Using the Honeywell Voyager XP in Shipping Operations
Efficiency is imperative to every shipping operation, and the Honeywell Voyager XP 1470g/1472g is the key to unlocking a new era of productivity. Say goodbye to slow and error-prone scanning tasks and say hello to a streamlined shipping process like never before.
Dive into this blog to uncover the game-changing capability of the Honeywell Voyager XP 1470g/1472g and take the first step towards seamless shipping operations.
Voyager XP 1470g/1472g Key Features and Benefits
The Honeywell Voyager XP 1470g/1472g will change your shipping game. With rapid scanning, versatile barcode reading, robust durability, and “Android Enterprise Recommended†status, it will streamline your shipping operations and meet the highest industry standards.
Ultra-Fast, Highly Accurate Scanning: The Voyager XP 1470g/1472g boasts lightning-fast scanning capabilities that are even able to read damaged and poor-quality barcodes. With an extended scan distance, you don’t have to use your tiptoes for that box at the top of the shelf or reach over into the bottom of the barrel.
Wireless freedom: With a longer Bluetooth range compared to competitive devices, this enables greater operational flexibility across the warehouse.
Highly Versatile: This device excels in reading a variety of barcode types, including 1D, 2D, and even damaged or poorly printed barcodes. You won’t be slowed down by barcode type limitations any longer.
Rugged and Durable: The Honeywell Voyager XP 1470g/1472g is designed to withstand the rigors of shipping environments. This scanner can handle drops, spills, and rough handling, ensuring a long lifespan and minimal downtime. The Honeywell Voyager XP 1470g/1472g is a robust and resilient tool designed to thrive in the demanding world of shipping operations. This scanner can endure repeated 6-foot drops onto concrete, it is dust-tight for dusty environments, and has an IP65 rating for waterjet protection.
Seamless Integration: Additionally, it’s Android Enterprise Recommended, meeting Google’s high standards for enterprise hardware, software, and support, guaranteeing its seamless integration into your shipping processes.
For a detailed list of capabilities, download the Voyager 1470g/1472g spec sheet.
See the Voyager XP in Action
Embrace a new era of efficiency in your shipping operations with the Honeywell Voyager XP 1470g/1472g. From barcode scanning to inventory management, this versatile scanner is your key to smoother workflows.
Contact us today to see how the Voyager XP 1470g/1472g can transform the way you work.
RFID Webinar: Improve Returnable Container Tracking with RFID
Webinar
Improve Returnable Container Tracking with RFID
Thursday April 20th 1:00-1:45pm Central
PRESENTED BY:
Christopher Vassilos – Senior Solutions Architect, Barcodes Group
Michael Daily – Senior Solutions Engineer, Impinj
RFID-Based Container Tracking
Upon delivery, it’s common for reusable containers to not be returned to the sender, with annual shrinkage rates often exceeding 10%. Keeping track of your Returnable Transport Items (RTIs) can be challenging, especially when logging their location depends on manual processes like scanning.
In this webinar, discover the benefits of RFID-based container tracking:
- Reduce the number of misplaced pallets, kegs, and boxes. Less new delivery assets need to be purchased, and shipments are not interrupted due to lack of totes.
- Track each asset as it leaves and returns to the warehouse, allowing you to determine its exact location immediately and whether they have yet to return.
- Calculate the flow of returnable assets to fully understand your shipping capacity for the present and future.
- Improve utilization of workers since it takes way less time to scan RFID tags than barcodes, due to its fully automatable reading without line-of-sight requirements.
Watch the Full RFID Webinar Recording
Improve Returnable Container Tracking with RFID
Returnable Transfer Items (RTIs), or returnable containers are critical assets for almost all manufacturing and logistics organizations. RTIs transport stock and commodities from one site to another. However, keeping track of your RTIs is a different story. Well-known manufacturers and logistics expert still often rely on manual methods, such as traditional scanning, spreadsheet, or pen and paper.
This leads to a major issue: inventory shrinkage.
Mismanagement of returnable containers owing to theft, unrecorded damage, or simply the inability of consumers to return empty pallets, kegs, and boxes costs a fortune.
How are Your Returnable Transfer Items Being Tracked Currently?
Barcode labels used to tag the cargo of a container during shipment are often non-permanent. Traditional barcode scanners and labels identify the contents of the container, but seldom provide reverse logistics tracking for the containers themselves.
