Barcoding News

Use the table below to determine what barcode verifier is best for the barcode you need to verify.

A new generation of Datamax E-Class printers is now available. The E-Class Mark II takes this proven printer platform to a whole new level of performance, print quality, reliability, connectivity, and versatility to meet a broad range of applications. Features include:

• Fastest label delivery in its class
• Standard serial, parallel, & USB ports
• Optional built-in Ethernet and wireless 802.11b/g Ethernet networking ports
• User adjustable mechanism to handle a wide range of media
• Available in 2 colors: warm white or cool gray
• Compatible with a wide range of thermal printer command languages

Complete press release below:

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From an economical single-camera system to a sophisticated eight-camera configuration, Microscan’s Visionscape GigE platform contains all the necessary components for a complete machine-vision implementation. PC-based Gigabit Ethernet systems leverage standard network components, such as cabling, switches, and interface cards, while Visionscape software allows rapid deployment of your machine-vision application.

Visionscape GigE works with a full set of Microscan GigE cameras and can be used in applications for precise inspection, identification, guidance, gauging, and measurement. It decodes all standard linear barcodes, 2-D symbols, and stacked symbologies. Minimum PC requirements for Visionscape GigE software include a Pentium P4 class processor (2.4 GHz or higher), Windows XP or Vista, at least 1 Gbyte of RAM, an XGA display, and one open PCIe slot for a network interface card.

The first service release (“SR1”) of BarTender 9.1 was released as build 2617 on July 20th, 2009. The enhancements are summarized here, with more details available on the BarTender 9.1 service release web page:

• Translations of New Features: Many new features that originally shipped with English-only user-interfaces in BarTender 9.1 have now been translated into all 23 languages supported by the BarTender Label Management Suite.
• System Database Support for SQL 2008: The BarTender System database used in the Enterprise editions now supports SQL Server 2008 in addition to SQL Server 2005.
• Version Number Displayed within Setup Manager: When you insert a BarTender CD into your CD drive and the Setup Manager automatically runs, the opening screen will now display the BarTender version number.
• Minor Bugs: A few minor bugs were also repaired with this service release.

A team of Irish scientists has devised a method of identifying individual chickens by putting miniature barcodes on their beaks and legs, and older hens by their combs. Working at the UCD Bioresources Research Centre, the researchers achieved a 97 percent accuracy rate in experiments on identifying individual bird parts with barcodes.

Led by Professor Shane Ward, the group set out to find novel, accurate, tamper-proof and cost-effective systems to track and trace animals using among other things, biometric identification. While laying hens do not have fingerprints, they discovered they have individual comb profiles. The researchers developed specific biometric algorithms to isolate the comb profiles using mathematical modeling techniques.

Simplified product offering provides better value and advanced features to end-users.

TEKLYNX, the world’s leading developer of software products for the AIDC marketplace, today announced a new version of LABEL MATRIX PowerPro. In an effort to simplify its label design offering and offer better value to customers, only two versions of LABEL MATRIX will be offered – LABEL MATRIX QuickDraw, a single-user program for basic label design tasks, and LABEL MATRIX PowerPro, a full-featured networkable label designer with advanced data integration capabilities. LABEL MATRIX PowerPro is now being offered at a lower price. The mid-range version of LABEL MATRIX will no longer be available. LABEL MATRIX 8 Single Users can upgrade to LABEL MATRIX PowerPro for free if they have a Software Maintenance Agreement (SMA).

“Simplifying our product offering makes it easier for customers to get what they need,” commented Beth Lukomski, product manager for label design at TEKLYNX International. “With two versions of LABEL MATRIX, customers can choose the features that best suit their requirements and get the best value in the industry.”

