Stericycle Effectively Tracks and Locates Recalled Medical Equipment and Prescription Medication in their Warehouse using Motorola RFID Enabled Mobile Computers and Custom RFID Tags.

Executive Summary

The new solution replaces their current system of checking every single pallet to locate a missing package. Switching to a Motorola mobile computer allows them to quickly check their entire warehouse for the correct pallet that contains the package they are searching for.

The Business Challenge

Due to the chaotic nature of taking in and warehousing recalled items for manufacturers they work with, Stericycle has always struggled when trying to locate a specific recalled item returned from a specific customer.

Stericycle groups their returned recalled items by the manufacturers recall number, so several customers’ recalled items are going on the same pallet. Each recalled item is tied to a pallet and each pallet gets a shelf location in the warehouse. When a customer calls in to make sure their recalled item was received, it is supposed to be as easy as entering the customer’s item ID number into their inventory system and finding the pallet at the correct shelf location to verify that it was received. In reality, some packages get misplaced and in a large warehouse it ends up being like trying to find a needle in a haystack.

Stericycle has tried other solutions for being able to track down missing packages, but nothing has reliably been able to work because of the way their pallets are stacked and the density in which the pallets are placed on the shelving racks. At times they need to find a very small package that might be in the middle of a full pallet. If they couldn’t find a missing package after checking a few locations with their best guesses, they would have to systematically go through each pallet in their warehouse and inspect each package to find the item ID they were looking for. This would result in a lot of lost time and paid overtime.

Stericycle was in search of an effective and efficient way of tracking down missing packages.

Solution

After an onsite visit to test hardware in their environment, BarcodesInc recommended using the Motorola MC9090-G RFID reader with the new Sailfish RFID antenna. This new antenna allowed RFID tags that were placed on packages located in the middle of pallets to be read with ease. Using pre-encoded RFID tags ensured that each tag had a unique ID number. These tags were also printed with the ID as a barcode and a human readable number string so that the missing package could be identified several ways.

With this new solution, employees at Stericycle are able to enter the item ID into the RFID mobile computer and walk up and down the warehouse aisles constantly searching for the missing package. The mobile computer works like a Geiger counter, or a game of hot and cold, with it beeping more frequently the closer an employee gets to the missing package. This solution allows them alerts them that a missing package is on a specific pallet quickly and easily.

Benefits

For Stericycle this solution allows them to find missing packages in a fraction of the time which increases productivity and reduces costs. Being able to find packages quickly translates to better customer service as well, because ultimately they are trying to find these packages to verify to their customer that their recall has been received.

The Future

Stericycle is planning to expand the use of this system to other locations. We are also working with them on implementing forklift mounted RFID readers to this solution so that the item ID’s of missing packages can be entered into a database and as the forklifts are being operated they can be continuously looking for missing packages during normal daily work shifts.

The Cargoquin Group validates and tracks the inventories of their logistics customers’ goods, warehoused at several facilities.

Executive Summary

Cargoquin Group was in search of an inventory solution for their new warehousing division. They wanted a hardware infrastructure that could easily integrate with their own customized software solution. Barcodes Inc built a solution that included a main and backup server, wireless infrastructure, mobile computers, and industrial label printers.

The Business Challenge

Initially, Cargoquin Group’s business typically dealt with cross-border logistics. However, as their customers’ needs expanded, so did Cargoquin Group’s. Cargoquin Group was asked to store inventory for their customers that did not require immediate delivery. As they decided to fill the void for their customers, they soon realized the resources, time, and processes that would need to be incorporated for their new venture.

Luckily, Cargoquin Group had some experience in the warehouse environment and decided it was best to invest in an electronic system rather than implement a pen and paper process, which would soon become obsolete and difficult to manage.

Cargoquin Group knew where they had to be in terms of technology, but decided to reach out to Barcodes Inc for assistance on the best way to implement their solution. They wanted to use a wireless hardware solution that could complement their existing process of tracking items throughout their warehouses.

Solution

BarcodesInc recommended a rugged Motorola MC3090 mobile computer for inventory tracking, an industrial Zebra ZM400 for label printing, a Motorola AP5131 access point for wireless connectivity, and a Dell Poweredge server for storing data.