Using permanent barcode labels as the foundation for a container monitoring system is not feasible. I know that might be strange to hear from a company called Barcodes, Inc. But scanning labels at various stages of the supply chain sometimes necessitates extra human effort, which is even more difficult when empty containers pile up.
One solution is to establish a tracking system utilizing modern asset tracking technology.
Reducing Yearly Inventory Shrinkage with RFID
“15% of all pallets in circulation vanish” or “20% of all packaging/equipment is lost owing to consumers retaining them for their own use or third parties removing them for their own use.”
SLS RFID 2016 Study
Inventory shrinkage is a major issue in the management of returnable transfer items (RTIs), which include all types of shipping containers, packaging, pallets, kegs, and boxes.
Shrinkage due to theft, unreported damage, or just consumers failing to return empty containers is a serious concern in this field.
Estimated annual shrinkage rates are anywhere from 3 to 9%. If you’re constantly replacing lost or stolen RTIs, the impact on profitability is a huge problem.
For organizations to decrease RTI shrinkage, RFID is appealing due to completely automated scanning without line-of-sight, as well as mass tag reading. The key advantage of RFID-based container monitoring systems is an improvement in container return rates. New containers are purchased in smaller batches and less frequently.
What Data Can Be Tracked with RFID Tags?
Integrating the RFiD Discovery system with your ERP system enables company-wide visibility of your RTIs, ensuring that essential assets are accessible at the relevant locations to fulfill any transportation request.
Exactly what the RFID ultimately tracks depends on your unique tracking requirements. Here are some examples of the depth of data you can store in a small RFID tag:
- Container Name
- Size
- Location
- Weight
- Item Quantity
- Container Properties
User memory on tags stores data. The serial number field can be pre-programmed or user-assigned.
The air-interface protocol standards for passive HF and UHF tags, such as UHF EPC Gen 2, define basic functions like read-write and which memory banks or blocks can be written to. Reader manufacturers include these low-level commands with higher-level subroutines in their software development kits for application developers.
How to Use RFID to Tag RTIs
RFID labels are long-lasting and more durable than traditional labels. RFID tags attach exceptionally well to returnable cargo and resist machine washing operations as well as harsh elements for much longer.
Any RTI equipped with an RFID tag can be detected by a small number of strategically located readers. The location data is delivered back to the central RFID Discovery database, where it may be evaluated.
This database allows you to discover how many RTIs have been sent to a specific supplier or customer, so you know which trade partner to approach when requesting a return.
When shipping containers are in range of an RFID reader, the information on the tags can be automatically acquired using a wide variety of methods:
- Fixed reader installed at a warehouse entrance or loading dock
- A mobile reader installed on a forklift
- Handheld reader brought inside a business partner’s facility for rapid inventory
What are the Main Advantages of Using RFID for Returnable Asset Tracking?
There are several advantages of using RFID to track returnable assets.
1. Recoup Billions of Dollars in RTI-Related Losses
Reusable assets are returned to the sender after delivery, usually full of new goods and not empty. Entire industries are dedicated to capitalizing on reverse logistics and maximizing the value of containers.
So why do we pay far less attention to reusable assets compared to sold commodities and container space? In order to get a bird’s eye view of costly shrinkage areas, your immediate shipping capacity, and overall supply chain health, it’s critical to assess the flow of returnable assets as well.
If RTIs arrive in the incorrect place or are lost, the transfer of products becomes difficult or impossible, thereby causing delivery delays. And massive container replacement costs.
These misplaced assets represent billions of dollars in losses, since new delivery assets must be acquired. We will say again: RFID saves billions of dollars.
2. Track Every Asset Location With a Detailed Evidence Trail
While we like to imagine most people are honest and good by nature, the reality is that customers and suppliers are not going to eager to assist when the subject of locating your missing valuables is brought up. Tough luck.
Instead of playing the blame game, utilizing an RFID system to track each asset as it leaves and returns to the warehouse allows you to instantly establish its specific location, and whether it has yet to return.
This goes for both goods sold as well as the RTIs carrying them. Put another way, your returnables are much more likely to return.
3. Increase Visibility of Container Locations, Available Stock, and Overall Condition
Though shipping should be a precise science, we know that’s not always the case.
