Barcoding News
Data tracking news, product updates, tips, and more
Datalogic Power³ Parallel Processors Help Datalogic Falcon X3 and Elf Mobile Computers Run Faster and Last Longer
Datalogic’s newest generation of mobile computers, the Falcon X3 and Elf PDA, deliver real time performance levels while extending battery life. How has Datalogic done this while at the same time addressing the need for converged devices with a host of technologies?
The Datalogic Power³ architecture splits the user interfacing and system level activities between two different processors. This follows a similar principle to dual core processors in modern computers. User interfacing threads go on a main processor clocked at speeds in 100s of MHz while system level tasks are managed by a co-processor running at roughly 10% of the main processor speed. This focuses the main processor on providing a maximized user interface while the co-processor handles system level items in the background.
The Datalogic Power³ parallel processor approach greatly improves user efficiency and battery life. Applications can move at the user’s speed with little to no lag time between application windows or task direction from ERP systems. An added benefit comes from device autonomy with the Power³ architecture lowering the device total cost of ownership through longer lasting batteries, both over the shift and lifetime.
Honeywell Dolphin 6000 Scanphone Bridges the Gap Between Mobile Phones and Industrial Mobile computers
The compact, yet durable Honeywell Dolphin 6000 Scanphone automates the data collection process and delivers real-time access to business data, leading to improved productivity, more informed decision making and lower operating costs.
“We’ve seen an increase in the use of consumer-grade smartphones for enterprise applications as more functionality is added to mobile phones. However, these devices are not specifically designed for enterprise use and do not meet the barcode scanning needs of mobile information workers,” said Taylor Smith, director of product management, Honeywell Scanning & Mobility. “The Dolphin 6000 fills this gap – delivering more reliability, more powerful scan performance and greater line of business application support than any smartphone on the market.”
In addition to its basic mobile phone functionality, the Dolphin 6000 offers advanced productivity features geared towards today’s vertical enterprise, including field service, field sales, and retail and logistics operations. An integrated barcode scanner provides fast and accurate bar code scanning, greatly simplifying data entry tasks, while Honeywell’s Remote MasterMind for Mobility device management software allows users to manage, update and remotely diagnose all Dolphin 6000 devices within a network from one centralized location, lowering development and maintenance costs.
Utilizing the Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.5 Professional operating system, the Dolphin 6000 was also designed for easy integration with enterprise-grade software applications.
Man Who Popularized UPC Barcode Passes Away at 81
Alan Haberman did not invent the universal product code (AKA UPC) barcode, but he is largely responsible for its selection over competing product marking standards decades ago.
His death, in Newton, Mass., was of complications of heart and lung disease, his family said.
Mr. Haberman led the industry committee that chose the bar code over other contenders — circles, bull’s-eyes and seemingly random agglomerations of dots — in 1973.
By all accounts, he spent years cajoling manufacturers, retailers and the public to accept the strange new symbol.
Source: Alan Haberman, Who Ushered In the Bar Code, Dies at 81
What Barcode Scanners Read Inverse (White on Black) Barcodes?
Datalogic Falcon X3 mobile computers with imager and Honeywell Xenon handheld barcode scanners read inverse barcodes. Inverse barcodes reverse the traditional barcode pattern from dark printing on a light surface to light printing on a dark surface.
A common use for inverse barcodes is retail merchandising. Graphic designers use inverse codes to adapt the barcode to match they style of the packaging. The barcode no longer has to be black on white label with a unique area. This blends the barcode more seamlessly with the product’s artwork.
In industrial environments, inverse codes help with reading Direct Part Marks (DPM). A DPM is often produced by etching or burning the part directly. The color produced by these processes will depend on the material with different metals or plastics providing an inverse result.
Contact us if you would like help selecting a barcode scanner or mobile computer that can read inverse barcodes.
Inventory system for inventory business
Question
I would like to start up an inventory business here in my country. I am looking at importing 4 hand held inventory machines that will enable us to carry-out inventory effectively.
I wouldn’t mind if I can get help in seeing how the hand held inventory machine works with RedBeam software.
Answer
RedBeam Inventory Tracking software with a Unitech PA500 can make a great entry level inventory system.
Contact us to find out exactly what software version and mobile computer would suit your specific needs.
New Star Receipt Printer Drivers Allow Printing from iOS and Android Devices
Star Micronics America has announced the availability of iOS and Android drivers for all of its receipt printers.
The drivers allow end-users to utilize Star Micronics printers in tandem with Apple iPad, iPod Touch, iPhone and Android devices to generate receipts and perform related functions in retail and restaurant environments.
