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How to Maximize Visibility and Minimize Costs at the Same Time

Posted March 25, 2021


Inventory management is a prominent struggle for most businesses, especially small and growing warehouses. Inconsistent stock counts can severely impact customer loyalty as they lead to surprise out-of-stocks, shipping delays, and misplaced products within the warehouse. Since the effects of improper inventory management can be detrimental, enhancing operational visibility is key to remaining competitive in today’s high-demand markets. To do so, businesses have sought to eliminate:

  • Paper-based systems – Small data entry errors can yield enormous costly consequences over time.
  • Disparate spreadsheets – Although digital spreadsheets are less likely to contain errors compared to paper-based systems, disparate logs can cause more confusion in the future as employees must navigate through several databases to find needed information.

As a Zebra Premier Solutions Partner, Barcodes, Inc. simplifies inventory management for small and growing businesses with Zebra’s adaptable mobile computers.

Increasing Visibility With Zebra Mobile Computers

Reduce the number of deployed devices and increase digital visibility when you optimize your inventory management system with Zebra. No matter which device you choose to integrate, Barcodes, Inc. closely assists you in connecting your workflows on a digitized platform, enabling:

  • Streamlined data capture and processing – Capture barcodes and upload data immediately via your handheld computer to eliminate wait times for faster order fulfillment.
  • Greater data security – Not only does Zebra’s fortified Android facilitate onboarding, but it also protects your data with government-grade encryption and recurring security patches.
  • Sustained communication systems – Keep your teams unified with integrated push-to-talk capabilities along with long-range WiFi connectivity.
  • Maximized uptime from day one – Barcodes, Inc. works alongside your team from design, to deployment, to ongoing support to make sure your visibility solution remains functional whenever and wherever you need it.
  • Mobile device management – Barcodes, Inc. can help augment your IT staff by loading mobile device management software, pushing out updates and troubleshooting devices that are down in order to keep your mobile workforce fully operational.

Contact Barcodes, Inc. today to see how you can start optimizing your crucial tasks with technologies built for more efficiency and affordability.

How to Create a Printing Solution That Grows With Your Business

Posted March 16, 2021


Compared to other prominent warehouse tools like mobile computers and scanners, labeling systems are relatively low-cost, yet they play a vital role in securing inventory accuracy for proper stock counts. As supply chains become more fast-paced, growing businesses may require a scalable and easy-to-use identification solution to:

  • Eliminate manual data entry
  • Prevent downtime from printer jams
  • Maximize printhead lifespan
  • Shave off wait times from printing stations

To remain competitive in today’s demanding market, printing and labeling solutions must be adaptable, scalable, and cost-effective, much like Zebra’s Warehouse Printers featured in our video below:

Assessing Your Printing Solution

When evaluating your options, Barcodes, Inc. recommends that you consider the following questions:

1. Can printers handle sudden high printing volumes?

As seen in previous years, order demand can change drastically in a matter of days, automatically ruling out consumer-grade printers as an optimal choice. Enterprise-grade printers such as Zebra’s barcode label printers come in varying sizes to fit different workspaces while harnessing durable printheads, intelligent printing software, and trusted security to prevent breakdowns and cyberthreats during peak seasons. The result is a printing solution that can readily handle greater demand without compromising uptime.

2. Can printers be mobilized?

While industrial and desktop printers can successfully deliver needed labels, they may not be the best mobility choice. Past studies have shown mobile printers to boost processing time by as much as 62% while reducing picking times by almost 50%. This frees up your staff to accomplish other important tasks faster while increasing printer availability without more wait times.

3. Which labeling supplies will I use?

Lastly, efficient printing systems heavily depend on your chosen consumables since they directly impact your hardware’s printhead. Inferior consumables can scratch printheads over time, leading to jams and downtime. On the flipside, smoother quality thermal ribbons protect printheads while retaining legibility in varying conditions, ultimately decreasing operational costs.    

As leaders in scalable optimization for big and growing businesses alike, Barcodes, Inc. is ready to assist you in navigating through these questions to create a tailored printing solution that matches your needs. Contact us today to see how you can begin your solution design for seamless deployment and maintenance. 

Citizen Disinfectant-Ready Barcode Label Printers

Posted March 12, 2021

Cleanliness and sanitation are very critical dynamics in healthcare, retail, restaurant, and hospitality; Citizen recognizes that and strives to provide the best-in-class customer service and safety.

With disinfecting products and solutions more readily available, it is important to promote a cleaner environment for customers and employees who must come in contact with products.

Citizen’s line of disinfectant-ready printers has been designed to allow for use of various readily available cleaning agents. Observing and implementing the below Cleaning & Care Instructions will play an important role in achieving best practices and results.