Businesses depend on RTIs everyday, but lack visibility over the availability, location, and quality of their RTIs.
When organizations incorporate careful pallet monitoring, tote box tracking, and stillage tracking, it’s much easier to manage a large pool of RTIs without bleeding money. Additionally, there is no longer a need to keep just-in-case containers on the sidelines, because of increased visibility into the “who, what, where, and how many?” questions.
4. Improve Labor Utilization at Every Level of the Supply Chain
Scanning RFID tags takes substantially less time than scanning barcodes. Similarly, RFID is a more appealing identifying solution for reusable assets since users do not need to manufacture new barcodes or print new labels.
Logistics and operational leaders can simply re-encode the same RFID tags again and again without increasing headcount or allocating redundant processes to busy workers.
Lastly, RTLS on RFID can significantly reduce the amount of time workers spend searching for specific inventory. In a field such as healthcare, nurses estimate they spend at least an hour per shift finding equipment. That really adds up when looking at overall labor utilization.
Evaluating and Deploying an Effective RTI Tracking System
Tracking RTIs with RFID helps prevent your assets getting lost or stolen, reduces disputes between trading partners, enables rapid inventory cycle counting, and quickly identifies shortages. Your organization could be saving billions of dollars.
Barcodes, Inc. is your trusted RFID partner and integrator. Contact us when you are ready to elevate your RTI management and discover the magic of RFID tracking. It’s easier to deploy with a partner you can trust.
Tech Tip Tuesday: Choosing the Right Supplies
Don’t let supplies get in the way of operational efficiency! Maximize your uptime with Honeywell genuine print media where you can be assured you’ll get high quality, durable media with more efficiency and reduced cost. Applying the right supplies can extend the life of your printer which can reduce cost in the long run.
Honeywell supplies a wide variety of label media to support different application needs and custom solutions that are tailored to what you need in-house. Their selection of genuine labels, tags, receipts, and ribbons supports a wide range of barcode printing applications from mild to harsh environments.
Barcode Labels: a wide variety of labels with their Duratherm and Duratran labels. This series of labels are easy to use and demand less user intervention. There is a label for every application whether it be healthcare, shipping, inventory tracking, general purpose, or etc.
Barcode Tags: durable, high-performance tags to support the most challenging tracking applications. Delivers excellent print quality on either direct thermal or thermal transfer printers.
Wristbands: wristbands help provide the positive patient identification that hospitals require in order to reduce errors. Has superb resistance to soaps, hand sanitizers, moisture, and other common exposures to ensure there is an accurate scan.
Ribbons: help produce sharp text and barcodes on a broad range of materials, both paper and films, all the while keeping excellent durability. Their ribbons are engineered to provide optimum performance.
Long Term Benefits:
- More printer uptime with a lower total cost of ownership
- Increased ROI based on extended printer life
Contact our product specialists to find out how to extend the life of your printer. If you have special requirements, or lack of access to on-demand printing capabilities in-house, our team can help. For a limited time right now, you can get 15% off supplies with code SUPPLIES19 through 07/19*.
*15% OFF all printing supplies is available online only at Barcodesinc.com through July 19, 2019 at 11:59 pm CST. Offer cannot be combined with other promotions or discounts. Offer valid on web pricing only. This offer does not apply to existing quotes. One time use. Online use only.
ICYMI: Transforming Retail with RFID
In case you missed our webinar today on Transforming Retail with RFID, you can revisit the webinar from the video below.
With the changing face of retail, stores are banking on the shift to upgrades to improve the customer journey.
Some Drivers for RFID Adoption are:
- Inventory Accuracy
- Real Time Data
- Loss Detection
- Product Location
- Pick/Pack Accuracy
- Electronic Proof of Delivery
- Authentication and Anti- Counterfeiting
Some major retailers have already deployed RFID to their stores such as Target, Lululemon, Macy’s, Walmart, and more.
Proven business benefits includes better inventory accuracy, reduce cycle count time, reduce receiving time, improved conversion rate, increased units and sales. Ultimately visibility equals customers can find what they want to buy so associates have more time to spend with the customers and find items more quickly.
Watch our webinar to see how the RFID data that are being collected are transforming retail in our stores today! Feel free to contact us if you have any questions on the process or products that you need.
