The Electronic Logging Device (ELD) Mandate took effect on December 18, 2017. Since then drivers were given some leeway. If they were caught without the proper ELD equipment, documents, or training they were written up, but neither they nor the companies they drive for were penalized for it. That leeway officially ended on April 1^st.

Under the Compliance, Safety, and Accountability program (CSA) any driver now caught without the proper ELD equipment will have CSA points levied against them and their companies. Furthermore, according to Kerri Wirachowsky, Director of the roadside inspection program at the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance, trucks will be put into the penalty box, in most cases for up to 10 hours.

With the ELD Mandate drivers must have and be able to do the following.

1. Tell enforcement that there is an electronic user manual with instructions for using the device, on the device, in the form of help screens.
2. Be able to produce recent data and transfer it to an inspector electronically.
3. Instructions for reporting malfunctions and record-keeping procedures during malfunctions.
4. Have at least an eight day supply of blank forms for recording a driver’s hours of service in the event the mobile device fails.

April 1^st has come and gone, hence if drivers are not ELD compliant by now its important to do so. Mainly because just having an ELD does not mean the driver is in compliance. The driver must also be able to operate the ELD. Not being able to do so will be treated as if the driver didn’t have the proper equipment on board.

To comply with the ELD Mandate you’ll need a device, below are some of the newest mobile device options for ELD:

• Zebra TC56 rugged smartphone
• Honeywell CT50 rugged smartphone
• Panasonic Toughpad FZ-G1 rugged tablet
• Samsung Galaxy Tab tablet

To learn more about the ELD Mandate or to get a free consultation on an ELD hardware and software solution, reach out to one of our Barcodes, Inc. representatives.

It’s that time of the month again for a consumables refresh, to make sure that you do not run out of consumables by the end of the month. If you need new labels, try to looking into our Honeywell genuine print media where you can be assured you’ll get high quality, durable media, with more efficiency, reduced cost, and Honeywell’s library of custom pre-print solutions.

Honeywell can supply a wide variety of label media to support different application needs and custom solutions are tailored to what you need in-house. If you have special requirements, or lack of access to on-demand printing capabilities in-house, then our team can help. For example:

• Direct or Thermal Transfer Labels
• Retro-reflective rack labels (upon request)
• Labels for harsh or outdoor environments
• Serialized product and asset id labels and tags
• and many other options

Additionally, all Honeywell barcode printer and label users are in for a treat! With the new Honeywell printhead replacement program you can get a replacement printhead for FREE due to normal wear and tear. This program is valid as long as you exclusively use Honeywell media products.

Long Term Benefits:

• More printer uptime with a lower total cost of ownership
• Increased ROI based on extended printer life

To learn more about Honeywell media supplies, contact our dedicated account managers.

Whether you are looking into automating your system or looking of ways to improve your daily operation, come join us at MODEX 2018.

We are excited to tell you that we will be in one of the largest supply chain expo in North and South America. Come visit our booth #C1338 to see how you can cut operation costs, maximize efficiencies, and reduce risk in your supply chain. We will also have demos of mobile computer, printers, and scanners for you to check out and our sales engineers who will be able to share their expertise on what kind of equipment is right for you.

Learn how to get a free assessment when you stop by our booth.

MODEX 2018
April 9-12, 10AM-5PM
Georgia World Congress Center
#C1338

Register below for a complimentary pass to MODEX 2018, see you there!

Following the FX 9500, Zebra Technologies has announced the New FX9600 Fixed RFID Reader. The new FX9600 has a rugged design for any industrial space. High read performance easily tracks the highest volume of densely tagged case, pallets, and items that goes in and out of your warehouse and docks daily.

What makes FX9600 the Best Fixed Reader?

Top of the Line Performance
High RF sensitivity for faster pick, pack, and ship. The more efficient the more profitable your operation can be.

Deployment Simplicity
FX9600 can parse data directly on the reader, so less data transmitted to backend servers, increasing bandwidth, and improving network performance.

