The Datalogic Falcon X3 Mobile Computer is perfect for:

Handheld and Pistol Grip Form Factors

• Distribution centres: retail, wholesales, manufacturing, consumer products, food and beverage
• Manufacturing warehouses: consumer products, automotive, industrial, electronics and pharmaceuticals
• Third party logistics (3PL)
• Retail in store environments: mass and general merchandisers, warehouse clubs, DIY and grocery

The new Datalogic Falcon™ X3 mobile computer delivers the ultimate in ruggedness, ergonomics, computing and data capture technologies. Falcon X3 mobile computer options provide a tailored solution for demanding environments needing real-time transaction visibility. The Falcon’s Summit IEEE 802.11 a/b/g radio with CCX v4 certification from Cisco ensures the highest level of security for PCI compliance. Datalogic innovations include the patented good read feedback to better blend with the retail floor mood and for error reduction in noisy environments. Also it has the addition of a camera for promotional end cap verification or for damaged goods documentation. Falcon™ X3 mobile computer delivers rugged construction, laser and image data capture, along with real-time communications in a product that is effortless to develop for, deploy and manage.

Datalogic Falcon X3 in the warehouse

• They require constant cleaning and maintenance as they are prone to clogging up and loosing print quality.
• The ink may fade or be of poor quality making them hard to read when using a barcode scanner. Also they can be difficult to read on dark backgrounds.
• They have restricted materials and are not suitable for specialist barcode labels such as ones needed for high/low temperatures.

Therefore it is by far the best option to use dedicated barcode printers from manufacturers such as Zebra and Datamax.

Main Benefit – Ability to scan damaged barcodes

The main benefit of this barcode scanner is its ability to scan the most damaged barcodes. Low contrast, scratched barcodes and more are easily scanned with this unit.

Features

• Outstanding Scan Performance on Poor Quality and Damaged Barcodes: Maintains productivity by providing a worry-free linear scanning solution that minimizes the need for manual data entry

• Class-Leading Presentation Scanning: Increases throughput by providing object detection and automatic in-stand detection and configuration

• Multi-Interface: Minimizes costs by delivering support for USB, keyboard wedge, and RS232 interfaces in a single scanner• Superior Out-of-Box Experience: Simplifies set up with tool-free stand assembly; automatic in-stand detection and configuration; and automatic interface detection and configuration• Contemporary, Ergonomic Design: Ensures operator comfort and productivity by incorporating an integrated finger groove in a sleek, lightweight industrial design that fits well in most hands• CodeGate® Technology: Enables users to ensure that the desired bar code is scanned before transmitting data, making the scanner ideal for use in menu scanning applications

Mitsubishi Electric needed to streamline and improve their production lines in order to reduce downtime and become more efficient.

This was made possible with the help from Bar Code Data who introduced a new streamlined system. Mitsubishi Electric previous method of work was:

• Units are produced to fulfil orders and quotas. This information is stored in a database describing which assembly line, which model, how many etc, need to be made in a specific time frame
• A job card is produced for each unit that needs to be constructed. These are distributed to the correct assembly lines and then a unit is assembled to match the card. Each unit must have a Hanken Label attached, these were traditionally requested in batches on demand from management.
• A missing Hanken Label (or a replacement) would mean downtime in getting a replacement from the office.
• Any duplicate Hanken Labels into the production loop is disastrous for tractability and means the shutdown of an assembly line, or worse, the recall from the warehouse of a batch of finished units for retrieval of the ‘duplicate’ unit.

Bar Code Data’s Solution

The production line now has a PC connected to the database and wired up to a Zebra printer. A production worker scans a job card and the software looks at the database and locates the relevant serial number and automatically prints the Hanken label. Every label is recorded on the system, so if an operator attempts to scan the wrong item, an error message flashes and prevents the incorrect label being printed.

No interaction with the PC is needed the operator only needs to scan the bar code.

