Customers Can Seamlessly Integrate Scanned Data Into Apple iOS Applications

Socket Mobile announced the availability of its latest Socket Bluetooth Cordless Hand Scanner (CHS) Series 7, which has been certified by Apple as a “Made for iPad, iPhone, iPod” accessory.

The CHS 7Xi and its antimicrobial equivalent, the CHS 7XiRx, have been tested and approved by Apple to meet all of their performance standards, assuring a seamless and reliable integration for developers who incorporate either of these Bluetooth barcode scanning options into their iOS applications.

The CHS 7Xi and 7XiRx and the associated SocketScan 10 software development kit (SDK) are highly versatile barcode scanning tools that enable developers to add commercial-grade rapid and robust barcode scanning capabilities to their iOS devices. The SDK also supports many other smartphone, tablet, notebook and desktop applications.

“This is the best performing barcode scanner for developers who are creating applications incorporating barcode scanning for the Apple iOS,” said Samantha Chu, data collection product manager at Socket Mobile. “There are numerous applications that stand to benefit from barcode scanning in a range of vertical markets, and we believe the CHS 7Xi provides the Apple developer community with a level of control and data integrity that didn’t exist previously.”

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As the world’s smallest fully-integrated vision system, Microscan’s ultra-compact Vision MINI is designed for reliable vision performance in embedded clinical and lab automation applications.

Microscan announces the new Vision MINI smart camera. As the world’s smallest fully-integrated vision system, the ultra-compact Vision MINI is designed for reliable vision performance in embedded clinical and laboratory automation applications.

Original equipment manufacturers in clinical diagnostics and other life sciences are turning to machine vision to increase throughput and improve the accuracy of their instruments. Auto ID systems such as barcode readers have long been used for sample tracking and identification; the Vision MINI machine vision system takes this capability a step further by automating critical inspection tasks such as cap presence, color matching, and test tube identification in addition to reading 1D and 2D barcodes.

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Rugged PC Review has posted a review of the GammaTech Durabook S15C rugged laptop.

Here are some highlights from the review.

GammaTech Durabook S15C highlights:

• Very solid and well-made
• Very good performance with Intel Core i5 processor (i3/i5/i7 available)
• Bright display with good outdoor viewability and modern 16:9 1366 x 768 pixel wide format
• 1920 x 1080 display option
• Excellent keyboard and touch pad
• Very solid magnesium-alloy chassis and very clean construction
• Low starting price, and even well-equipped a good deal
• Spill-resistant design
• GammaTech does built to order (BTO)

But keep in mind:

• Narrow vertical viewing angle
• Small standard battery
• No HDMI port
• Limited ruggedness (2.5 foot drop)
• No operating temperature range listed
• Fan a bit noisy and comes on often (adjustable in BIOS setup)
• Adding options can quickly double the cost

Teklynx LABELVIEW 9 includes a number of improvements over previous versions.

• Updated Printing Interface
  The Quick Print interface has been updated to include a live preview. As you select database records or enter When Printed text, the preview will update to display the data that will print on the label. The print interface has also been updated to provide quick access to the When Printed inputs that are needed every time you print, but retain the ability to change printer settings and quantity in the same window.
• Additional Activation Options
  Protection method updates have provided additional activation options. You can now activate LABELVIEW from a separate workstation using a USB drive, along with online activation, online by proxy, phone, and e-mail activation. The activation wizard automatically selects online activation if you are connected to the Internet.
• Layers Feature
  The Layers feature has replaced run separators, offering more flexibility and an easy-to-use interface. Layers give you the option to add a unique header and footer to each batch of labels.
• New Wizards
  Wizards are available to assist with creating new labels and adding barcodes, images, text, and variables.
• Form Designer
  The Form Designer allows you to create a custom printing interface, which simplifies printing for print users and reduces user error by eliminating the need to search for labels. The Form Designer replaces Label Select by offering a graphical approach to selecting the label and label data.
• Data Sources Categories
  Data sources can now be organized in sub-categories at a display level (Data Sources view).

Combined Printing, Point of Sale Solution Yields Competitive Edge

Star Micronics announced that software company Keep It Simple Software has certified Star Micronics’ TSP100 family of thermal receipt printers, which includes the TSP100ECO, TSP100U, and the TSP100GT, as well as, Star’s TSP650, TSP700II, SP700 and SP500 to operate with Version 3.0 of its KissPOS (formerly RegistWARE) point of sale software.

An affordable, comprehensive, and user-friendly point of sale solution, KissPOS Version 3.0 incorporates such Microsoft tools and innovations as .NET and SQL Database, enabling independent retailers and restaurateurs to run their businesses, rather than worry about the point of sale. It is the only software of its kind to feature Flex-Screen, a proprietary technology that allows point of sale systems to be designed to suit end-users’ specific needs as well as to be entirely intuitive, thereby decreasing training time and errors while improving customer service. Other features of KissPOS Version 3.0 include a time-and-attendance module, price-embedded bar codes, purchase order generating and tracking capability, a 100% touch screen interface and easy data import/export.

