Motorola DS3500: Tough as Nails and Ready for Anything 30 Apr 2012

We winced when we watched Motorola’s promotional video for this beast of a scanner (the link is below) – someone had clearly paid the actors to drop, throw and kick these rugged hand-held units around the workplace. Hopefully, that isn’t how the typical operator treats a scanner, but in our opinion, the DS3500 can take the punishment.

This is a genuine industrial-quality scanner that packs a real punch, and it’s loaded with features that cater for almost any application. You get a choice of corded or Bluetooth wireless models that scan almost any type of barcode, in almost any condition, under almost any lighting. Motorola describes the DS3500 as a “full-range scanner”, and with a working distance that ranges from near-contact to 10 metres, that’s no lie.

The DS3508 (corded) and DS3578 (cordless) models not only read 1D and 2D barcodes, they feature Motorola’s Direct Product Marking (DPM) technology that allows them to read product codes that are laser-marked, etched or stamped directly on the surface of a part. This, coupled with the extreme range of the barcode reading camera, makes it possible for warehouse staff and truck drivers at ground level to scan barcodes at any reasonable height, even if the labels are shrouded in shrink-wrap.

For increased productivity, the DS3500 sorts out the orientation of the barcode - so your workers don't need to pause and align the barcode. With a 60 frames per second camera doing the scanning, you can scan continuously, you simply hold the trigger and sweep-scan all your labels one after the other. Throw in extra loud beeping, extra bright flashing and even vibrating alerts confirming good or bad scans and you’ll get through all sizes of consignment in a hurry – error-free.

We’ve seen this scanner used in both indoor and outdoor applications that include stock taking, goods receiving, order picking and line replenishment. The built-in Bluetooth wireless link lets you transmit data on the fly, or you can use the corded version and plug in the USB, RS232, IBM 46xx or keyboard wedge cables to your computer.

We also like the image capture capability that is standard across the range. If you need to take a picture of an item – maybe because it’s damaged or not what it should be – you can use the DS3500 to record an image that's stored your host device for future reference.

As we said earlier, these scanners tolerate almost any form of abuse. The Motorola product literature almost dares you to try and break it – “you can drop it on concrete, cover it in dust or grease, spray it with high-pressure jets of water or expose it to extreme temperatures” sounds like an invitation to me – but we haven’t succeeded yet. Nor, we suspect, will you. This is truly a brick-built device.

The drawbacks? Well, there aren’t any really – not in our opinion anyway. The cost is $999 and for a scanner that raises productivity and will last years we think that’s a bargain. If your operators manage to break your current scanners too often for your liking, cut out the replacement costs by using a DS3500 instead.

If you want to see the You Tube video showing you the DS3500 click here.

Try the Motorola DS3500 range, or one of our other top-quality barcode scanners. If you'd like to know more, click here to see the DS3508SR, email sales@barcodeproducts.co.nz or call Jess on 0800 86 227 263 to see how you can get hold of one of these.

Let me introduce you to Jess 26 Apr 2012
This is Jess.

Jess started with us back in January. Originally working alongside Ben, she has now taken over from Ben, as Ben has moved on. Yes, Ben has left! We were all sorry to say goodbye to Ben after three years with Barcode Products but he decided it was time to move on. Ben left us last month. Sorry if you've received email from him, slowly we're updating our little reminders of Ben.

Jess comes from a software sales background, working with MYOB. She also has many years administrative experience. Jess was born and bred in Christchurch, going to Avonside Girls High and lives in New Brighton. Jess was lucky that she was relatively unaffected by the quakes of last year and before.

Jess enjoys going out socialising, but has struggled recently. Jess has two Rottweilers Harlow and Nixon. Harlow is pictured below. A recent visit to the Vet left her seriously out of pocket. A $1,000 overnight stay and surgery on Nixon, her youngest puppy cost her $3000. Jess will be staying in for a while, whilst she rebuilds her finances.

Snowboarding with her partner is her winter past time. Strangely, Jess loves rain. It's her favourite weather.

Barcode Printing: Bills, Badges and Ballot Papers 12 Apr 2012

OK - I'm cheating - To date, we haven’t been involved with putting barcodes on ballot papers but we do have the technology, as the saying goes. In truth, “Bills, Badges and Tickets” doesn’t have the same ring to it, although you’re far more likely to come across tickets in everyday life.

I want to show you how you can print barcodes onto badges, bills and tickets, but first, why you would want to put barcodes on them in the first place?

Barcodes, as you probably realise, provide quick and accurate ‘capture’ of data. If you’ve got several thousand tickets, bills or badges and you want to record the details from them, scanning barcodes means that the information going into your computer is accurate. Using a barcode and a scanner, you get two big benefits: firstly, there are no mistakes from people misreading or miskeying information; secondly, when you scan barcodes, you’re recording transactions, people or items in seconds - barely affecting the flow of work.

Take an example. You’ve invited 600 people to a special event at your store or at a conference you’ve organised. Afterwards, you want to follow up with a thank you note to each person who actually turned up – how can barcodes help? Printing a barcode on each invitation means you’re able to scan them as people arrive and transfer the data into a spreadsheet. Within a few minutes you’ll have a list of the 300 people who actually turned up, in a format that you can access easily.

Here’s another typical situation for small businesses that handle cash transactions: Every month you invoice your cash-account clients who then turn up in person and pay in cash at your store. You need to record the receipts, but typing out every customer’s details is far too time-consuming. A great way to speed up the process is to scan a barcode from the customer’s bill. Scan the code, and the scanner automatically types in the client’s name, transaction reference and amount. There’s no keying so it’s fast and accurate.

So how do you get barcodes onto your invitations, bills or tickets – or any similar documents, for that matter?

Barcode Maker is my recommended solution. Barcode Maker is a piece of software that runs on Windows PCs, and enables you to add barcodes to Microsoft Office documents. You highlight the text you want turned into a barcode and select the barcode tool from the integrated tool bar – the software does the rest. Using Word’s mail merge function, you can create batches of documents, each with a unique barcode. You can also create barcodes in Excel or Access, although for Access you’ll need to use the professional version of the software. You can move the barcodes around and resize them, just like you would a standard piece of text.

Barcode Maker lets you print using most standard laser and inkjet printers, as well as thermal transfer barcode printers. If you're building barcodes into existing documents - just use your laser printer. To find out more about Barcode Maker, click here.

We are here to give advice if you have a ticketing, badging or tagging application that involves barcode printing, or if you’re considering using barcodes for the first time. If you'd like to know more, email sales@barcodeproducts.co.nz or call Jess on 0800 86 227 263.

3 Great Barcode Scanners for Less Than $300 27 Mar 2012

You need robust scanners that work reliably, day in, day out, but you also need a sensible trade-off between price and performance. We investigated the budget end of the pricing spectrum, and discovered several top-quality barcode scanners that offer excellent value for money. Take a look at our top three picks for under $300 – whether you need an entry-level CCD scanner or a longer-range laser scanner, you’ll find something that meets your needs without breaking the bank.

Top of our list has to be the Motorola/Symbol LS2208, one of the world’s best-selling laser barcode scanners; we’ve sold hundreds ourselves. Priced at only $199.00, the LS2208 reads codes at distances up to 25cm and is designed for comfortable, continuous use.

Set-up is simple thanks to a plug-and-play USB interface, and it has a bright LED and a beeper for reliable scan confirmation. You’ll find the LS2208 at checkouts, service points and office workstations the world over.

The Honeywell/Metrologic MS5145 Eclipse comes a close second – it’s one of the best value laser barcode scanners you can buy. The MS5145 will only set you back $179.00 and outperforms most other readers in the price bracket. Scan distances of up to 180mm makes it intuitive to use, and the MS5145 can be connected via USB, Serial (RS232) or keyboard wedge. This scanner is perfect for point of sale, inventory control and document scanning.

For short-range or contact scanning in schools and libraries, the Cino FuzzyScan FBC4000 is a cost-effective CCD scanner. It’s robust and durable, and scans barcodes at ranges up to 125mm, reading a 65mm wide barcode at contact. The FuzzyScan FBC4000 is a highly capable scanner, and is designed to cope with barcodes that are distorted or damaged. Highly affordable at $246.00, the FBC4000 is simple to use, put the scanner on the barcode and press the button - it’s child's play, which is why schools prefer this scanner.

For easy reference, here’s a comparison chart for our Top Three:

	Motorola LS2208	Honeywell MS5145 Eclipse	Cino FuzzyScan FBC4000
Price (USB Model)	$199.00	$179.00	$246.00
Technology	Single-line laser	Single-line laser	CCD
Scan distance	≤ 43 cm	≤ 18 cm	≤ 12.5 cm
Reading width		49 mm to 195 mm	65 mm to 100 mm
Scan indication	LED/Beeper	LED/Beeper	LED/Beeper
Interfaces	RS232, USB, Keyboard Wedge, IBM468X/469X	RS232, USB, Keyboard Wedge, Stand Alone Keyboard IBM468X/469X	RS232, USB, Keyboard Wedge, Keyboard Direct Link (check with us)
Weight	146 g	97 g (scanner only)	127 g (scanner only)
Drop testing	Multiple 1.5m drops	Multiple 1.5m drops	Multiple 1.5m drops
Warranty	5 years	3 years	1 year

In our view, the Honeywell/Metrologic MS9590 Voyager GS also deserves a mention. The MS9590 is a high-spec, lightweight laser barcode scanner, re-badged by Honeywell and sold with a 5-year warranty. Fast and highly accurate, the MS9590 is a trigger-activated device with an ergonomically optimised design that just feels great to use. It comes with a handsfree stand that automatically puts the scanner into presentation mode as an alternative to hand-held use, and at $281.88, you get a lot of scanner for your money.

Let us make life simpler for you and your people with one of our top-quality barcode scanners. If you'd like to know more about these or any of our other scanners, visit our Barcode Scanners page, email sales@barcodeproducts.co.nz or call Jess on 0800 86 227 263.

QR Codes: The New Customer Feedback Form? 13 Mar 2012

When did you last fill in a customer feedback form? If you’re like me, you probably think they’re a wonderful idea, but when the moment arrives and you have a comment to make, you haven’t got time, or the inclination, or a pen, or whatever – and the moment passes.

Business owners, particularly in the retail sector, quickly latched on the idea of using the Internet as a more user-friendly medium for getting customer feedback, and online surveys are now a firm favourite in the marketer's armoury. Convenient they may be, but response rates are still low, given the need to set time aside to complete one.

Enter the QR code ...

The QR code, a type of barcode, is not new. Invented in 1994 to track vehicle production in Japan, QR codes are now used around the world. Today smartphones, tablets and other mobile devices are all capable of scanning QR codes.

The principle is straightforward – a customer sees a QR code, which may be printed on a receipt, posted near a checkout or printed on a menu in a restaurant. Scanning the code opens a browser on the smartphone or tablet and takes the customer directly to a feedback page, optimised for mobile devices.

The CEO of Mindshare Technologies, a leader in this sector: “When a customer or non-buyer gives feedback after seeing a QR code, their experience is still fresh in their mind, so our clients get targeted responses and opinions in real time.” Business owners have instant feedback and analysed customer comments, and the ability to respond equally swiftly. It is this aspect which sets QR code feedback apart from traditional methods. Specific follow-up actions by the service provider encourages loyalty and repeat purchases.