In response to the warehouse’s need for a more effective inventory solution, Barcodes Inc recommended a real-time system that would allow management to track the flow of products throughout their warehouses. Additionally, it was built to minimize the amount of manual errors that were caused by multiple workers scanning several items at one time. Cargoquin Group’s process was further streamlined with the addition of a central server (and back up) that would house all of the information for the entire warehouse system, which was necessary since customers’ products would be located at multiple locations.

Barcodes Inc also saved Cargoquin Group some time and money by recommending a batch system at their smaller warehouse locations, where only one worker would be present. When the overall scope of work was presented to the decision-makers of the company, it was a higher initial cost than expected. However, the return on investment resulted in higher time and cost savings in the long run.

Benefits

Having implemented the solution Cargoquin Group has seen the benefits of using an electronic real-time inventory solution. They have seen an almost flawless picking, receiving, and storing process, while their inventory loss has been non-existent with the accuracy of their data collection. There is also a level of transparency for their customers to track their merchandise and see what they have on-hand at any facility at any given time. The solution has led Cargoquin Group to offer their own value-add to their customer base and has resulted in higher customer satisfaction, a reduction in costs, and an expansion in their warehousing facilities as the business continues to grow.

The Future

The Barcodes Inc solution, which includes mobile computers, access points, label printers, and a server has been used at several warehouses and can be scaled down to fit the size of the facility.

Alliance Tech combines mobile computers, fixed mount RFID readers, RFID printers to conduct event attendance, lead generation, visitor statistics, attendee networking and mobile point of sale solutions.

Executive Summary

Alliance Tech offers value-added services at trade shows and large events by providing accurate, real-time data as well as summary statistics and reports about attendees to exhibitors. Their customers know who entered their booth and how long they visited. Alerts are sent in real-time when high profile visitors are present. Sales organizations present are able to collect order information and lead reports without need to return to their offices. Additionally, visitors are provided a paperless solution that provides event information including maps, schedules, and contact information.

The Business Challenge

Alliance Tech was outfitted with discontinued mobile computers that had lower resolution, less memory, an outdated operating system, and no radio. The exhibitors and organizers at trade show events needed to maximize their investment of time and resources dedicated to each event. Continue reading »

Executive Summary

University Community Health was in search of a 2D barcode scanner that could interact with its Panasonic Toughbook T8 to increase point-of-care safety and ensure the Five Rights initiative – right patient, right drug, right time, right dose, and right form. The solution replaces a pen and paper process with the introduction of a software driver, customized by Barcodes Inc, which allows the Honeywell 2D barcode scanners to communicate with the Panasonic Toughbooks.

Challenge

Driven by hospital specific directives to ensure the right hospital staff was prescribing the right medication to the right patients, hospitals are beginning to invest in barcode-based systems to ensure patient charting is performed electronically.

For patients being administered several forms of medication, healthcare providers routinely deployed a pen and paper patient charting solution that resulted in manual errors ranging from incorrect prescriptions provided to patients to unqualified hospital personnel administering medication. Due to a limited write space available on patient charts, the net result was an ineffective pen and paper process that was incapable of generating specific history of what hospital professional administered what dose at what time, thus reducing patient safety.

University Community Health Hospital decided to invest in an electronic solution to replace patient charts, including the capability to reduce manual errors and increase its space capability by providing nurses with Panasonic Toughbooks. However, the nurses soon realized that the solution, although safer for patients, was very tedious and demanded more time with each patient. Hospital employees were still required to include as much, if not more, patient information, as well as detailing all medication administered at precise times to each patient.

University Community Health was in search of a quicker, more effective solution that would not compromise its patients’ safety.

Solution

In response to the hospital’s need for a more effective solution, Barcodes Inc customized a software driver that would allow the Panasonic T8 Toughbooks to interface with the Honeywell 4600g HD and 4820HDHM barcode scanners. This solution allowed nurses the ability to scan all medication and patient information, while eliminated the requirement to manually input all the information into the Toughbooks. The solution is designed to allow nurses to scan a medication and patient wristband to ensure that the right prescription is going to the right patient. Additionally, after the patient consumes the right medication, the nurse validates that it has been administered by once again scanning the patient’s wristband.