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An article from Computerworld highlights the demand for tablets in enterprise environments:

The intent is there for business use. Almost 30% of iPad users say they now use their iPad as their primary computer, and one survey has shown that over half of would-be users plan to “use a new tablet device like the iPad to conduct work.” But will they really use tablets for work? And, if they do, how can IT manage all those devices?

Well, some companies have had tablets integrated into their IT infrastructure for years. Windows tablets, from companies like Fujitsu, Panasonic and Intermec, have been used in vertical markets for almost two decades. The reason most of you have never heard of them is that, as the experts at Pen Computing put it, “The Tablet PC never really caught on, in part due to technological issues and in part due to Microsoft’s inconsistent attention to the platform.”

Things have changed. Thanks to the iPad (and arguably Apple’s ability to make any technology seem cool and trend-setting), tablets and touch are no longer just for vertical markets such as healthcare, point-of-sale, field service and logistics. Now, users want them for everyday Internet and office use.

Version 8.1 of IntelliTrack Warehouse Management System (WMS) is available for WMS RF Standard, WMS RF Professional and ISRP applications.

IntelliTrack, a leading developer of barcode, RFID and wireless warehouse inventory software, announced today the release of WMS version 8.1 Warehouse Management Software. A significant improvement includes support for Microsoft Access 2010 and Windows Server 2008 R2. Version 8.1 also includes added portable device support for devices running Windows CE 6.5 and Windows Mobile 6.5.

“IntelliTrack is excited about the release of WMS version 8.1,” says Ron Pawlowski, COO of IntelliTrack. Pawlowski adds, “We added support for Access 2010 runtime and Windows Server 2008 R2 to stay current with the newest Microsoft Office 2010 release. IntelliTrack will continue working with the latest Microsoft technology and strive to meet our clients’ requests and requirements.”

IntelliTrack WMS (Warehouse Management System) includes applications for WMS RF Standard, WMS RF Professional and Inventory, Shipping, Receiving, Picking (ISRP). The release of v8.1 improves support for industry standard Microsoft technologies.

Datalogic’s newest generation of mobile computers, the Falcon X3 and Elf PDA, deliver real time performance levels while extending battery life. How has Datalogic done this while at the same time addressing the need for converged devices with a host of technologies?

The Datalogic Power³ architecture splits the user interfacing and system level activities between two different processors. This follows a similar principle to dual core processors in modern computers. User interfacing threads go on a main processor clocked at speeds in 100s of MHz while system level tasks are managed by a co-processor running at roughly 10% of the main processor speed. This focuses the main processor on providing a maximized user interface while the co-processor handles system level items in the background.

The Datalogic Power³ parallel processor approach greatly improves user efficiency and battery life. Applications can move at the user’s speed with little to no lag time between application windows or task direction from ERP systems. An added benefit comes from device autonomy with the Power³ architecture lowering the device total cost of ownership through longer lasting batteries, both over the shift and lifetime.

The compact, yet durable Honeywell Dolphin 6000 Scanphone automates the data collection process and delivers real-time access to business data, leading to improved productivity, more informed decision making and lower operating costs.

“We’ve seen an increase in the use of consumer-grade smartphones for enterprise applications as more functionality is added to mobile phones. However, these devices are not specifically designed for enterprise use and do not meet the barcode scanning needs of mobile information workers,” said Taylor Smith, director of product management, Honeywell Scanning & Mobility. “The Dolphin 6000 fills this gap – delivering more reliability, more powerful scan performance and greater line of business application support than any smartphone on the market.”

In addition to its basic mobile phone functionality, the Dolphin 6000 offers advanced productivity features geared towards today’s vertical enterprise, including field service, field sales, and retail and logistics operations. An integrated barcode scanner provides fast and accurate bar code scanning, greatly simplifying data entry tasks, while Honeywell’s Remote MasterMind for Mobility device management software allows users to manage, update and remotely diagnose all Dolphin 6000 devices within a network from one centralized location, lowering development and maintenance costs.

Utilizing the Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.5 Professional operating system, the Dolphin 6000 was also designed for easy integration with enterprise-grade software applications.

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Star Micronics America has announced the availability of iOS and Android drivers for all of its receipt printers.

The drivers allow end-users to utilize Star Micronics printers in tandem with Apple iPad, iPod Touch, iPhone and Android devices to generate receipts and perform related functions in retail and restaurant environments.

“Star Micronics has always been committed to ensuring that its solution provider partners and, in turn, their retailer and hospitality customers, remain at the cutting edge in terms of implementing applications that reflect changing market trends,” said Christophe Naasz, director of marketing at Star Micronics America. “Today, an increasing number of retailers and restaurateurs are migrating to mobile POS applications to enhance their own operating efficiencies as well as to meet consumers’ heightened demand for immediate service and rapid transaction processing. The availability of iOS and Android drivers on Star Micronics printers will give solution providers the added flexibility to satisfy requests for wireless POS software that may be used to keep up with the trends and leverage the power of these popular hand-held units.”

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