Barcoding News

Warehouse and fulfillment operations pose a great challenge any year, but consumer behavior during the pandemic has shifted heavily to online purchases. As a result, operations are handling larger inventories and more receipts, picks, shipments, and returns than ever before.

Meet the Demands of eCommerce Growth

While organizations focused on “keeping up” with demand, this was often at a higher cost (especially since many deprioritized process inefficiencies).

The eCommerce trend is not short-term. In Q1 2020, U.S. ecommerce sales climbed 39% over the same time last year, and growth projections already are nearly two years ahead of forecasts.

With demand still high, any inefficiencies in your processes will be exaggerated (and hence, more costly). Higher costs could mean serious limitations when scaling up your operations.

To optimize your warehouse for growth, small steps can make big impacts on your bottom-line costs, profit margin, even productivity – without significant investment in time, budget, or fancy software.

Ready to trim waste from your eCommerce operations? Get quick results with these five steps:

#1 – Establish a Cleaning Routine for Your Warehouse

Never underestimate the power of “clean.” Dust and dirt can damage product; empty pallets take up valuable space; and scrap boxes and strewn paper become obstacles and potential safety hazards that impede machine and people access, reduce productivity, and add extra steps as workers maneuver to avoid roadblocks. Implement an ongoing “clean routine” task list for your warehouse to streamline traffic and protect product – and workers.

#2 – Save Valuable Time with Cross-Docking

In eCommerce, there is a lot of pressure to ship items fast. If you have back ordered or single-item orders for certain products, you can save valuable time by skipping the restocking process. Instead, set up a process to relabel them for shipping right as they come off the truck on the receiving dock, and route them right back out the door of your shipping dock.

#3 – Simplify the Labeling Process

Labels have been around for decades, quietly getting inventory from point A to point B. Despite their importance, labels are perhaps one of the most underappreciated aspects of warehouse operations – and potentially one of the least efficient. Take time to audit and map your labeling process, paying particular attention to wasted motion, for example, the number of mouse clicks it takes to adjust formats, the number of trips a worker takes to/from the printer. Try to reduce the extra steps and work toward achieving an ideal mobile labeling process of Scan, Print, Apply. Mobile labeling stations, such as the Newcastle NB Series Nucleus System, help reduce walking and double employee productivity.

#4 – Organize SKU Location According to Volume

Certain items in your inventory may be more popular than others. For SKUs with higher order volumes or seasonal spikes, making them more accessible also makes processes more efficient. Location is key, so prioritize these items by placing them closer to packing for instance – and don’t forget to increase the bin size so stock doesn’t run low. 

#5 – Reduce the Steps Required to Fill Orders

It may be hard to believe, but simply reducing the physical number of steps an employee takes to fill an order can result in significant cost and time savings. Converting a stationary workplace to a mobile one is the easiest, most economical way to increase the productivity of your current workers and infrastructure. Powered industrial carts, such as the line of products from Newcastle Systems, can hold and power printers, computers, and more to remove the tethers of a stationary workstation. This is everything workers need to get the job done right at their fingertips.

Improving Warehouse Efficiency

Efforts to optimize warehouse processes don’t have to be time-consuming or expensive. And doing so improves warehouse efficiency, and enables you to scale your operations successfully along with ecommerce growth. Whether you have interest in a specific solution from Newcastle, or have questions about general warehouse efficiency, don’t hesitate to contact us.

Traceability and visibility are crucial measures for your manufacturing operation and production line. Proper traceability and visibility increase efficiency in the production line by catching defects before they leave the plant, thus reducing recall costs and effects. Without complete visibility, traceability systems will fail to report inaccuracies.

In fact, 69% of companies do not have total visibility over their supply chains, which leads many scrambling to prove everything is up to code during audits and inspections. When defects are identified in a product, organizations need to sort through mounds of data to track and trace raw materials. Otherwise, they may be facing a mass recall. These errors can cost your business millions of dollars, but the good news is that they are avoidable.