The following agents* are compatible with and can be used for cleaning Citizen disinfectant-ready barcode label printers:

  • Ethanol 70%
  • IPA (Isopropyl alcohol) 70%
  • Oxydol 3%
  • Sodium Hypochlorite Solution 0.05%

*No other cleaning agents, including the above agents used in concentrations other than those shown, have been tested by Citizen or approved by it for use in cleaning Citizen disinfectant-ready (or other Citizen) printers. Use of other agents or in different concentrations may impair printer performance and/or result in ineffective cleaning and disinfection and pose potential health and safety risks.

Citizen Disinfectant-Ready Barcode Label Printers

Citizen Disinfectant-Ready Printer Cleaning & Care Instructions

Important WARNINGS and Notes

  • Unplug or turn off the printer prior to cleaning.
  • Never spray or pour the cleaning agent directly onto the printer. The cleaning agent should be applied to a soft cloth, which can then be applied to the printer.
  • The cleaning agent should be applied evenly and care should be taken to cover the entire surface to be cleaned.
  • Strictly follow the cleaning agent manufacturer’s instructions (and CDC Guidelines*) for use of its product, including allowing sufficient time after application for the cleaning agent to achieve maximum cleaning and disinfection. Once achieved, cleaning agent residue can be removed by wiping with a damp cloth, ensuring no droplets remain on the printer.
  • Do not mix cleaning agents.
  • Cleaning agents, especially ethanol, which is extremely flammable, should never be used in proximity to high heat or open flame.
  • Wear appropriate protective gear during the entire cleaning process to avoid potential adverse effects from contact with the cleaning agent or from its fumes. Citizen strongly recommends use of gloves, protective eyewear and masks that cover both the nose and the mouth.
  • Ensure that others in the immediate vicinity of the cleaning are also properly protected or are moved a safe distance away from the printer for the entirety of the cleaning process.

*Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines for cleaning and disinfection, including cleaning agent use and information, can be found at CDC’s website:  www.cdc.gov

For more information on the cleaning products, take a look a Citizen’s webpage here: https://www.citizen-systems.com/us/support/189/

If you have any questions regarding your Barcode Label Printing needs, please contact us here.

Citizen Disinfectant-Ready Point of Sale Printers

Posted March 8, 2021

Cleanliness and sanitation are very critical dynamics in healthcare, retail, restaurant, and hospitality; Citizen recognizes that and strives to provide the best-in-class customer service and safety. With disinfecting products and solutions more readily available, it is important to promote a cleaner environment for customers and employees who must come in contact with products.

Citizen’s line of disinfectant-ready printers has been designed to allow for use of various readily available cleaning agents. Observing and implementing the below Cleaning & Care Instructions will play an important role in achieving best practices and results.

The following agents* are compatible with and can be used for cleaning Citizen disinfectant-ready Point of Sale printers:

  • Ethanol 70%
  • IPA (Isopropyl alcohol) 70%
  • Oxydol 3%
  • Sodium Hypochlorite Solution 0.05%

*No other cleaning agents, including the above agents used in concentrations other than those shown, have been tested by Citizen or approved by it for use in cleaning Citizen disinfectant-ready (or other Citizen) printers. Use of other agents or in different concentrations may impair printer performance and/or result in ineffective cleaning and disinfection and pose potential health and safety risks.

Citizen Disinfectant-Ready Point of Sale Printers

Citizen Disinfectant-Ready Printer Cleaning & Care Instructions

Important WARNINGS and Notes

  • Unplug or turn off the printer prior to cleaning.
  • Never spray or pour the cleaning agent directly onto the printer. The cleaning agent should be applied to a soft cloth, which can then be applied to the printer.
  • The cleaning agent should be applied evenly and care should be taken to cover the entire surface to be cleaned.
  • Strictly follow the cleaning agent manufacturer’s instructions (and CDC Guidelines*) for use of its product, including allowing sufficient time after application for the cleaning agent to achieve maximum cleaning and disinfection. Once achieved, cleaning agent residue can be removed by wiping with a damp cloth, ensuring no droplets remain on the printer.
  • Do not mix cleaning agents.
  • Cleaning agents, especially ethanol, which is extremely flammable, should never be used in proximity to high heat or open flame.
  • Wear appropriate protective gear during the entire cleaning process to avoid potential adverse effects from contact with the cleaning agent or from its fumes. Citizen strongly recommends use of gloves, protective eyewear and masks that cover both the nose and the mouth.
  • Ensure that others in the immediate vicinity of the cleaning are also properly protected or are moved a safe distance away from the printer for the entirety of the cleaning process.

*Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines for cleaning and disinfection, including cleaning agent use and information, can be found at CDC’s website:  www.cdc.gov

For more information on the cleaning products, take a look a Citizen’s webpage here: https://www.citizen-systems.com/us/support/189/

If you have any questions regarding your Point of Sale Printing needs, please contact us here.

7 Benefits of Adaptable & Accelerated Data Capture

Posted March 8, 2021


According to Zebra’s 2019 Warehousing Vision Study, over 70% of warehouses plan to integrate automated solutions into their operations by 2024. In order to remain competitive, businesses have turned to a plethora of different modernization strategies, yet not every solution is built to adapt to today’s dynamic demands. However, Barcodes, Inc. works with adaptable solutions that can grow to meet new demands without increasing costs. For example, Zebra’s DS457 Fixed Mount Scanner empowers teams to embrace automation without difficult learning curves or extraneous backend modifications.

See how in our Video:

With automated scanning, maximized accuracy is just the beginning

In addition to ensuring more successful first-time scans, Zebra’s fixed mounted scanner prioritizes both adaptability and speed, enabling:

  1. Seamless integration into smaller workspaces such as checkout lanes and airport check-in terminals
  2. Comprehensive data capture for 1D, 2D, DPM codes, and drivers’ license parsing
  3. Hands-free data capture with unique aiming patterns
  4. Customer-facing scanning due to its sleek and user-friendly design
  5. Dependable error-proofing in manufacturing operations
  6. Maximized worker comfort thanks to omnidirectional scanning
  7. Intelligent data capture to scan barcodes on virtually any surface, including cellphone displays.

Plus, with Barcodes, Inc.’s Design, Deploy, and Support services, modernization becomes easy and seamless as you get specialized assistance from implementation to maintenance along with reliable TrueSupport.

To see how automated data capture can benefit your operations, contact us for a free comprehensive assessment of your current workflow.

Things to Consider When Mounting To Your Forklifts

Posted March 1, 2021


With different environments and users all under one roof, it is important to have a product that can tolerate the rigorous demands of material handling. Whether the best solution is mounting a device horizontally on the overhead guard leg or vertically off the overhead guard leg, Gamber-Johnson has a solution for every user’s unique needs.

Barcodes, Inc. is ready to assist with your next warehouse material handling solution. Contact us today for a free consultation. 

Upgrade Your Small Business While Reducing Costs with Honeywell’s ScanPal EDA51

Posted February 22, 2021

With fewer hands to go around, small businesses thrive on effective and efficient tools. Honeywell’s ScanPal EDA51 is a mobile computer built on Android that is designed to help small businesses increase employee efficiency with an intuitive touchscreen, a powerful processer, an industry-leading scanner, and a long-life battery. Ideal for small to medium-sized businesses in the field service and retail industries, the ScanPal EDA51 is both user-friendly and ergonomic. The device ultimately helps mobile workers get more done in less time.

The ScanPal EDA51 embodies power packed for all day performance. The large, vivid 5-inch display and the long-lasting 4,000 mAh lithium ion battery encapsulated in a thin, lightweight design makes this device a force to be reckoned with. With the fast Qualcomm Snapdragon SDM450 processor and robust wireless connectivity, the ScanPal EDA51 is ready to work as hard as your workers do.

Features & Benefits

  • Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon SDM450, 1.8 GHz octa-core
  • Operating System: Android 8, upgradeable to Android Q
  • 5-inch touchscreen display
  • Removeable 4,000 mAh lithium ion battery
  • User-friendly with a lightweight, comfortable, pocketable design
  • 13-megapixel auto-focus color camera
  • Select models available with Disinfectant Ready Housings

Shop the ScanPal EDA51 online or contact us for more information.

Is Zebra’s CS60 Companion Scanner Part of Your Next Store Modernization Strategy?

Posted February 16, 2021


With so many modernization options available today, it may be tempting to just jump into the latest and greatest device. However, the key to a successful modernization strategy lies in careful planning. That’s where versatile technologies such as Zebra’s CS60 barcode scanner can be quite useful as it provides an adaptable and scalable modernization option to overcome present and future retail challenges.

Who Can Benefit from the No-Compromise Companion Scanner?

While Zebra’s new CS60 companion scanner is set to enhance storefront workflows, there are a few questions you can ask yourself to assess implementation possibilities before integrating the next generation of mobile retail data capture:

1. Are you currently using multiple scanners for varying scanning needs?

Different tasks may require different scanning capabilities such as hands-free for contactless transactions. Instead of managing multiple corded and cordless scanners throughout the store, convertible scanners like the CS60 can reduce the number of deployed devices, ultimately reducing TCO in the long run.

