Is your restaurant or retail store ahead of the technology curve?
Be honest – is it even close?

In this day and age, customers expect to see their favorite restaurants and stores using technologies similar to the ones they use on a daily basis. That’s why today’s top retailers and restaurateurs are turning to tablets and Apple iPads to run their businesses.

In 2014, this concept of mobile point of sale (POS) is very flexible. Mobile elements, such as mobile POS devices and mobile POS printers, can be mixed and matched with your existing assets to accommodate your specific business and/or budget needs. Mobile POS can include:

• A mobile device secured on a stand, integrated with a stationary printer and cash drawer
• A mobile device integrated with a magnetic stripe reader and a portable printer

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As one of the leading manufacturers of label printers, Datamax-O’Neil has a wide range of industrial, desktop, and mobile printers to meet the needs of any application.

Choosing the best printer for your specific business needs can be a challenge with just a list of model names and images. The charts below are a simple feature and specifications breakdown of the full Datamax-O’Neil printer line.

For additional assistance choosing the right printer, contact one of our printer specialists at Barcodes Inc.

With a variety of terminology out there these days it can be confusing and difficult to find exactly what kind of scanning device you need.  One of the more common terms to get mixed up is the difference between cordless scanners and mobile computers.

Outside the physical shape and size differences, there are a couple key functional use differences between them:

• A cordless barcode scanner only scans a barcode and either transmits to a computer in real-time or stores the code into memory for a bulk upload at a later time.
• Cordless barcode scanners only captures the data and cannot process or manage it.
• A mobile computer combines a computer and a barcode scanner into one device with an operating systems (OS) to run apps and process the data beyond just storing it.
• With a mobile computer you can edit and share information on the spot using Wi-Fi or Cellular networks. You can also get feedback  or look-up information through a variety of apps based off of the scanned information.

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Sensor Error – Common Causes/Solutions for the Sato CL408e and CL412e

Cause: Incorrect sensor type selected on the printer and/or in the software/driver settings.

Solution: Select the appropriate sensor type using DSW2-2 on the printer.

Cause: Dirty or obstructed sensor and/or media loaded improperly.

Solution: Make sure sensor is free from obstructions and blow out with compressed air, then refer to Label Routing diagrams on the printer to properly load media.

For assistance with any Sato product, contact us at Barcodes Inc.

Don’t be a Fool, Track your Tools…with Barcodes
By Andrew Springer

One of the main challenges many construction companies face today is tracking, managing and maintaining all of their valuable tools, supplies, and equipment. In an industry that relies so heavily on its equipment and materials, it is essential that companies use the best possible methods for tracking and managing their valuable resources. No longer can these companies afford to ignore the immediate and future benefits of investing in barcode-based inventory systems and asset tracking systems.

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Seiko’s Qaliber RP-E and RP-D series receipt printers have been qualified as supported printers for the popular CAP POS software lines. With some of  the best performance specs in the industry, the Qaliber line of receipt printers are a reliable yet very affordable choice for even the most demanding POS environments.

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For those new to label printing, getting a handle on printing basics can be confusing especially with the new set of vocabulary you have to get familiar with.  One of the biggest concerns when choosing the right kind of media and printer for your application is deciding between what type of printing, Direct Thermal or Thermal Transfer, you’ll need.

Direct Thermal Media

Direct Thermal media uses a transparent heat-sensitive coating applied to its surface to image text and bar codes. When the heat from the printhead contacts the coating, it initiates a chemical reaction that turns the coating black. This method is ideal for temporary label uses like shipping labels, food packaging, or any other short term application. If your needs are are short term, Direct Thermal is the easiest and most cost effective solution.

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From food packaging to laboratory applications, BarcodesInc offers a variety of freezer grade labels specifically engineered to adhere to frozen surfaces. These labels are developed to work with both thermal transfer and direct thermal technologies in a wide range of label printers. They feature excellent adhesion to a variety of frozen packaging materials and other substrates over a wide temperature range. Likewise, they are also well suited for applications in moist, damp environments.

Are your labels for frozen packages peeling, warping maybe even wrinkling? Labeling frozen packages can be tricky because all labels are not created equal. Different cold and freezer environments require different types of labels. We have the solution for you!

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With the wide acceptance of smartphones and tablets, more and more businesses are looking to leverage iPhones, iPads, and iPods for a variety of data collection and tracking needs. One of the main challenges encountered when using an iOS device is being able to scan barcodes and read the magnetic stripe on credit/debit cards. While there are scanner apps to use a camera as a barcode reader, businesses that will have a consistent scan volume or need for accuracy will find this to be slow and cumbersome. This is where a dedicated scanner sled is the perfect solution.

The range of sleds currently available can provide 1D or 2D scanning and some models add MSR and RFID reading. The chart below is a simple breakdown of the various sleds, their capabilities, and which iOS devices they are compatible with. No matter what your needs are, there is a scanner sled that can meet them.

For additional assistance finding the right sled for your business, contact us at Barcodes Inc.

Getting the best performance out of your label printer can often come down to having the right printer driver installed on your PC.

Every barcode printer manufacturer provides a driver to use with their products but, sometimes they are not the most robust. Users may find that when printing labels with the default manufacturer drivers with variable and unique information per label, their printer will pause for a moment between each label. Other times, there may be issues with label formatting or communications to the printer.

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