Executive Summary
A large pet food manufacturer was in search for a warehouse management solution (WMS) to keep track of their product across their three US facilities and increase visibility into their inventory and process control. They were looking for a solution that could connect their existing lot tracking, process control, and shipping software together under one warehouse management umbrella. Barcodes identified an optimal barcode scanning and mobile computing solution that provided increased visibility into their inventory and process control, enhanced employee productivity and had the aptitude to run their proprietary WMS on an Android operating system. This allowed the pet food manufacturer to streamline their processes and add a layer of accountability to their methods.

The Business Challenge
Warehouse employees need access to secure information right away. The current method of relying on their memory to keep track of the products’ physical location in the warehouse was not working. It was taking workers too long to access the data they needed to perform their jobs effectively and efficiently. There were also issues with the human memory error that slowed down processes. To address these concerns, the pet food manufacturer would need to invest in a barcode scanning and mobile computing solution capable of providing workers with inventory and product information in real time. They needed a solution that can scan pallets stored on top level racks, accept both touchscreen data and keyed data, as well as have an open operating system to future proof their business. Investing in this solution would allow the manufacturer employees to work more efficiently and eliminate the human error associated with memorizing product and inventory information.

Solution
Barcodes recommended the Janam XG3 Rugged Mobile Computer. The Janam XG3 provides a warehouse ready rugged mobile scanner, with a scan range of 15 inches to 50 feet, touchscreen and 57-key keypad for data entry. In addition, the XG3 has the ability to run their proprietary WMS on an Android operating system. This allowed the pet food manufacturer to manage and track all items in an effective and efficient manner and add a new layer of accountability to their process.

Benefits
Barcodes deployed forty-five Janam XG3s in three US facilities in a short amount of time. The pet food manufacturer’s business expectations continue to be met and exceeded. Not only do employees know where all their inventory is, from receiving raw goods to shipping finished product, but they have seen an increase in productivity and efficiency by 25%. In addition, they have eliminated the human error associated with memorizing inventory information.

Enterprises have adopted mobile computing as the new force to reshape the workplace. Equipped with mobile devices, employees are not tethered to a desk or a workstation. They have the ability to enter data. access information, collaborate with colleagues, and provide personalized service to customers, wherever and whenever it’s needed the most.

The benefits of perfect mobility deployment:

A carefully designed mobile computing solution will provide significant ROI for your enterprise:

Greater Efficiency and Productivity
Employees will be able to do their jobs more quickly and easily, resulting in greater productivity and efficiency in a shift.

Accuracy
Without the need or paper records or manual keying data at a workstation, accuracy will improve you to gain visibility into operations.

Improved Workflows
Streamlined processes made possible by mobile computing solutions will mean better customer service, with fewer delays and errors.

Reduced Training Time
Spend less time training overall with enterprise- grade devices with longer support life cycles.

Check out the different forms of mobile devices that we have available. Selecting the right device can lead to a greater ROI by maximizing opportunities for increased productivity, efficiency, and accuracy.

T                Tablets                            Mobile Computer                      Vehicle Mounted                        Wearables
..                                                                                                                  Computers

Is your business getting all the advantages of a mobility solution tailored to the unique needs of your business? Contact our dedicated account managers to learn more.

Read more about mobile computing, click on this link provided that will take you to our ebook on Mobile Computing 101.

With all the different type of barcode scanners available, it is important to choose the right scanner with the right connection. Whether you are purchasing a new scanner or repurchasing a scanner that you have used before it is always important to check the barcode scanner cable to make sure it works with your system.

The most common connection is the USB, but if USB port is not available, that’s when you have to check what kind of connection you should use.

Below are a few of the common cables and their connection ports for scanners used with a PC.

AirTrack S1  (1D)                                           Honeywell Granit 1980i (2D)                                        Xenon 1900 (2D) 

With all the options available for barcode scanners today, it is important to find the right device for your business needs. Knowing what type of connection you need saves you time on finding the scanner that you want. If you are having troubles or have additional questions, feel free to give our scanner experts a call. We will be happy to help!

To maximize productivity, workers need mobility to better serve your customers. Put a mobile barcode printer in your operation for greater efficiency and productivity in any application.

Mobile Barcode Printers are the perfect solution for printing on the go. It can create high quality labels or receipts in any environment, indoors and out. These printers can boost your operation’s productivity through their high quality printing, long hour battery to make it through a full shift, and many convenient charging accessories for longer printer uptime. Connect it to a mobile computer, tablet, or smartphone through Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or a USB connection and be able to print and scan. Avoid the downtime and cost, check out some of the popular mobile printers below.

