Barcoding News

While barcodes are a crucial tool for trade and commerce, they have also sneaked their way into cultural norms as well. From being used as props in sci-fi films to barcode tattoos, the humble barcode has become such a commonplace item that it is only natural it has become an object of popular culture.

Probably one of the funniest uses of the term barcode comes from Japan. “Barcode hair” is a commonly used term to describe a balding gentleman that comes over his hair. As you  can see in the image, barcode is the first thing to come to mind. Not the most endearing term but definitely descriptive.

I wonder if a 2D imager could read this?

The National Blood Service in Russia assures the supply of high quality blood to medical institutions. This public entity coordinates blood centers all over Russia, making sure the blood donation process, including transportation and storage, is performed correctly. In addition, it assures the proper use of blood components and preparations.

The Challenge
One important part of the blood donation process is collecting data about the donor. The medical assistant must enter pertinent information about the donor and the quantity and quality of the blood collected in an electronic database. In the past, each region of Russia handled its territory’s database separately from the others. However, to assure quality control throughout the country, the National Blood Service determined that these records should be available to all regions. An automated system needed to be created in order to allow the entire work cycle to be kept under control.

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In has been 40 years now since a group of grocery store executives collectively decided to help unify product identification with the use of a barcode. No one would have know at that time that a simple set of black and white lines would become one of the most important technologies for trade in the 20th century.

The Universal Product Code (UPC) was the first movement to a standardized tool that every manufacturer and retailer could use to easily track products, maintain inventory better, and help speed up check-out lanes at the point of sale. The humble UPC hasn’t changed much since its creation in April 1973 but continues to provide an easy and efficient means to manage any product throughout its life cycle.

To better illustrate the UPC bar code’s extensive use and importance, Brussels-based nonprofit GS1, which maintains international UPC standards, has posted an online ticker to count the number of bar codes scanned around the world each day. According to GS1, the average number of daily scans clocks in at more than 5 billion! To think all this started with the first scan of a 10-pack of Juicy Fruit gum at a Marsh Supermarket in Troy, OH in 1974.

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As an industry leader in barcode and RFID technologies, Intermec has been a trusted and reliable provider of Auto-ID Solutions for over 40 years. One field that has seen a increased adoption of these technologies is healthcare. With initiatives to go paperless and ensure more accurate care of patients, barcodes are the perfect technology to improve accuracy and efficiency.  Intermec offers a full product line of printers, scanners, and mobile computers designed to compliment every step of the patient process from check-in to the administration of medication.

For more information or help finding the right Intermec solution for your application, contact us at Barcodes Inc.

Barcodes have become the default tool to use when tracking any kind of product or process due to how easy they are to implementation and the increased efficiency they provide. What once would have been done with paper and pencil, now a simple scan can do the same only faster and more accurately. With the help of scanners from Motorola, you can improve any process from asset management with an MC9190-G or simple attendance tracking with an LS2208.

This infographic is a great overview of some of the most common tracking applications and how barcode scanning makes things easier and more accurate.

For help finding the right scanner for your needs, contact us at Barcodes Inc.

Microscan has announced their recent certification as a U.S. GS1 Solutions Provider. The designation reinforces Microscan’s commitment to providing manufacturers with expert solutions and services that address barcode verification applications and compliance with GS1 standards.

GS1 is an international association dedicated to the development and promotion of global standards and solutions in a broad range of industries, including barcode and identification tools. With 30 years of Auto ID experience, Microscan can offer guidance and support to companies implementing GS1 Standards, and employs certified GS1 Barcode Professionals on its staff with the knowledge and experience to successfully implement barcode verification solutions in industries ranging from electronics assembly to pharmaceuticals to food and beverage packaging.

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RedBeam Asset Tracking software is one of the most comprehensive while still easy to use applications currently available for asset management. It has been a perfect solution for small to mid-sized applications but with the new Enterprise edition, in can now readily meet the comprehensive asset tracking needs of  large organizations as well. This enterprise version of the popular RedBeam Asset Tracking solution includes unlimited PC and mobile computer licenses for compatible mobile computer models.

The enterprise license parts are:

RB-MAT-ENTERPRISE – Asset Tracking – Moile Edition – Enterprise License

RB-MSC-ENTERPRISE – Annual Support for Mobile Edition – Enterprise License

For more information about RedBeam and how it can help improve your asset management, contact us at Barcodes Inc.

Intermec has been a leader in data capture technology for over 40 years now and provides scanning solutions for every business size and type. From batch collectors to 2D Imagers, they have a scanner to fit any application requirement. With a focus on reliability and high performance, you can always count on Intermec scanners.

This infographic is a great overview of the current line of Intermec scanners and will help clarify the functionality and best use cases for each.

POS systems – or point-of-sale systems – are the hardware and software systems that a business uses to process sales and collect payment from customers. POS systems have evolved greatly since  basic register-style units.  Modern systems include many additional features that allow you to input orders, manage inventory, track staff attendance, print invoices, and process reports.

If you’ve been in business for some time  or are still using an old fashioned cash register – you may want to look at updating  your POS and payment processing system. How do you know it’s time for an upgrade? Here are five tell-tale signs: Continue reading »

You already know the benefits of upgrading to Zebra’s latest technology through GO Zebra, but now the benefits are even better!

Beginning  in April, GO Zebra will include a service agreement bonus. When you add a 3-year ZebraCare service agreement to your tabletop or mobile printer purchase, you’ll receive an additional rebate—$25 for mobile printers and $50 for tabletop printers.

This service agreement bonus applies to purchases made between April 1, 2013, and December 31, 2013. Details will be available on the GO Zebra page of the Zebra Information Network (IN) beginning April 1.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at Barcodes Inc.