Connect to Wi-Fi and Bluetooth devices
Can support Bluetooth dongle, so no need for excessive hard-wired connections to the access point.

More Read Points Per Reader
Four- port and Eight Port Model, enabling you to cover more dock doors and portals with fewer readers- lowering your initial investment, as well as deployment time and costs.

Rugged Design for Tough Environments
IP53 rating to ensure uptime even in damp, dusty work areas, extreme heat or subzero temperatures.

Get the most out of your investment, contact our dedicated account managers for more information.

Whether you are looking into automating your system or looking of ways to improve your daily operation, come join us at MODEX 2018.

We are excited to tell you that we will be in one of the largest supply chain expo in North and South America. Come visit our booth #C1338 to see how you can cut operation costs, maximize efficiencies, and reduce risk in your supply chain. We will also have demos of mobile computer, printers, and scanners for you to check out and our sales engineers who will be able to share their expertise on what kind of equipment is right for you.

Learn how to get a free assessment when you stop by our booth.

MODEX 2018
April 9-12, 10AM-5PM
Georgia World Congress Center
#C1338

Register below for a complimentary pass to MODEX 2018, see you there!

Many merchants use Amazon as a platform to reach out to their customers. Each unit that you send to Amazon for fulfillment needs a scannable barcode to enable storage at their facility.

So what do you need to do to label your inventory for Amazon?

Amazon advised that you should,

• Use a direct thermal printer with a print resolution of 300DPI or greater. (Each label must be readable and scannable for 24 months)
  Amazon fulfillment centers currently use the Zebra GX430t models with direct thermal setting. (More affordable and comparable option, Airtrack DP-1)
  • Labels to include
    1. Barcode
    Format: Code 128A
    Height: Greater than 0.25″ or 15% of barcode length
    Narrow Barcode element: For 300 dpi printers-3.33mils For 200 dpi printers-20mils
    Wide to Narrow Ratio: 3:1
    Quiet Zone (sides): Greater than 0.25″
    Quiet Zone (top and bottom): Greater than 0.125″
    2. FNSKU: Used by Amazon fulfillment centers to identify each unique product. To get the FNSKU, set the product as Fulfilled by Amazon, and then launch it to Amazon. Once the item is in your catalog in SellerCentral, Amazon will assign an FNSKU to the product.
    3. Title and Description
    4. Condition of the Unit
    5. Any Optional information to specify the product
    

Label Specifications require it to be printed on a white label and recommended to print on a dimension between 1×2″ and 2×3″ with a removable adhesive if directly on product. If you do not wish to label your own inventory, you can sign up for the FBA Label Service and have Amazon apply barcodes to your eligible items. (Per-item fee applies)

What about Shipment Labels?

Each box or pallet that you send to Amazon must be properly identified with a shipment label.

• Labels supports the measures of 4×6″.
• Don’t place labels on the seems of the box. (Might get cut by a box cutter which results into an unreadable barcode)
• FBA shipment label should be placed next to the carrier label. Both needs to be uncovered for easy scanning.
• Each box you include in the shipment must have its own label from the shipping Queue.
• Each pallet needs four labels, one on top and the center of each visible sides.

For more in depth packaging and shipping instructions, please review this reference guide from Amazon.

Feel free to click on a few of our products that can help you create the labels you need for your business. If you have any needs or uncertainty, contact our dedicated account manager and they can help you pick the right equipment you need.

GX430t                                      DP-1                                   3×1″                                  4×6″

Why Should You Buy The ZD420 Series?