QR Code feedback needs to be thought through. Unsurprisingly, Red Bull discovered that placing QR codes in subways (with no mobile internet coverage) resulted in a very poor response. Continental Airlines’ QR code in an in-flight magazine would have had limited responses for a similar reason. The most common mistake though, is taking readers to a site that is not optimised for mobile browsing; a wasted opportunity and a dent in your reputation.

I hope you’re now thinking about uses for QR codes in your business. Ask us for advice if you’d like to know more.

I’d love to hear any stories you have about your experience with QR codes – good or bad. If you want to get in touch, email me, Miles, at miles@barcodeproducts.co.nz; for enquiries, call Jess in the office on 0800 86 227 263.

PS My friend Mike Bailey wrote this for me.

Where’s the Reception? Scan This... 29 Feb 2012
This is based on an article seen in the NY Times a few days ago.

American bride to be, Michelle Dinh wanted a wedding invitation that was stylish and design driven. So to her pink and grey invitations, she added a Quick Response (QR) code, that was smartphone scannable. “We wanted people to go, ‘Oh, that’s cool,’ ” said Ms. Dinh, of her decision to use the code, which took guests to their wedding website. The QR code, frequently seen on billboards and in magazines, was also in keeping with her tastes. “We didn’t want a traditional verbose information card, so using the code meant the card could be really clean,” she said.

QR codes fit into the modern American lifestyle. Not only do Americans use Foursquare and Twitter for event information - but QR codes are becoming more common. QR codes are used so guests can automatically add the ceremony to their calendars and send an RSVP. “Who really wants to spend hours manually counting reply cards and building spreadsheets for vendors?” said one Californian newly wed, who recently sent out invitations with a QR code to reply. “If the technology is available, why not use it so everyone wins?”

One couple enclosed QR codes with the invitations to their New York wedding with a link to a map. “With the QR code, we were able to bring people right to the front door,” said Mr. Jaramillo, who was happy to find a majority of his 127 guests used it. “Nobody had to stop to ask directions.” Jaramillo said he came up with the idea when the events manager of the location handed him a piece of paper with their directions on it. “It was white and our invitation was cream-coloured. Their card would have stuck out like a sore thumb.”

Of course, it could be argued the QR codes (really just a chunky pile of dots) are the sore thumbs. Eliza Browning, vice president of one of America's longest established invitation printers disagrees. “We will always offer classic, timeless paper correspondence, but we need to anticipate where the market is going. Just because it’s a technical icon doesn’t mean we can’t make it beautiful,” she said.

If you need a QR code for your wedding (or any other event for that matter) – drop us a line at sales@barcodeproducts.co.nz – we'd be happy to help.

8 Tips For Choosing a Portable Label Printer 15 Feb 2012
Portable label printers save time and reduce errors.

Next time you’re in the supermarket, grumbling because your shopping costs more every time you visit, spare a thought for the shop staff that have to keep every shelf-edge price ticket up to date. It’s a never-ending task, even with a computerised stock system. For applications like this, how about portable label printers that will do the job on the spot – here’s our advice on selecting the right one for the job.

Most of our customers choose mobile printing for the same reasons – they want to increase productivity and reduce error rates. Printing labels at the point of use gives operators fewer opportunities to label products incorrectly, and also avoids wasting time collecting labels from a static printer in a remote location.

Today, the choice may seem bewildering. If you listen to only one piece of advice, it should be this – buy a premium brand. Case study after case study shows that the cost of down time, repairs and replacements far outweighs the lower purchase price of a budget printer. You won’t go far wrong with units from Zebra, Datamax, Toshiba or Intermec, but if you’re in any doubt, call us for advice.
Your label specification is a good starting point. Most ranges of portable label printers include models with 50mm, 75mm and 100mm capacities, so size matters. If you use heavy label stock for printing product travellers or retail hang tags, make sure you look at printers that will cope.
Duty cycles are major considerations. The last thing an operator needs in the middle of a busy shift is an interruption to recharge the printer battery or to reload paper. Take a good look at the respective capabilities of the printers on your shortlist.
If there is easy access to a charging dock, battery life may not be a major issue. However, for field-based staff and those working in large stores or warehouses, choose printers that will easily last an entire shift on a single charge. Battery life is clearly dependent on printing duty; we can share experience from other customers if you need a few pointers. Alternatively, buy spare batteries – having checked that changing the battery is easy – and use them to minimise lost time.
If you’re printing labels semi-continuously, look for printers that will accept large-diameter paper reels. 50mm outside diameter should be the minimum, while some models accept 66mm reels. Don’t forget to check that the cycle time to print a single label is quick enough for you, and make sure that loading a new reel of paper is simple – your people won’t thank you if it’s a three-handed job that takes forever!
Connectivity is another important consideration. Wired connections, either USB or RS232, may be acceptable when working with dedicated portable terminals, but for many applications, wireless communication is preferable. Most manufacturers offer a choice of infrared, bluetooth or Wifi that allow you to connect your printer in the same way that you would connect a laptop to a wireless network.
Don’t forget to look at any accessories that you’ll need to make life simple for your people. Belt mounts, vehicle cradles, chargers and carry cases are available from most manufacturers. Aside from the practical aspects of the job, don’t ignore the convenience factor. If you expect an operator to carry a kilogram of printer around all day, make it easy.
Even if your chosen printer ticks all these boxes, is it up to the job? Some of our customers – seem to find ways to destroy anything that isn’t rugged in all senses of the word. People will drop these things, and if your working environment is at all harsh, choose the bomb-proof version! We can share our experience if you want to know which models last longest before needing the attention of our service engineers.

Our range of portable label printers includes several models from Zebra that, between them, offer all these features. The entry-level unit, the MZ320, weighs only 340g and is ideal for light-duty applications. At the other end of the scale, the RW420 prints 4-inch labels, tolerates dust and water and is impact-resistant. Pricing starts at around $600 so they won’t break the bank either.

If you'd like to know more, visit our Mobile Label Printers page, email sales@barcodeproducts.co.nz or call us on 0800 86 227 263 to check price and availability. Let us make life simpler for you and your people with one of our versatile portable label printers.

How an Auckland manufacturer benefitted from barcodes 02 Feb 2012
Here's a chance to see how an Auckland based manufacturer used barcodes to improve quality and improve efficiency.
insulpro.png (1)

Insulpro makes non-itch polyester insulation products used in construction of homes and commercial property. What's important about Insulpro is that the insulation they make is made from recycled plastic bottles. They have three plants here in NZ.

After examining their processes they looked for a way they could:

See full traceability with each bale of insulation (material supplier, batch numbers, operator details, machine settings etc).
Display real time performance information and
Have accurate stock numbers

The solution lay with an updated computer system and using barcodes to quickly and efficiently collect data. Insulpro decided to use Ostendo Software – a New Zealand made ERP system that's used by more than 1000 companies throughout Australia and New Zealand. Ostendo came with some useful features that proved themselves essential for the project:

Data capture – on the shop floor,
Fingerprint scanning for recording staff attendance,
Close integration with the web,
Full inventory management,
Detailed reporting,

We were approached by Solution Management the company who were managing the project. They were looking for handheld terminals and we had the exact terminals they needed for picking and dispatch management.

David Edwards, Insulpro's manufacturing manager described some of the benefits he experienced from the upgrade:

Accurate stock figures
Reliable weight and quality data
Sharing of critical information so better decisions could be made
Tighter quality control – it's automated and difficult to short circuit
Peace of mind, knowing that he could see detailed information about each bale.

Using barcodes meant that nothing needed to be written down, a popular development with staff on the shop floor. Even the hand scanners were easy to use. Logan Budd, Insulpro's dispatch and logistics manager commented “the scanning system is perfect for stock control and enables us to see bales of insulation in stock and available for dispatch within seconds of the time they are finished on the production line”

If you'd like to experience inventory data you can trust and complete quality control in your operations, email me, Miles, at miles@barcodeproducts.co.nz to get a free no obligation appraisal of your manufacturing systems.

You Can Count on the OptimusS 24 Jan 2012

The OptimusS simplifies single-handed stock counting

When your perpetual inventory counts start to feel like they really do last forever, it’s probably time to take a look at your stock-checking procedures. The chances are that you’d make it much faster and less of a chore if you use barcode technology. Our most popular solution is the OptimusS.

Honeywell’s Metrologic SP5500 OptimusS handheld scanning computer makes light work of recording inventory counts. Simple to set up, the pocket-sized OptimusS stores over 100,000 stock records with a battery life of up to 100 hours. Downloading your data is simple; once the count is completed, use USB, RS232 or an optional Bluetooth link to communicate with your stock-control system.

Here's what Zephyr Brown of the Image Centre, a company in Mt Albert that specialises in printing, design and on-line promotion said:

"We’re using it for stocktaking. I found it a breeze to setup and use, I think it took 20mins to setup and then another 20 to write up instructions for the store man. We had to write some scripts for automated pick up and entry of the csv file but it saves us 1 man day over the old manual count and re-entry into our ERP so paid for itself after just 2 months."

The software used to program the Optimus is Metrologic’s Optimizer package, supplied free with every OptimusS terminal. Optimizer is a piece of software you install on your computer. You use it to write simple programs to run on your Optimus. For example, if you want your Optimus to scan a barcode, display a shelf location and prompt you to enter a quantity, you can write it using Optimizer. Optimizer uses drop down menus to guide you through writing your program, so you don't need to know complex programming languages.

Users wanting to develop more sophisticated data-collection programs will find that compilers for Basic and C are also included.

Alistair at Resense, (www.resense.co.nz) , a company that develops retail and stock management software used the Optimus for one of his clients last year:

"We installed the device at the distribution centre to assist in the process of transferring stock to the stores - a very simple application -

- scan store identifier barcode

- scan items to transfer (one by one)

- repeat above 2 steps then/or

- drop scanner in cradle and upload/clear data

They are very happy with the device as it does save a lot of time previously spent taking the goods to the warehouse computer for transferring out the items."

The OptimusS is packed with features that make stock counts easier, faster and less tiring. The terminal is small and light with a large, central “Scan” button, ideal for continuous one-handed operation; it suits both left- and right-handed operators. The backlit display and scalable fonts make it easy to read, even in the most dimly lit corner of your store or warehouse.

Downloading your data is simply a matter of placing the OptimusS in its communication cradle; your computer automatically starts the transfer, typically using a CSV file – which you can open with Microsoft Excel. The cradle doubles as a charger for the lithium-ion battery, and, embarrassingly, we know from personal experience that the Optimus is tough enough to withstand being dropped onto a concrete floor (although I wouldn't like to keep testing it's durability).

Special Offer
To make make your end of year stock take less of a chore and save you money at the same time we're offering the Optimus for just $999 (plus delivery and GST) until the end of February 2012 (or until we run out of them). Remember if you're not entirely happy with it, you can return it for a full refund – no questions asked. All we request is that you keep it in perfect unmarked condition. If you'd like to buy one in time for your end of year stock take, visit our Optimus page, email ben@barcodeproducts.co.nz or call Ben on 0800 86 227 263 and secure your trial.

We want to save you time and money with the OptimusS.

What is ShowGizmo? 17 Jan 2012
ShowGizmo

One of our clients, SmartShow Ltd are using barcodes in a new and innovative way. They have a smartphone app they use for shows and exhibitions called ShowGizmo so I thought I'd share what they're doing with you.

