A Guide to Smart Printing
Understanding the Capabilities, Use Cases and Advantages of Smart Printers
Businesses are continually looking for ways to work smarter. Printing operations provide an excellent – and often overlooked – opportunity. One growing trend among companies with bar code printing operations is to leverage the capabilities of “smart” printers, which are printers that integrate the power of a personal computer. Smart printers enable businesses to change the way their printing operations are structured, to streamline and improve processes in ways that reduce operating costs while improving reliability.
Smart printing takes advantage of the memory and processing power available in advanced printers to run printing operations independently, without a PC or network connection to another host computer. Smart printers can run software applications and can function as PLCs to control other devices, including scales, scanners and label applicators. By using the computing power that’s in the printer, organizations can reduce their IT hardware, networking and support requirements, lower the total cost of printing operations, and create work processes that improve productivity and reduce opportunities for errors.
Motorola’s VC6090 Improves Operational Efficiencies and Worker Productivity
Motorola today introduced the new VC6090 vehicle-mount mobile computer to help improve the productivity and accuracy of warehouse and distribution operations by enabling voice, data and bar code scanning capability in a rugged, size-optimized mobile form factor.
The VC6090 provides the ideal form factor for tight-spaced lift trucks with an all-in-one design that maximizes space utilization and minimizes driver obstruction. With an integrated keyboard with large keys for workers using gloves and an easy-to- read touchscreen display, the VC6090 mobile computer can be viewed and operated in most warehouse environments, resulting in improved decision-making and reduced errors. Integrated voice and data on the VC6090 simplifies tasks for drivers and IT organizations and with Wi-Fi support, drivers can connect to any available wireless LAN (WLAN) inside an enterprise campus or when in range of access points.
Rugged enough to handle any environment the VC6090 is also designed to withstand the constant vibration associated with vehicle mounting. In order to get the most out of your investment, the VC6090 is available with the Service from the Start with Comprehensive Coverage program, providing coverage for normal wear and tear as well as accidental damage to internal and external components, significantly reducing unforeseen repair expenses.
Microscan’s C-Mount QX Hawk Imager Wins 2012 Ringier Technology Innovation Award for Packaging Industry
Microscan announcd that its C-mount design QX Hawk barcode imager has won a 2012 Ringier Technology Innovation Award in the Packaging Industry category. Microscan’s Weijiang Song accepted the award during a ceremony in Shanghai. This event was coorganized by Ringier Trade Media and its magazine International Packaging News for China, together with ProPak China 2012. Following a strict selection process by an independent judge panel, with reference to online voting results, 21 winning companies were selected for their innovative products and technologies across 5 categories, including Package Converting, Packaging Application, Packaging Materials, Package Printing and Green Packaging. The overall aim of the award is to commend the contributions of companies promoting the development of packaging industry.
At the beginning of this year, Microscan introduced a new C-mount lens configuration for two of its products: the popular QX Hawk imager and the Vision HAWK smart camera. The QX Hawk imager is ideal for industrial track and trace applications, with powerful algorithms for reading virtually all linear and 2D barcodes. The rugged Vision HAWK smart camera combines the same decode capability with a complete vision toolset to enable a broad range of inspection and identification tasks. Both products can now be used with interchangeable lenses to address more application needs, such as high magnification and wide fields of view.
New Wireless Rugged Pocket Scanner From Wasp – WWS100i
Wasp Technologies is launching the new WWS100i Wireless Pocket Barcode Scanner. The scanner offers cordless operability via mobile device, and a tablet PC or smartphone can be used to remotely update or monitor asset and inventory items.
At just 15 ounces, the WWS100i fits into a pocket and can read poorly printed or damaged barcodes with a print contrast ratio (PCR) as low as 30 percent. The device can withstand five-foot drops to concrete and can handle up to 5,000 scans on a single charge of its rechargeable lithium-ion battery.
Available immediately, the WWS100i has a list price of $195. For more information, contact us.
Janam XM66 Rugged Mobile Computers Used Extensively at London Olympics
Janam Technologies announced that its XM66 rugged handheld devices are being used to scan spectator tickets during this summer’s preeminent global sporting event.
“Moving spectators quickly and easily into multiple ticketed venues is crucial for success of the event,” said Harry B. Lerner, CEO of Janam. “We are extremely proud that Janam was selected and couldn’t ask for a better venue to showcase the capabilities of our products.”
