Barcoding News

Executive Summary

The Bellevue Manufacturing Company specializes in manufacturing automobile parts, such as bumpers, luggage carriers, gasoline gauges and windshield wipers. Over time they have expanded into manufacturing new and innovative products while opening new facilities across North America. Delivering their products hinges on the company flawlessly executing its manufacturing as well as its shipping, receiving, and inventory control operations.

The Business Challenge

Bellevue Manufacturing was opening new facilities and needed a barcode software that could take advantage of a centralized template storage with revision control, as well as integrate with their existing ERP system. Lastly, because of their multiple locations, they wanted a software that could be licensed per printer and still communicate over IP. Their operations team is heavily dependent on the ability to design and print various label designs and place the barcode labels on the correct items.

Bellevue Manufacturing also required a reliable, compact and light industrial barcode printer that made it easy for the user to replace printheads and platen rollers. Due to the various label sizes, they also needed something that supported broad media compatibility. Having the right barcode printer and software combination was integral in increasing productivity and cutting down on wasted time while streamlining their warehouse management process.

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The Apple iPhone has become such a staple mobile device in the world today that it’s no wonder businesses are trying to put it to use in any application they can. When it comes to enterprise-level requirements, the iPhone does come up short on ruggedness and scanning capabilities though. Lucky for us, Honeywell’s Captuvo SL42 Series is the key to bringing consumer-grade iPhones into the enterprise.

For organizations that want to extend the performance and longevity of the popular Apple iPhone device to increase productivity, better engage customers, and capture data to drive real-time decision making at the point of activity; Honeywell’s Captuvo SL42 Enterprise Sled for Apple iPhone 6/ iPhone 6 Plus is the perfect solution.

The SL42 targets mobile frontline workers who require real-time connectivity to business-critical applications and superior barcode scanning performance to improve productivity and better serve customers whether on the floor, on the road, or in the field.

• Quickly and accurately focuses, illuminates, and reads hundreds of barcodes per shift, even when they’re damaged, poorly printed or on a mobile screen.
• Scans direct mark barcodes and other standard 2D barcodes, including AAMVA North American driver’s licenses and document – simply add optional TotalFreedomâ„¢ scanner software plug-ins.
• Rugged specifications extend the iPhone’s lifecycle and eliminate the more frequent replacements required for consumer devices alone.
• Extends your iPhone’s battery life so it can last a full shift and beyond.
• Designed for quick battery replacement, so you don’t lose valuable time taking care of customers.

To get the most out of your scanner, having the latest firmware is key.   Here is a quick and easy way to see what version of firmware you have on your Honeywell scanner and/or your scanner’s CCB (charge and communications base).

Open Word (so you can see what you scan) and scan this barcode:

Your scanner’s firmware number shows up as “Software Part Number”.   See below results from a scan from a Granit 1911i.  There is separate firmware for the scanner and its base.

• Product Name: Industrial Charge & Communication Base
• Boot Revision: : 2734
• Software Part Number: BK000121AAA
• Software Revision: $ProjectRevision: 3952
• Serial Number: 13126B1ABD
• Supported IF: Standard
• PCB Assembly ID: 000000
• Product Name: 1911i Industrial Wireless Area-Imaging Scanner
• Boot Revision: : 2734
• Software Part Number: BJ000144AAA
• Software Revision: $ProjectRevision: 4467
• Serial Number: 13128B031F
• Supported IF: Bluetooth
• PCB Assembly ID: 000000
• Engine Firmware Type: N/A   Revision: N/A   Serial Number: N/A   Checksum: N/A

Latest firmware versions can be found on our external website on each scanner’s web page.  You’ll have to drill down a bit, but it’s there.

To load the latest firmware you’ll need EZConfig – our free scanner configuration tool.  See below for instructions on loading new firmware onto a Honeywell Xenon 1902g

How to load new firmware onto a Xenon 1902g.

1. You will need to update firmware for both the scanner and the charge/communication base.
2. Save .MOC firmware files for both the charge/communication base and the scanner (two .MOC files) to your hard drive. You can get them from the scanner’s webpage - https://aidc.honeywell.com/en-US/Pages/Product.aspx?category=wireless-barcode-scanner&cat=HSM&pid=1902 - under the “Firmware” section.
3. Download EZConfig (our free scanner configuration tool) or log into the web version. Both can be found here: https://country.honeywellaidc.com/en-AP/Pages/Product.aspx?category=device-management-software&cat=HSM&pid=ezconfig
4. Connect your charge/communication base (with scanner inserted) to your computer via USB.
5. Open EZConfig.
6. Click “Connected Device”. See below.
7. Select “Update Firmware”. See below.

Note:  If you use the version of EZConfig that sits on your PC, it may tell you that your scanner has the latest version of firmware when you actually don’t.  Always check the scanner’s external webpage for the latest.

Another Note:  For Bluetooth Scanners – except for the Honeywell 8670 back-of-the-hand Bluetooth Scanner – you’ll need to update both the base (CCB) and the scanner’s firmware.  lt’s always best to load the firmware on the scanner first then the CCB.

The University of Notre Dame Hesburgh Library is the home to over 3.3 million volumes, amongst the top 75 collections within all U.S. research universities. It serves over 14,000 students, faculty, and staff and has a circulation of 329,511. The IT Systems Analyst for the library came to Barcodes, Inc.  because their current barcode scanner did not scan barcodes well under the LED lights. Additionally, the clerks received no negative feedback when a barcode was unable to be read. Finally, the library staff wanted a barcode scanner that could be stationed throughout the campus libraries where students and employees can check books in and out as needed with their ID cards, which would ultimately create more space in certain areas of the library.