What is Showgizmo, how does it work?

ShowGizmo combines web and smartphone technology to create more productive, valuable events. It enables event organizers and all attendees to access and manage all of their event information and make better connections with each other using the wide range of features.
It works through nearly all smartphone devices and through the web allowing users to create a profile for others to see, check out who else is there and connect with them, follow the 'buzz' via Twitter feeds, have the event programme in the palm of their hand, create a personalized schedule, request meetings, exchange v-cards, collect brochures and much more.

You're using 2D barcodes called QR codes. How do you use them?

Every delegate and exhibitor receives a personalized QR code on registering for the event. This is displayed at the event (either on a delegate's lanyard badge or at an exhibitor's stand). Using one of the ShowGizmo smartphone apps, the barcode can then be scanned by the inbuilt QR code reader. Delegates retain control of how much information they wish to pass on when they build their profile. Other than their name, they can choose whether to display their company, email, mobile, job title and their social media co-ordinates. Exhibitors can upload the same details as well as their URL's, documents and details of any event specials or incentives they're running. Once scanned, the details embedded in the QR code are captured and stored for browsing offline and later follow up. For Exhibitors, the system captures leads generated in this way in real time, enabling them to respond instantly in the case of particularly 'hot' prospects!

What is good about QR codes and why did you choose them?

Qr Codes are extremely durable, and allow people to capture, store and review brochures, business cards and other conventional print materials digitally reducing print volumes and costs, and ultimately waste. They are omnidirectional, and can be scanned even if a significant proportion of them is covered up, making them great in displays. They can also hold a lot more information than can generally be easily displayed within the limits of a tradeshow booth and have the added benefit of being able to direct people to website links where they can receive even more information, downloads, watch videos etc.

What did we, Barcode Products Ltd, do for you?

Barcode products was one of the only suppliers we could find that could print digital barcodes onto transferable non-stick stickers which we use at events on mirrors/windows allowing attendees to scan the codes to download ShowGizmo from their specific mobile device. They have been a great success.

Tell me a little about ShowGizmo, the company.

ShowGizmo is quite young as a company, but in the world of event apps we are basically a teenager, having been around since early 2010. We have a global sales team and have powered events in every continent bar Antarctica. We are a committed group of innovators that are trying to change the way events are run around the world.

If you want to get in touch with ShowGizmo, you'll find them here: www.showgizmo.com If you think QR codes or barcodes would help you, please send Barcode Products an email at info@barcodeproducts.co.nz

The Future for 2D Barcode Scanners 16 Jan 2012
This is taken from an article found at barcode.com. I thought it was interesting so I'm sharing it with you.

Barcode.com: “We recently caught up with Cedric Mollon, of the Intermec Data Capture division in France. Mr. Mollon spoke with us about the on-going rise in imaging scanner adoption.

So, what about the rise in the use of 2d bar codes and imaging scanner sales? According to Mollon, the smartphone is just the tip of the the iceberg for demand creation. The 2d bar code is now being used at every level of industry - manufacturing, retail, healthcare, mobility, gaming, and the reason it is being used more and more often, is the increasing affordability and functionality of the technology.
Are laser scanners going away? we wondered? No - according to Mollon, but due to customer habits, the decline is accelerating now.

The specific reasons behind the rise in sales are numerous. The 2d imaging scanner does much more than simply read and decode a bar code, - it can capture a signature and upload it instantly, it can read a drivers license, a VIN code on a car, it can take digital pictures - and store those images for retrieval and use at a later time. 2D imaging scanners can shoot video, scan documents and process the scanned data. These capabilities enable business processes that were unattainable with older technologies. And, it naturally follows that some of these new business processes will have a very high return on investment.

Some of the key features and benefits of 2d imaging scanners:

* Does not require a specific orientation when using a scanner. a 1d scanner requires that the laser be moving directly across the bar, which takes time in retail. 2d images can be read in any direction and then are decoded automatically by the software in the scanner.

* 2d imaging scanners can read bar codes from as far as 50 feet away, or more.

* 2d imaging scanners can read bar codes moving as fast as 12 meters per second.

* 2d imaging scanners can take pictures - of signatures, the condition of packages, vehicles, delivery locations and documents.

* In retail environments, some vendors are using 2d imaging scanners to take a picture and store an image of a drivers license as a requirement for liquor purchases - this way they have proof of age verification permanently on record!

With all these features and benefits, its easy to see why 2d imaging scanners are growing rapidly, penetrating the space of the traditional 1d laser scanner, and even making new business processes possible. The benefits obtainable with the use of a 2d barcode scanner seem to make it certain that imaging scanners eventually will completely cannabalize the 1d scanner market.”

If you think 2D barcode scanners would help you, email us at info@barcodeproducts.co.nz or call 0800 86 227 263.

For the complete article, visit http://barcode.com/intermec-benefits-from-rising-2d-scanner-trend.html

How To Stop Paying For Ink Ribbons 29 Nov 2011
The secret to labels without ink.

One question we frequently get asked is what's the difference between direct thermal and thermal transfer labels. What you might not realise is that by using thermal labels you get two important benefits that will save you time and money.

Last century, fax machines (remember them – they were how we used to send emails before people had email addresses) and even photo copiers used this odd kind of paper that turned black in the sun. The paper used by these antiquated contraptions was thermal paper and it's what's used on thermal labels and receipts today.

As I've hinted, thermal paper turns black when it's heated. All thermal printer (i.e. the Zebras, TECs and Datamax label printers we sell) selectively heat tiny pins which either melt a wax onto paper labels or turn thermal paper black. Using thermal labels (often called 'direct thermal'), you can avoid the expense of using thermal ink ribbons.

Another benefit is that you no longer need to change the ribbons. How would that help, you ask. Pretty much all label printers we sell have a slot at the back of the printer where you can feed labels in the back. If you buy 'fan folded' labels, you can buy a big box of labels, take the end of the labels and feed them into the back of your printer. You could print for months without even needing to change the labels. How easy is that!

STOP. Before you ditch your old paper labels – there are a few things you need to be aware of.

First. You can't buy thermal labels made out of plastic. If you're printing onto plastic labels then you're going to need to keep using ink ribbons with your labels.
Second. If you're after a top quality image for your products, then perhaps direct thermal isn't for you. They discolour over time and they're not available in gloss.
Third. If your labels need to last a long time, then thermal labels are not recommended. As I've mentioned, thermal labels will discolour when they get hot. The sun will blacken your labels and they may become unreadable over a few years. If your labels get heated, even by the sun, then this may not be a practical alternative.
Forth. You don't have the range of adhesives with direct thermal labels. If you're interested in the idea of fan folded labels, I'm sorry to cool your excitement. The range of labels suitable for fanfolding isn't as wide as for standard labels. You may need to pay more for perforations to be added to your labels.

So, if you're interested in saving costs or making your work easier, just email us at sales@barcodeproducts.co.nz and tell us you'd like a quote for thermal labels instead of your existing paper labels.

Datalogic Memor - A Terminal You Can Actually Use. 22 Nov 2011
Last month Romil got his hands on the Memor from Datalogic. Here's his review.

Describe the Memor...
It's a compact little handheld terminal. Weight similar to a block of butter, but more compact, it comfortably fits into your pocket. It has a colour touch screen, though slightly smaller than the usual courier terminals. One useful little feature is the joystick that can easily be moved with the thumb - makes navigation easier using just one hand. Nice clear keypad, with a big orange scan button in the middle.

What software does it have?
The Memor I have runs Microsoft Windows CE version 5, but there is also a Microsoft Windows Mobile V6.1 model available. It's also got software that Datalogic call PAL. It's a simple collection of applications you can change to suit your situation. This is the cool part of the Memor (actually should be available in all Datalogic handhelds). Should come pre installed, but the unit I have is an older unit and I had to download and install. It's pre programmed with 4 functions:

Shelf Inventory
Asset Tracking
Shelf Replenishment
Order Entry

It's configurable. You can rename functions so instead of asset tracking you can call it “Archive tracking” if you plan to use it in an archive. Just makes it easier for people to accept it in your organisation. There are 4 fields that can be renamed. You can set it up to loop between fields. For example, scan the location barcode then item, then quantity and then automatically go back to item after quantity. Another thing you can do an include time/date stamp.

How does it work with your computer?

It's pretty easy, it has auto detection when the Memor is put on it's dock – you know, the software runs in the background. What you get is an automatic transfer of data to your computer. It exports data in CSV or tab separated file format so it can be opened by Microsoft Excel.

What is the barcode scanner like?
The one I have is fitted with a standard laser barcode scanner, but there is also an imager version – for scanning 2D barcodes and signatures etc. The laser scanner was fast and was able to scan up to about 30cm. It will read large barcodes up to 64cm away. Another useful thing I noticed was the 'green spot' that displays every time you successfully scan a barcode. On usual barcode scanners you get a beep and a light on the scanner lights up. With the Memor (and other Datalogic scanners) you get the beep, but a green light appears on the barcode. It's quite handy, as you're naturally looking at the barcode when you're scanning anyway.

What does the Memor cost?
The Memor is the smallest scanner in the Datalogic range. Prices for the 2D barcode Imager version start at $2098

How can the reader find out more?
You can visit our Memor page here.

$250 for a new iPhone screen 14 Nov 2011
Last month I collected my new Apple iPhone 4S. I was stoked. I had waited a couple of months for it and finally I had my hands on the latest, greatest iPhone. It was everything I expected – with the Siri voice system being particularly amazing. The difference in speed compared with the 3G made it so much more practical. Now I can multitask with the new phone. I can speak on Skype and check my calendar.

One of my friends got his iPhone a week before me. It was the first smartphone he had owned and being more experienced in these things I explained to him how important it was to buy a protective case. I went on about how easy it was to break his new phone. When I got mine the first thing I did was set about looking for a case. I wanted it to be waterproof and protective if I sat on it or dropped it. I looked, then did something else then looked again.

I was still weighing up the various options when, after owning the thing for four days, I bent over in the street. Out of my top pocket slid my shiny new iPhone and landed on it's gorilla glass screen. I picked it up - hoping for the best, hoping it would have survived. No. I swore repeatedly at myself and jumped around until I managed to calm down. How bad did I feel. The cost, the time and the embarrassment of explaining to people how stupid I was. It's not like you can hide damage like that. The worst thing (apart from the cost) was telling the family.

Apple boast that the iPhone is equipped with ultra tough Gorilla glass (20 times tougher than plastic). Gorilla glass, my a@$, I think it was made from transparent egg shell. It was still usable, with it's new shattered look. It's only useful new feature was that I could scare off the kids with stories of glass shards being lodged into their fingers. Finally after three weeks I went to my nearest Apple Store and $250 later I got it fixed.

So this little experience demonstrates why rugged terminals are a must for people who work within 50cm of concrete (i.e. everyone). Yes, I can buy a case for my Apple, and I will, but how much easier would it have been to buy a rugged iPhone in the first place (If they made such things). Go ahead and use your smartphone instead of a rugged device, but don't say I didn't warn you! If you're looking for a tough terminal, give us a call on 0800 86 , or email me at sales@barcodeproducts.co.nz. - Miles.

