Barcoding News

Zebra has announced the discontinuance of the XiIIIPlus High-Performance Printer line. The replacement for this product line is Zebra’s new Xi4 family of high-performance printers.

Zebra XiIIIPlus printers will stop shipping in May, but service, parts and support will continue to be available through July of 2015.

Control Inventory with the Power of IntelliTrack V8

IntelliTrack has announced the release of the next major version of Data Management Software. IntelliTrack’s Data Management Software (DMS) includes applications for Inventory, Stockroom, Check In-Out, Fixed Assets, and Package Track.

A significant improvement to DMS Version 8.0 includes a valuable new kitting feature in Check In-Out. Version 8.0 also includes support for the latest Microsoft operating systems, Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008, SQL Server 2008 and SQL Express 2008 databases, and Microsoft Sync Technology, including Windows Mobile devices.

New Features in DMS Version 8.0:

• Kitting function in Check In-Out
• Support for SQL Express 2008
• Support for SQL Server 2008
• Windows 7 – 32 bit support (64 bit support in release 8.1)
• Support for the latest hardware from the leading manufacturers

The new kitting feature in Check In-Out allows for multiple assets to be assigned to a kit. The kit is then treated just like any other inventory item in the system. A kit may be reserved, checked out or assigned to a particular individual, location or department.

Version 8.0 also includes support for the latest Microsoft operating systems, Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008, SQL Server 2008 and SQL Express 2008 databases, and Microsoft Sync Technology, including Windows Mobile devices.

New VX8 Kärv and VX9 Förj Now Available with Intel® Atom or Core 2 Duo Processors and High-bright, Energy-efficient LED Displays

LXE, the mobile logistics business of EMS Technologies, Inc., released two updates to its Trux line of rugged vehicle-mount computers. The VX8 Kärv and VX9 Förj vehicle-mount computers incorporate sharper LED backlit displays, Intel® Atom and Core 2 Duo processing speeds and mobile radio connectivity into rugged and versatile mobile personal computers.

The two units are designed for enterprises that need full Microsoft® Windows® computing power in a mobile environment to optimize application and network management compatibility.

The Kärv vehicle-mount computer is derived from predecessor products developed by the LXE’s Trux group in Sweden and its namesake was a small, maneuverable Viking ship used for both battle and merchant missions. It comes with available Atom 1.6 GHz or Core 2 Duo 1.5 GHz processors, and up to 2GB of RAM. A 10.4″ touch screen LED display, 802.11 a/b/g + Bluetooth radio, and available WWAN connectivity allow those processors to run high-performance software applications from virtually anywhere. The unit’s compact magnesium enclosure rated to IP65 is engineered to handle extreme temperatures, shock, vibration, dust and moisture. The Förj computer, with a name that alludes to the strong, precise materials, which emerge from a blacksmith’s forge, is the Kärv computer’s larger counterpart, with a 12.1” touchscreen and outdoor screen option.

Continue reading »

Challenge:
The world may know the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), or Mounties, by their traditional crimson uniforms, but the RCMP is responsible for much more than maintaining its legendary image. A world-class police force, the RCMP is unique; providing law enforcement services to federal, provincial, and municipal levels of government. In the aftermath of 9/11, the RCMP decided to expedite the modernization of the information system infrastructure for its forensic laboratories, and Zebra thermal printers were an integral part of the solution.

The RCMP operates a Forensic Laboratory Service with six forensic sites across Canada, which used a homegrown case tracking system supported by Microsoft Foxpro databases. At that time, the laboratories operated somewhat independently and access to important case files was limited by location. The processing of crime scene evidence was sometimes slowed if the evidence reports and the experts who needed to review them were separated by geography. The system worked, but the RCMP wanted greater efficiency.

Solution:
The RCMP sought a Zebra Technologies partner, to provide a complete laboratory information management system (LIMS). They offered LIMS-plus, an off-the-shelf software application that mirrors best practices from forensic labs across North America. The RCMP wished to improve productivity, internal and external communications, reduce costs, leverage scientific talent across the country, enhance security, and introduce consistent scientific methodologies.

Joseph Buckle, Assistant Commissioner of the RCMP’s Forensic Laboratory Services, said there were two important considerations in selecting LIMS-plus. “The first was functionality. Could the system immediately provide us with the technical solutions we were looking for, and were they specific to forensic science work?”

“The second consideration was track record. I had to be certain that other forensic facilities in North America were using the system for interoperability purposes, and that the supplier had a good track record and reputation. ” said Mr. Buckle.

Continue reading »

The Challenge
After considering the use of a bar code system for many years, Hilti finally decided to take the plunge when the company introduced its new business system, SAP. Though there were many reasons for investing in this system, Lasse Liffner, Hilti’s service manager, stated, “the primary reason we wanted to introduce bar code technology is for the high level of accuracy, which is vital to our business.”