Honeywell Autocube- Make Every Square Inch Count
Manual measurements on shipping packages can be time consuming and prone to human errors which can lead to lower productivity, reduce operational efficiency, and an increase to shipping chargebacks.
The Honeywell AutoCube 8200 instantly and accurately captures the dimensions of any package, enabling you or your employees to reduce errors, chargebacks, and optimize warehouse storage space.
- Instant and precise measurements are quickly transmitted to shipping applications to accurately bill customers
- Eliminates measurements of packages- enabling cost savings and productivity gains, while reducing error
- Optimize vehicle and warehouse space
- Improve workflows to eliminate human errors
- Faster return on investments from ensuring maximum uptime and increased operational efficiencies
- Gain critical business insights into your business
The Autocube 8200 solution sets new standards for dimension accuracy, efficiency, versatility, and affordability. This fixed dimensioning system with its ability to quickly and effectively measure objects in any orientation makes it a great add-on for warehouses and shipping stations.
See how AutoCube 8200 can provide an accurate way to dimension your packages for shipping with the clip below.
For availability, contact us at Barcodes Inc.
AutoCube 8200: Honeywell’s Newest Product for Volume Shippers
Capturing dimensions can be a very manual process. The new Honeywell: AutoCube 8200 takes a 3D picture of the package, captures the dimensions prior to shipping and populates those fields into the carrier’s application. This small digital camera has a compact design that can be mounted on a pole which can be placed onto existing scales. Its ability to take instant measurements in any orientations speeds up workflow to be able to ship more packages and reduce labor costs.
Benefits:
- Increase accuracy
- User productivity
- Reducing shipping charge backs
- Optimizing storage space, work flow, and planning
This fixed dimensioning system with its ability to quickly and effectively measure objects in any orientation makes it a great add-on for warehouses and shipping stations.
For availability, contact us at Barcodes Inc.
Avery Weigh-Tronix ZT350 Mobile Dimensioning Device
Avery Weigh-Tronix has just launched their new ZT350, a high precision legal for trade digital tape measure, which records, stores and transmits dimensional data. By capturing precise and detailed dimensions in any location, the ZT350 has been created to help optimize processes and profit margins for small parcel and freight operations.
High precision, affordable solution
The compact, robust device is available at a fraction of the price of other digital dimensioning tools on the market today. The ZT350 is a smart device, with the ability to store data internally or to transmit to a PC or other mobile device via Bluetooth connectivity.
With a 9 foot tape, the ZT350 is suitable for most small parcel and freight measuring requirements. Legal for trade at 0.1 inch divisions.
A easy to read color OLED display, integrated scanner, rechargeable Li-ion battery and components that can be replaced in the field make this a convenient yet cost effective dimensioning solution.
Continue reading »
Why Automate Your Picking Solution?
Being right 99% of the time seems like a quality percentage – until you calculate what that 1% actually costs an organization.
- Babies born annually in the United States = 3,932,181
- At 99% accuracy 39,322 babies are sent home to the wrong parents
- Prescriptions filled annually in the United States = 4.27 billion
- At 99% accuracy 42.7 million Rx are filled incorrectly
- Distribution Centers pick 250 million units annually
- At 99% accuracy 2.5 million units are picked incorrectly
- That’s almost 7,000 units picked incorrectly every day if working 365 days/year
- At 99% accuracy 2.5 million units are picked incorrectly
Track/Trace Solutions for the Logistics Supply Chain
Consumer satisfaction with the quality of your products is clearly important, but the service you provide before and after the sale is equally important to any business, but often overlooked as benefiting the bottom line. However, providing efficient tracking and tracing of shipped products enhances customer loyalty and your company image. Obviously, satisfied customers are a company’s greatest asset.
Track/Trace solutions including software and Automatic identification technologies such as barcoding and RFID are both reliable and effective in ensuring the efficient delivery of materials and components to you and to your customers.
According to Claes Fornell, University of Michigan, Ross School of Business and The American Customer Satisfaction Index, “As long as repeat business is important, and as long as customers have a chance to go somewhere else, employees must deliver high levels of satisfaction for a company to be successful.†In other words, satisfied customers often become repeat customers and one way to ensure satisfaction is to provide complete visibility from sale to delivery.
Simply stated, an efficient logistics supply chain accurately tracks and traces the delivered materials used to create finished products and then stores the inventory until picking, packing, shipping, and delivery of sold products are completed.