Zebra QLn 220                           Intermec PB22                   Citizen CMP-30                            Printek FP530

Additionally, replacing the iMZ Series of Zebra Mobile Printers comes the ZQ300 Series, ZQ310. It is the next generation of the mid-tier mobile printer with major enhancements including class- leading battery and power technologies, outlasting, faster wireless connections and two models to meet specific needs. Perfect for printing receipt paper or barcode labels in retail.

If you have any questions regarding mobile printers please contact our dedicated account managers and we will be happy to help.

Warehouses and Distribution centers are seeing wearable mobile computers revolutionize the industry. Providing increased flexibility, operational improvement, improved productivity, and significant cost savings. With wearable computers users will be free from the constraints of using one hand to carry around a scanner or mobile computer; instead users will have the flexibility to work hands-free while still accessing the data they need to complete the tasks at hand. A hands-free user will be able to accelerate picking, packing and shipping operations.

A Honeywell survey stated that on average companies lose over $400,000 every year in picking errors. With these lightweight and compact computers, users will have a wide range of motion. This allows users to complete tasks in less time without losing the valuable accuracy that is needed.

There are a variety of options when it comes to wearable mobile computers. Two of the industries leaders, Honeywell and Zebra, have options that could help turn around warehouse and distribution centers.

Honeywell’s rugged Dolphin 75-e Wearable has a large display with flexible touchscreen keypads. The accessories provide increased comfort and improved hygiene over conventional wearables. Combine it with the 8620 Ring scanner to get a truly hands-free experience that is guaranteed to help improve productivity in the workplace.

Zebra’s WT6000 Wearable Computer fits comfortably on any size arm and with a large touchscreen that provides more real estate to display intuitive graphical Android applications. Pair it with the RS6000 Bluetooth ring scanner and users will have the technology to take their productivity level up a notch.

If you have any questions or are interested in a quote, feel free to contact our dedicated account managers.

With Windows’ end of life officially announced, it’s time to start thinking about your transition to Android. New changes are always difficult because it ultimately means you have to start looking at stages of deployment, performance, and care of the life-cycle for the new technology until everything runs smooth again.

With the mobile solutions ever changing, companies need to deploy the newest mobile technology solution to fully maximize efficiency, productivity, and workforce mobility. Luckily, the Honeywell Mobility Edge Platform can help you ease into the new system.

So what is the Honeywell Mobility Edge Platform? How can it help you?
Honeywell’s Mobility Edge Platform is a unified mobile platform that drives an integrated approach to assist you with deployment, performance, and the life cycle of your device.

Accelerate Deployment- Tools to simplify and ease the process of of taking the mobile computer from the box to the user. Validate once and deploy everywhere, instead of a burdensome task for each different device.

Optimize Performance- Softwares and services to enhance the productivity of the user and reliability of the mobile computer. (Data capture, Enterprise Browser and Terminal Emulation)

ExtendLifecycle- Features that enable the mobile computer to be used effectively over time expected by enterprises.

Built on the Mobility Edge Platform, the CT60 and the CN80 offers an intergrated, repeatable, and scalable approach based on a common hardware and software platform. Making the two ideal for warehouse, field mobility,  and other challenging enviornments. Read more about the two devices here on our previous blog to discover its full potential and how it can help your ideal operation.

                                         

For more information, availability, or a quote, please contact our dedicated account manager.

The Electronic Logging Device (ELD) Mandate took effect on December 18, 2017. Since then drivers were given some leeway. If they were caught without the proper ELD equipment, documents, or training they were written up, but neither they nor the companies they drive for were penalized for it. That leeway officially ended on April 1^st.

Under the Compliance, Safety, and Accountability program (CSA) any driver now caught without the proper ELD equipment will have CSA points levied against them and their companies. Furthermore, according to Kerri Wirachowsky, Director of the roadside inspection program at the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance, trucks will be put into the penalty box, in most cases for up to 10 hours.

With the ELD Mandate drivers must have and be able to do the following.

1. Tell enforcement that there is an electronic user manual with instructions for using the device, on the device, in the form of help screens.
2. Be able to produce recent data and transfer it to an inspector electronically.
3. Instructions for reporting malfunctions and record-keeping procedures during malfunctions.
4. Have at least an eight day supply of blank forms for recording a driver’s hours of service in the event the mobile device fails.

April 1^st has come and gone, hence if drivers are not ELD compliant by now its important to do so. Mainly because just having an ELD does not mean the driver is in compliance. The driver must also be able to operate the ELD. Not being able to do so will be treated as if the driver didn’t have the proper equipment on board.

To comply with the ELD Mandate you’ll need a device, below are some of the newest mobile device options for ELD:

• Zebra TC56 rugged smartphone
• Honeywell CT50 rugged smartphone
• Panasonic Toughpad FZ-G1 rugged tablet
• Samsung Galaxy Tab tablet

To learn more about the ELD Mandate or to get a free consultation on an ELD hardware and software solution, reach out to one of our Barcodes, Inc. representatives.

