Barcoding News

Convenience is the driving force behind every retail experience. From quick product availability to easy coupon use and a fast checkout, every customer wants an easy and trouble free shopping experience.

The last place you want sour any customer experience is the check-out line. Keeping lines short, easy, and fast is key. A common overlooked component to every point-of-sale system is the barcode scanner. Many businesses opt for the least costly barcode scanner not realizing how it may effect the overall experience. The sooner items are scanned, the faster a customer can be on their way.

Where you would once see a basic 1D laser scanner, today the use of 2D Imagers like the Zebra DS9208 has become a more capable solution. Imagers require less aiming and provide faster reading on printed product barcodes but can also read 2D codes from mobile coupons, mobile gift and loyalty cards, boarding passes and even theater tickets. The DS9208 can even read barcodes off of a phone screen.

The DS9208 provides all the features you need to keep your workers productive, industry-leading scanning speed, true point-and-shoot scanning simplicity ‘ no need to align bar code and scanner, and hands-free and handheld flexibility.

No matter your business size, barcodes are a part of everyday operations from inventory and asset tracking to any retail check-out.  A barcode is a straight-forward and accurate means to track anything through whatever process you may need. Depending on where in the product chain your business may be, some items may have barcodes already but more often than not you’ll need a flexible barcoding software to make the specific types of barcodes you need.

A it’s most basic, a barcode software will allow you to design and print a barcode with the specific data you need. It could be a simple product number, a unique asset ID, or shipping details for a package. Some barcoding software will provide additional features like the ability for 2D or stacked barcodes as well as automation capabilities from a database or Excel. No matter how simple or integrated of a software you may need, there is a barcoding software solution that can be set-up to accomplish any goal.

Key Barcode Software providers

• Seagull Scientific 
• Teklynx
• Wasp
• NiceLabel

For assistance finding the right software for your business labeling needs, contact one of our printing specialists at Barcodes, Inc.

As Wi-Fi capabilities constantly improve, having the right access point to meet your current and future network needs is crucial. Many bandwidth-hungry critical business applications are accessed over wireless networks; Wi-Fi infrastructures are expected to provide required speed and capacity, and user experience is measured beyond jitter and latency. Number and types of mobile devices that are connecting to Wi-Fi is exponential, and large numbers of new devices that do not require human intervention are joining wireless networks every day.

The Aerohive AP550 is an excellent choice to provide instant adaption to ever-changing capacity and density needs. AP550 features 4×4:4 MU-MIMO with aggregate data rates up to 3.46 Gbps per access point. Software configurable radio allows IT managers to enable dual 5GHz 802.11ac performance on both radios to provide the best of coverage and capacity Wi-Fi design and maximize ROI. Built-in BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) radio enables proximity, indoor location tracking, and other location-based mobile engagement services.

Key Features

• Software selectable radio allowing either two 5 GHz 802.11a/n/ac radios (for High Density-High Capacity deployments) or concurrent 802.11a/n/ac and 802.11b/g/n radios
• Full 4×4:4 Wave 2 802.11ac MU-MIMO and dual 5 GHz performance
• Built-in Bluetooth Low Energy for iBeacon and other beacon technologies
• IoT readiness with USB port for other wireless technologies to connect seamlessly

For healthcare professionals, streamlining data collection and communications among staff and patients is one key to patient care. That’s why adding a Captuvo SL22h or Captuvo SL42h enterprise sleds to Apple iPod or iPhone devices makes sense. Your clinicians will gain a more robust productivity tool that’s protected by a disinfectant-ready housing.

Healthcare professionals will readily appreciate how this easy-to-use solution helps you streamline data collection and communications among staff and patients. Plus, the sleds are moisture sealed with disinfectant-ready plastic and a sealed screen protector, so it’s ready to withstand sanitizers and disinfectants.

When it comes to integrating a touch-based experience into any commercial environment, Elo offers one of the widest ranges of open-frame touchscreen. Available with a choice of industry-leading touch technologies, in single-, dual- or multi-touch technology, Elo touch displays offer a performance beyond your typical touch devices.

The Elo 2494L 23.8-inch open-frame LCD touch display features a slim design and narrow outside dimensions due to the state-of-the-art, energy saving LED backlight, using less electricity to operate and generating less heat. This compact display is designed for touch, with proven Elo expertise and reliability built in. The 2494L provides stable, drift-free operation with outstanding image clarity and light transmission for accurate touch responses and vivid images. Featuring a brilliant wide viewing angle panel, the open-frame touchscreen instantly grabs and holds the users’ attention for kiosks, casino and amusement, retail self-service, and industrial automation environments.

