Barcoding News

Where your Datalogic needs to work multiple simultaneous shifts, having batteries always charged is a must.

To meet this need Datalogic is producing a new 4 Slot Dock recharging only option, able to recharge 4 devices and 4 spare batteries at the same time, for the Datalogic Elf.

This same accessory can also be equipped with an Ethernet communications option. The Ethernet 4 Slot Dock is aimed at providing remote synchronization of mobile computers in a fast and easy way, via standard TCP/IP, on a wired LAN.

For other applications, typically Wi-Fi, where a physical connection is not required, but there is a need to have the battery always charged, Datalogic is offering the the Multiple Battery Charger.

4 Slot Dock Features

• • Able to recharge up to 4 devices and 4 spare batteries
  • Power Supply already included in the box (only the regional power cord is required)
  • Available in the configuration “charger only” (94A151134) or with an Ethernet connection option (94A151132).
  • The Ethernet configuration allows addressing of 4 separate devices.
  • The Four Slot Ethernet Dock also allows daisychaining of up to 4 docks.

Multiple Battery Charger Features

• • Able to recharge standard and high capacity batteries
  • Small footprint
  • 4 slots
  • Power Supply already included in the box (only the regional power cord is required)

Available August, 6th 2010

Fully Rugged Computer, Optimized for the Mobile Worker, Features Gobi WWAN Radio, Biometric Mouse, Full QWERTY Keypad, and 7” Touchscreen

LXE announced the introduction of its Marathon field computer. The Marathon field computer introduces a new form factor in mobile computing, with a larger screen size and greater computing power than a PDA, smaller size than a laptop, and multiple data-capture and connectivity options. Taken together, the Marathon field computer provides new levels of usability for the mobile worker in field-force automation, route accounting, and public safety.

The Marathon field computer weighs less than a kilogram, and is powered by an Intel® Atom processor that runs full Windows® 7 or Windows® XP operating systems. It combines multiple built-in data-entry options, including a 7” outdoor-visible touchscreen, full QWERTY keyboard, integrated fingerprint reader that doubles as a mouse, and a high-resolution color camera. The unit’s available desk and vehicle SmartDock cradles allow one-handed undocking and user-friendly peripheral interfaces. Additional bolt-on accessories include a mag stripe reader, 2D imager, and extended life batteries for 8- and 12-hour continuous operation, all of which attach securely to the unit while maintaining the overall IP-65 rating for protection against dust and water.

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Datamax-O’Neil is proud to present a new addition to the current receipt printer product family – the Andes 3.

The Andes 3 is a lightweight, compact, 3-inch (80 mm) thermal printer with all the features and options required to keep pace with today’s requirements in field service, law enforcement, retail, hospitality and field sales applications. The Andes 3 printer has a larger paper capacity than the Apex 3, and was built to operate and withstand the rough and tough environments encountered by mobile professionals during their long, difficult shift. Like the Apex 3, the standard Andes 3 includes many accessories and options (like Bluetooth®) for at no additional cost, but this is unlike many competitive printers that make you pay more for standard accessories. Weighing in slightly over a pound (0.5 kg), the Andes 3 can be worn comfortably all day with the included shoulder strap or the optional belt loop system.

Specifications at-a-glance

• Dimensions: 6.9″ L x 4.8″ W x 3.5″ H
• Communications: RS-232, USB, Bluetooth
• Weight: 23 oz (0.78 kg) with battery
• Options: 802.11 b/g, Magnetic Card Reader
• Media Roll Capacity: 2.2″ (55mm) maximum roll diameter (O.D.) with 3.15″ (80mm) media width

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New RFID printing/encoding technology responds to market demand for a rugged high performance printer that reduces media costs, creates efficiencies

Zebra announced its first high performance RFID printer/encoder designed to address the growing RFID market for high-volume item-level tagging. The R110Xi4 streamlines business improvement and supply-chain management applications such as item-level tracking, asset tracking, inventory management and more across retail, manufacturing, healthcare and distribution channels.

“Zebra is responding to an overall RFID market shift from compliance-based tracking to more item-level tracking with the high performance RXi4,” said Carolyn Ricci, product manager, Zebra Technologies. “The RXi4’s new RFID printer/encoder brings innovation, functionality, and cost benefits to an industry that hasn’t seen technology like this rise up to meet the demand head on — making it a smart investment for organizations with high-volume, mission critical or specialty labeling applications.”

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IntelliTrack, a leading data collection software manufacturer, and Unitech, a leading manufacturer of AIDC hardware, have partnered to certify Intellitrack software on three Unitech mobile computers: the PA600 WM6.1, the PA968 and the HT680, providing solutions for inventory tracking and warehousing.

IntelliTrack’s inventory management software is designed for application in a variety of settings, and consists of two product lines: Data Management Software (DMS), and Warehouse Management Systems (WMS). Each software package contains a variety of inventory tracking capabilities for organizations of varying size and complexity, and when combined with Unitech mobile computers, provides a solution that paves the way for significantly streamlined operations.

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Microscan has announced successful results from the recent Automotive Components Shanghai show. During the show, Microscan demonstrated their diverse line of barcode and machine vision products for automotive parts traceability and error proofing processes, including the latest 2D barcode imagers optimized for reading direct part marks.