Can Smartphones Replace Barcode Terminals? 27 Oct 2011

With Smartphones quickly becoming the must have consumer gadget, is there any point buying a chunky, expensive handheld terminal that can't do as much. Barcode Specialist, Romil Fernandez is going to defend the rugged terminal whilst Miles Green, the owner of Barcode Products Limited, argues in favour of the Smartphone.

Miles – the Smartphone will do everything the rugged terminal can do plus a whole lot more - GPS, camera for reading barcodes, music players, video recording, diary, email and contacts.

Romil – OK but most rugged terminals have GPS but there are a few rugged Android terminals with all the extras (email, contacts etc.), so you could have music if you want. Accepted – video isn't as good as with the Smartphones.

Miles – with my iPhone you have around 400,000 apps, Android have thousands as well. With that many apps, you're bound to find an app that suits your business. Will you with a rugged terminal?

Romil – As I said before, there are a growing number of rugged Android terminals that use the Android apps. Also, there's a growing library of apps for industrial terminals in the Appsource library – an app store for industrial terminals. You'll find software for industrial users – distribution, retail and even health users – lots of different 'professional' users. Rugged terminals have a long history of service so there are thousands of programs to choose from.

Miles – I can scan barcodes with my iPhone.

Romil – If you've ever tried scanning barcodes with a Smartphone, you'll see there's no dedicated scan button – although I guess you could make a virtual one. Then you have to move the phone camera back and forth to scan the barcode. It's not speedy scanning and it isn't ergonomic. If you need a fast, ergonomic scanner you'd need to buy a separate bluetooth barcode scanner – then you need two hands. With a rugged terminal you've usually got a built in barcode scanner (1D or 2D) that scans in a split second with a dedicated scan button. If scanning barcodes is something that's key to your work then a rugged, barcode scanning terminal is the only choice.

Miles - OK, price, obviously, that point goes to the Smartphone!

Romil – I don't agree. You're just measuring the price off the shelf. Smartphones last two or three years. Rugged terminals last more than five. You'll need to buy two Smartphones for one rugged terminal.

Miles – You can afford to buy lots of cheap Smartphones for the price of one rugged terminal – it's still cheaper.

Romil – Yes, but purchase price is only part of the cost of ownership. When (not if) the Smartphone breaks, you have a couple of days whilst you sort out a new one. Extra cost ($600-$1000) for a replacement Smartphone and a situation where you might not be able to do any work leading to grumpy customers. The best alternative would be for the thing not to break in the first place.

Summary.

Smartphones do cost less, but the overall cost of the rugged terminal is less than the Smartphone if you need to scan barcodes. Rugged terminals will last longer because the buttons and connectors are more robust. There are more apps and software features with the Smartphones, but with rugged terminals running Android and with built in barcode scanners – the advantage goes back to rugged.

See more about our new rugged Android terminal here.

My Secret Life 12 Oct 2011
You probably only know me from your monthly email. I don't remember if we've spoken and I don't think we've met. There's a good reason for that. I have to say I'm a little embarrassed to admit to this and I feel as if I'm living a bit of a lie. After three years I feel it's time to come clean. I want to confess.

You probably think I'm emailing you from Christchurch, after all, that's where my business is located. The truth of the matter is that I don't live in Christchurch and I haven't done for over three years. I don't even live in New Zealand. Of course, Barcode Products is in NZ and everything related to the company is in NZ apart from me (the owner). I live in Kyushu, Japan. In the prefecture of Fukuoka. I feel better now. I have confessed. Every time I speak on the phone to customers and suppliers I feel awkward in case someone asks me where I am.

The thing is though, no one ever does ask me where I am. I get all the email that my team get (and more) and often I'm better able to reply than they are. Skype on my iPhone means that I can call NZ without the cost of using the Japanese telephone network and with Skype I can talk face to face with anyone I need to. I've got a NZ phone number through Skype so if people need to call me they can, at NZ rates. Now we're using web based software so I'm not tied too much to the office computer – actually, whilst I think about it – do you have experience with the online accounts system Saasu? If so, we're thinking of using it, let me know your experience.

I guess I would say that I'm living this 'virtual lifestyle' that you hear about. So – if you're thinking of becoming 'location independent' and you want some ideas – or you have some ideas for me – please do email me. I'd be very glad to share ideas and get some new ones. If you've lived in Japan – drop me a line it's always interesting to hear other peoples experiences of Japan.

Rugged Google Android Based Barcode Terminal 05 Oct 2011
Meet the Bluebird Pidion BIP-6000.

This is one of the first, in what I think will be a long line of, Android based barcode terminals. Tough enough to work on a building site, but with most of the features you'll find in any Smartphone.
This model comes with Windows Mobile 6.1, 6.5 or Google Android 2.3. Whilst I wouldn't use it to watch movies on the plane, I would use it to read my emails on a building site. I would also use it to make phone calls and listen to music whilst I'm on the go.
That's not the big benefit of this terminal though.

It can scan barcodes (1D or 2D) in a flash, using a dedicated scan button.
Secondly, the Pidion BIP-6000 has ten different options (unlike any Smartphone) - 1D barcode reader, 2D barcode reader, Bluetooth V2, RFID reader, GPS, WiFi, Camera, backlit numeric or QWERTY keypad and 3G communications.
A third reason is that you have access to tens of thousands of Android Apps, or thousands of tried and tested Windows mobile applications. Furthermore, if you want to get an app written there are tens of thousands of developers ready and able to write software for your Pidion BIP-6000.
Finally, it's rugged. It has been drop tested (1.8m to concrete), tested against water and protected from dust (IP65 rated) and it'll work from -30 to 60 deg C. Use it outdoors in any weather and it'll last longer than any Smartphone.

They're not in stock until the middle of December 2011, but if you want to know more (see a brochure), let us know. Email us at sales@barcodeproducts.co.nz.

Honeywells Dolphin 29 Sep 2011

You can't have missed the huge take up of mobile computing in recent years. Thanks to the mobile phone companies it's now expected that any organisation with a mobile workforce equip them with mobile computers. The Dolphin 6100 is Honeywell's answer to that call. Honeywell, by the way, are the second or third largest maker of barcode scanners and terminals.

Recently my colleague Romil evaluated the Honeywell Dolphin 6100. This relatively low cost handheld computer is stylish, sleek and extremely lightweight, and is designed for in-store retail and light industrial markets to deliver high performance, durability and ease of use.

Although it's small enough to fit into a pocket, the Dolphin 6100 has all the latest real-time wireless communications, data collection and computer power you need. Like all the other Dolphin mobile products, the 6100 comes with Honeywell's Adaptus Imaging Technology as standard. Adaptus is an extremely powerful barcode scan 'engine'. The Dolphin 6100 can read traditional linear barcodes (of the sort you find on groceries) but also 2D barcodes and it can also capture digital images, including electronic signatures. The Adaptus engine is small and very fast. It's so good it's licensed to a number of other makers of barcode scanners.

As with most handhelds today, it's got 802.11b/g real-time wireless connectivity to your organisations databases. Security is a priority and it uses modern wireless security standards to make sure your data is safe. Although a little large to use as a phone, you can use the Honeywell 6100 as a Voice Over IP phone (in other words it works over your organisations computer network and out to the world, not via Telecom (or who ever). With a bluetooth headset, the 6100 would eliminate the need to carry a separate phone.

When handling the Dolphin 6100 we found it's size and shape allowed easy, single-handed scanning. It was also fairly intuitive, with a 28-key shifted alpha numeric keypad and precisely positioned scan-keys, so entering data on the keypad needn't be a chore. Honeywell have angled it's barcode scanner/imager so you can view the screen while scanning a barcode. So the 6100 is comfortable and easy to use for long periods of time.

As we all know, mobile devices are no good if the break easily. Despite its light and stylish exterior, the 6100 has been designed to survive 'modest' punishment. Certainly more durable than a phone. It's able to survive accidental drops from distances as high as 1.2 meters and endure up to 500 tumbles from a drop of a meter. With an IP54 rating it can even handle exposure to dust, dirt and splashing water. The Honeywell 6100 comes with a a long-lasting battery, designed to last a full eight-hour shift without needing recharging.

Included in the terminal are some pretty useful software utilities, which simplify setup, developing application for the unit and remote device management. The 6100 is built around the popular and easy-to-use Microsoft Windows Embedded CE 5.0 – therefore tried and tested and compatible with the majority of host software in use.

So, the 6100 is a good value, competent data capture device for use in retail, light industrial settings. With a competitive price it offers a fast return on investment through increased productivity, as well as being tough, easy to operate, compact, light and comfortable to use. Follow this link for pricing and ordering. If you'd like to test the Honeywell Dolphin 6100 yourself, contact us for an evaluation. Email us at sales@barcodeproducts.co.nz or drop us line through our Contact Page.

New range of Toshiba TEC printers 25 Aug 2011

We've just started selling Toshiba TEC printers to customers in New Zealand. TEC is a Japanese company – part of the Toshiba group of companies. They've not been well represented in New Zealand until now but we're confident you'll be very impressed - with the printers and the service. TEC have been making printers since 1979 and are strong competitors in the UK (where I worked for seven years).

What do TEC printers mean for you?

Like Zebra printers, they are quality printers. They enjoy similar print speeds and build quality. TEC printers, however, offer a network (ethernet) connection on each of their printers as standard. Across their range, TEC printers use longer ink ribbons – so you'll be printing for longer before changing ribbons. With the 200mm wide printers, TEC are around half the price of the equivalent Zebra printer. Finally, and one of the most important factors, is their availability. Zebra's not known for prompt delivery times but we have higher expectations with TEC, with 80% of their range in stock here in New Zealand and the rest just one week away in Australia. The TEC technicians (not a very funny play on words, sorry!) can easily change the printer configuration to suit your needs. We have at our disposal a wide range of parts such as print heads, interface cards, peel and present and internal rewind units for each model (where applicable).

One thing that frustrates me is none of these companies give their printers (or scanners for that matter) proper names. The B-EV4D or TLP2844Z doesn't create a relationship with the user. TEC are no different to other makers. That's a missed opportunity.

To celebrate this new arrival to our range we've got a special deal for you. Buy a TEC B-EV4D desktop, 4” wide Direct Thermal Label Printer with a 203DPI print resolution, USB, Serial, Parallel and Ethernet interface as standard and we will give you a Motorola LS2208 (another personality free product name) free of charge. Click this link to find out more.

Protect your Barcode Scanner with an Airbag 19 Aug 2011

Amazon Bosses Jeff Bezos, along with vice-president Gregory Hart are reported to have filed a patent in the US for innovative protection for gadgets. The ideas include a method to protect a portable device, which “includes an airbag deployable from a side of the device”. Bezos describes that while portable devices are often critical to peoples work and personal life, they are easily damaged when they are dropped (particularly into water). The patent outlines how your precious gadgets can be equipped with a damage avoidance system. If you drop your barcode scanner or handheld terminal (for instance) 'detection elements' determine that the device is no longer in contact with the user, measures the distance from the fast approaching surface (e.g., ground or wall) and calculates the speed toward that surface.

The electronics weighs up the risk of damage to your equipment, and if needed deploys protective measures. The protection system causes the device to be reoriented and deploys an airbag. That would protect your scanner from water damage also. Somehow the patent needs to work out if the phone is falling towards a hard or soft object and deploy the appropriate measures.