Barcodes, Inc. recommended the AirTrack S1 barcode scanner for their library. The S1 is equipped with 1D reading technology and Green Spot technology for good-read feedback. The Green Spot improves user performance by projecting a green spot directly on the bar code just read. This visual confirmation is perfect for applications where silent reading is preferred or in environments that are too noisy to hear the beep, such as a library. The University of Notre Dame has been pleased with the performance and uniqueness that AirTrack brings to the table.

To learn more about the AirTrack S1 or our library barcode scanners, call one of our representatives.

Honeywell’s new Duratran XL 4×6 labels offer you the opportunity to lower costs while increasing printing. Lower price per label. Less change over time. Less warehouse space. Lower shipping costs. More printing per roll. With 1500 labels/roll, there are 50% more labels/roll than a standard roll.

The State of Louisiana reached out to Barcodes, Inc. in need of a way to track specimen samples for their Department of Health and Hospitals. Their biggest concern was that the labels on the specimen samples were not water resistant and the labels either eroded or the content on the labels became unreadable. They wanted a barcode printer to print low volume barcode labels on demand as needed. The State of Louisiana also needed a barcode reader to scan the barcodes off of the specimen samples.

Barcodes, Inc. recommended the AirTrack DP-1 desktop barcode printer for their printing needs. The DP-1 is ideal for low-volume printing and locations with limited counter space. Additionally, Barcodes supplied the State of Louisiana with custom waterproof labels and the AirTrack S2 barcode scanners that were necessary to read 2D barcodes off of the specimen labels.

The State of Louisiana has been so impressed with the AirTrack brand that is will be deploying the AirTrack IP-1 industrial printer to some of their high volume facilities. For more information on AirTrack barcoding devices call one of our representatives.

Zebra and Confidex have worked together to develop this unique solution consisting of a redesigned ZT410 RFID printer, optimized Silverline labels and high quality Zebra ribbons. This combination provides for excellent print quality, encoding accuracy and ease of solution deployment and use. Silverline labels, now offered exclusively by Zebra, are available in three sizes to meet the needs of a wide variety of applications. When combined with Zebra’s RFID reader portfolio, the launch of Silverline enables complete Zebra RFID solutions for the most critical Enterprise Assets. For example in healthcare, hospital assets like wheel chairs, beds, oxygen canisters, IV pumps, medical diagnostic instruments, etc. can now be accurately and efficiently RFID tagged. In manufacturing, it enables tagging of tools, fixtures, metal parts, returnable containers, etc. Tagging of IT assets such as laptops, servers, tablets, etc. is another ideal use case.

Silverline Solution:
• Total Solution: Silverline RFID tags and Zebra ZT410 Silverline printer
• Provides RFID labels that work directly on all surfaces
• Prints and encodes labels for metal and liquid-filled assets
• Choose from three types of RFID labels: standard, slim and micro
• Available Globally
• Read range of up to 5m
• Reliable, flexible and scalable

Barthes Co is a technology company that focuses on repairs for various types of devices. Before reaching out to Barcodes, Inc. they printed thousands of shipping labels using an inkjet printer, but quickly realized that their printers were breaking down and simply not keeping up with the thousands of shipping labels that were required to be printed. Additionally, they wanted to automate a process that required each of their sales representatives to manually track their sales orders against sales goals.

Barcodes, Inc. recommended the AirTrack DP-1 desktop printer to manage the printing of their shipping labels, which was not only more cost effective, but also more reliable and faster than an inkjet printer. In addition to the barcode printer, Barcodes supplied Barthes Co with flood coated barcode labels, which helps simplify product identification while making picking and organization much easier. Finally, Barcodes, Inc. recommended the KoamTac KDC410, a sled for the Apple iPhone, which was compatible with the Barthes Co sales tracking software that was used internally. The KDC410 allowed sales representatives to scan the barcode on a purchase order, which in turn would update their sales progress and allow them to track everything from their iPhone no matter where they were located. Barthes Co saw an immediate boost in production and employee satisfaction.

To learn more about the AirTrack DP-1, KoamTac KDC410, or our barcode label selection, contact one of our representatives.

Seagull Scientific has announced the immediate availability of the BarTender Print Portal App, making enterprise label printing as easy and flexible as using your smartphone or tablet.

The BarTender Print Portal App works with any iOS or Android device to enable easy printing of your BarTender documents. BarTender securely controls and monitors access to labels and documents, while the BarTender Print Portal App enables users to input print-time data or select options through customizable forms, and print from their mobile device to IP and Bluetooth printers.

BarTender users across a wide variety of industries will gain significant printing flexibility with the BarTender Print Portal App. In the warehouse, workers equipped with a mobile “belt printer” can enter label data via the app to generate supply chain and shipping labels where the labels will be applied – no need to return to a central printing station. Healthcare workers can access and print accurate patient labeling at the bedside. And in field service applications, where drivers increasingly travel with small footprint portable printers, the most up-to-date labels can be printed on-demand at remote locations.

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PCA is a commercial printing services company that was looking for a barcode scanner to read 2D QR codes in order to print marketing flyers on demand for their customers. In addition to requiring an imager barcode scanner PCA wanted to allow their users to scan a barcode and go to the next field within their software application, rather than having an employee manually hit enter on a keyboard.

Barcodes, Inc. recommended the AirTrack S2 as their go-to barcode scanner. Not only was the S2 reasonably priced, but its performance was exactly what PCA needed. Furthermore, Barcodes, Inc. ensured the barcode scanner was programmed with a carriage return prior to shipping, which eliminated the need for PCA users to hit the enter button after every scan. PCA’s productivity skyrocketed by printing quicker and wasting less of their employees’ time.

For more information about the AirTrack S2 or Barcodes, Inc.’s professional services contact one of our representatives.