Barcode Equipment and Labeling Solutions

Tips and Reviews Covering Barcode Scanners, Printers, Labels and Equipment

Microsoft Introduces New Custom Barcode Tags

June 30, 2009 – 2:50 pm

Microsoft Barcode Tags                                 Microsoft Custom Barcode Tags
 
          The Microsoft corporation has just introduced its next generation barcode labels to the public. These evolved barcodes take branding and design to new levels, allowing the incorporation of directly printed images on the barcode label. No longer do you have to stare at the old, ugly, industrial looking barcodes. Now with Microsoft custom barcode tags, you can integrate your barcodes and your products.

 Whether your creating the Microsoft custom barcode tags for marketing, packaging/shipping, posters, business cards, DVDs, electronics and anything else, you can personalize it all. No new equipment is required to read these new Barcode labels either, as all current scanners are compatible.

 To create a custom Microsoft barcode tag, all you need to do is simply provide a picture. You could use a picture of yourself, your dog, the moon, anything! Simply upload you picture at http://tag.microsoft.com, save the Tag graphic file using the Custom Tag option, and then either use an application like Microsoft Powerpoint to quickly overlay the Tag on top of an existing image, or import the Tag into a graphics program to create an even more customized version. Microsoft provides Custom Tag verification tools for Windows Mobile and Symbian S60 3rd Edition platforms so that you can ensure the custom Tags you create meet the quality bar for flawless consumer code scanning. See Custom Tag Creation Guidelines for more details.
       

  With custom tags, maximum reliability and your choice of artwork, you have nothing to lose! Never before has a barcode with such flexibility ever been created.  Take advantage of these next generation barcode labels now.

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By Tommy Schweller | Posted in Barcode Industry, Barcode Label Information, Barcode Software Ideas | Tagged , , | Comments (0)

Motorola Marks 35th Anniversary of Barcodes with FX7400 series RFID Scanner

June 29, 2009 – 2:44 pm

Motorola FX7400                                                   Motorola FX7400 RFID Reader
 

        Here the trivia for the day:  What was the first barcode ever scanned? Answer: A pack of Juicy Fruit gum! Today marks the 35th anniversary of the birth of the Barcode, and Motorola has released the FX7400 RFID reader. The new FX 7400 RDID reader is compact, light-weight and ready for use for POS (Point-of-Sale) applications.  This RFID scanner can also conduct item tracking, retail inventory management, file tracking and anything else that might require the best RFID readers out there.

Designed for business-class use, this easy to use RFID reader supports deployments worldwide using a singular configuration. This allows companies to manage their RFID systems internationally.

RFID scanners aren’t like the traditional barcode scanners. In fact, RFID scanners use wireless signals in order to scan, allowing scans from further distances. A great example of RFID scanners in everyday life can be found right in your car. If you pay your highway tolls with one of those electronic toll-payers, you are already using RFID technology.

Easy to install, configure and manage right out of the box, the FX7400 series is designed for integration with both Microsoft BizTalk Server 2006 R2 and IBM WebSphere Premises Server 6.0 and 6.1. It also supports Microsoft .NET Compact Framework 2.0 for hosting customer applications directly on the reader. The FX7400 offers a variety of security features and leverages standardized auto discovery, firmware upgrade and monitoring protocols to quickly and easily manage readers across a network.
Motorola has released a new reader interface and set of APIs in .NET, C, and Java, in addition to releasing ShowCase II, a new software enabling broad range of applications such as benchmarking, field testing, firmware, and seamless reader configuration upgrades.

While RFID may not yet be a fully adopted technology today, I think that Motorola is taking a step in the right direction by releasing such a compact and easy to implement RFID reader such as the FX7400. Make the FX7400 a part of your RFID business today!
 