“Star Micronics has always been committed to ensuring that its solution provider partners and, in turn, their retailer and hospitality customers, remain at the cutting edge in terms of implementing applications that reflect changing market trends,” said Christophe Naasz, director of marketing at Star Micronics America. “Today, an increasing number of retailers and restaurateurs are migrating to mobile POS applications to enhance their own operating efficiencies as well as to meet consumers’ heightened demand for immediate service and rapid transaction processing. The availability of iOS and Android drivers on Star Micronics printers will give solution providers the added flexibility to satisfy requests for wireless POS software that may be used to keep up with the trends and leverage the power of these popular hand-held units.”
Zebra QLn Series Mobile Label Printers
Zebra’s popular QL family of direct thermal mobile label printers has built a highly satisfied following based upon its proven drop-resistant durability; user-friendly, productivity-boosting features; and easy integration. As Zebra’s third generation of QL printers, the QLn series extends these QL-platform benefits to the “nth†power—whether you choose the QLn320 for 3-inch-wide printing, or the soon-to-come 2-inch QLn220 printer.
A new seamless, one-piece design and tempered-glass display join the printer’s rubber-infused over-molding to make the lightweight printer even more durable. The QLn printer can boost your operation’s productivity through a larger, sharper, easier-to-navigate display; faster, higher-quality printing; a variety of proactive alerts that help keep working printers in employees’ hands; and many convenient charging accessories. And your IT department will find the QLn easier to integrate into existing environments with such features as Zebra Global Printing (coming soon), improved network performance, and ZebraLink support. Also prolong printer uptime and enhance operations productivity with remote Ethernet- connected printer, battery, configuration, and firmware management, all supported by ZebraLink tools.
QuickBooks Compatible Hardware
We’ve put together a page of QuickBooks compatible hardware to make it easy to find products that will work with your system.
The page includes QuickBooks barcode scanners, QuickBooks receipt printers and more.
Epson TM-H6000 Printer Selected Southeastern Data Cooperative Selects to Support Over 200 Utility Companies
Receipt Printer with Integrated Check and ID Scanning Ideally-Suited for Billing Applications
Epson, a leading supplier of value-added Point of Sale (POS) solutions, announced that Southeastern Data Cooperative (SEDC), a provider of hardware and software solutions to utility companies, has selected the Epson TM-H6000 multifunction printer with digital check imaging and ID scanning as part of its suite of billing, accounting and capital credit software platform to support over 200 utility customers. Epson’s TM-H6000 is the only POS printer with both integrated check reader and ID scanner, which allows utility companies to implement electronic check conversion (ECC) and capture ID images at the point of presentment, lowering check handling costs and reducing fraud and liability. Sixty of SEDC’s 215 member customers have been updated with the new hardware, and the remaining 155 customers are scheduled to roll out in the coming months.
Datalogic Introduces Gryphon 4400 2D Barcode Readers
Today, more and more industries are adopting the use of two-dimensional or 2D bar codes. The benefits of two-dimensional barcodes include the ability to include more information in a smaller space, offer higher levels of security and reduce unreadable codes due to printing issues. New user-interactive applications such as mobile marketing, mobile ticketing, electronic coupons and loyalty clubs, typically feature 2D Quick Response or QR codes, which requires a 2D barcode scanner for reading.
Datalogic extends its heritage in imaging technology with the introduction of the Gryphon 4400 series of 2D area imagers. New to the Gryphon 4400 series is the GD4400 corded desktop model, which is ideally suited for stationary applications in retail, manufacturing, and healthcare. Additionally, the GD4400-B “All-in-One†reader with its unique stand design is perfect for retail point-of-sale environments where the need for both handheld and presentation style reading is required.
Based on state-of-the-art area imaging technology, the Gryphon 4400 readers go beyond the typical performance specifications by incorporating features that simplify everyday scanning activities.
Datalogic’s exclusive Motionix™ motion-sensing technology intuitively synchronizes the scanner with the user’s actions allowing seamless transitions between handheld and hands-free style reading. When the device is in your hand, it’s in handheld mode; when the device is still, it’s in presentation mode. It’s that simple.
All Gryphon 4400 series scanners can decode virtually any 1D and 2D bar code symbology and can read codes from LCD monitors, cell phones, smartphones and other mobile devices. The deep-red illumination of the 4400 series eliminates the irritating “flicker effect†found in competing products, allowing for comfortable all-day usage. The center-cross aimer with four corner dots provides a clear indication of the reading area, making targeting codes quick and easy. Datalogic’s patented Green Spot technology provides additional visual good-read confirmation which is a necessity in noisy environments or when silent scanning is desired. Datalogic Aladdin™ configuration software and Remote Host Management provide simple tools to manage deployed devices and keep them synchronized across an enterprise.