“This is yet another case where mission critical operational needs are best addressed with purpose-built tools, as opposed to fragile consumer devices in attachable sleds with half a day of battery life,” Lerner added. “This solution required rapid-fire barcode scanning and secure, reliable wireless data communication in a lightweight yet rugged device.”
UPS Puts Ring Scanners To Increase Workday Efficiencies
In another significant technology upgrade within its package handling operation, UPS announced the deployment of a new type of “wearable” scanning system for employees that accelerates the loading of packages into vehicles and the delivery of visibility information to customers.
The new device, made by Motorola Solutions consists of a hands-free imager that is worn on a finger and a small terminal worn on the employee’s wrist or hip. The ring imager represents a major advance because it automatically scans based on label-sensing technology, allowing UPS employees to more quickly image barcodes compared to the current “point and shoot” method with existing equipment.
The improved technology enables UPS to accelerate the transfer of package tracking data to customers and improves package travel reliability through the system. Internally referred to as “link and load,” the scans are key to providing the tracking data that feeds the 32.1 million tracking requests viewed daily on ups.com.
With the new equipment, the ring scanner sends each package’s tracking information via Bluetooth to the terminal worn on the wrist or hip. The data is then transmitted over Wi-Fi to the UPS facility network and ultimately to UPS’s global data centers to be stored and processed to be quickly accessed by customers.
Zebra’s New 4″ Desktop Printer the GC420
Zebra announces the release of the GC420 desktop printers. These compact printers allow organisations of all sizes to see more and do more by enabling track-and-trace capabilities for numerous applications, including:
Manufacturing – light industrial work-in-process, product and shipping labelling
Transportation & logistics – boarding tickets, bag tags, parking passes
Retail – price labelling shelf marking, receipt printing
Healthcare – laboratory specimen and blood bank labelling
Post – electronic stamping, address labelling
These new printers offer productivity enhancements essential for small to mid-size manufacturers, transportation and logistics businesses as well as retail, healthcare and post. The GC420 provides excellent value performance based on customer-proven mechanical design.
Code Releases The New CR2600
Code Corporation announced the launch of the Code Reader 2600 (CR2600). The CR2600 introduces new high performance bar code reading technologies which results in unequaled, unmatched bar code reading performance.
With an aggressive scan engine, the CR2600 decodes 1D and 2D bar codes faster and features patented technologies including dual field optics and glare reducing technology. The CR2600 is available in both palm and handled configurations, and features durable quick-release, rechargeable, battery cartridges. The newly designed battery cartridge accurately measures charge level and displays battery life using a fuel gauge indicator.
The disinfectant ready housing and IP65 sealing of the CR2600 prevents plastic degradation and securely protects electronics and optics. The CR2600 is both rugged and durable and ideal for applications in 24/7, 365, high traffic environments such as healthcare, retail, and manufacturing
Denso Announces New BHT-1100 Handheld Wireless Barcode Terminals
Denso ADC, inventor of the QR Code, announced the release of the BHT-1100 series of handheld wireless barcode terminals. The new devices offer several outstanding features that make barcode scanning quicker and easier, thus increasing operator efficiency.
Denso’s Advanced Scan Plus CCD technology can read barcodes three times faster than a laser scanner and from up to 25 feet or more away, allowing the operator to quickly and continuously scan stock shelves from floor to ceiling without having to use a stepladder. In addition, the BHT-1100 terminals have an expanded scan pattern, resulting in accurate scanning of even smeared barcodes or those that have become partially obscured by dirt.
The terminals’ ergonomic design features a large, easy-to-read screen and a slim, easy-to-hold grip, to reduce operator fatigue. A specially designed scan angle, based on studies of units in actual operation, minimizes screen glare and provides high readability under varying lighting conditions, helping prevent eyestrain.
Wide-area 802.11b/g/n wireless coverage and high-speed data transmission make communication quicker and easier even in large stores or warehouses. An optional built-in digital camera allows the operator to take photos of defective goods during inspection, eliminating the need to carry a separate camera.
Are Zebra Printers Used In Your Life?
Zebra printers are some of the most popular and commonly used printers today. You can find Zebra printers in retail, manufacturing, hospitality, government, healthcare, and educational environments being used for a variety of printing applications. From wristbands to labels and even ID cards, no matter the environment, there is a Zebra printer to meet the needs of every application.