A better alternative would be to buy a durable industrial grade scanner like the Motorola LS3408. You can drop it hundreds of times and it keeps going.

Got a Broken Printer, Scanner or Terminal? 29 Jul 2011
Do you have a barcode scanner with a broken cable? How about a printer that keeps chewing up labels - or a hand-held terminal with a cracked screen? This is how we can help...

Telephone support. We can help you get it working over the phone. Contact us if you need help.
Fully equipped workshop. If your scanner, printer or terminal needs repair then we'll ask you to send your equipment to the Auckland based repair centre. It's fully equipped with qualified and authorised service technicians, who have years of experience diagnosing problems and fixing them.
Loan equipment. We have a few items of hardware we use for demo. If it'll work for you and we have it to hand we'll gladly lend it to you whilst yours is repaired.

Staging services

If you have a bulk order, or plans to roll out solutions across the country, here's how we can help:

Staging services such as loading software applications
Pre-configuring hardware
Customised project management and hardware delivery services
Managing a swap pool
Documenting the installation including asset registration
Specialist engineering
Setting up and testing communications protocols
Installing operating systems and soak testing
Final testing

If there's something special you need, please ask.

Introducing Jacqui - Our New Business Support Person 18 Jul 2011
Jacqui de la Cour is our new admin specialist who works along side Ben in the Christchurch office. When you call us you'll speak to her on the phone occasionally.

Jacqui has enjoyed 15 years working in business administration in a number of different industries. In addition to being employed, she's been a hands-on owner of two panel-shops over the years.

Not content with the challenge of business ownership, Jacqui has 3 children and her partner also has 3 so life is busy outside of work. Weekends are spent watching Saturday sport and taking everyone to practices etc. When she's not looking after the family her hobbies include relaxing (recovering), reading, fishing but her true passion is training their border collie. With a new border collie puppy arriving from Australia Jacqui will soon be busy training her.

The Best Answer to Scanning Barcodes on a Smartphone 11 Jul 2011
iPhones, Blackberries, Windows Mobile and Android phones are the perfect way to capture and transmit data from where ever you are back to the office. They've even got a built in camera for scanning barcodes, so you don't need a barcode reader. But – if you've tried scanning from a SmartPhone you'll know it's not as simple as that. Here's how you can scan barcodes to a SmartPhone.

There are two problems with using the built in camera to scan barcodes. First – it's slow. You need to start the barcode scanner software, move the phone around to find the correct distance and then scan the code. That's fine if you're only scanning a handful of codes an hour, but if you need to scan a shelf load of groceries, that's going to slow you down. The second problem is getting the data from the barcode to the right place on the SmartPhone screen. If you're using the built in camera then there's no easy way. You'd have to have your own app written and that could be difficult and expensive.

The solution? A bluetooth barcode scanner. Pair it with your bluetooth smartphone and scan data straight through to your phone. Where ever your cursor is waiting on screen is where the scanned data will appear. A bluetooth scanner is a dedicated scanner so reading barcodes is fast and easy. Press the button, aim the laser line and listen for the beep (or feel the vibration).

Socket is a leading maker of cordless scanners – with a distinctive difference. Their scanners are specialised for working with PDAs and Smartphones. Low power consumption makes sure the scanner will transmit up to 15,000 scans before it needs recharging. Palm sized scanners mean that they're conveniently sized to carrying in pockets or better still on the retractable lanyard that it's supplied with. The last thing you want is a scanner that's so big and bulky it won't fit in your pocket. They're durable as well. Light weight and rubber coated, you can drop them and not worry (too much). Socket even make their scanners with a built in stylus so if you're using a PDA you don't need to put it down to write on screen. Finally, Socket scanners come with software and instructions to start working with Androids, iPhones, Blackberries, Windows mobile devices and other makes and models. Follow the guide and you'll be up and running in ten minutes. Obviously there are a few makes or models of PDA or SmartPhone that aren't covered, so check first. For prices and details click here to see more.

Updated Control Over Your Stock 30 Jun 2011
One of our best selling stock management solutions has just gone wireless.

For years now we've been selling Inventory Control, stock management software written by a company in the US called Wasp. We add tried and tested locally supported hardware and work with you here in New Zealand to get it all working. Inventory Control is software that when used with portable barcode scanners, you can move towards eliminating stock-out situations, shipping errors and fine tune your stock levels, freeing up cash for other more important parts of your organisation. With an investment of less than $10,000 you can permanently shave thousands of dollars off your stock bill, along with improved efficiency and happier customers.

In the last few days Wasp announced Version 6 of their software, with editions that give you up to the second confidence in your stock levels.

New features, designed to help you track inventory accurately and efficiently include new stock valuation methods, including LIFO, FIFO and Moving Average. You can now attach images and files to each stock item, so essential documents are always accessible. Improved reporting delivers more detail in your business reports, making it simple to access the information you need.

Inventory Control v6 replaces Inventory Control v5 and previous releases. The new Inventory Control v6 is available in 3 editions: Standard, RF Professional, and RF Enterprise. You can choose the edition that best suits how you work and your budget and start enjoying real confidence in your stock data and improved inventory management with Inventory Control v6.

Click here to see the new features of Inventory Control V6

How NOT to treat your customers. 23 Jun 2011

We're proud of our customer care. If a client buys something and it doesn't work - we'll try and fix it for them. If it simply won't do what they want it to do we'll take it back. There are a couple of conditions - 1st, we want it in good condition - not marked or damaged - and that includes the box. Secondly, we want it back in 30 days.

Yesterday one of our customers did just that. After a few days they realised their scanner won't scan from bottles and they wanted it returned. No problem we said return it for a refund. We appreciate they tried it and it didn't work for them. Our supplier on the other hand were not quite so helpful. Here's what they wrote to us...

"You had direct contact with YOUR customer, so you should have had a
full understanding of how they intended to use it … So IF you had done
even a small part of your job, you would have been able to work out
that YOUR customer had chosen the Pencil because of its price and NOT
because it would actually do what they wanted…

Did anyone in Barcode Products install the XXXXXXX Manager software on
a PC/PDA and try to use the scanner BEFORE it was shipped to your
customer?"

Actually we had installed the software but no - we didn't ask as many questions as we should have to check the customer was getting exactly the right solution. Lesson learned.
What we also learned was that this supplier (and he is also a competitor) will not be our supplier again. Polite, friendly service goes a long way.
If one of our team ever sends out an email like this one please let me know at miles@barcodeproducts.co.nz.

Free Help With Your QR Code Project 14 Jun 2011

QR Code Sponsorship

QR codes, are these codes you might see on adverts or packaged goods. QR codes are read by most modern mobile phones with a camera and can trigger the phone to do a number of things. The customer could open a web-page on their phone's browser, upload your contact details to their address book, display detailed nutritional information, play a promotional video, make a calendar entry in their phone, enter a draw or get a voucher – in fact there are hundreds if not thousands of things you could do. Click here to learn more about QR codes.

There are hundreds of businesses and organisations using this technology to get instant involvement from their users. The web has many examples of success stories. What we would like to do is get some success stories here in New Zealand.

How we can help
Barcode Code Products is able to design QR Codes and make graphics for use on posters or product packaging. We can print QR codes onto labels – in small quantities or large. We also have the technical where-with-all to test the concept and help you get your project working.

What we are offering
What we are offering is to help you test a QR project. We'll take your ideas, create a QR Code graphic, if practical we'll print labels for you and we'll test the idea and get it working for you. We'll do this free of charge, but obviously we'd also like to showcase your success on our website or in the press.

Contact us
If you'd like to give QR codes a go, email me at miles@barcodeproducts.co.nz and we'll see how we can work together. We're going to limit the number of projects we undertake, so email today.

Are You Hearing Voices From The Grave? 30 May 2011

Grave Barcode.jpg

Can you hear dead people? With the help of Glen Toothman's Memory Medallions, not only can you hear them but you can also see them. American company Memory Medallions uses barcodes to communicate beyond the grave.

Toothman first dreamed up the idea ten years ago and formed his company, Memory Medallion to honour the dead in a more modern way. It was inspired by his father, a retired judge who had asked him to come up with a better way to honour the dead.

Mr. Toothman described himself as a “frustrated electronic engineer” and he always knew that the solution would need a touch of technology. He thought of using cell phones to access videos and websites of the deceased.

A common Memory Medallion costs US$225. The package includes:

barcode medallion designed for the gravestone
A personalized website with 8 photos in it.
1000-word life story of the deceased.
A printed biography.

The website provides links to an online family tree, plus access to the personal Facebook page of the deceased. Family members and relatives can also choose to record a video about the deceased which could be played on smart phones when the QR barcode is scanned.

The technology of smart phones has been a blessing for Memory Medallion since customers can use their cell phones instead of carrying a bulky laptop computer to the graveyard.

Customer, Marilyn Kerr, bought a medallion for one of her relatives. Her cousin had no family other than herself. "There would be no one to hear her story without it," she said. "It's something that lives on and on and on. When I'm not here to tell my children about them, I want them to feel more closely related to that individual," she said.

QR codes became popular with advertisers seeking to serve extra information to shoppers and the idea of using QR codes on tombs came from Japan. However, Mr. Toothman fondly tells his board of directors that he actually dreamed about his idea. A month later, having worked all his spare time in the basement, he had made his first prototype. In 2001, his company got a $300,000 grant to jumpstart his business.

During Memory Medallion’s first year of business, the company only made about 50 sales. Last year, sales rose to more than 5,000 and so Mr. Toothman expects his business to grow significantly in the future.

How to Look After Your Rechargeable Batteries 18 May 2011

Batteries play a big part in barcode terminals, portable printers and cordless scanners. Here are some ideas on how to properly care for your battery to keep it in top condition.

What You Need To Know About Batteries

Lithium-Ion (Li-ion) batteries are more advanced than Nickel Cadnium (NiCad) batteries and don’t need to be fully discharged before re-charging.
Li-ion batteries don’t suffer battery memory as NiCad batteries do. This means that Li-ion batteries will keep more of their charge longer.
The lifespan of a Li-ion battery is 500 charge cycles. The battery life decreases as the charge cycle increases.
If unused, a Li-ion battery will deteriorate with time, losing as much as 25% to 50% of its charging capacity in a 12 month period.
Replace your batteries annually.
Quality batteries are date-stamped with manufacturing dates and serial numbers.
Electronics with back-up batteries must be full-charged to keep the battery in good condition.

Battery Charging Tips

When using a Li-ion battery for the first time, follow the manufacturer’s instructions on charging.
Charge your battery at room temperature between 4ºC - 32ºC.

Tips on Saving Battery Life

Set your LCD display back-light to the lowest readable level. Set it to auto-dim after 15 seconds of idle time.
Audible sounds can use up computer battery power. Set the audible beep volume to its lowest comfortable level.
Audible sounds If your device is fitted with Wifi, set it to power-saver polling mode.
Check the Wifi radio is switched off when not needed.
Have your network administrator set the network bandwidth frequency to a level that uses up the smallest amount of battery power on your handheld Wifi radio device. Some bandwidth frequencies use up more battery power, so you must remember this when buying a wireless network.
Try and use the same batteries in the same mobile device (try not to mix them up).
Change your battery as promptly as possible when you see the low power alert on your LCD screen display.
Keep a spare battery pack on hand.
Check your batteries for leaks, cracks, swelling and other signs of damage every few months.
Never use defective or damaged batteries.
Cleaning your battery contacts with a pencil eraser every few months means they will charge properly.