 

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By Tommy Schweller | Posted in Barcode Equipment Ideas, Barcode Industry, Barcode Scanners, Latest Barcode Scanners | Tagged , , | Comments (0)

SIRA Technologies Food Sentinel System

June 25, 2009 – 2:19 pm

                    SIRA Technologies Food Sentinel System Thermal Barcode for Packaging
California based SIRA Technologies have just created a revolutionary packaging barcode label that could change grocery store experiences forever.  With help from researchers at the University of Rhode Island,  SIRA has developed a barcode label that can actually indicate whether your food has been contaminated or is expired.
If you’ve ever wondered if the milk you just bought is expired, or if the ground chuck you bought to grill out has been out too long, or tampered with, a solution is finally here.  SIRA will incorporate a newly designed ink into these new barcode labels, this ink is invisible under normal circumstances, however, if tampering or other factors are present, the ink will turn the barcode bright red, and rendering the product and UPC unscannable. Sira Technologies Food Sentinel System

With so many cases of contaminated foods, and people getting sick all over the country, the time has come to fix the problem. By adding a synthetic polymer into the ink, the ink detects pathogen levels in food, and can detect contamination in foods. This now patented system is called the “Food Sentinel System”.
This new breakthrough in food packaging could prevent thousands from falling ill, and only costs about four cents to place on food item barcode labels. With such a low cost, companies will not have to alter prices in order to keep clean and healthy foods on the shelves.
The idea for this technology is not new, and in fact during the 1990’s a cookware company sought to design and produce polymers that could be added into products to make their colors change if they were too hot to touch. This heat sensitive material was designed to turn from red to yellow at 180 degrees Fahrenheit ( the temperature at which humans can suffer a burn) and then back to red once the object cooled.
Although this polymer generated a lot of interest, no companies at the time were willing to incur the costs of refining these polymers for their own uses. The breakthrough for the Food Sentinel System came when an irreversible polymer was discovered, one that would not switch back to it’s original color. That’s when SIRA technologies took an interest.
This breakthrough technology in the food and label industry is sure to show up soon at grocers near you. Just think – you’ll never have to check to see if your milk is expired ever again. Stay updated, as SIRA Technologies is always working on innovative products to improve our quality of life.

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By Tommy Schweller | Posted in Barcode Industry, Barcode Label Information, Food Labels | Tagged , , | Comments (0)

Symbol Cyclone Barcode Scanner

June 23, 2009 – 1:58 pm

Symbol “Cyclone” M2000 Barcode Scanner

Symbol introduces the new Cyclone next generation barcode scanner. The Cyclone is unique with its unmatched performance, and features retailer value selectable-scan patterns read linear, two-dimensional, and new class of composite barcodes. This next generation scanner features omni-directional countertop  projection, as well as multiple controllable scan patterns.

The Symbol Cyclone can read & decipher existing and emerging symbology instantly.  Packed with features to allow the most flexibility, the Cyclone is as good looking as it is versatile. The Cyclone’s sleek design is sure to fit in no matter what the business setting. Large or small merchandise, single or multiple barcodes, the Cyclone can do it all, and more.

Great for Grocery stores, Retailers, Warehouses and Pharmacies. With Point-and-Scan technology, the Cyclone is sure to shorten those lengthy store checkout lines. The Cyclone is even able to read partially damaged or worn barcodes, as well as less operator training.Symbol Cyclone Barcode Scanner

The Cyclone features bright LED lights that allow the user to easily scan difficult items even in the brightest settings. Another great feature is the automatic switch from hands-free to handheld, as soon as the user picks up the Cyclone, the barcode scanner automatically switches modes.

The Cyclone also supports PDF or Portable Data Files, which can be used for such things like a Drivers license. The PDF mark on the license may contain a birthdate or year, so the cashier can scan the ID for purchase of tobacco or alcohol. These PDF files are also used in the Pharmecutical, Hospital/Medical industry often as well. If you want the best barcode scanner out there, get a Symbol Cyclone today!

