Datalogic’s New Falcon X3+ Mobile Computer
Datalogic has announced the availability of the new Falcon X3+ mobile computer, representing the next evolution of the very successful Falcon X3 mobile computer line.
Following the form factor of its predecessor, the Falcon X3+ mobile computer introduces many new and exciting capabilities including the ability to read 2D barcodes at extreme distances with the new XLR 2D scanner, along with significantly higher wireless communications throughput with the 802.11n dual band WiFi radio. A full VGA display, faster processor, more memory, and higher levels of ruggedization all combine to allow the Falcon X3+ to adapt to many new applications.
Barcode Warehouse Management Software
Barcode warehouse management software is used to control the movement and storage of products or goods within a warehouse and process the associated transactions including, but not limited to, shipping, receiving, put away and picking through the use of barcode automatic identification and data capture (AIDC) technology.
Warehouse management systems manage the following core functions:
- Receiving – The ability to properly handle a shipment when it arrives. This process can be individualized to each warehouse or product type. In some cases, goods are not received into a facility, but rather cross-docked, which is a logistics procedure where products from a supplier or manufacturing plant are distributed directly to a customer or retail chain with marginal to no handling or storage time. Cross docking takes place in a distribution docking terminal; usually consisting of trucks and dock doors on two (inbound and outbound) sides with minimal storage space. The name ‘cross docking’ explains the process of receiving products through an inbound dock and then transferring them across the dock to the outbound transportation dock.
- Put Away – Put-away is normally thought of as the process of moving received inventory from the dock, kitting area, or production department to a storage bin. The put-away process is also used to relocate inventory within the warehouse and to replenish dedicated storage bins with inventory from a reserve storage bin. Any time inventory is being placed in a storage bin it is being put away. System directed put-away is when the WMS chooses the destination storage bin rather than the operator.
- Inventory – Inventory Technology refers to the supervision of supply, storage and accessibility of items in order to ensure an adequate supply without excessive oversupply. It also helps companies keep lost sales to a minimum by having enough stock on hand to meet demand. The inventory can be real-time or in the form of a cycle count, which is an audit procedure designed to verify the inventory accuracy for a small subset of inventory in a specific location on a specific day, thus providing an ongoing measure of inventory accuracy.
- Picking – Picking consists of taking and collecting articles in a specified quantity before shipment to satisfy a customer’s order. The following are different types of picking:
- Piece Picking (or Pick to Part) – Order pickets move to collect the products necessary for one order.
- Zone Picking – Each order picker is assigned to one specific zone and will only realize order picking within this zone.
- Wave Picking – Order picker moves to collect the products necessary for several orders.
- Sorting Systems Method – No movement of the order picker, as the products are brought to picker by an automatic system.
- Pick to Box Method – No movement of the order picker, as the picking area is organized so that there are a number of picking stations connected by a conveyor. The order picker fills the box with the products from his station and the box moves to the other picking stations until he customer order is complete.
- Packing – Packing occurs after the picking process and entails prepping a product or good for shipment by re-packaging, affixing with a shipping label, including an invoice and staging in preparation for shipment. Additionally, for certain goods or customers, there may be the requirement for kit building.
- Shipping – Shipping entails the delivery of the right product or good to the right customer or location using the right method of shipment, all while minimizing the cost. If a customer is doing their own delivery, incorporating proof of delivery allows for more accurate information and quicker confirmation to the customer. Furthermore, our software has the ability to integrate shipment tracking for customers.
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Sato’s CL4NX Series – Beyond Expectations
Sato’s newest addition to their printer line, the CL4NX, is one of the most advanced yet easy to use industrial printers on the market today. Engineered to be a truly universal printer it has the flexibility to meet the demands of any application from compliance labeling and logistics tracking to asset management and retail tagging.
The Rugged CipherLab CP60 Mobile Computer
Now available with Windows CE, the CipherLab CP60 is the ideal solution for even the most demanding applications. With the most advanced features, such as LTE option, IP65 / IP67 ruggedness, 2.4 m impact resistance, and 3.8G HSPA+ with GPS tracking, the CP60 is the handheld terminal designed for various verticals including transportation and logistics, manufacturing, warehousing, field service, and field sales. Running on a powerful 1 GHz processor, along with the function of laser reader, long range laser, and 2D barcode reader, CP60 mobile computer is the perfect device designed for mobile workers to complete their jobs.
For assistance finding the right CipherLab device for your application, contact us at Barcodes Inc.
Intermec Introduces the New CN51 Mobile Computer
Intermec, now part of Honeywell, announced the CN51 rugged mobile computer – the company’s latest offers unparalleled versatility allowing the choice of Windows or Android operating systems on a single device coupled with a power-packed 1.5GHz dual core, multi-engine processor design with 1GB RAM, and 16GB Flash for the highest degree of future-proofing capability. Perfect for an array of applications: direct store delivery, transportation and logistics and field service operations.
