Thinking of adding scanning and category management to your operation? Your VeriFone POS system already has the software to scan PLUs and report sales. Because VeriFone POS systems are open, you can choose from a variety of scanners. Whether you need a high-tech 2D bar code scanner for scanning state licenses in conjunction with EASY ID or a basic 1D bar code scanner to move the lines, our partners have options that fit your needs and your wallet.

Benefits of opening your POS system to Scanning

A new supermarket scanner from Toshiba Tec may make conventional barcode scanners in supermarkets unnecessary.

At most supermarkets a laser barcode scanner is used to read barcodes of packaging and produce stickers. The newly developed Object Recognition Scanner instantly recognizes merchandise directly by appearance with a camera, be it fresh produce or packaged goods.

Fruit and vegetables in supermarkets don’t usually have barcodes, because they’re put out while they’re fresh. So these items can’t be read at the register using barcodes, which means staff need to input data to record them. If staff are part-time
employees, they may not recognize some items, which can cause delays. We’re developing this new scanner to solve that problem.

In this demo, there are three kinds of apples: Fuji, Jonagold, and Mutsu. The Fuji and Jonagold originally come from the same stock, so if you’re not really familiar with apples, they might look the same. But this scanner can distinguish them, by recognizing subtle differences in pattern and coloration.

This is an impressive technology, but definitely has limits. It is unlikely the technology can currently distinguish an expensive organic apple from its non-organic twin.

Sato, a manufacturer of barcode printing, labeling and EPC/RFID products, has acquired Argox Information Co Ltd, a supplier of barcode printers, barcode scanners and portable terminals, making Argox a member of the Sato Group of Companies.

Founded in 1996, Argox became one of the world’s leading design and manufacturers of low cost and entry level thermal printers. Argox has focused on China, Brazil and Turkey, and is today tracking to become a main provider of auto-ID technology in countries such as India, Russia and South Africa.

Cook Children’s, Microsoft, Athenahealth, and drug makers Merck and Sanofi Pasteur develop system that allows smartphones to scan vaccine label information into e-health records.

A new 2-D barcode application developed through collaboration between Cook Children’s Health Care System, e-health record vendor Athenahealth, Microsoft, and two large drug makers can help clinicians and parents of pediatric patients to more easily manage vaccination information.

The system developed by Children’s Health Care System, AthenaHealth, Microsoft, and vaccine makers Sanofi Pasteur and Merck enables the nation’s first use of the 2-D barcodes on vaccines, allowing information about the drug to be automatically added to patients’ personal EHRs using 2D barcode scanners or smartphones.

The use of 2-D barcodes on vaccines is allowed under a recently published guidance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration that exempts a requirement to use 1-D or linear barcodes on vaccines.

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Honeywell Scanning & Mobility recently announced the launch of its Honeywell Developer Program to give independent software vendors (ISVs) and end-users a voice in the development of Honeywell mobile computing products that will utilize the Android operating system. Through the program, participants will also have the opportunity to develop and test Android-specific applications on Honeywell’s newest mobile computer, prior to launch.

Acquisition is the third major auto-identification and data collection company to become part of Honeywell.

Honeywell announced that it has completed its acquisition of EMS Technologies, Inc., parent company of LXE.
EMS is a leading provider of connectivity solutions for mobile networking and rugged mobile computers.

The acquisition will enhance Honeywell’s existing capabilities in rugged mobile computing technologies. EMS’s Global Resource Management (GRM) division provides highly ruggedized mobile computing products and services for use in transportation, logistics, and workforce management settings as well as secure satellite-based asset tracking and messaging technology for search and rescue, warehousing, and field force automation environments.

“Acquiring EMS Technologies demonstrates our commitment to build on our leadership position in the global barcode scanning and mobility industry,” said Darius Adamczyk, president of Honeywell Scanning & Mobility. “By adding EMS Technologies to our business, we will acquire complementary rugged hand-held and vehicle-based products and expand our presence in warehousing, manufacturing and port segments. These new products and segments will be growth drivers for our business.”

Honeywell Scanning & Mobility was formed in 2008, following Honeywell’s acquisition of two leading manufacturers of automatic identification and data collection (AIDC) solutions, Handheld Products and Metrologic Instruments.

Honeywell today announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire EMS Technologies, parent company of LXE, a leading provider of rugged mobile computers.

“EMS is a terrific addition to Honeywell, adding leading positions in attractive markets that are closely aligned with favorable trends in the growing Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) space and commercial aerospace, as well as being highly complementary to our existing Scanning and Mobility business,” said Honeywell Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Dave Cote. “Honeywell is uniquely positioned to acquire EMS due to the strategic fit across EMS’s Global Resource Management and Aviation divisions. The acquisition brings engineering expertise, differentiated technologies, global reach, and profitable adjacent segments that build upon our great positions in good industries and enhance our growth profile.”

EMS’s GRM division offers a broad range of solutions for supply chain logistics, mobile workforce management, and remote asset monitoring applications, supported by hundreds of partners worldwide. EMS’s proven mobile resource management solutions include LXE-branded rugged handheld and vehicle-mounted computers featuring multiple radio technologies and satellite-based global tracking and monitoring solutions for cargo, fleet assets, and personnel.

“This is another terrific transaction for our Scanning and Mobility business,” said Honeywell Automation and Control Solutions President and Chief Executive Officer Roger Fradin. “EMS strengthens our core mobile computing business and expands our addressable market with complementary new products, channel partners, and entry into the warehousing and port segments that we believe will be growth drivers for the business., This also represents an opportunity to demonstrate our proven acquisition integration process.”

Alan Haberman did not invent the universal product code (AKA UPC) barcode, but he is largely responsible for its selection over competing product marking standards decades ago.

His death, in Newton, Mass., was of complications of heart and lung disease, his family said.

Mr. Haberman led the industry committee that chose the bar code over other contenders — circles, bull’s-eyes and seemingly random agglomerations of dots — in 1973.

By all accounts, he spent years cajoling manufacturers, retailers and the public to accept the strange new symbol.

Source: Alan Haberman, Who Ushered In the Bar Code, Dies at 81

Teklogix is removed from the company name. New identity better reflects the company strategy.

Psion has shortened its operating company name, removing the name “Teklogix” to create a more effective global brand. Psion’s corporate identity has also been refreshed to work better in the digital world. These developments mark the next significant stage in the company’s transformation and accurately reflect the group’s business strategy.

“Our research showed that we had to remove the word “Teklogix” from our name, to unite the business around one, clear, global identity,” said John Conoley, CEO of Psion. “We found that the complexity of the dual company name was impacting our business by confusing our customers, resellers and other key stakeholders, especially in new markets for Psion. We also took the opportunity to refresh the brand to make it properly mirror our business strategy and to work better in the digital world.”

Barcode Keyboard app from TEC-IT replaces the standard on-screen keyboard on your Android device with one that includes a barcode key. Clicking the barcode key uses your phone’s camera to make snap a picture of a barcode and then automatically enters the decoded contents of the barcode wherever the cursor is located.

The Barcode Keyboard software also supports advanced setting like data prefixes and suffixes (characters that are automatically entered before or after the scanned barcode).

This software helps convert your Android phone into a very basic barcode scanner.