Effective tracking and locationing technologies empower manufacturing facilities to deliver fast, accurate, and quality service that secures efficiency for the whole supply chain. See how in our video:

Ensure Proper Tracing and Accurate Visibility with Barcodes, Inc.

Proper tracing and accurate visibility are key components to the well-being of manufacturing plants. Barcodes, Inc. ensures that your manufacturing plant is up to date with integrated solutions. Here are some ways proper tracing and visibility can impact your business.

1. Streamline cause analysis – Having access to the data on your products enables manufacturers to dig deep and find the root cause of problems. Identify and solve problems faster to minimize impact.
2. Consistent improvement – Once you are able to see how parts and products move through lines, it’s easier to see where improvement is needed. Knowing where and when bottlenecks and delays occur makes real-time optimization possible.
3. Enhance your value stream – Since traceability and visibility monitors how your products move through your manufacturing process, it also helps with value stream mapping. Equipped with detailed product genealogy records, manufacturers gain supply chain visibility, which provides your operation the ability to see the bigger picture.
4. Quality and engagement – Part traceability along the entire production line can also help find key points where quality check-ups should be added. It also increases accountability and engagement on the shop floor.
5. Simple real-time tracking – Easy-to-use technologies such as Zebra’s locationing hardware simplify on-the-fly tracking of your high demand inventory, by digitally connecting data to your centralized management system. This means workers spend less time looking through files and reports for faster and more accurate audits.

Download our brochure to see more ways effective tracking enhances the production floor.

Contact us today to learn more about RFID technology designed to maximize traceability and visibility in your manufacturing plant.

Extreme environments won’t hinder your operations with Zebra’s VC8300 vehicle-mounted computer. With an ultra-rugged design, the device withstands just about anything a warehouse. 

Zebra’s VC8300 is the ultimate ultra-rugged Android vehicle-mounted computer with both keyboard and touchscreen capabilities. The VC8300 can go everywhere your operators need to go, inside the warehouse, out in the yard, on the loading dock, and even in the freezer. With the VC8300, you can re-use all of your existing accessories, minimizing the cost to upgrade. Its 8-inch display provides plenty of space for graphics-intensive, interactive applications, while best-in-class display resolution and brightness ensure easy viewing in any lighting condition. 

Since the same platform is shared with Zebra’s rugged handheld and wearable mobile devices, any worker can use any device with practically no training, providing the flexibility to deploy and redeploy workers to address changing workloads.

Zebra Technologies designs products to support a variety of industrial business needs. The VC8300 drives productivity with:

• Android Migration Simplicity – Run your Terminal Emulation (TE) apps, right out of the box.
• Advanced WiFi Technologies  – Extended WiFi range and Bluetooth 5.0 with twice the speed.
• Ultimate Flexibility and Convenience – Mount in virtually any material handling vehicle and adjust on the spot
• Ultimate Ultra-Rugged Design – Ready for all environments, including extreme cold or heat and easy to hear in even the loudest environments.

Once you realize the power of the VC8300, you won’t turn back.

[Download Infographic Sheet]

Rugged, versatile, and adaptable, Zebra delivers high performance vehicle-mounted computers to withstand any warehouse environment. Contact us today to see how you can bring a new level of mobility to your growing business.

The Honeywell CT60 XP mobile computer provides real-time connectivity to business critical applications. For fast data capture in a durable, long-lasting form factor, consider the CT60 XP. Used in the field or in store, Honeywell’s CT60 XP offers excellent uptime and productivity.

Built on the Mobility Edge platform, the CT60 XP mobile computer has an integrated, repeatable, and scalable approach based on a common hardware and software platform. This approach means fewer integration challenges without sacrificing security, reliability, or performance.

Relying on many devices across the enterprise introduces time- and cost-intensive complexities. The CT60 XP mobile computer speeds up provisioning, certification, and deployment. The CT60 XP’s product lifecycle works across five Android versions. It’s also Android Enterprise Recommended (AER). AER, a validation led by Google, helps organizations select, deploy and manage Android devices and services with ease.