The CN51’s large, multi-touch, outdoor-readable screen provides ample room for application viewing with less scrolling for greater productivity, as well as more space for capturing signatures. It’s also equipped with state-of-the-art smart battery technology, delivering industry-leading battery life that lasts through a full 12-hour shift and beyond without interruption to replace or recharge. The CN51 is also the perfect migration option from the current CN50, offering improved processor and area imager performance, while still maintaining accessory compatibility with existing CN50 installations.
TSC Expands Portable Printer Line with the New Alpha-4L
TSC has expanded its new Alpha series of portable printers with the recent introduction of the Alpha-4L, a new portable four-inch-wide-format label printer designed for the manufacturing, transportation/logistics, and retail industries.
Higher performance at its class
The Alpha-4L’s performance-enhancing features include a 5800 mAh large-capacity battery for extended operation, expanded memory to accommodate advanced applications and future firmware enhancements, reliable Bluetooth and 802.11b/g/n wireless communications and a large paper capacity
67.3 mm (2.65”) OD to reduce the frequency of changing paper rolls.
Durability
When used with its optional IP54-rated environmental case, the Alpha-4L offers protection against dust, dirt, moisture, temperature extremes and other harsh field conditions. The printer’s rubber over-mold case is designed to keep the unit working normally even after a 1.5 m (5 ft) drop. When using its environmental case, it can withstand a 1.8 m (6 ft) drop test. And with a high-capacity battery and paper roll, the Alpha-4L maximizes productivity, providing efficient service over a full day’s duty cycle.
The New Motorola MC9190-Z RFID Brings Long-Range RFID and Barcode Reading to Industrial Environments
Motorola announced their new high-performance MC9190-Z RFID mobile computer, designed for demanding medium- to long-range applications in industrial environments. Ideal for manufacturing, warehouse, and transportation and logistics applications that require reading tags that are often out of sight or more than 10 feet away, the MC9190-Z is one of the longest-range RFID handhelds in its class available on the market.
The MC9190-Z handheld RFID reader leverages Motorola’s unique long-range linear antenna that enables more accurate data capture. The ergonomic features of the MC9190-Z also allow more frequent and accurate inventory-counts to better manage on-the-floor, back-room, warehouse and distribution inventory – reducing out-of-stock and excess inventory carrying costs.
With a rugged design to handle indoor or outdoor environments and offering multi-modal data capture that combines integrated RFID, direct part marking (DPM) and barcode reading, the MC9190-Z provides enterprise customers with a lower total cost of ownership.
Supply Chain of the Future
Minimize short-term disruptions to gain the agility needed to take on long-term disruptions
Executive Summary
In an uncertain world, investing in mobile computing will enhance your short-term flexibility in order to gain long-term confidence. The traditional instinct of individuals in the face of uncertainty is to sit tight and wait out the situation. The world moves too fast and is too interconnected today, making that approach outmoded.
To be a leader in the future, you will have to accept uncertainty, and minimize it everywhere you possibly can. Uncertainty is not going away any time soon, so the way to handle it is to use effective technology that minimizes the effects of uncertainty.
Remember: By minimizing short-term disruptions, you gain the confidence and agility needed to take on long-term disruptions.
Intermec Advanced RFID Extensions (ARX)
Intermec introduces the first tag motion software toolkit in a standardized reporting format. Intermec Advanced RFID Extensions (ARX) effectively identifies RFID tags of interest and discriminates surrounding tags, providing customers and software integrators the tools to essentially eliminate false-positive reporting of tags.
Getting the Most out of RFID
RFID provides business benefits and a strong ROI for many applications including asset tracking, materials management, and inventory control. Many processes for identifying objects and recording their movements can be automated by RFID. Unattended readers ensure that asset and inventory movements are recorded and alerts issued if the material is moved to the wrong place or at the wrong time. With a well designed RFID system you know all the intimate details of where everything is, where it’s been and where it needs to go. By making your systems smarter, you will be able to:
- Realize huge improvements in asset and inventory visibility
- Resolve problems right when they occur
- Reduce capital and operations expenses
- Increase flexibility of your data collection systems
- Achieve new levels of productivity
RFID automated processes rely on the accuracy of reading the right tags: those that pass through a portal, are on a forklift, or are passing by a checkpoint on a conveyor. Because an RFID reader indiscriminately reads all of the tags that it activates, the presence of stray tags, such as those that pass through a nearby portal or are stationary on nearby racks or pallets, complicates the identification of the true tags of interest versus those that are not part of the process in action.