Symbol Cyclone M2000 Specifications:

Physical Characteristics

Dimensions:  7.8 in. L x 3.4 in. W x 5.4 in. D/198 mm L x 86 mm W x 137 mm
Weight:  11.7 oz./332 gm
Durability:  Withstands multiple 4-ft./1.2-m drops to concrete
Performance Characteristics

Light Source:  630–650-nm laser diode
Codes Supported:  1-D , 2-D Symbology, PDF,  UCC/EAN, RSS Code
Print Contrast:  25% minimum reflectance
User Environment

Ambient Light:  Immune to normal artificial indoor and natural outdoor (direct sunlight) lighting conditionsFluorescent:450 ft.-candles; Incandescent: 450 ft.-candles;Mercury Vapor: 450 ft.-candles; Sodium Vapor: 450 ft.-candles;Sunlight: 9,000 ft.-candles
Operating Temperature:  32° to 104°F (0° to 40° C)
Storage Temperature:  -40° to 140°F (-40° to 60° C)
Humidity:  5% to 95% (noncondensing)

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By Tommy Schweller | Posted in Barcode Equipment Ideas, Barcode Label Information, Barcode Scanners | Tagged , , | Comments (0)

Cell Phone Meets Barcode Scanner

June 22, 2009 – 2:25 pm

Cell Phone Meets Barcode Scanner

Imagine driving by a for sale house, and with the click of a button on your cell phone, you know how many bedrooms and bathrooms are in the house, the listing price, realtor, even a phone number to follow up with. With new barcode scanning technology now allowing cell phones to read bar codes, a whole new realm of possibilities is here.

While it may not surprise you that a cell phone can read a barcode label, what will surprise you is what you can do with that barcode label. You could place a barcode in a magazine and have customers simply read the bar code to preview your product. From movie previews, music previews or text files, your cell phone can now be your link to the consumer market at any time.

How does a barcode do such a thing? And on a cell phone? This new innovation is only available currently for Smartphones, or Mobile PC phones that run software. Also, in order to reaBarcode Scannerd these barcodes your Smartphone must have a camera attached to scan the bar code.

Currently in Japan, McDonalds around the country have started placing barcodes on the Hamburger foil, allowing customers to scan the foil their food came in, and see nutritional information about what they ate. In Japan, these codes did not become mainstream until the largest cell phone companies started loading the code readers on all new phones a few years ago. Now, millions of people have the capability built into their phones, and businesses, in turn, are using them all over, on billboards, street signs, published materials and even food packaging.

There are endless possibilities associated with this new barcode industry, anywhere from Insurance Quotes, Boarding Planes, Reservations, Groceries and more, all possible through this breakthrough in barcode scanning technology. Pharmacies could scan your medication, and Myspacers could scan their profile onto their phone, as well as their friends.

A whole new sector of advertising has been opened up as well, allowing advertisers to see for the first time how many people actually see and read ads in magazines. Sports articles could contain a barcode that shows a clip of the game.

With a whole world of possibilities offered by barcodes, with current advances in technology hopefully we will see these barcode labels being used in our market in the months to come.

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By Tommy Schweller | Posted in Barcode Equipment Ideas, Barcode Industry, Barcode Label Information, Barcode Scanners | Tagged , , | Comments (0)

Labelmate Mini-CAT Rewinders

June 18, 2009 – 2:12 pm

 Mini-CAT Label Rewinders

               Labelmate has made a splash in the label industry. With the Mini-CAT (Constant Adjustable Torque) Label Rewinder, you can rewind label rolls up to 125mm ( 5”) wide and up to 220mm (8.6”) in diameter at speeds up to 500mm/sec!  All of this is also offered at a low cost, providing a cost effective solution.

 The Mini-CAT label Rewinder and the regular size CAT Label Rewinder use the same technology to achieve impressive and reliable performance, and all at an unbelievable price. Powered by a unique motor solely designed for the mini-CAT, this Rewinder offers bi-directional operation, with an easy to use interface. With the flip of a switch the user conveniently controls the amount and speed in which to rewind. No more awkward and annoying belts or clutches.Mini Cat Label Rewinder

With an array of new features like automated speed adjustment up to 25cm/sec  and automatic printer back-feeding, you get all of the advantages of a full size Rewinder. These Mini-CATS have an inner label flange, to make sure the edge of your labels stay correctly aligned every step of the way.  An optional adjustable paper guide that can be directly mounted is also available.

 Designed with rugged steel, your Mini-CAT will be tough enough for any job.  Specially designed anti-slip feet keep the unit from moving or sliding around the workplace, guaranteeing that your Rewinder will stay where you put it.

 Put a Mini-CAT label Rewinder to work for you today! Enjoy the reliability, speed and ease of these Rewinders. All Labelmate Mini-CAT Rewinders come with a 5-Year parts & Labor limited warranty, an industry best.

