable video analytics for customer engagement. The AP 8132’s flexibility unleashes virtually unlimited possibilities and provides high-performance guest and staff access for retail, hospitality and other enterprises. When combined with Motorola’s NX Integrated Services Platform series, the AP 8132 offers a complete end-to-end solution that improves customer experiences, employee productivity and operational efficiency.
Automating Your Field Force : Form Factor
Form Factor
Once you’ve concluded that a rugged device is a better fit for your mobile deployment than a consumer-grade device, the next step is to choose the right form factor to fit your needs, whether a smartphone, tablet or laptop.
The key in doing so is to strike the right balance to support all required functionality. The first step as an enterprise is to evaluate all business processes on a task by task basis to understand how your workers do their jobs on a daily basis. It is critical to also insure that your workers provide direct feedback as part of this process.
Consider, for example, a police officer who needs a rugged device in their squad car – they’ll likely need a rugged laptop with a full keyboard, larger than the one available on most handhelds, in order to be able to type out extended reports while on the move.
CipherLab’s Latest CP30 Windows Mobile Computer Certified by RedBeam
CipherLab, a leading innovator in Automated Identification and Data Capture (AIDC) for the retail, warehouse, and distribution industries announced that it’s newest Windows Mobile terminal, the CP30, is certified for implementation with the RedBeam Suite of software applications.
RedBeam, Inc. is a leading provider of barcode and data collection software designed to make fixed asset tracking, inventory control, and check in check out processes more efficient.
Hundreds of organizations in virtually every industry use RedBeam to track fixed assets, inventory, parts and supplies – anything with a barcode label. Clients in manufacturing, warehousing, distribution, retail, military, government, education, and healthcare use RedBeam to reduce expenses and increase productivity. RedBeam’s fixed asset tracking, check in check out, and inventory control software products are powerful and ready-to-use right out of the box.
Made for Mobility: The CipherLab CP40 Series
Optimize mobile productivity anytime, anywhere
The CipherLab CP40Â and CP45 are enterprise mobile computers designed specifically for mobility.
Built to support your mobile workforce at the warehouse or in the field, the CP40 series mobile computers deliver an optimal combination of anywhere mobility and real-time data communication into a rugged PDA form factor. Handy yet feature-packed, the CP40 series accelerates productivity and boosts efficiency wherever you need it.
Wherever your business takes you, the CP40 series is up to the task!