If you need further advice or costs of replacement batteries, email us at sales@barcodeproducts.co.nz.

Barcode: REJECT 05 May 2011

Barcode Quiz.jpg (1)

Quick quiz - which barcodes (A-E) are accepted? (Answers at the end)

Not all barcodes are created equal. If your products end up on the shelves at any reputable retailer – there are some things you need to know about barcodes to avoid an expensive mistake.

Who are GS1 and what do they do?

Pretty much any item that is sold through the international retail system has a 13 digit barcode on it. This 13 digit code is sold to you by GS1, the international organisation that coordinates barcodes. They make sure that numbers are not reused by mistake. GS1 are a non-profit organisation based in Wellington, but with branches around the world. You may already be a member of GS1.

GS1 and the big retailers have formed a partnership to make sure barcode quality is of a high standard. Retailers were finding that scanning poor quality barcodes took longer and as in all businesses, time is money. As a result, they decided to raise the quality of barcodes so they scanned properly first time.

Setting Barcode Standards

Over the past few years retailers have started turning away barcodes that don't come up to standard. Each barcode arriving at Pack and Save or New World needs a certificate proving it reaches quality standards. New barcodes need to be tested by an accredited provider.

Before you get thousands of your barcodes printed, you need to ensure the size, proportions, colours and sharpness are acceptable. Not only that, your barcode will be tested to make sure the numbers that appear at the bottom of the barcode are the same as what is scanned. One thing that we have learned, from bitter (and expensive) experience, is the importance of size. Barcodes need to be a certain size. Small (or even large) barcodes will be rejected. Another mistake often made is where barcodes are wide enough, but the height has been squashed. If the barcode is out of proportion then it will be rejected.

What can you do to prevent your codes being rejected?

Make sure you choose expert printers who understand the barcode specifications.
Make sure you request a sample print out or proof before you go ahead and get thousands printed.
Make sure you get a certificate from GS1 or an accredited partner saying your barcode is up to the required standard.

Answers - Barcodes B & D would be rejected. Email us if you want to know why. If you have any questions about barcode quality or labels, email us at info@barcodeproducts.co.nz.

A Scanner That Reads From Phone Screens. 21 Apr 2011

Last week we enjoyed a presentation from Motorola on their new DS9208 2D barcode scanner. It was worth the time, because this scanner is likely to be seen on millions of counters around the world over the next couple of years. So what's so special about it? Here's a summary:

Scans from mobile phones and other LCD screens
Scans 2D codes - perfect for scanning coupons and tickets
Scans standard retails barcodes - making it compatible with existing barcodes
Presentation mode and triggered - so you can pick it up and scan items
Easy to use - no need to align barcodes with laser lines - makes it fast and efficient
Small, stylish design - compliments any retail outlet
3 year warranty

What will make this scanner so popular in our opinion is that it's a well priced 2D scanner that's been made perfect for the retail environment. What's the big deal about 2D codes you ask? Well, 2D codes allow you to store much more information in a small space. Thanks to the QR code (perhaps the most widely used 2D code in the world) retailers and service providers can store heaps of data in their coupon and ticket codes or make the codes smaller. The biggest advantage of the Motorola DS9208 is being able to scan coupons and tickets direct from the screen of a phone or PDA.

The Motorola DS9208 is based on the MotorolaLS9208 (probably the most popular counter scanner in the world) building a pedigree in retail which makes it ideal for fast-paced environments. This scanner is stylish with a small footprint that allows it to sit quietly in the most space-constrained areas, while it scans 1D and 2D images up to 250mm away.

Scanning event tickets and boarding passes, despite the heavy traffic, will be easy thanks to the accuracy and speed of the DS9208.

The DS9802's picklist mode allows you to select and scan a single barcode from a menu or picklist, ideal for items that may be too small for barcode labelling and a menu of barcodes is scanned at the till.

In a nutshell, the DS9208 is a versatile tool that provides all the features required for productivity - superfast scanning speed, easy point-and-shoot scanning simplicity, scans virtually any barcode on any medium; and hands-free and handheld flexibility. Designed to withstand a 1.5 meter drop to concrete and a recessed window makes it durable enough to last years in a retail setting. A scanner that saves time, space, and effort.

For more information and to buy one, follow this link: DS9208.

How Barcodes Helped in the Earthquake Relief Effort 28 Mar 2011

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You can't live in New Zealand without knowing that Christchurch was struck by a devastating earthquake on 22 Feb 2011. Barcode Products, a Christchurch based company was shaken by the quake and lucky to escape unscathed. However, like pretty much everyone in New Zealand, we wanted to help our stricken city. When one of the organisers of the Student Volunteer Army approached us asking for barcode readers to borrow we were only too happy to do our bit.

Technology goes a long way in helping people work together. Through Facebook, a 10,000-strong army of student volunteers was assembled in hours following the earthquake.

The volunteers met at the University of Canterbury Students Association, which took the lead in organising the student force, and together they rolled up their sleeves and gave invaluable support to the community by shovelling silt, cleaning up property, baking cakes, fund-raising or just being the voice of encouragement at the end of the phone. Around 80 percent of volunteers were students from the University of Canterbury and the remainder made up from community members, high school students, CPIT Students and Lincoln University Students.

To monitor the volunteers, Barcode Products lent the Student Volunteer Army (SVA) barcode scanners. Henry Jenkins, one of the SVA organisers explains, “Basically each day we had to know who had gone out on the buses shoving silt. This was mostly in case something went wrong and we needed to be able to account for everyone. So the idea was to register the volunteer using the barcode on either their driver’s licence or student ID. Then the next day when they would came back, which a lot of people did, we would just sign them in using the same ID. This worked a treat getting on average 700 people signed in within an hour.” 
Henry modified software he had already written and put together a fast, private intranet application to record volunteer's details. Through creative computer networking they were up and running under difficult conditions and helped make the Student Volunteer Army a credit to Canterbury and New Zealand.

Beginners Guide To Your Next Stock Check 16 Mar 2011

Got heaps of stock you need to record for this years stock take? Well, here's a step by step guide to doing a stock check with barcodes. All you need is a spreadsheet and a handheld data collector. If your items are already barcoded then that's all you need.

1. Do you have barcodes on all your stock? Yes? Great - that makes things much easier. Continue to step 2. No? OK, well that slows things down a bit. Basically you need to get your supplier to label them, buy pre-printed labels from us, have a barcode design incorporated into the product packaging (we can provide you with a barcode graphic such as a jpeg file) or the final option - buy a printer, labels and software and print them yourself.

2. Do you have a database so you can match the barcode to details of the item? Yes - good. Hopefully those details include the quantity you have of that item. If not, you'll need that field added to your database. No - then you'll need to create a database. That database needs to include the item name, barcode and quantity. You'd want a whole lot more as well, but those are the minimum. Your database can be a simple spreadsheet - nothing fancy.

3. With barcoded items and a database the next thing you'll need is a portable barcode scanner that can store the data you collect. We recommend the Honeywell SP5500 OptimusS as it's low cost, portable, stylish, and packed with powerful features. What’s more, it comes with user-friendly software to help you program it easily.

4. Get the handheld data collector programmed. You can do it yourself or we can do it for you. As a minimum you need to collect the barcode number and quantity. If you want to keep it very simple just a barcode, just make sure those doing the stock check scan every individual item. If you want to collect more information while you're at it, then you could include a prompt for location or item condition if you like.

5. Now it's programmed, take your portable data terminal (PDT) and scan your stock. Record what you need to.

6. With the stock check complete you'll have a terminal with a list of barcodes and quantities. You can just drop the PDT into its cradle and the send the data to your PC. If you have a spreadsheet then you need to match the barcode and quantity to the item description, so you can look up the list and see how much you have of a particular item. Matching can be done in a matter of minutes using a lookup function or macro.

7. Now you have a spreadsheet or database with names and quantities of your stock.

Why we recommend the SP5500 Optimus S.

The SP5500 OptimusS comes with easy to use software that even computer beginners can use.
Advanced users, can opt to use BASIC or C, as well.
LCD display has a backlight and different sized font options so you can read the screen easily.
It has a laser scanner so it's quick and easy to scan codes from a comfortable distance.
2MB memory so it'll store tens of thousands of scans
USB cable for easy transfer of data
Includes a cradle for communication and charging batteries
Its battery is a Lithium Ion, so you’ll never need to worry about it wearing out soon; and when fully charged, the battery lasts approximately 100 hours.
Small enough to fit in your pocket.
You can also buy clear protective cases for it.

This mobile computer is perfect for quick data collection for retail, inventory, order-picking, shipping/receiving. Some clients use the OptimusS for asset
management, while others prefer to use it for stocktake. The compact data terminal would also be a good tool for price checking.

Who Is This Man? 03 Mar 2011

Did you ever wonder how barcodes all began? Well, back in the day, grocers needed something to monitor items and sell them fast and accurately. One day in 1948, a post-graduate student named Bernard Silver overheard the president of a food chain begging one of the deans at the Drexel Institute of Technology in Philadelphia to research an automated checkout, where product information was captured automatically. The dean declined, but Silver mentioned the conversation to his mate, Norman Woodland (pictured above), who was at that time a postgraduate student at Drexel.

Woodland became obsessed with finding a solution. At first, he used ink patterns that would glow under ultraviolet light, and he and Silver consequently built apparatus to test this. Although it worked, ink instability and printing costs prevented it from being a practical solution. Determined to succeed, Woodland resigned from his post in Drexel and moved to his grandfather's Florida flat to focus on finding a solution. Several months later, he came up with an idea of using the linear codes that, at the time, were used on film reels to produce sound.

Woodland recollected, "I just extended the dots and dashes downwards and made narrow lines and wide lines out of them." Lee de Forest's movie sound system in the1920s was the technology he used to read the data. De Forest had printed a pattern of varying degrees of transparency on the edge of the film and a light was shone through it while the picture was running. On the other side, a sensitive tube decoded the changes in brightness into electric waveforms that were converted by loudspeakers into sound. Woodland adapted the system by showing light from the wide and narrow lines and utilising a similar tube to translate the results.

Commercially, the barcode was first used in 1966, but it was realised soon afterwards that some sort of industry standard was needed. In 1970 Logicon Inc. wrote the Universal Grocery Products Identification Code or UGPIC. Later the UGPIC became the familiar (for Americans) UPC number. The first company to produce bar code equipment for retail use was the American company Monarch Marking in 1970; while British firm Plessey Telecommunications was first for industrial purposes.

In June 1974, the first UPC scanner was installed at a Marsh's supermarket in Ohio. What was the first product scanned? It was actually a packet of Wrigley's Juicy Fruit Gum.

Norman Woodland received the National Medal of Technology from President Bush in 1992, because of his work inventing the barcode.

Disinfectant-Ready Scanners 21 Feb 2011

Cross infection of patients is a challenge for hospitals and medical centres the world over. Healthcare facilities strive to limit germs from spreading by constantly keeping the area and equipment as clean as possible. Unfortunately, regular cleaning of equipment with strong chemicals can damage plastic casings over time. Among the vulnerable equipment used in medical centres are barcode scanners that are normally placed in high-traffic areas or used by several people.