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Mountain View, California – With high-performing, high-commitment resellers in the Intuit Solution Providers (ISP) program, organizations have to perform at exceptionally high levels to be recognized among outstanding performers. The winners were chosen from 550 Intuit Solution Providers and were announced at the recent ISP Summit in Los Angeles.

Barcodes Inc was recognized for sales in the central region.

Read the full Intuit press release

Thompson Street Capital Partners (TSCP), a private equity fund based in St. Louis, announced today that it has acquired a majority stake in Barcodes Inc of Chicago. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. BarcodesInc specializes in barcode, mobile computing and radio-frequency identification (RFID) solutions throughout North America. TSCP is partnering with Barcodes Inc’s current management team and the previous owner, Dixon Midland Company, which will remain active as minority shareholders.

“We are eager to partner with the Thompson Street team to further assess our market strengths and ensure Barcodes Inc’s continued expansion as a leader in data collection services and state-of-the-art technology sales,” said Dan Nettesheim, CEO and co-president of Barcodes Inc.

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Quik Mart is one of the largest convenience store chains in Arizona. With a multitude of offerings including fuel, groceries, snacks, and gifts, the checkout lines at Quik Mart were increasingly longer, resulting in frustrated customers and lost revenue. They needed a solution to reduce the customer waiting time and be user-friendly for their employees.

Quik Mart turned to a Barcodes Inc expert for a faster Point of Sale solution to keep its checkout lines moving. We offered an omni-directional laser scanner that has been a favorite of many of our convenience store customers. The recommended scanner allowed Quik Mart employees to process transactions quicker and more accurately. Quik Mart now keeps customers moving quickly with these units in all 28 of its locations.

Quik Mart stores has made Barcodes Inc their preferred vendor for their Point of Sale and Automatic Identification and Data Capture requirements.

Barcodes Inc is expanding to new offices in the Chicago “Loop” business district. The move will better accommodate larger sales and customer support operations following years of explosive growth.

Effective June 21, 2010 our new business address is:

200 W Monroe St
10th Floor
Chicago IL 60606

Designed for current and future growth, the new downtown location will more than double our current space and allow upgraded training areas and enhanced shipping and printing facilities, in addition to improving our ability to host customers and business partners.

The firm’s continued growth is built upon its reputation for knowledgeable sales and great customer service. The relocation is one of many new initiatives designed to serve our customers and enable continued business expansion, including employee growth and education, strategic partnerships, increased target marketing and new product lines.

Pacific Timesheet partners with leading provider of Barcode, mobile computing, POS and RFID products in North America.

Pacific Timesheet has announced a strategic partnership with Barcodes Inc to provide integrated time tracking solutions where employee, job and work order data are collected using barcode scanner systems, mobile computing, point of sale and RFID solutions.

Barcodes Inc is the largest provider of barcode, mobile computing, point of sales and RFID products and solutions in North America.

Pacific Timesheet VP of Operations Jim Dickerson stated, “We are very pleased to formalize our partnership with Barcodes Inc. Dickerson continued, “This partnership significantly enhances our product and service offerings into segments requiring important barcode, point of sale and mobile computing solutions. In particular, this helps our customers track time on jobs and work orders in manufacturing, distribution and supply chain operations.”

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After years of close partnership, BarcodesInc has earned Premier Partner® status with Zebra Technologies.

Premier Partner® is a designation given by Zebra to only to a select few partners in the US.

The new status represents years of experience and commitment to Zebra printers from BarcodesInc.

About BarcodesInc

BarcodesInc is a leading provider of barcode, mobile computing, point of sale and RFID products and solutions. Over the past fifteen years, BarcodesInc has worked hard to earn a reputation for being dedicated, reliable, and customer-oriented.

About Zebra Technologies

Zebra Technologies Corporation provides the broadest range of innovative technology solutions to identify, track, and manage the deployment of critical assets for improved business efficiency. Zebra’s core technologies include reliable on-demand printer and state-of-the-art software and hardware solutions. By enabling improvements in sourcing, visibility, security and accuracy, Zebra helps its customers to put the right asset in the right place at the right time. Zebra serves more than 90 percent of Fortune 500 companies worldwide.