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By Tommy Schweller | Posted in Barcode Equipment Ideas, Barcode Industry | Tagged , , | Comments (0)

New Tharo RFID Scanners & Printers

June 16, 2009 – 12:33 pm

Tharo RFID Scanners & Printers

Tharo has introduced its’ new Gen2 RFID readers. The handheld PR100 barcode scanner can read 96 bit Gen2 tags from a range of up to 5 feet. The scanner comes with a graphical LCD screen for instant visual verification.  This new durable RFID scanner can hold up to 4,000 RFID scans in its internal memory, which can be uploaded to PC or server via USB connection.RFID Scanner and Printer

The PR100 also includes free software that can create custom reports, save and access any compatible MDB database, export CSV with ease, allowing easy system integration. The PR100 is also designed and built with shock resistant materials, so it can stand up to the job no matter where.

This great durable RFID scanner only weighs 1.7lbs, making it a lightweight  handheld-scanner that’s still rugged enough to handle the toughest work. The Tharo PR100 was designed for easy use, comfort, mobility and reliability, making it the perfect RFID scanner for any of your scanning needs.  Tharo also offers the ST100 model, which is a stationary version. Both models include free data management software, and a 6 month manufacturers warranty.

Need a printer to print out those RFID labels? Tharo has also just introduced the H-400R series label printer, a small compact printer that can handle all of your personal RFID label printing needs. With print quality up to 300 dpi, this high quality printer elegantly designed printer is all you need. With an all metal construction, as well as a large media viewing window, you can monitor and change parts with ease.  No computer is necessary to use the H-400R printer, all you need is a flash drive ( or other form of USB storage device) and a standard computer keyboard. The H-400R Series printers use integrated UHF RFID to Read/Encode EPC and DoD Gen2Tags.

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By Tommy Schweller | Posted in Barcode Equipment Ideas, Barcode Industry, Barcode Label Information, Barcode Scanners, Uncategorized | Tagged , | Comments (0)

Windows Mobile Operating System

June 15, 2009 – 2:20 pm

Windows 6.5 Mobile Operating System

            The new Windows Mobile v6.5 Operating system, the ultimate personal or business software for your phone. The new operating system can take advantage of wireless internet, allowing you to surf the web, access Outlook for e-mail, as well as the ability to sign in to your Microsoft Liveone account. This means you can do almost anything that you would do on your computer, but now on your phone! All you need to take advantage of this operating system, is a Smartphone.  There is also a new application store, which allows for the personalization for your phone to meet your needs. Whether you need to turn your cellphone into a Barcode Scanner to keep track of your inventory, or simply want to know the train schedule on the run, now you can do it all with the new Windows Mobile Operating System.Barcode Mobile Operating System

Get the most out of your phone with Windows Live, the premier service offering that unifies Windows Live Search, Windows Live Messenger, Windows Live Hotmail, and Windows Live Spaces. You can also go shopping right from your phone! View an entire catalog of software and other content developed by distributors, and then download the new content straight to your phone. With speeds up to 7 Mb/s speed, it’s almost twice as fast as the iPhone 3G speed. With lightning fast speed, unmatched compatability and ease, there’s no reason to wait.

The new Windows Mobile Operating system also supports high quality pictures, and well as video capture mode. You can store or send photos/videos to your friends, family, co-workers and more.  You can also use your voice as a tool. Launch programs, make a call, listen to your next appointments, and more with voice-activated commands!

With an array of new applications and tools, the new Windows Mobile Operating system is the perfect tool for any situation. Whether its for business or pleasure, there’s an application offered to suit your needs. Try the new Operating system on any smartphone today and you will see the difference!

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By Tommy Schweller | Posted in Barcode Equipment Ideas, Barcode Industry | Tagged , , | Comments (0)

Wine Label Industry

June 11, 2009 – 2:20 pm

 Wine Labels

As the race for dominance continues in the Wine industry, one of the of the growing problems that producers are facing is the constantly changing labels. While with a majority of the food industry a product label does not need to be changed for usually 5-7 years, in the Wine industry a new label is needed about every 24 months or less. With all of the international and domestic competition, Wine producers have had to truly push their artists and their Label presses to keep up.