NZ Standardised Barcoding

Back in 2007, the Ministry of Health began funding a $10.2M bar code point-of-care establishment project for public hospitals to help reduce the incidence of patient injury and death due to medication errors. This involves the integration of patient management, stock inventory, and pharmacy in the hospital’s computer system. Patients are given barcoded bracelet IDs that are scanned prior to administering of medication, which is also scanned to verify it is the proper drug for the patient, along with the corresponding dosage. Electronic prescriptions and pharmacy dispensing systems are also incorporated.

Datalogic’s Disinfectant-Ready Device

Rising to the challenge, Datalogic has recently introduced the Gryphon™ 4000-HC (Healthcare) models as an expansion of the the Gryphon™ 4000 series of bar code readers. The Gryphon™ HC series is available as both corded and cordless linear imagers, specifically for the healthcare industry with unique 'disinfectant-ready’ casings and patient friendly features.

This new data-collecting device is enclosed with silver ion-based antimicrobial additives that withstand daily cleaning with harsh disinfectant solutions. These additives have been proven to prevent the growth of microbes on the scanner’s casing when they were tested against standard JIS Z 2801:2000,

which is internationally recognised by the healthcare industry. In addition, the said scanners have acquired industry-leading IP sealing ratings that further secures the internal components of scanners from possible infiltration of chemicals and other liquids. This extends the life of the scanner, enhances its performance, and safeguards a patient’s right to acquire immediate and accurate data for medical treatment.

According to Datalogic Scanning President and CEO Bill Parnell, “We are excited to offer a solution advancing patient safety twofold: first with automatic data capture to improve patient care and reduce medical errors and now with a bar code reader that can be safely cleaned. The Gryphon HC series will not only protect patients and employees, but also healthcare technology investments with years of reliable performance.”

Email us for price and availability details - info@barcodeproducts.co.nz

New cordless scanner using WIFI. 06 Feb 2011

In March, CINO, the makers of our current best selling cordless scanner the F680, are launching a new cordless scanner using WiFi. By using Wifi these scanners will be able to hook into an organisations existing Wifi Network. No need to remain within range of the base station. Use it any part of your company with Wifi.

It's going to have an LCD display plus a 5-way 'Navi' key (if you haven't seen a Navi key before, it's a bit like a joy stick) plus 2 function keys. The display will be a 2" colour QVGA LCD. No touchscreen.

The Basic model release will have both online scanning and batch scanning scan (collect a batch of records and download later) modes like in our current F680BT/F780BT cordless scanner. So therefore, the new WiFi scanner with display is like a "high-end" cordless scanner.

With the screen you can display the data on the screen and transmit the it to the host PC or terminal. The scanner can also be set up to confirm the data has been sent to the host PC/terminal. Also with the screen, users are able to select a few simple form-like templates for Data Collection applications. At this stage the templates cannot be edited or customised, but we're hoping that can be changed.

With the screen you can display the data on the screen and transmit the it to the host PC or terminal. The scanner can also be set up to confirm the data has been sent to the host PC/terminal. Also with the screen, users are able to select a few simple form-like templates for Data Collection applications. At this stage the templates cannot be edited or customised, but we're hoping that can be changed.There will be two WiFi scanner types - F790WD and L780WD. The F790WD will be using the new Mini scan engine which will read a standard retail barcode up to 60cm. The L780WD will be using the laser imager Micro scan engine.

At the moment a price hasn't been released. If you're interested, perhaps want a trial and want to know when it's released, email me and I'll let you know.- Miles.

How barcodes are changing the way we shop 30 Nov 2010

Barcode scanners are becoming a consumer’s best friend and a retail shop’s worst nightmare. With barcode scanning technology found in most cell phones, American and European consumers are able to scan items at almost any store and instantly have price comparisons, reviews, and other helpful information about the product before they buy it. It’s no wonder, then, that consumer barcode scanning apps are some of the most popular apps for smart phones.

In the US price comparison apps are more developed with a number of apps available. One of these apps, ShopSavvy 4, started out as a price comparison app. However, now it can be used to track down deals and check product ratings.

Other US apps include:

Walmart's Sam’s Club app allows shoppers access to exclusive information about their products and member reviews.

The Consumer Reports Mobile Shopper application provides even more information covering ratings, brand reliability, purchasing advice, and recommendations from experts.

PriceGrabber, on the other hand, focuses solely on price comparison using information from millions of products and thousands of merchants.

FastMall aims to help users get to the stores with the cheapest prices within malls by providing map and price information to shoppers.

Using barcode scanning will make those of us who are after a bargain home in on the best price. For the retailer however, focussing purely on price will become more challenging. Perhaps we are going to see shops realise that price isn't everything and begin to work on other aspects of the marketing mix such as availability, store layout, presentation, speed of service, why - perhaps even have their staff talk to the clients. If you want to know more about barcodes, call us or email us at info@barcodeproducts.co.nz

Three uses for barcodes other than tracking stock. 11 Nov 2010
With the cost of barcode scanners being as low as they are, business owners and managers are using barcodes for more than just keeping their stock figures accurate. Here are just three ideas for putting that scanner you have to more use…

Tracking Paperwork / Invoices

Using barcode fonts in your organisations software, or by using high quality Point of Sale (POS) software in your shop you can print a barcode on each invoice, receipt, purchase order, credit note, in fact any paperwork you print out on a regular basis. This way, if a customer sends back an item or if you merely need to enter in an invoice number or purchase order, you'll be able to simply scan the barcode on the page instead of manually typing the document number. This improves accuracy and makes handling paperwork a lot faster and easier.

Tracking Workers

Employee ID cards or badges with printed barcodes on them can be used to track staff signing in/out for their shifts, or accessing computers. Assign a barcoded card or badge to each employee and have them scan in/out of the system once they start and end their shifts. Accuracy will rise for payroll and it will improve security.

Tracking Customers

Knowing who buys from you is a challenge when you deal with the general public. By giving customers a client loyalty card pre-printed with a barcode and scanning clients every time they buy something or visit your workshop, gym, clinic etc, you'll be able to track their purchases. Knowing who buys what when is a tremendous help for marketing and business planning, Scanning is a lot of more convenient and secure than having the client tell you their phone number or name.

Three ideas that may help you improve your business or service. If you want to know how barcodes could help you specifically, email us at info@barcodeproducts.co.nz or visit our contact page and we'll be happy to help.

How Pepsi Raised Revenue 56% With Barcodes 27 Oct 2010

Being able to scan barcodes from a phone screen or PDA unlocks a large potential marketing opportunity.

Dari-Mart, a 44 branch convenience store in Oregon USA, worked with Pepsi to create a mobile marketing campaign to drive sales of Pepsi's AMP Energy brand. During the campaign, Point-of-Purchase (POP) displays inside stores encouraged consumers to text ‘DMAMP’ for an instant discount on their favourite flavour of AMP Energy. After receiving an instant mobile bar code coupon via mobile device, participants could simply redeem their coupon by scanning the bar code at checkout.
During the campaign, Pepsi saw a 177% coupon redemption rate due to the viral nature of the campaign and a +56% rise in AMP sales, compared with the year before.

Now the whole process was carefully planned and tested before it went live. Datalogic, the company behind the barcode scanning has produced a 15 page guide explaining how you can scan from phones and other mobile devices. It explains how the barcodes need to be laid out on screen, what barcodes are best, how the scanners are set up and more.

If you'd like a copy of the the guide, click this link, to send us an email, let us know who you are and we'll reply to you with the PDF.

Saving Time with Portable Printers 12 Oct 2010
Mobile printers can produce labels, receipts and reports using a portable, durable (and in most cases water resistant) printer. If you haven’t thought about saving time and improving accuracy with a portable printer – here’s a brief introduction.

Like it or not, labels are a key part of modern businesses. At some stage most organisations will need to apply labels to materials, work in progress, finished products, pallets or packaging. To run an efficient operation, most organisations use barcodes to identify items. The same is true for receipts and tickets. By the time you’ve scrawled on a receipt or ticket, you may as well have entered it onto a hand held terminal, stored it in a database, printed it and kept a record for follow up.

In most organisations sticking barcode labels onto items means two choices – take the label to the product or take the product to the labelling machine.
Taking the label to the product increases the risk that the wrong labels will be applied to the wrong item, not to mention the time it takes trailing back and forth to the printer. That’s the reason why most organisations have designed their processes so that items will pass by the printer. However, not all processes can be located next to the printer – particularly in the case of shelf labelling and field service operations.

The solution is mobile printing – on demand (accurate) labels and receipts; where you need them, whenever you need them and no disruption to the way you work.
Zebra – probably the world’s leading maker of barcode printers – has an 8 page white paper that describes in more detail how mobile printers can improve productivity and profits in a distribution setting. If you want to convince your boss or learn a bit more, click this link to send us an email and we’ll send you a copy. In the meantime, to see our selection of Zebra portable printers, click here.

Tracking Children with Barcodes 22 Sep 2010

Barcodes help Waitakere City's School Trash to Fashion® Awards. Stressed staff, aggressive parents, holdups and delays – were some of the reasons why the fashion show organisers used barcodes to track children during their Trash to Fashion® Awards this month. Click here to find out more.

Learn about Motorola's low cost terminal. 18 Aug 2010

A few weeks ago Motorola launched it's new 'Enterprise Digital Assistant', called the ES400. Normally other websites would cut and paste in some jargon laden press release from Motorola.

Here is what I think about the product.

The ES400 seems to have pretty much every feature imaginable on a hand held computer like this. All the wireless network connections I can think of are included. CDMA, EDGE, GSM etc. What this means for multinational companies is that they can buy the ES400 and it can be sent out to every rep in the world and it should work.

It's moderately tough. Whilst it's not bullet proof, it is more durable than an iPhone and has been designed to withstand hundreds of moderate drops. The keys will last more than 1,000,000 presses and it's got a degree of protection against dust and water. This makes it more durable than most smart phones which means you won't need to hold as much standby stock to cover your staff if the unit breaks.

It's good for reading barcodes and it's got a good quality camera so you can scan 1 and 2D barcodes, documents, signatures and take standard photos.

There's been thought given to the life of the terminal. As you will know, if you decide to equip your team with one particular make and model of terminal, in a year that model would have been superceded and the old model would no longer be available, so new staff would need a different model of smartphone (not ideal). Motorola have committed to making the ES400 available for three years, eliminating that problem.

There is a lot more to the ES400. To find out more, click here, or contact one of our specialists who will be able to advise on whether the ES400 is right for you.

MobileAsset gets even more features. 02 Aug 2010
MobileAsset has been tweaked! Well, more than tweaked - it's been upgraded to version 6.

MobileAsset has been given a Mass Update capability. Mass Update allows you to add or update information for a group of assets – eliminating time-consuming, individual changes to asset records. Another improvement is the ability to print asset, location and employee tags directly from lists. Security has been made more convenient with department-level security settings.

With MobileAsset v6, you can pinpoint an asset’s location to-the-minute, with the ability to set a due-time, in addition to due-date. The newest version of MobileAsset also supports check-out with no due date, ideal for assets like PCs that will be indefinitely assigned to an employee.
One of the biggest improvements is the Mobile Asset Web Module, available as a paid for addition. The Web Module is only available for MobileAsset Version 6 Pro and enterprise versions. Using the web module you can access your data in many of the ways you can with the desktop addition - check with us for more information.