Klaus Schwab founder and executive chairman of the World Economic Forum once said, “In the new world, it is not the big fish which eats the small fish, it’s the fast fish which eats the slow fish.” His words ring true, especially in today’s technology dependent world. Either move forward or get left behind.

Zebra Technologies does a great job explaining this revolution with, Transform Your Organization By Harnessing the Workforce Mobility Revolution. You’ll learn what this revolution looks like and the benefits it can provide to your organization. To fully realize the potential of workforce mobility your organization will need advanced mobile operating systems, mobile devices, and software solutions. Redefine how your organization gets things done by implementing faster and smarter processes that help propel your organization forward.

Gains to Expect:

• Productivity: From the use of advanced operating systems, devices and purpose-built software applications that speed up workflows.
• Efficiency: Via processes that eliminate waste or complexity.
• Accuracy: With advanced data collection capabilities that reduce the soft and hard costs associated with errors.

To read the full white paper by Zebra Technologies, download your copy HERE!

To help improve your organizations Workforce Mobility please contact our dedicated account managers for mobile solutions!

Most ruggedized handheld devices are powered by legacy operating systems. The problem, the extended support for legacy OS is quickly approaching its end. For infrastructure and operations leaders responsible for mobile and endpoint strategies it’s recommended to stop buying equipment with legacy OSs and begin planning their migration strategies.

In Gartner’s report, Revisit Your Ruggedized Strategy Before You’re Hit by the End of OS Support,  industry analysts, Leif-Olof Wallin and Stephen Kleynhans go in depth on how to overcome key challenges and their recommendations for planning a strategic migration. Their research is based on a large number of inquiries with clients, as well as discussions with technology vendors.

Kleynhans’s and Wallin’s expert research:

• Explains what to stop buying and where to focus planning.
• Evaluates the business case for ruggedized equipment, based on actual requirements and a fully loaded total cost of ownership calculation.
• Outlines when to standardize versus when to diversify the ruggedized device portfolio.
• Describes how to protect current investments in software and systems with application virtualization technology.

To download and read the full Gartner report please click HERE.

Any questions concerning the end of legacy operating systems please contact our dedicated account managers.

There are a variety of options when it comes to consumables. Whether it be receipt paper, wristbands, labels, or tags each and everyone has their benefits when it comes to maintaining your printer. Printing supplies can impact everything from the printhead’s lifespan to the printer’s operational efficiency. It’s an important decision when it comes to maintaing the lifespan of your printer.

As a leading manufacturer of label printers and media, Honeywell provides a wide range of label materials to meet any need. When it comes to label printing the Duratherm series and Duratran Series provide cost-effective printing with various levels of durability, from un-coated paper to top-coated synthetic labels.

Duratherm and Duratran products are easy to use and demand less user intervention. There are no shortage of options to pick from and you can choose what best fits your application whether it be healthcare, shipping, inventory tracking, general purpose, or etc.

• Duratherm Receipt Paper – A direct thermal paper that provides excellent print quality. Well-suited for most general receipt applications, most notably for use in portable thermal printers.
• Duratherm Wristband -  The Duratherm wristbands are recommended for healthcare and provide the positive identification hospitals need for maximum patient safety. The full-coverage thermal print coating enables high quality printing on the entire length of the band, thus eliminating the need to reposition a sleeping patient just to scan their band.
• Duratherm II Label – A general purpose direct thermal paper label that delivers high-quality, cost-effective printing. Duratherm II is recommended for most general use applications where exposure to chemicals and moisture is not anticipated.
• Duratherm III Label – A top-coated direct thermal paper label that delivers high-quality printing and enhanced durability. Duratherm III is recommended for applications where high humidity, moisture contact and surface abrasion are concerns.
• Duratherm NIR Label – A premium direct thermal paper label engineered to deliver high-contrast images and enhanced durability. Duratherm III NIR is targeted for use in applications with challenging barcode scanning requirements and is well-suited for high-speed sortation applications.
• Duratherm II Tag - A general purpose paper tag providing high-quality, cost-effective printing. Duratherm II Tag is recommended for applications where labeling is not suitable. This product resists curling, even in high humidity environments.
• Duratran II Label – A paper label coated thermal transfer label that exhibits excellent print quality. Offered with a variety of adhesive options, recommended for applications with moderate abrasion, heat, or sunlight is present.
• Duratran II RFID Label – The flexible RFID smart labels provide a versatile architecture that can be used in open or closed loop environments. These labels can be deployed with confidence to meet a broad range of customer requirements including thermal transfer and direct thermal printing.

For any questions or a quote on any of your consumable needs, please contact us at Barcodes, Inc.