With such a fast paced industry, the only way to stay on top is to have the best. With the help of some of the newest and best label press available. Wine labels aren’t as easy or simple to produce as most food or drink labels, in fact it is quite the opposite. Wine labels are quite complex, and require advanced machinery to produce.Wine Label Printer

One of the newest innovations to the Wine industry, has been the introduction of pressure-sensitive labels. Pressure-sensitive labels are printed onto rolls of paper containing a backing, a center film of adhesive and a top layer of printable paper. The use of the pressure-sensitive label is perhaps the best demonstration of the versatility of today’s printing abilities. However, because it is still an emerging technology, paper quantities and varieties are a bit harder to come by. To duplicate pressure-sensitive sheet stock, some printers have had to get very creative, some even by designing or making their own paper!

There’s also another form of print technology called flexography, which is a process that’s similar to sheet printing but typically associated with the printing of boxes and cartons. Some advancements in line screen-the number of dots of color per one inch (dpi)-have allowed flexography to almost rival offset. Offset typically hovers around 250 or more dpi; flexography was originally printing 150 dpi and with new technology is now approaching 200 dpi.

With higher standards than anything else in the label industry, the Wine label printing business is constantly evolving. “The wine label printing business maintains the highest specifications of any label business,” said Schwanebeck. “Absolute control over detail is critical. The new presses, with better register, tighter color control and more capability, are driving an incredibly competitive business.”

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By Tommy Schweller | Posted in Custom Labels, Food Labels, Fun Labels | Tagged , | Comments (0)

MEMS: A New Generation of Barcode Scanner

June 9, 2009 – 2:15 pm

MEMS: A New Generation of Barcode Scanner

There used to be two main choices with regards to Barcode Scanners;  go with the unmatched reliability of the  solid-state CCD reader, or  the lightning fast scanning power of laser scanners. By adapting the highly proven, highly reliable MEMS technology used  for bar code reading, MEMS based laser can scanners provide even faster reading than ever before, better recognition and processing of poor quality or damaged bar codes than traditional lasers, and reliability even in the most demanding scanning environments. MEMS scan engines are also extremely compact, only  about the size of a sugar cube,  which leads to lightweight, ergonomic and power-friendly scanners.

What is MEMS anyway? MEMS stands for microelectromechanical systems. MEMS devices combine electronic circuitry with miniaturized mechanical devices, which may include sensors, gyroscopes, actuators, motors, pumps and other components, on a silicon substrate that can be smaller than a grain of sand!  MEMS is a nearly $10 billion industry that includes millions of devices in use in numerous industries. Many MEMS applications are very mature and established, and is the underlying technology behind your antilock brakes, vehicle airbags, projection systems, consumer electronics and medical imaging.

Barcode Readers
Developed first in the early 1970’s MEMS only been commercially available since the 1990s, and have been developed mostly in Dresden, Germany. The most important and main differences between traditional and MEMS laser scanners are the mirror assembly as well as scanner size. Traditional scanners use a motor to oscillate around  the mirror to move the laser beam across the symbol. The scan speed is expressed as the number of times the beam can be swept over the symbol each second.
Motorized mirrors have proven themselves  problematic for traditional laser scanners. The mirror assemblies are soldered into place, which is often a consistent point of failure when scanners are dropped or bumped from normal use. To reduce the chance of damage, scanners can be made with heavier casings and by adding protective rubber, but these measures add size and

weight to the device and reduce ease of use. MEMS components have considerably less mass than their counterparts in traditional laser scanners, which makes MEMS devices much more resistant to damage from drops. MEMS scanners are also more resistant to wear. Motors produce friction, which loosens and wears down components. Mirrors can also get out of alignment over time, which seriously degrades scanning performance. These dangers are mitigated or eliminated in MEMS designs.

With smaller and more efficient technology in the MEMS, as well as the scanner ability and reliability unmatched by any other scanner, the MEMS scanner is sure to be the new industry standard for quality and performance.

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By Tommy Schweller | Posted in Barcode Industry, Barcode Scanners | Tagged , | Comments (0)
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