The CT60 XP mobile computer keeps workers connected and productive all day long. Large file transfers, video streaming, and quick remote access to business applications are some of the best in the industry. And the CT60 XP has enough battery power to last an entire shift. Fast, accurate FlexRange scanning is possible, even on the most damaged barcodes.

How rugged is the CT60 XP? It withstands accidental drops and falls, yet remains lightweight for comfortable, everyday use. The CT60 XP’s 118 mm (4.7 in) Corning Gorilla Glass 5 touchscreen display is easy to read inside and outside. The touchscreen also supports finger, glove, or stylus input.

Honeywell CT60 XP Features and Benefits

• Processor: 2.2 GHz Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 660 octa-core
• Operating System: Each Android version guaranteed from 7.1 to at least 11/R, committed support for Android 12 and 13 pending feasibility
• Memory: 3 GB/4 GB DDR4 RAM, 32 GB Flash
• Display: 118 mm (4.7 in) High Definition (1280 x 720) bright color LCD with backlight, outdoor readable, optically bonded to touch panel, oleophobic fingerprint rejection
• Storage Expansion: User-accessible microSD card up to 512 GB (SDXC/SDHC/SDIOcompliant)
• Battery: Li-Ion, 3.6 V, 4040 mAh with integrated battery diagnostics
• Connectivity: Cellular Radio, Advanced LTE, WLAN, Bluetooth, Integrated NFC

The Granit XP series of wired and wireless scanners are available in Standard Range (SR) and Extended Range (XR) versions. The SR will eventually replace the Granit 1910i and 1911i, and the XR establishes a new category of scanner that can scan equally as well up close as it can far away. The Granit XP is compatible with existing Granit accessories.

The Granit XP series offers best-in-class durability, premium scanning speed (even on low quality barcodes), and a portfolio of products that provide compelling solutions for the most common applications in warehouse, retail, T&L, and manufacturing environments.

Contact us today if you have any questions or would like to receive a Honeywell CT60 XP custom quote.

Deployment and management of mobile devices can overwhelm internal IT teams. Not only does the increasing threat posed by hackers now affect businesses of all sizes, mobile devices also are frequently not optimized for the organization’s specific needs. Average cost to support a mobile device now exceeds $300 per user.

If you were unable to attend the webinar, you can still experience the helpful material. Key takeaways of the webinar include:

• An outline of the risks posed by ransomware attacks, underutilized or legacy devices, and disrupted rollouts
• An overview of how new TrueSupport services assist in deployment, ongoing support, and reporting
• Insight in how Greenworks Tools’ small IT team smoothly implemented a new Warehouse Management System with all new devices

Contact us with any questions.

Loftware has awarded Barcodes Inc. with its Annual NICE Cloud Award.

Barcodes Inc. was in competition with 250 member companies in the NiceLabel channel partner program. The award was presented at Loftware’s recent North America channel partner event and recognizes the organization for proactively selling new subscriptions of NiceLabel Label Cloud.

The CLOUD Award honors a Partner who has achieved substantial Cloud business. This commitment to the future of labeling has helped the Partner differentiate from the competition, create value for the customer, and generate a new recurring revenue stream.

“The team at Barcodes Inc built a unique solution around Label Cloud that addresses a specific need in the healthcare market. Healthcare customers who use Workday can now focus on delivering healthcare services without worrying about their labeling operations. We are delighted that Barcodes, Inc. chose to partner with Loftware for this exciting project.”

Fred Dotson, Americas Director of NiceLabel Partner Sales

President and CEO of the Barcodes Group, Dan Nettesheim commented, “We are proud of this recognition of our partnership with Loftware, growth in Cloud solutions, and dedication to exceeding customer expectations. From labeling products in the healthcare and supply chain markets, our business is well positioned to deploy NiceLabel Cloud solutions into our customers’ businesses.”

