Barcoding News
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The Hidden Costs of Using Consumer Grade Mobile Devices for Data Collection
With the widespread use of consumer grade smartphones and tablets, many business have been looking to these types of devices for a variety of applications. While consumer grade devices may be viable solutions in limited environments like Point of Sale, most enterprise applications will find that for the same costs a dedicated ruggedized mobile device will greatly reduce the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) and improve your ROI.
For more in depth comparison of consumer based devices vs dedicated mobile devices see this previous post as well – How Durable Handheld Computers are Better Suited to the Mobile Workplace than Consumer-grade Smartphones
New SOTI MobiControl 12 Strengthens Mobile Device Management
SOTI has recently announced the general availability of SOTI MobiControl 12. The newest version of SOTI’s enterprise mobility management platform drives down total cost of ownership for businesses relying on mobile devices to deliver efficiencies across an entire organization, and extends remote management capabilities to smart peripherals for the connected enterprise.
In addition to the overall reduction of mobility costs, SOTI MobiControl 12 introduces a host of key features:
- Elimination or minimization of common mobile device deployment and management tasks, allowing rapid zero-intervention provisioning, policy administration and the ability to assign configurations over-the-air based on a broad range of criteria or LDAP attributes. This saves businesses up to $100 per device in provisioning costs.
-  Quick device provisioning and remote support for next-generation Zebra peripherals. SOTI offers the industry’s tightest integration with Zebra, which minimizes downtime because of the ability to manage device profiles and spin up new devices remotely.
- Enhanced and broadened support for Apple, Kyocera, Lenovo, Sony, LG, Samsung, Motorola APIs, as well as Windows Phone 8.1.
- Over-the-air device configurations for email, WiFi, VPN etc. at a granular level based on various criteria including device properties, custom attributes and data, and more. This takes the burden off IT as users can now enroll their own devices quickly with zero IT intervention through a simple URL.
- An updated user experience that optimizes device management across operating systems using advanced profiles and policies.
Datalogic’s New Heron HD3100 Linear Imager
Datalogic has announced the release of the new Heron HD3100 linear imager which will be replacing the current Heron entry-level reader while providing a totally new concept around POS checkout applications in the specialty retail market.
By inheriting the worldwide success of the Heron reader which is the all-time best selling handheld Datalogic product, the new Heron HD3100 imager goes beyond a simple scanning experience. It also introduces new and distinctive features bringing the POS checkout to a whole new level.
Top Ten Reasons Retailers Upgrade to Area-Imagers
Traditional laser scanners read linear bar codes at the point-of-sale—a technology that greatly simplified checkout. But today’s highly developed area-imaging scanners enable greater capability and flexibility, putting far more productivity into the hands of retail employees and allowing for revenue-generating mobile marketing initiatives.
With these advantages, it’s no wonder VDC’s 2013 Report forecasts area-imaging scanners sales to grow at a rate of 13.4% for the next three years, compared to the expected 7.3% decline for laser-based scanners over the time period. Imaging technology is firmly established as a cost-effective, durable, technologically capable alternative to laser-based systems. Plus, imagers are capable of supporting retailer’s mobile marketing programs, capturing mobile coupons right off customers’ smartphone screens or automatically collecting their information from ID cards for loyalty program auto-enrollment. Continue reading »
Zebra’s New Laserband ST Wristands for Positive Patient Identification
Zebra has announced additions to its comprehensive Positive Patient Identification solution set. Zebra’s new LaserBand ST is a durable, low-cost way for ambulatory surgery centers and outpatient clinics to identify patients throughout their procedures.
In the United States alone there are 5,300 Ambulatory Surgery Centers & Outpatient Clinics performing more than 25 million surgeries and treatments annually. The LaserBand ST has the features to meet the critical need of positively identifying patients in these ambulatory centers with:
- Non-laminating, direct print laser – Just print and secure to patient’s wrist – no assembly needed
- Comfortable, patented curved edge
- Latex-free material
Denso’s New BHT-1300 Series Windows Mobile Terminals
Denso has announced their new BHT-1300B (1D) and BHT-1300Q(2D) wireless and batch handheld barcode terminals. The compact, lightweight devices feature the Windows Embedded Compact 7 operating system, along with a rugged design backed by a long, three-year warranty.
Denso’s Advanced Scan PlusTM CCD and area-imaging technology enable faster scanning than lasers. The 2-D models can read codes from any angle within 360 degrees, reducing working time by up to 30 percent. High-speed processors further increase operator efficiency.
Pre-installed software includes a keyboard interface application, wireless setting tool, application launcher and backup tool. Full Windows Embedded Compact 7 software development kits are available to allow creation of additional applications.
Virtual Controllers – Controller-like Management without Paying for a Controller
There is no doubt that the advent of the WLAN controller was one of the greatest advancements ever for wireless networks. But the next best thing is being able to have that functionality without paying for the hardware or licensing!
Wait. What? You can still have zero-touch deployment, central management, and analytics of a wireless network without any additional costs other than the APs? For small networks, YES!
Enter the Virtual Controller! Aruba Networks and Motorola/Symbol Technologies have made this possible for deployments of 25 or less access points. Simply assign one of your Aruba Instant or Symbol/Motorola WiNG5 Access Points as a Virtual Controller and it will automatically adopt new APs as you add them to your network. and configure them for you! While there are some advanced features missing compared to a full controller solution, the bulk of the features are still there to help manage and troubleshoot your network!
Store Clerk Defends Himself Against Robber With Barcode Scanner
The uses for a barcode scanner may be quite varied but being used as a weapon to defend your business against a robber has got to be the most daring of all.
This story starts at a Family Mart convenience store in Osaka, Japan at 4am when a young male in his 20’s comes in and asks the 41-year-old clerk for a pack of cigarettes. According to the clerk’s statement, while he was behind the register scanning the barcode on the cigarette pack, the customer pulled out a knife and a bag. The customer-turn-robber threatened the clerk with the knife and demanded the money from the register be emptied into the bag.
While Japan is a very safe country with almost no gun usage, larger cities do have instances of robbery and theft most commonly with the use of a knife.
Inventor of the Laser, Charles H. Townes, Passes at Age 99
Without the efforts and vision of Charles H. Townes, many technologies we take for granted would not even be possible. CD players, barcode scanners, and medical instruments are just a few of the applications that would not be possible with the use of a laser.
In 1964, Dr. Townes and two Russians received the Nobel Prize in Physics for their work on microwave-emitting devices, called masers, and their light-emitting successors, lasers, which have proved to be crucial for modern communications, medicine, astronomy, weapons systems and daily life applications.
Arguably one of the most important and capable inventions of the 20th century, Dr. Townes work and contributions cannot be understated.
He died at the age of 99 in Oakland, California.
CipherLab’s New Long Range 1862 UHF RFID Handheld Reader
CipherLab has recently announced that its 1862 UHF RFID handheld reader is now launching.
The CipherLab 1862 UHF RFID handheld reader has a long reading range of 16.5 ft. which makes data collection easier from the ground. Users can also easily reach and collect data from hard to reach locations. On top of that, the data collection process is made simple with the ability to read manifold and various EPC Gen 2 (ISO 18000-6C) tags at one shot. CipherLab’s 1860 series’ high performance RFID technology makes applications such as asset management and item level tagging quick and easy.
