Future Proofing Your Mobile Computers
How the Features You Select Now Can Protect & Extend Your Investment Years into the Future
Rugged mobile computers deployed to warehouses, DCs and other transportation and distribution environments often aren’t used as long as expected, and as result cost the organization more than expected. Companies typically replace their DC computers after about 3 1/2 years, which is approximately seven months sooner than planned at the start of the deployment, according to a study. Rugged devices can actually last even longer, but are retired prematurely because the processors, software, communications data capture capabilities contained within the rugged housing are considered inefficient or obsolete.
Extending service life increases the value of mobile computers. When life cycles go down, so does the return on investment, and the total cost of ownership (TCO) goes up. The table below illustrates how changes in the replacement cycle impact the TCO for mobile computing deployments. It reflects how much the purchase price of a $3,000 rugged computer used in warehousing and distribution contributes to the annual and monthly TCO. Note that replacing mobile computers after 31/2 years instead of four (which is about the average intended life cycle) increases the annual TCO allocation by $107, or 14.2 percent.
Pioneer POS StealthTouchand Magnus Spill Tests
POS terminals are a key component that most businesses cannot afford to have go down. Consistent, optimum functionality is essential with deployment of all-in-one touchcomputers in environments such as restaurants, bars, kitchens, supermarkets, convenience stores, hospitals, laboratories, casinos, and manufacturing floors. Having the right terminal in place ensures business goes on as usual no matter what happens.
PioneerPOS designs all products with the end user in mind, taking into consideration the demands and rigors of various industry application. Not only are the StealthTouch and Magnus series of products rugged enough to withstand the harshest environments, these products are also spill resistant, as demonstrated in these videos.
Microscan to Showcase New Barcode and Machine Vision Products
Microscan will demonstrate its latest products, designed to ensure process traceability and increase throughput in clinical applications, in the company’s booth, #2537, at the AACC’s Clinical Lab Expo. The event, which is the largest clinical lab exposition in the world, takes place July 17-19, 2012, at the Los Angeles Convention Center, Los Angeles, CA
The premier global provider of embedded barcode scanners and imagers for clinical diagnostics applications, Microscan has 30+ years experience in both Auto ID and machine vision technologies. Known for its compact, high precision products, Microscan will display fixed mount and handheld barcode readers for 1D and 2D barcodes, as well as machine vision systems for automated inspection applications.
Smart Printers. Smart Investment.
People generally relate to industrial printers as they do to their desktop printers. It’s a “dumb†device that prints whatever a computer sends it. As long as it does that well and keeps working, people really don’t think too much about it.
Bar code printers have generally fallen into the same “dumb†and reliable category, but are also rugged and fast at producing labels.
However, there is a different type of industrial-strength printer that’s in a class by itself. It has the same characteristics as other bar code printers—rugged, fast, and reliable—but these printers are “smart.†Smart printers have built-in intelligence that enables them to perform a wide variety of operations that normal printers cannot.
First, smart printers do not require a computer to be able to produce labels. The immediate benefits are you save the cost of a computer dedicated to controlling the printer and you save space by reducing the number of devices needed to perform operations. Smart printers’ intelligence also allows them to actually run processes and devices. Smart printers can act as programmable logic controllers (PLC) to run other devices in production applications.
Smart printers are not new; they have been manufactured for over a decade. The latest generation delivers even more capability than before, adding advanced bar code printing capabilities, errorproofing, the ability to print directly from ERP systems via XML data, and RFID labeling and data management capabilities.
Pioneer POS S-Line Now Certified by Biztracker POS
Pioneer POS, announced that the Pioneer POS Stealth S-Line with built in Epson printer has been approved for use with Biztracker POS hospitality software.
Michael Flores, Business Development Director at Pioneer POS said that “Pioneer POS is excited to announce the certification of our S-Line all-in-one terminal with built in Epson printer for use with Biztracker POS softwareâ€. Michael also added that, “Both Biztracker and Pioneer POS offer state-of-the-art POS solutions. With a solid position in POS markets, our customers can trust they are getting quality from companies that have a solid track record with reliability.
The Common Sense Case: Why Thermal Trumps Laser for Label Printing
“When you’re finished changing, you’re finished,†said Benjamin Franklin, a printer and purveyor of common sense. This paper, makes the common-sense case for using thermal printers in label applications. In fact, the advantages of thermal over laser are so compelling that the only reason to continue using laser printers for labeling must be habit. Before enumerating the advantages of thermal printing technology over laser, it will be useful to consider the use of laser printers for labeling.
Laser Printing Labeling: History and Concerns
Laser printers have long been used in label printing applications, chiefly because a base of laser printers are usually already installed—primarily for forms, letters, and other narrative communications and documentation. Their multi-function capability made it relatively easy to adopt the laser printer hardware for printing labels. Since adoption was easy, a thorough examination of the technology’s appropriateness was rarely undertaken. Parameters such as operating costs, total cost of ownership, materials and energy usage, ergonomics, and other relevant factors were simply not considered in the label printing context.
After laser label printing applications became the de facto standard, users began to see the shortcomings of using laser printers for this function. While many are now demanding better label printing solutions, they are challenged by inertia in the form of a huge installed base of laser printers.
Honeywell Announces New Enterprise Scanner/MSR Sled for Apple iPod Touch
Expand the capabilities of your Apple iPod Touch with Honeywell’s Captuvo SL22.
Honeywell has announced the launch of their new Captuvo SL22 enterprise sled for the Apple iPod Touch. Designed specifically for businesses seeking to improve their customers’ experience, the Captuvo SL22 transforms the popular and familiar Apple iPod touch into an enterprise-ready device that fosters a deeper level of customer interaction and engagement. Compatibility with the iPod touch provides workers with access to the over 650,000 apps. Additionally, with Honeywell’s Remote MasterMind 3.0 device management software, businesses can remotely manage the deployed iPod touches as well as any other devices running iOS, Google Android, or Microsoft Windows. In today’s market, organizations are facing increasing demand for faster and better service and the Captuvo SL22 is the right solution to help elevate their brand, empower employees, enhance the customer experience, and drive top-line growth and customer loyalty.
Honeywell’s New Area-Imaging Scanner the Voyager 1400g
Honeywell’s new upgrade-able imaging scanner provides the best of all worlds to businesses looking to implement 2D bar codes.
2D bar codes are becoming increasingly popular across a wide range of industries for a number of reasons. Some enterprises have a desire to capture large amounts of data, despite space constraints, while others are being required to read 2D bar codes due to government regulations or supplier mandates. Also, an even larger group of enterprises simply have the desire to leverage emerging trends, today or in the future, without purchasing additional scanning hardware. Built on the platform of Honeywell’s world-renowned Voyager series of linear scanners, the Voyager 1400g delivers omnidirectional linear bar code reading, plus the ability to affordably upgrade the device to enable 2D bar code scanning as scanning needs evolve.
The Voyager 1400g will soon be available and you can contact us for more details and ordering.
CipherLab 8700 Now Compatible With Nut Software
CipherLab announces that the latest 8700 Series Industrial Mobile Computer has been evaluated and certified for Nut Software applications
CipherLab has annuonced that its newest rugged mobile computers, the 8700, is certified for implementation with Nut Software’s suite of applications.
Nut Software, Inc. is a leading provider of inventory tracking, barcode and data collection software designed to make asset tracking, inventory control, and processes more efficient for the tree nut industry.
