What you need to know?

In 2012, the United States Congress enacted the “Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century” bill, which included a provision requiring the FMCSA to develop a rule mandating the use of Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs). The purpose of the ELD was to electronically record a driver’s Record of Duty Status (RODS), which replaces the paper log book that drivers use to record their compliance with Hours of Service (HOS) requirements. In December 2015, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) published the final electronic logging device rule, or ELD Mandate. In accordance with the mandate, fleets have until December 2017 to implement certified ELDs to record HOS. Additionally, fleets that are already equipped with ELD technology will have until December 2019 to ensure compliance with the published specifications.

What does an ELD do?

ELDs installed in motor vehicles can monitor and record a whole host of data about the vehicle and its driver that go beyond RODS – from Driver Vehicle Inspection Reports (DVIR) to driver behavior reporting on speeding, idling, and hard braking. Many systems are capable of integrating map and route optimization solutions as well, which can help drivers navigate through the best routes on any given day.

What are the benefits of ELD?

Besides being in compliance and avoiding heavy fees, many fleets are already seeing the benefits of ELDs, such as:

• Saves the drive time by reducing paperwork
• Keeps a dispatcher updated on a driver’s status, while letting them plan for loads better in light of HOS compliance needs
• Reduces the hassle of keeping a paper
• Tracks a driver’s HOS electronically
• Ensures drive segments are capture through being “integrally synchronized” with a truck’s engine
• Synchronizes driver with fleet manager by passing data to a system where one can see e-logs in a near real-time basis
• Save money by reducing fuel costs

Can I use rugged smartphones and tablets instead?

Knowing that there is a cost burden associated with adopting new technology, the FMCSA has authorized the use of rugged handhelds, smartphones, and tablets as the system as a whole meets ELD requirements, including a hardwired connection to the truck’s engine. This helps address the start-up costs associated with some of the HOS compliance systems. Furthermore, most truck drivers are already using rugged devices as part of their other operations, such as direct store delivery, signature capture, route optimization, and inventory management. They also allow the drivers the flexibility to choose from a wide range of mobile devices that they are comfortable using.

What are some mobile device options?

While there are hundreds of devices to choose from, here are some of the newest technologies that are ideal for the on-the-go driver:

• 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.

Barcodes, Inc. held a friendly competition all for a great cause. The point of the competition pitted department against department, all in an effort to see who could collect the most books during the company’s 1st annual book drive. At the end of the competition, Barcodes, Inc. collected a total of 260 books to donate to Open Books.

Open Books is a nonprofit organization that looks to provide literacy experiences for tens of thousands of readers each year. Through their instructional programs they cultivate the literacy skills of thousands of children and youth each year, from those who need intervention to those who desire enrichment. Through their book programs they provide readers of all ages with engaging, appropriate, and high-quality books. Open Books delivers thousands of books to schools and nonprofits across the Chicagoland area each week.

Barcodes, Inc has recently been  recognized by CIOReview for our in-depth expertise in delivering Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) solutions that help businesses overcome common challenges in a constantly evolving technology landscape. Selected as one of the 20 most promising solution providers, we continue our focus on providing comprehensive solutions from consultation, hardware/software deployment and ongoing support.

Fixed or mobile, no matter the scale or size, one of our Asset Management Specialists can tailor an ideal tracking solution for your specific business needs.

Read the full article here

HandiFox Partner Program recognizes HandiFox partners for their productivity, outstanding efforts and achievements throughout a given quarter. HandiFox has named Barcodes Inc. as their Q2 2016 Best Partner and have dedicate a blog post to our long-term partnership.

As a provider of barcode, mobile computing, and RFID solutions, we are always looking for efficient and effective solutions to integrate inventory capabilities for our customers. Serving all types of businesses, we often comes across customer’s needs to integrate with QuickBooks or other platforms to improve inventory capabilities. This is where our relationship with HandiFox has been essential.

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Major depressive disorder affects approximately 14.8 million American adults, or about 6.7 percent of the U.S. population age 18 and older, in a given year. Additionally, there is one death by suicide in the U.S. every 12.3 minutes, which is the 10^th leading cause of death in the U.S. for all ages. In 2013, the NK Benefit was founded to benefit the education of the Kurzawski children, who lost their mother Nora Kurzawski in March of 2009, as a result of suicide. The NK Benefit aims at raising awareness for depression-related illnesses and suicide awareness. Funds raised from the benefit go towards supporing suicide prevention organizations, such as Suicide Awareness Voices of Education (SAVE), and the Kurzawski Children Education Fund.

Barcodes partnered with Janam, Wasp, and Code to raise over $6,000 in support of this great benefit – making it the largest contributor for the event and really shows how we can make a difference in raising awareness for those affected by depression and suicide.

The giving does not have to end here. If you would like to support the NK Benefit please visit their website at https://www.youcaring.com/kurzawski-children-511887

The Greater Chicago Food Depository is a nonprofit food distribution and training center that provides food for hungry people while striving to end hunger in our local communities. The depository makes a daily impact across Cook County with a network of 650 pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, mobile programs, children’s programs, older adult programs and innovative responses that address the root causes of hunger.

Barcodes Inc recently came out to the GCFD warehouse to lend a helping hand with their food repacking. Much of the donations that come into the depository are in large palette-sized containers that need to be repacked into smaller boxes to be easily distributed to food pantries, soup kitchens, and shelters throughout Cook County.

During the few hours spent there, the Barcodes Inc group was able to repack 11,650 lbs of cabbage for easy delivery to our communities.

You can find more information on how to volunteer to help stamp our hunger in the Chicagoland area at the GCFD website.

In our constant effort to provide the products and services our customer need and request, Barcodes, Inc. has expanded it’s product catalog to now include office products and supplies.

We are proud to offer you a new destination for Office Supplies and Printing featuring products from major manufacturers like HP, Brother, and Samsung. Barcodes, Inc. now extends our solutions into your office space to cover all your printing, copying, faxing, and scanning needs.

We now carry all of the following products and supplies for your office:

• Multi-function printers
• Laser printers
• Inkjet printers
• Fax machines
• Document scanners
• Copier and printer paper
• Inkjet cartridges
• Toner

For assistance finding new office products or supplies for the ones you have already, contact one of our office product specialists at Barcodes, Inc.

As we gather with our loved ones this holiday season, all of us at Barcodes, Inc want to thank you for a wonderful 2015 and wish you a Merry Christmas.

About 1 out of every 6 Chicagoans will use meal programs this year – that’s 812,100 people or 232,100 households! The Greater Chicago Food Depository’s largest event (1 City, 1 Food Drive) strives to make sure ‘No One Goes Hungry’ this holiday season by offering drop-off locations in the Chicago area.

Barcodes, Inc has rallied together and collected approximately 600 pounds of food during this Thanksgiving Food Drive – making it the largest contributor for our drop-off location and really shows how small acts of kindness can make a big difference.

The giving does not have to end here. If you would like to support the Food Depository Food Drive please visit their website at How To Help.