New features in LABEL MATRIX PowerPro 8.3:

• Print to Picture – Enables users to export their label designs for use in popular graphic editing applications. Users can utilize the graphic application’s tools to modify the label design and then re-import the label into LABEL MATRIX for printing.
• Advanced Security Controls – Allow administrators to manage user access to labels to meet compliance standards.
• RFID Support – Provides an easy-to-use interface for users printing and programming RFID labels, with the advanced functionality required to support the most popular RFID printers and tags.
• Printer Support – LABEL MATRIX supports over 2,100 thermal and thermal-transfer label printers and any printer with a valid Windows driver supplied by the manufacturer. Specialized TEKLYNX drivers enable users to easily and efficiently take advantage of powerful printer capabilities.
• Database Connectivity – LABEL MATRIX allows users to connect to external data sources to easily pull information into label designs, reducing errors by eliminating manual data entry.

Rugged PC Review reviews the Unitech PA600:

The Unitech PA600 HF, the latest in the PA600 family of rugged PDA‘s, is a Windows Mobile 5.0-based compact yet durable PDA using the 520MHz version of the Marvell PXA270 processor. It has an integrated 1D/2D imager for barcode scanning, USB host and client, Bluetooth Class 2, 802.11b/g WiFi as well as an integrated 13.56MHz High Frequency RFID reader that supports ISO15693, ISO14443A and ISO14443B standards in a single device. This makes the unit suitable for all sorts of real time transaction processing in a wide range of markets including transportation, field service and health care.

The PA600 measures 3.35 x 5.9 x 1.4 inches and weighs just over 11 ounces including battery, imager and RFID reader. It has a powerful full-shift battery, 128MB of RAM and 320MB of Flash ROM. Expansion is via a single SDIO slot. The backlit transflective TFT touchscreen display measures 3.5 inches diagonally and has the standard 240 x 320 resolution. Operation is via touch, stylus, a four-way navigation pad integrated into an 18-key arrangement that includes numeric, alpha and function keys for rapid data entry.

As far as scanning goes, the unit supports 1D symbologies such as UPC-A/E, EAN-8/13, Codabar, Code 39, Code 39 full ASCI, Code 93, Code 32, Interleaved & Std. 2 of 5, EAN 128, Code 11, Delta, MSI/Plessey, Code 128, and Toshiba, as well as 2D symbologies includidng Composite, Data Matrix, MaxiCode, PDF-416, Postal Code and QR Code.

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Dolphin 9900 series mobile computers incorporate the most advanced communication and data collection technologies to enable maximum mobile user productivity and efficiency. Designed with lifecycle management in mind, Dolphin 9900 mobile computers are backwards compatible with the full line of accessories available for Dolphin 9500 mobile computers. Consistent keypad layout and operator interaction minimize the need for training when switching from the Dolphin 9500 to the Dolphin 9900, resulting in a savings of both time and money. The Dolphin 9500 Trade-in Program allows you to realize extra savings on each Dolphin 9900 purchased during the program period. Upgrade to the Dolphin 9900 and maximize your mobile computer investment.

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Look closely at recent supermarket coupons, and you may see some new markings on them near the traditional bar code: sets of neat black bars stacked in two rows. These new symbols are called GS1 DataBars and can store more data than traditional bar codes, promising new ways for stores to monitor inventory and for customers to save money.

One use of the symbols will be in sophisticated coupon offers that combine deals on multiple products. A single coupon, for example, could offer discounts on three separate items like eggs, bacon and biscuits, all in one transaction. Another use of the new symbols is already helping to streamline operations for a common speed bump in the checkout process: loose produce, and it also prevents another checkout problem: cashiers mistaking organic vegetables for less expensive, conventionally grown ones, and ringing them up for the lower price.

In the future, coupon bar codes will probably be read less from strips of paper, and more from cellphones that people hold out for scanning by the cashier.

Continue reading: The Bar Code Is Taking a Leap Forward

Microsoft Corp. today announced the availability of Microsoft Dynamics POS 2009, a flexible, scalable solution that helps midmarket companies and specialty retailers provide outstanding customer service, drive employee productivity and make business decisions with confidence. The new solution builds on Microsoft’s promise of the Dynamic Business — a vision for helping companies realize their full potential through the strategic use of flexible business applications that remain relevant as their business needs evolve.

Microsoft Dynamics POS 2009 has a customizable user interface that allows for user-defined branding, messaging or promotion as defined by the software development kit.

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