2. Are associates utilizing scanners in non-traditional settings consistently?

While handheld scanners are traditionally used in the checkout lanes, they have also made their way into inventory management and cycle counting as automated data capture is proven to reduce data entry errors. Mobile scanning enables automated data capture in space-constrained counters, self-service kiosks, and shopping aisles, allowing your associates to stay efficient anywhere they go.

3. Do you need to simplify your device management plan?

Multiple devices mean multiple service and repair plans. Not only does the CS60 preform in various scanning scenarios but its inductive charging feature also eliminates the need for constant recharging. Zebra’s WiFi Friendly mode also secures scanner efficiency without WiFi interruptions. Lastly, pre-installed Virtual Tether prevents device loss by keeping scanners within range and locating misplacements within seconds.   

If you answered yes to any of the questions above, your operations may benefit from new data capture devices like the Zebra CS60. To learn more about how you start modernizing your storefront, contact us for a free consultation.

How Clinical Mobility Improves Patient Care

Posted February 10, 2021

Studies conducted by the Joint Commission have found that nearly 70% of medical errors stem from inefficient communication channels. Facing increasing demands and stress, today’s healthcare providers need -and deserve- dependable technologies that simplify workflows, much like Zebra’s TC52-HC touch computer.

According to Zebra’s 2022 Hospital Vision Study, 72% of facilities reported improved quality in patient care after enhancing clinical mobility. Not only do modernized devices minimize the likelihood of dangerous errors, but they also assist in implementing future-forwards healthcare initiatives without extensive workflow changes.

One mobile device…thousands of possibilities.

Performing several indispensable healthcare tasks such as barcode scanning, push-to-talk, and EHR sharing, the TC52-HC serves as a gateway into several mobility benefits that enhance patient care such as:

  • Telehealth – Combine high-speed and long-range WiFi connectivity with the TC52-HC’s high-resolution cameras to reach patients without requiring them to leave their homes and possibly risk their health.
  • Faster admissions – Zebra’s MobilityDNA app, SimulScan helps expedite data capture by scanning multiple barcodes at the same time without compromising accuracy. This frees up staff from conducting repetitive clerical work, so they can focus on providing better care.
  • HIPPA-compliant data sharing – Unlike other outdated or consumer-grade operating systems, Android for Enterprise helps protect sensitive data with government-grade encryption and recurrent security patches. Moreover, Zebra’s secured text messaging feature enables staff-to-staff communication without risking privacy breaches.
  • Efficient and dependable disinfection – Made for constant wipe downs, Zebra’s TC52-HC can be regularly cleaned and disinfected without compromising functionality, minimizing the transmission of HAIs via dirty clinical devices.

To make implementation all the more stress-free, Barcodes, Inc. works closely alongside your IT team and staff to prepare, deploy, and maintain devices with assisted procurement, on-site installation services, and TrueSupport technical support to keep your solution running faster and longer. Contact Barcodes, Inc. today for a free comprehensive evaluation of your facility to start empowering your staff with mobility made for healthcare.  

Why Maximize Visibility in your Work-In-Progress Inventory?

Posted February 4, 2021

When creating lean operations, manufacturing plants often struggle with managing, incoming materials for future orders, known as work-in-progress (WIP) inventory. If left unchecked, unidentified WIP inventory can increase operational costs by at least 20%[1] while ultimately leading to:

  • Increased labor and downtime costs
  • Dwindling storage space
  • Difficulty tracking assembled orders
  • Missed opportunities as decision must be based on available space instead of demand
Better identification equals better visibility

To ascertain material identification for WIP inventory, Barcodes, Inc. recommends modernizing your labeling system. Industrial printers such as Zebra’s ZT610 ensure barcode legibility for both barcode labels and RFID tags, so your team can accurately identify materials as they move throughout the production floor.

By accelerating printing speeds, industrial printers empower teams to quickly tag incoming materials, securing proper storage in the correct location before materials leave the receiving dock. Furthermore, high-resolution barcodes facilitate more successful first-time scans, simplifying your inventory management process as materials move down the supply chain.

However, while industrial printers offer a good place to start enhancing operations, there are many more ways to continue eliminating inefficiency. As a Zebra Premier Business Partner, Barcodes, Inc. works closely alongside your team to design, deploy and support enterprise-grade hardware into your operations. Contact us today to see how you can pair printers like the ZT610 to scanners, mobile computers, and consumables to expand inventory visibility.   


[1] Reduce Work-in-Process (WIP) Inventory and Costs. General Electric.

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