Bar code technology was the right answer for Hilti due to the sheer volume of service repairs the company completes annually. Hilti performs about 30,000 services/repairs per year and the entire repair process from receipt of complaint to customer delivery generally takes only three days. Therefore, it was critical for Hilti to utilize a bar code system that was capable of handling their fast pace and improve their processes.

The Solution
Hilti chose a Datalogic solution consisting of bar code readers and mobile computers. The bar code system would be used in the service center, where the system would track the product through its different phases of repair. They selected Datalogic scanning’s Powerscan PM8300 reader for its cordless capabilities and its display which indicates a Good Read confirmation. Lasse stated, “We also chose this particular scanner because of its durability. It is at home in rugged environments and has even fallen to the floor many times without breaking.”

Continue reading »

Challenge
ECHO parts and finished products—numbering more than 15,000—are housed in a 156,000-square-foot distribution center at the company’s Lake Zurich, Ill., headquarters. Over the years, ECHO’s distribution methods have evolved, increasingly becoming more efficient and customer-focused. ECHO has moved from picking products off a carousel and tagging them for shipping to picking with individual forklifts. Both approaches had their drawbacks in terms of efficiency and accuracy.

As the company’s volume increased, it needed a more precise and clear method of picking and labeling to improve internal efficiency and customer satisfaction.

Solution
In the mid-’90s, ECHO implemented bar code printing in every step of its process, from manufacturing to receiving to labeling to picking and shipping. Later, the move to a wireless mobile bar code solution transformed its distribution center.

The company brought in Zebra® QL 420 Plus direct thermal mobile printers, which work wirelessly with Motorola® MC9090 handheld computers. The QL 420 Plus printer is specifically designed for complex mobile printing applications and built to handle increased levels of wireless security and to process complex labels.

Continue reading »

Challenge
For resource-constrained police departments, time is money. The faster they can issue citations, the more revenue they bring in to fund the department. Moreover, completing each citation more quickly minimizes safety risks for officers.

With a traditional approach to citations, MSP airport officers spent five to seven minutes handwriting each one and then had to re-enter that data into an office system when their shifts were over. In addition to the redundant data entry, as many as 30 percent of the handwritten paper tickets were subject to typos, illegibility or the elements of Minnesota weather—reducing the department’s ability to collect on citations.

“We always had problems being able to read names and numbers or ink would wash away in the rain,” said Officer Jeff Mademann, MSP International Airport PD. “We needed something that was easy to use and would allow officers to pay more attention to offenders and less on paperwork.”

Solution
After years of looking for a better approach, the MSP airport police department found a solution.

Continue reading »

Compatible with popular office tools, the PC-based Motorola 123Scan² software makes staging and managing scanners easy

Full of industry firsts, the 123Scan² Configuration Utility for Motorola scanners allows quick and efficient deployment of scanners. The patented wizard tool streamlines the set up process, which can then upgrade scanner firmware and stage large number of scanners simultaneously. Businesses can generate a multi-setting bar code for single scan programming and 123Scan² will check online for software updates to keep scanners running at peak performance – a process made simple because 123Scan² preserves and automatically re-loads pre-upgrade settings upon completion of the firmware upgrade.

Another first is a new utility that automatically detects and establishes a two-way communication with scanners to track and maintain assets and data. This feature combines with powerful reporting applications that provide confirmation that scanners were staged properly and are ready for use, as well as parameter and inventory reports which provide documentation of all provisioning activities – including updates of firmware, configuration settings and more. All of these capabilities are compatible with PC-based systems. Users can generate and email configuration files plus save bar code configuration sheets as Microsoft Word documents for easy re-branding, and can archive asset tracking information directly to Microsoft Access.

Continue reading »

Here’s a European print ad for McDonald’s Big Mac that features a barcode:

BigMac Only 3.29€

Advertising Agency: Heye Group, Germany
Creative Director: Thomas Winklbauer
Copywriter: Christine Deinhart
Art Director: Joerg Stoeckigt

Nancy Fichtner, an employee of the Department of Veterans Affairs has won the first ever President’s SAVE Award. The SAVE Award is given to the Federal employeee with the best idea to save taxpayer dollars and make the government perform more effectively and efficiently.

Fichtner’s idea is to add a barcode to medicines that would allow a hospital patient to take the unused portions of medications such as ointments, inhalers, eye drops, and other bulk items home with them after discharge. These medicines are now being thrown away in many parts of the VA system because they lack adequate labeling for in-hospital and at-home use.

Fichtner’s idea was selected amongst over 30,000 entries. On Monday, December 21, Nancy will present her idea to President Obama at the White House.