Barcodes, Inc. developed a seamless integration between Label Cloud and Workday ERP. Now Workday healthcare users can easily design and print even the most complex barcode labels from within Workday. This effort by Barcodes, Inc. enables highly efficient labeling processes and improves critical care for millions across the US.

About the NiceLabel North America Partner Event
The NICE Awards are a series of recognitions intended to highlight exceptional achievements in the digital transformation of labeling by our Channel. Each Award identifies a key indicator in the growth and success of a partner and in turn, NiceLabel. The award categories include Next, Innovation, Cloud & Enterprise.

For personalized label solutions, such as Label Cloud, contact us today to learn more.

The RJS Inspector 5000 is the industry’s most flexible and cost effective ISO/ANSI method barcode verifier. Extremely easy to use, simply point and shoot the I5000 barcode verifier to analyze the essential verification parameters. Additionally, the RJS Inspector 5000 can decode ISO/ANSI and percent of decode information.

This unique, powerful dual mode barcode verifier supports popular linear symbologies. Access common data points such as store and print capability, multiple scan averaging, and sub-symbology choices through a seven-button user interface. Analysis information appears instantaneously on a large color LCD. In order to keep up with the latest standards, free firmware upgrades can be downloaded and installed for the lifetime of the RJS I5000.

Key Features

• Point and shoot decodability only verification method (Requires CR2 or CR3 scanner)
• ISO 15416 and ANSI X3.182 verification method (Requires optional Auto Optic scanner)
• Auto-Optic scan head allows menu selections for four aperture sizes and two light wavelengths
• Detailed data content and bar code encode testing and results information
• Auto-detects common symbologies
• Bidirectional scanning
• Large color LCD display
• Viewable Scan Reflectance Profile with color coded modulation, decodability, and defects
• Narrow bar width calculator
• Integrated lithium ion battery

The patented Auto-Optic scanner is the industry’s most flexible ISO/ANSI method verifier. Key features include a patented Auto-Optic scan head that allows for eight optical arrangements settable via menu selection. This includes four aperture sizes and two wavelengths of light. Repeatability between units makes the Inspector 5000 an ideal choice for standardizing ISO/ANSI methods throughout your organization.

If needed, a detailed hard copy printout can be produced from the Inspector 5000 using an optional direct thermal printer. Inspection data can transferred to any Windows PC. Once transferred the inspection data can be saved or printed to any standard Window printer or exported to a spreadsheet like Microsoft Excel for analysis.

The RJS Inspector 5000 barcode verifier is the perfect choice for high-volume, busy industrial environments. Contact us today for more information about the I5000.

Introducing the next era of four-inch desktop thermal printers from Brother. The TD-4550DNWB is Brother’s latest and greatest direct thermal barcode and label mobile printer with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. The TD-4550DNWB brings users improved operational efficiency with easy to use, continuous, high speed label printing.

Built with precision in mind, the TD-4550DNWB delivers the right level of performance, quality, and integration at an incomparable value. From inventory and shipping to barcode and shelf labeling, users can efficiently and affordably produce the labels they need, with the dependability and support that Brother delivers. The desktop printer offers the most common sizes of shipping labels as well as the ability to create custom size labels. Given this, productivity can increase while users effortlessly create any type of label they need. Some examples include shipping labels, carton labels, pallet identification labels, and quality control labels.

Designed for the user, the TD-4550DNWB desktop label printer has an intuitive touchscreen with integrated Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity that eliminates the need of cables for the network. With automatic media calibration, the length and width of the users’ media is calculated making the process for printing barcodes effortless. The printers’ state-of-the-art drop-in roll, spindle-less design helps make loading easy with existing or standard converted media. With the Brother TD-4550DNWB, experience fast spindle-less media loading, Windows compatibility, ZPL II emulation, intuitive design software, and Brother template mode. Given that the Brother TD-4550DNWB is fully network ready, the printer can be seamlessly integrated into your current systems. With the printers’ wide range of accessories available, including a peeler and cutter, users can customize the device to their specific labeling requirements.

