Question

My Star thermal printer feeds paper but is not printing at all.

Answer

The cause could be that the paper is not thermal-coated or it was loaded upside down. To verify that the roll is thermal-coated, scratch the surface of the paper with a coin or nail. If the top coat shows a gray mark where the scratch was made, the paper was thermal-coated. Next, verify the thermal paper was loaded correctly and try printing again (see illustration).

For additional assistance with or finding the right Star printer for your needs, contact us at Barcodes Inc.

Mobile computers are continually evolving with greater capabilities, more rugged designs, and multiple forms of wireless communications. Choosing the best fit unit for your specific needs can be a challenge when faced with multiple models with sometimes up to several dozen configurations!

Lucky for us, Intermec makes the decision process easy with this convenient mobile computer reference guide. Organized by ruggedness, typical application uses, and technical specs like scanner type and wireless communication options, this guide clears some of the mystery behind all the model and part numbers. Whether you need a basic CS40 for light inventory tracking or a CK71 to help manage a warehouse, Intermec has a mobile computer to meet any needs.

For more assistance finding the right Intermec product for your needs, contact us at Barcodes Inc.

Star has been a leader in the receipt printer industry due to their efficient designs and ability to keep up with current technology trends all the while making products that are easy to use.

The POS world has seen a big shift towards using iPads and other tablets instead of a traditional desktop and with this comes the challenge of printing receipts easily. Lucky for us, Star is well prepared to support iOS and Android devices with any of their Ethernet, Wi-Fi, or mobile printers.  This video is a great step-by-step explanation of how to pair and print with your iPad to any Star printer

Barcodes have become the default tool to use when tracking any kind of product or process due to how easy they are to implementation and the increased efficiency they provide. What once would have been done with paper and pencil, now a simple scan can do the same only faster and more accurately. With the help of scanners from Motorola, you can improve any process from asset management with an MC9190-G or simple attendance tracking with an LS2208.

This infographic is a great overview of some of the most common tracking applications and how barcode scanning makes things easier and more accurate.

For help finding the right scanner for your needs, contact us at Barcodes Inc.

POS systems – or point-of-sale systems – are the hardware and software systems that a business uses to process sales and collect payment from customers. POS systems have evolved greatly since  basic register-style units.  Modern systems include many additional features that allow you to input orders, manage inventory, track staff attendance, print invoices, and process reports.

If you’ve been in business for some time  or are still using an old fashioned cash register – you may want to look at updating  your POS and payment processing system. How do you know it’s time for an upgrade? Here are five tell-tale signs: Continue reading »

With everything becoming wireless and mobile, getting existing POS hardware, like receipt printers, onto your wireless network often means getting a new printer. Luckily, Star has their Wi-Fi Power Pack to turn any of the Star LAN based printers into fully wireless capable units. The Power Pack is easy to install and is a very cost effective option for businesses that already have Star printers in place and don’t want deal with long cable runs. This also enables the Star printer using the WiFi Power Pack to connect with tablets, smart phones and other portable electronic wireless devices.

This video is a great intro and how-to explanation of how to set-up the Wi-Fi Power Pack  in just a few simple steps.

VDC Research, a leading Auto-ID and Barcode research firm, is hosting a webinar on February 26th on the benefits and impact of using barcodes within the ever expanding use of mobile to mobile communications. As more business move away from fixed to mobile computing solutions,  manufacturers of barcode scanning and printing solutions have the potential to be at the forefront of this ongoing M2M evolution.

The 45 minute webinar will cover:

• The measurable benefits of incorporating barcoding into enterprise operations as companies invest in resources to build out their M2M connectivity and communications platform in support of applications throughout the extended supply chain.
• The impact that the changing nature of barcodes is having on how enterprises connect and communicate with their customers via smart devices – both professional and consumer-grade.
• The role that barcodes play in triggering seamless communication across channels, networks and organizational boundaries.
• How barcoding with M2M helps companies leverage actionable business intelligence and analytics across diverse vertical markets and installation environments.
• Why M2M and IoT (Internet of Things) should be an integral part of barcode technology vendors’ strategic and operational objectives and how they can get there before it is too late.

You can find more details and register for the Feb 26th session here.

Mobile devices, like smartphones and tablets, have become a cost effective option for a variety of data collection applications today. One of the main challenges faced with consumer devices however is the need to scan barcodes. While you can  use the built-in camera as a basic scanner, applications that require consistent scanning throughout the day find that the app/camera option is not fast or accurate enough. Luckily there are plenty of cordless scanners from Socket you can easily pair with any mobile device. The Socket CHS series offers options for 1D and 2D scanning as well as more rugged housings including Healthcare antimicrobial devices. Pairing the scanners to your iPad only takes a few simple steps. Follow this video to add scanning to any iPad-based data collection application.

With the popularity of tablets today many businesses are finding more ways to integrate them into everyday operations.  One of the most common applications today is turning your iPad into a Point of Sale terminal with easy to use applications like Square Register.

While processing a payment and transaction is easily handled by the iPad and Square, there is still the challenge of providing a printed receipt to your customers. Fortunately, Star is leading the way with a variety of receipt printers that will easily work with your Square system.

Continue reading »

With all of the options available on mobile computers today it can be a real challenge choosing the right one for your application. Concerns like ruggedness, wireless communications, operating system, and scanner type are key to ensuring the unit you choose will perform well for you.

Luckily, we have a great buying guide to help make the process easier - Mobile Computer Buying Guide. This guide will cover the essentials so you can have a clear picture of the type of device and the features you need. Once you know what you need from the device choosing a suitable model is easy!

As with any product, if you have any questions or need any help feel free to contact us.