1. Simple
   Installation, setup, and management is easy as 1,2,3.
   Drop the ribbon in place, plug it in, customize your printer configuration, and remote access to all the settings on the printers with Zebra’s printer profile manager.
2. Same Format
   Whether you are upgrading to Zebra or a different printer, the ZD420 can use the exact label formats you use to print with no modifications needed.
3. Efficiency
   The design of the printer is so simple anyone can use it. No need to spend time for training during work time, color coding and instruction labels makes ribbon changes fool proof. The result is less downtime, less technical support, and increased worker productivity.
4. Saves Money
   With the new 300m ribbon for the ZD420 means four times fewer ribbon changes. This high capacity ribbon means you will be paying less per inch, reducing the cost of your supplies and cost for ribbon changing downtime.
5. Built for Your Preference 
   Buy the ZD420 printer with the features you need today, and just like legos, you can add features on site anytime to meet changing needs. Whether you need a cutter, peeler, movable media sensor to Ethernet Connectivity, there’s an accessory for you.

Applications:
Retail- Prices markdowns, shelf, asset, and return labels
Healthcare- Prescriptions, lab labels, patient ID wristbands
Manufacturing- Shipping, receiving, asset, inventory labels, and packing slips

How do you know what type of labels you will need?

There are a few things you want to check before you purchase labels.

1. What type of printer are you using? Direct or Thermal Transfer? (Direct Thermal- heat transfer and Thermal Transfer is will require ribbons to transfer ink onto labels)
   Or if you have not chosen your printer yet, figure out how long do you need your labels to last and choose between direct or thermal transfer.
2. Look at the maximum print width that your printer will print, have a plan on what size you want your labels to be. (For example: 3×1 will be 3inches across and 1 inch tall) Normally, sizes for shipping labels will be 4×6 and shelf labels will be 2×1 or 3×1.
3. Print Material– The main type of print material revolves around three and it’s mostly paper, polypropylene, or polyester.
   Paper- $, used mostly indoor and max lifetime is 5-7 months
   Polypropylene(paper and plastic texture)- $$, can be used indoor and outdoor and max life time is 2 years
   Polyester(plastic texture)- $$$, used indoor or outdoor, gloss on label, scratch/smear, and water resistant and max life time is 3 years
4. Below are the sizes of the label cores that you have to confirm before purchase, just to make sure it will fit inside your printer. (Often times this is the step that most people overlook and realize that the roll won’t fit when it arrives. So keeping note now will prevent any mis-order in the future)
   Desktop Printers: (core in diameter)
   Inner Core: 1 inch              Outer Core: 5 inches
   Industrial Printers:
   Inner Core: 3 inches          Outer Core: 8 inches
   Mobile Printers:
   Varies

Take a look at some of the labels that we have available for desktop, industrial, and mobile printers. If you are still unsure about the type of labels you need, feel free to contact one of our dedicated account managers and they can help you find the type of labels you need.

Come join us in a free webinar with Zebra Technologies, where you will learn how the new MC3300 Mobile Computer can help your daily operation become more efficient and profitable. This is a MUST-SEE webinar to learn about the product and how it can stream line your daily tasks to free up time and labor.

Thursday, March 15 at 11-11:30AM CST
Presented by Dan Gonzales
Senior Sales Engineer, Zebra Technologies

You will also have the opportunity to ask our product experts any questions that you might have.

Register Now to reserve a space and feel free to reach out to our dedicated account managers if you have any questions.

Join the Zebra Printhead Protection Printhead Program to eliminate replacement costs in your operation!
If you agree to use genuine Zebra supplies exclusively with Zebra printers, all your failed printheads will be replaced at no charge!

Benefits of this Program:

• Eliminate downtime to increase productivity
• No unpredictable printhead replacement costs
• Convenience of a one-source supplier for all your media needs
• Lower cost of operation and ownership

High- Quality Zebra Supplies Provide Consistency and Reliable Performance.

With more than 1,000 combinations of high quality and reliable labels, tags, wristbands, receipts, and ribbons, Zebra can meet the durability requirements of most printers. The Printhead Protection Program will reward you for using genuine Zebra labels with free printhead replacements.

How to Enroll? Enrollment is Easy!

Contact our dedicated account managers and we will show you how to get started!

*Excludes mobile, card, and kiosk printers.