Honeywell’s new Xenon 2D barcode scanner 25 May 2010
Hot off the press, Honeywell, the proud owner of Handheld Products and Metrologic, have launched their new Xenon range of scanners.
The Xenon series is the company’s sixth generation of hand-held area imaging scanners. Area Imagers scan standard barcodes (that you’re probably familiar with), 2D barcodes (that you see on car rego labels), signatures, OCR text and black and white images. Metrologic and Handheld Products part of the Honeywell family, it’s able to combine technology from the two companies to produce an outstanding scanner. Xenon uses Adaptus technology to read the barcode and SwiftDecoder software to turn the image into numbers and astonishingly high speed. The result is a hitherto unseen scanner that can read barcodes previously unreadable with fast scanning.
Xenon’s compact design fits well in any sized hand, increasing comfort and reducing operator fatigue. The scanner’s rugged build can cope with up to 50 drops to concrete from as high as 1.8m. Xenon also offers optional disinfectant-ready plastic to minimize damage from frequent cleaning with harsh chemicals, such as healthcare facilities. As a result Xenon’s handheld design meets the needs of workers in healthcare, retail, manufacturing, postal/courier and government. Xenon is available in two easy-to-use models: the corded 1900 and Bluetooth-enabled 1902.
Along with being able to scan high-density barcodes, most interestingly, it is able to read barcodes from LCD screens, such as phone, PDA and computer screens. Additionally, it’s compatible with Honeywell’s Remote MasterMind® (ReM) scanner management software. ReM is a quick and convenient way for IT administrators to manage all the scanners on their network from a single remote location, so IT managers can perform tasks ranging from asset tracking to software upgrades.
Along with the Xenon, Honeywell have launch EZConfig, their new scanner setup software. With an improved graphical user interface, EZConfig saves time and increases productivity by simplifying scanner configuration.

Introducing our new office manager... 03 May 2010
Introducing Angela Dixon

I’m pleased to introduce Angela Dixon to you. We tried to get a photograph of her to include but she’s a bit camera shy. Here’s a short ‘bio’ on her.

Angela has taken over from Daniel and runs the Barcode Products office. She’s responsible for making our administration run smoothly and the accounts balance. She enjoys developing office systems and procedures.

Outside work, she has played cricket, tennis, softball, rugby, netball and athletics but sadly injury curtailed her sport. Angela now enjoys some more sedate ‘sports’ such as sewing, cross stitch and patch work.

She travels whenever she gets a chance, both nationally and internationally. Preferring the great New Zealand outdoors and more culturally stimulating holidays overseas – her next planned trip is to Russia via Mongolia on the Trans Siberian railway!

If you have any questions relating to our accounts or admin or you just want to say hello, you can contact Angela on 0800 862 272 63 or accounts@barcodeproducts.co.nz.

Smartphones vs. Ruggedized Mobile Computers 26 Apr 2010
Since the launch of mobile broadband (3G and all that), Smartphones have become the tool of choice for the mobile business. While it seems as though everyone has a smartphone for their business these days, a study commissioned by one of the large handheld terminal makers, has revealed that rugged terminals are gaining in popularity. A survey carried out by Harris Executive Omnibus revealed that nearly a third of Fortune 1000 executives are investing in ruggedized handhelds, allowing them to go paperless, which will ultimately increase efficiency and reduce costs. Of the managers surveyed - read more.

How To Save Hours Winding Labels Onto Rolls 13 Apr 2010
Many people buy a high-speed label printer - but don't give any thought to what happens when the printer spits out ten inches of labels per second, for ten minutes. That's 150m of labels to deal with. A batch of a few thousand labels can mean half an hour of mind numbing label rolling. I know I've done it myself. What's the solution? Read more.

What's The Next Retail Revolution? 31 Mar 2010

For some people securing a bargain is an obsession. While in the pre-Internet days, bargain hunters had to go from shop to shop, make calls, or check out the newspaper to get the best prices. Then the Internet arrived with price comparison websites specially designed to locate the best bargains. One tool that has yet to make it’s presence felt is Click here for more...

Keeping Track Of Your Valuables Using Barcodes 14 Mar 2010

With the increasing amount of portable IT equipment and other ‘desirable’ items in the average office, hospital or school these days, it is important that all assets are kept track of. Click here to learn how to track you assets with these simple ideas.

How To Defend Yourself With A Barcode Scanner 28 Feb 2010

When Michael McInnis tried to rob a SevenEleven convenience store in Massachusetts, USA, he got more than he bargained with when an unnamed elderly woman took exception to the robbery. Click here to read more...

In search of UL approved labels 24 Feb 2010

Some customers demand UL approved labels. What are UL labels and how can you get them?

Some items like food, electronics and electrical products require that specially printed labels are used on the finished product or component. To ensure quality and consistency an independent, not-for-profit testing organisation called Underwriters Laboratories (or UL) test and certify components and finished items so we can be confident they won't fail when they are most needed. Some inspectors or distributors won't accept a product unless it has a UL certificate

The use of the UL certification mark by a manufacturer is their declaration that the product was made according to UL standards in effect at the time of manufacture and subject to UL's follow-up service. In order to meet UL standards, the product, its parts and the way it's made must be carefully planned and assessed. There is quite a paper trail to prove it meets UL standards.

Not only does the product need a UL label to prove it is certified, it often needs labels telling us what it is - an identification label. These identification labels need to be UL certified as well. You might think it's a bit over the top to certify the label as well - but it's important the label remains on the item and readable for years into the future. The ink needs to be scratch resistent as well as clearly readable. UL have tested hundreds of combination of ink and plastic so the results can be relied upon.

We supply UL approved labels mainly into the electronics and electrical sector. We find raw label materials that meet UL standards and match them to ink ribbons we know are accepted by UL. We'll do the paper trail and provide you with the proof you need to show your products pass UL assessment. Phone us today on 0800 86 227 263 for information.

Need a portable bluetooth data scanner? 12 Feb 2010
Barcode Products have added the WarpWedge 2000 portable bluetooth scanner to our range. It's small size makes it convenient for occaisional users to carry on a neckstrap and quickly scan items into their phone, PDA or laptop. Connects via Bluetooth or USB and comes with software to help you import data easily. It comes with a 1 inch OLED display and three buttons so it's simple to use and you can even change the data if you need to. To find out more click here.

Introducing Zebra's New GX420t 02 Feb 2010
The new GX420t desktop thermal printer is Zebra's replacement for the world's best selling TLP range of desktop printers. It's faster, has Wifi and Bluetooth options and can print using EPL or ZPL (these are two printer languages found on Zebra's desktop and industrial printers) without changing any hardware. Zebra have made some small refinements to the way labels and ribbons are loaded making it even easier to load consumables.

It shares the TLP's reliability, simplicity and easy of use, along with compatible labels and ribbons.

The TLP range will be gradually phased out over the next year.

Click here for more information

The all new Janam XM66 handheld terminal 13 Jan 2010
Janam, the American maker of Palm and Windows handheld terminals has launched the XM66 - a high speed and fully featured wifi equipped handheld terminal. It's got Windows Mobile 6.1, a high performance barcode scanner and weights less than 300g. Click here to find out more.

Pick & Send - Warehouse Management System 31 Dec 2009
Pick & Send is an online inventory management system that uses handheld terminals and the internet to keep track of your inventory.

Pick & Send uses barcodes in your warehouse to pick, pack, dispatch, receive and conduct stocktakes. Pick & Send helps you eliminate errors and increase the productivity of your warehouse, not to mention rely on your stock data.

Pick & Send gives your warehouse staff instant information straight to where they are working. Mobile terminals enable your staff to pick and send orders, complete stock‐takes and receive inwards goods electronically, eliminating paper and increasing capability to deliver to your customers on‐time, in‐full.

Pick & Send is provided on a monthly subscription, where you pay by the user.

Pick & Send has been developed by Ablaze Software, a New Zealand company and is used by companies in a range of industries. Contact us to find out more.

We've Moved... 14 Jul 2009
After nine years at Rotherham Street in Riccarton, Barcode Products have moved. You can write to us at PO Box 42085, Tower Junction, Christchurch 8149, or if you want to visit - you'll find us at The Smart Building, 2/301 Lincoln Rd, Christchurch. Please phone ahead if you want to visit. The phone and fax numbers remain the same - 03 341 1345 and 03 341 1355.

New Gun Style Scanner from Metrologic 09 Jun 2008

New Gun Style Scanner from Metrologic

Metrologic, one of the world's leading makers of barcode readers has, at last, brought out a gun-shaped version of the tremendously popular MS9540 Voyager barcode scanner.

Designed to take on Symbol's popular LS2208, the MS9590 Voyager GS has all the features of the Metrologic Voyager - including light-weight design, code gate (a feature that makes scanning from menus much easier), a large good read light on top of the scanner, five year warranty and a hands-free stand.

What sets it apart from the standard MS9540 Voyager is a rubberised pistol grip for comfort and a durable trigger (unlike the button on the Voyager). Unlike it's sister scanner, it can scan faster and further.

To buy a new MS9540, click here.

Venu Managers Manage Their Assets 14 Jan 2008

Christchurch based venue management company VBase have installed MobileAsset from Barcode Products Ltd to manage their assets. Vbase, the company behind AMI stadium, Christchurch Convention centre and Westpac Stadium needed a way to keep track of their thousands of assets located at four sites. After careful consideration they selected MobileAsset - an asset management solution that enables them to record asset information on the move.

The project meant evaluation of the solution (simple using the demonstration software), discussion with Barcode Products Ltd and installation. Once the software was installed and tested, staff were trained and a small scale trial was run. Now, with the trial complete, VBase are rolling out MobileAsset throughout the company.

Richard Maffey, the manager overseeing the project commented, "we're really pleased with it. It seems to do all we need it to do and more. It's easy to use and despite a few hiccups during installation, it's gone quite smoothly. The software, in fact the whole solution is pretty straightforward and was installed in just half a day. Training was done that afternoon and a training programme introduced us to all the features over the next few weeks - at a pace that suited us. Barcode Products have been really helpful, providing asset management consultancy and how to get the best from MobileAsset."

Wasp Launches new Inventory Manager 08 Aug 2007

Wasp Inventory Control.jpg

Wasp Launches New Inventory Manager

Released on the 5 August Wasp Barcode are proud of their new inventory management system. Invenotory control is a re-write of their popular MobileInventory product - but with improvements.

Inventory control now comes in three versions, standard, professional and enterprise - each version has more features.

Standard Version

The standard version has:

Updated and improved look,
Improved data viewer for better data access and
Full version of Wasp Labeler, enabling you to design your labels more easily.

Professional Version

The Professional version has:

Multi-user capability,
The ability to create and receive against purchase orders,
Mobile picking - use the handheld terminal to guide you through picking

Enterprise Version

Unlimited number of PC users.

Want to know more? Click here.

MobileAsset at Tonga Airport. 13 Jul 2007

Tonga's International airport installs MobileAsset to track it's assets.

Millions of dollars worth of assets are being tracked around Tongas five airports using MobileAsset installed by Barcode Products. The system was installed and training was undertaken in July to help the airport privatise. MobileAsset was chosen because it was cost effective, used a handheld barcode scanner and included the ability to depreciate assets.

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