The Automotive Components exhibition featured suppliers of products such as engine parts, electrical equipment, fuel systems, cooling systems, engine-driven compressors, fans, air conditioners, suspension members, tires, and chassis. At the exhibition, Microscan demonstrated their barcode scanners and 2D barcode imagers, machine vision software, smart cameras, and machine vision lighting.

Local interest in Microscan’s product line was very strong, especially among suppliers recognizing the growing demand for barcode traceability of automotive parts. Of particular interest were Microscan’s QX Hawk and Mobile Hawk imagers, which are optimized to read challenging 2D direct part marks such as Data Matrix. Permanently marked Data Matrix codes are becoming more commonplace to identify and trace components used in automotive and aerospace manufacturing.

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The Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport in Italy chooses Datalogic bar code readers for passenger boarding control

The Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport chooses Datalogic Scanning, the world’s leading manufacturer of bar code scanners, to automate the boarding pass control process of passengers with access to the security check zone of the airport.

Applying bar code scanning to this security application ensures access control at the airport is much quicker and safer. The operator in charge of verifying the access of passengers to the boarding area reads the PDF bar code on the boarding pass with the Datalogic PowerScan™ PM8500 handheld bar code reader. The boarding pass can be issued at the check-in desk, printed at home via the Internet or received on the passenger’s mobile phone via SMS or MMS messaging.

The code is then transmitted to the host system, which sends back a message appearing to the reader’s display and an instruction that turns on an LED after the appropriate checks. According to the different colors of the LED (green, yellow or red) the security operator is either authorized to let passengers enter the check-in area for final verification before boarding, or to refuse access due to a cancelled flight or other issues. In the case of access rejection, the reason is explained in the message found on the display of the bar code reader.

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Writing prescriptions for patients is a complicated endeavor these days. While some orders for medication and devices may be conveyed to pharmacies by telephone, federal regulations stipulate that controlled substance prescriptions be presented at pharmacies before they are dispensed. Stringent regulations issued recently by the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) to combat the estimated $5 billion in annual prescription fraud committed throughout the U.S. also come into play; these regulations call for secure prescriptions that cannot be copied, altered or counterfeited.

Bob Norman, director of IT at Mankato Clinic, had such challenges in mind as he shopped the aisles of the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) Annual Conference & Exhibition three years ago. One of Minnesota’s largest physician-owned, multi-specialty regional group practices, Mankato Clinic operates eight sites in and around Mankato; its staff includes 80 physicians.

At the time of Norman’s visit to the HIMSS meeting, Mankato Clinic management had already decided to migrate from a manual (handwritten) prescription-issuance system to a printer-based one. “We thought it would be better all around in terms of compliance with all regulations, as well as to make the job a little easier for the doctors,” Norman said. Management had also concluded that using dedicated prescription printers, rather than all-purpose laser jet printers fitted with prescription-generating software, would be their best bet because the latter are more expensive and print prescriptions on 8 ½” X 11” paper instead of standard prescription form.

“We didn’t want to pay more for ‘all-purpose’ printers when all we were going to do was to generate prescriptions,” Norman explained. “We also needed very solid, secure dedicated units with a convenient small footprint, and that would even hang on a wall if we wanted them to.”

In perusing the HIMMS exhibits, Norman found exactly what he sought in Star Micronics’ TSP800Rx thermal printer. “It fit all our criteria,” he noted. In addition to being designed specifically for the medical industry, it offers durability, a small footprint, and a wall-mounting option.” Even more importantly, Norman said, the TSP800Rx is the only printer available for the medical industry to boast a locking mechanism that deters unauthorized removal of prescription media from the paper chamber.

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Quik Mart is one of the largest convenience store chains in Arizona. With a multitude of offerings including fuel, groceries, snacks, and gifts, the checkout lines at Quik Mart were increasingly longer, resulting in frustrated customers and lost revenue. They needed a solution to reduce the customer waiting time and be user-friendly for their employees.

Quik Mart turned to a Barcodes Inc expert for a faster Point of Sale solution to keep its checkout lines moving. We offered an omni-directional laser scanner that has been a favorite of many of our convenience store customers. The recommended scanner allowed Quik Mart employees to process transactions quicker and more accurately. Quik Mart now keeps customers moving quickly with these units in all 28 of its locations.

Quik Mart stores has made Barcodes Inc their preferred vendor for their Point of Sale and Automatic Identification and Data Capture requirements.

Seagull BarTender 9.3 was released on May 14, 2010, with all new features displaying only in English. Service Release 1 (SR1) of version 9.3 was launched on July 20 and added translations of the new features in all 22 of our supported international languages. In addition to the new translations, SR1 includes new EPC data formats for RFID tags and over 100 additional GS1 bar codes.

New EPC RFID Data Formats

BarTender 9.3 SR1 supports version 1.4 of EPC’s Tag Data Standard, which adds 7 new EPC RFID data formats:

• GDTI-96
• GDTI-113
• GIAI-202
• GRAI-170
• GSRN-96
• SGLN-195
• SGTIN-198

The above formats can be used with any EPC Gen2 or ISO 18000-6 tag. To view and use the new formats in BarTender, select the Standard RFID pane of the BarTender Toolbox.

New GS1 Bar Codes

The SR1 service release adds over 100 additional GS1 bar code formats. To access them, please select BarTender’s Standard Bar Codes Toolbox pane and open the new, dedicated GS1 folder.