Key Features:

• Up to 6ips fast print speed matched with compatibility and connectivity options
• 300 dpi. Prints clean, crisp text and accurate scanning barcodes
• Easily integrate into existing and future workflows in warehouse or manufacturing
• USB 2.0, Ethernet LAN, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth
• Labeler peeler and automatic cutter options available
• Backed with an industry leading 2-year Premier Limited Warranty

The Brother TD-4550DNWB label printer gives increased efficiency for labelling applications in demanding, high-volume industries. Contact us today for more information on how the Brother TD-4550DNWB desktop label printer can increase operational efficiency in your warehouse.

Customer expectations have shifted drastically, reshaping today’s storefronts to deliver faster service, consistent product availability, and bolstered customer satisfaction. As a result, retail-ready technologies must now work harder and faster to keep storefronts ahead of demands. Complex workflows can no longer be tolerated, which is why high-demand storefronts such as discount stores are equipping their teams with enterprise-ready mobile devices. As part of an end-to-end mobility solution, next-generation mobility can increase worker performance and meet high demand without overwhelming store associates.

Turning mobility into profitability

Designed to sustain productivity in fast-paced environments, newer enterprise-grade devices such as Zebra’s line of mobile computers and printers streamline workflows to enable…

1. Quicker shelf replenishment – Out-of-stocks are one of the top drivers of lost sales. To prevent empty shelves from driving customers away, mobile devices can function as both scanners, computers, and communicators, allowing employees to quickly locate dwindling stock in real-time and replace products. 
2. Enhanced cybersecurity – If a device is connected to a network, it is vulnerable to cyberattacks. Consequently, modernized mobile devices running on Android are equipped with higher security measures to ward off unauthorized users from accessing sensitive data such as payment information.  
3. Faster frictionless checkout – The checkout lane is one of the most critical foundations of the customer experience. Intelligent scan engines can help reduce wait times by ensuring more successful first-time scans in less time both at the checkout lane and for curbside pickup.

Download our brochure to discover how expert insight can empower your discount store to surpass expectations. For more information on deploying versatile technologies into your storefront, contact Barcodes, Inc. here.

It’s no secret that e-commerce has taken the world by storm, and today’s demanding customers require more and more orders to be shipped every day, faster than ever. For this reason, warehouse and manufacturing plants worldwide are in need of solutions that will enable them to maximize workforce productivity and efficiency. For many, this means going mobile.

Here at Barcodes Inc., we understand these industry pain points and acknowledge the benefits of mobility in the warehouse. That’s why we offer the world’s best-selling and most trusted Android enterprise mobile computer from Zebra, the MC9300 Mobile Computer.

Your business deserves the best, and that’s exactly what the MC9300 delivers. Providing the best Android platform, application support, ultra-rugged design, and accessory system you could ask for, this mobile computer is sure to be a great addition to your mobile fleet. With this in your arsenal, you’ll reap various business benefits, including:

Advanced Data Capture

With the MC9300 at their fingertips, workers can capture barcodes as close as 3 inches and as fast as 70 feet.

Unmatched WiFi

Without a reliable Wi-Fi connection, your applications won’t perform the way you need them too. The MC9300 ensures every worker is supplied with a quality Wi-Fi connection at all times with Worry-free Wi-Fi.

Lifetime Security Guard for Android

Count on must-have security updates with Zebra’s LifeGuard for Android. This will ensure your MC9300 mobile computers stay secure every day they are in service.

With each device updated, configured, and optimized in advance, you’ll be able to quickly deploy new devices on the spot. Our service team is also on standby to update your devices remotely when needed.

Is your organization interested in making the switch to new mobile devices, but doesn’t know where to start? The experts at Barcodes Inc., can help streamline your OS migration process from start to finish.

Contact us, visit the MC9300 product page or read our case study for a retelling of our services in action.