Key features

• Viewing angle of 178° (h) x 178° (v), for sharp colors and graphics in both portrait and landscape modes
• Projected capacitive (PCAP) two glass solution (2GS) offers pristine optical clarity and touch durability that passes UL-60950 & IK-07 impact testing
• 10-touch TouchPro projected capacitive (PCAP) with two-touch Thru-glass capabilities
• Display Port and VGA video interfaces

To make sure you scan the intended barcode when a bunch of barcodes are bunched together – you have Aimer Delay (coupled with Centering) and you have CodeGate (coupled with Centering) – which we have discussed.  There is another scanner feature that addresses this problem – “Laser Aimer – Scanning Duration”.  It’s a feature in the Honeywell Granit 1280i User Guide, but it also works with other Honeywell area imagers – the Xenon and the other Granit Series.

Here is how this feature works once the feature is turned on:

• Pull the trigger 1x.  The aimer turns on for X number of seconds which you preprogrammed when turning on the feature
• It will also scan if you have it aimed at a barcode.
• If it’s not aimed at a barcode it will give you X seconds to aim the scanner & pull the trigger before the aimer turns off.

Here is a one minute video that demonstrates what I tried to explain:   https://vimeo.com/209922345

You really need to test this!  It’s awesome.  Here are the directions for testing it.

1. Scan the below barcode

2. Then go to the back of the Honeywell Xenon/Granit User Guide – page 264 (Programming Chart) – and scan 5000 (5 seconds).
3. Then on page 265 scan “Save”.

As a leading manufacturer of label printers and media, Honeywell provides a wide range of label materials to meet any need. When it comes to direct thermal printing the Duratherm series provides cost-effective printing with various levels of durability, from uncoated paper to top-coated synthetic labels.

Without the need for ribbon changeover, Duratherm products are easy to use and demand less operator intervention. Duratherm labels have been designed for use with both visible and infrared scanners in indoor applications with high humidity, high surface abrasion, at demanding fast print speeds.

In addition to being a high quality label, when you exclusively use Honeywell media with Honeywell printers, their Free Printhead Replacement Program offers significant cost savings.

• Duratherm Receipt – A direct thermal paper that provides excellent print quality. Well-suited for most general receipt applications, most notably for use in portable thermal printers.
• Duratherm II Label – A general purpose direct thermal paper label that delivers high-quality, cost-effective printing.Duratherm II is recommended for most general use applications where exposure to chemicals and moisture is not anticipated.
• Duratherm III Label – A top-coated direct thermal paper label that delivers high-quality printing and enhanced durability.Duratherm III is recommended for applications where high humidity, moisture contact and surface abrasion are concerns.
• Duratherm NIR – A premium direct thermal paper label engineered to deliver high-contrast images and enhanced durability. Duratherm III NIR is targeted for use in applications with challenging barcode scanning requirements and is well-suited for high-speed sortation applications.
• Duratherm II Tag – A general purpose paper tag providing high-quality, cost-effective printing.Duratherm II Tag is recommended for applications where labeling is not suitable. This product resists curling, even in high humidity environments.

Bixolon’s latest label printer addition, the SLP-TX220 2″ thermal transfer desktop printer with optional Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, is perfect for a range of applications from wrist banding, order labelling to barcode printing.

The SLP-TX220 is the world’s first 2″ thermal transfer desktop printer with built-in Bluetooth with MFi iAP2 certification. Teamed with a smart Bluetooth Auto Switch allowing easy switching from iOS settings to standard Bluetooth mode.

Printing at speeds up to 6ips and high resolution 203 dpi print quality. The SLP-TX220 provides fast data processing speeds for various types of labels. Designed with Autocutter and Peeler options, the SLP-TX220 features a space saving 74mm ribbon and easy paper loading, alongside an adjustable paper guide.

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Labels are a crucial element in any application barcodes are used that can easily be overlooked.  Thermal printing isn’t rocket science but having the right high quality label for your specific needs can be the key to success and profitability.

Not all thermal labels are created equal. Zebra has been a label printing leader for decades now. Using their supplies means you have access to a large selection of quality, pre-tested, supplies manufactured by a thermal industry expert, reducing your risks.

Zebra has intimate knowledge of thermal printers and understands the importance of using quality materials and processes. With one of the largest selections of thoroughly tested label materials to choose from you cab rest assured with any Zebra label you may need. Continue reading »

Do you want to improve your wireless network performance with all the advantages of 802.11ac without breaking the bank? Aruba’s 300 series access points are the perfect solution for getting into 802.11ac with ease.

The entry-level Aruba 300 Series Wave 2 access points deliver high performance and superb user experience for medium density environments. Featuring 3×3:3SS MU-MIMO capability, Aruba advanced ClientMatch radio management, and integrated Aruba Beacons, the 300 Series enables an all wireless digital work environment in a cost effective manner.

With a maximum concurrent data rate of 1,300 Mbps in the 5GHz band and 400 Mbps in the 2.4GHz band (for an aggregate peak data rate of 1.7Gbps), the entry-level 300 Series brings an always-on wireless network experience with the performance required for enterprises. It is ideal for cost sensitive medium density environments across verticals.

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