• The system makes the production of labels automatic
• There is no human interaction, no downtime.
• The system has overrides for needing reprints/replacement labels.
• No time wasted sifting through and matching stacks of Job Cards and Labels
• Job Cards are scanned by the system and the labels are created on demand

Further Additions to the Software

After initial deployment and it’s testing phase the software proved its reliability and was extended to also create ‘P-Labels’ alongside the Hanken Labels, these P-Labels are Rating Plate labels, generated with the same level of uniqueness and containing information exactly matching the produced unit.

Example Operation

Scanned Job Card



The setup for an Assembly Line consists of 1 Bar Code Scanner and 2 Zebra Printers connected to a PC running the software (with a network link to the production database).

The Bar Code Scanner is used to scan a Job Card, this bar code is sent to the software which queries the database and acts upon what it finds. These results are displayed on the monitor in a simplified way to make them visible and prominent in a factory environment.

A Job Card has been scanned (displayed in the middle of the screen) on Assembly Line ‘D’.

The centre of the screen remains green, this means that the Job Card scanned is valid for this line. The Zebra Printers will output a Hanken Label and a P-Label to match the Job Card. The top of the screen displays indicators showing how much media is in the Hanken and P-Label printers.

Job Card scanned twice

The software queries the database and finds the data valid, but crossed-referenced with the log reveals it to be a duplicate. The screen turns red and the system is blocked.

This system is based in an industrial setting and correctness is paramount. The only way a user can interact with it is by scanning a Job Card. Line Foremen and Supervisors carry a set of special ‘Admin’ bar codes which can be scanned to control the system. In this case the user would signal to his Foreman that he has a problem if the Foreman hasn’t already noticed the error state on the monitor.

The Foreman can now fully control the situation.

-       Did the user mistakenly scan the same Job Card?

-       Did the user waste or misprint one of the Hanken/P-Labels?

The Foreman can scan the relevant bar code for the following paths:

• CANCEL – The scan was a mistake, ignore it, don’t produce labels and continue
• REPRINT HANKEN / P-LABEL – The user scanned twice for a replacement Label. A replacement label is printed and the system continues
• REPRINT BOTH – Both labels need replacing, the Foreman is satisfied that this is the case and both labels are reprinted, the system continues

Media Indicators

The media in the Hanken printer is running low unlike the P-Label printer. The ‘Amber’ condition means the Foreman soon needs to replace the media. This early warning system means that the line doesn’t have downtime when a printer suddenly runs out of media.

The media runs out

The P-Label media is exhausted and the system is halted until it is replaced. A Foreman has ‘Admin’ codes for replenishing both media stocks and also clearing the ‘Out of Media’ status when this has been done.

Benefits

• Eliminates errors
• Increased productivity
• Cost savings
• One point of access for management
• No need for Management to keep track of the production data in the database
• No need for Management to track which labels have been printed and distributed
• Increased time for management decisions
• The software produces log files of exactly what has been printed (and reprinted) along with Line information and Time/Date stamps for analysis
• Eliminates any possibility of duplicate labels into the production line
• The system can be extended and new features added

“In our experience of working with Barcode Data we have been supplied with a service which has totally satisfied our company’s needs.

Bar Code Data provided an open and friendly approach to business focused on our exact requirements and have produced effective solutions for our fast-moving manufacturing environment.

From initial enquiry through project implantation to after sales service Bar Code Data have supplied an excellent service. We would have no hesitation in recommending or using Bar Code Data’s services again.”

Alan Keast Mitsubishi Air Conditioning Systems Europe Ltd

Company Profile

Mitsubishi Electric – Air Conditioning Division

Mitsubishi Electric, part of the Mitsubishi Group, was founded in 1955 with over 50 years experience in developing air conditioning systems. Mitsubishi Electric were the first in the industry to offer highly advanced ‘inverter driven’ systems.  Inverter driven systems produce just the right amount of output to match the exact requirement of any building.  These systems work so efficiently that they don’t waste valuable energy by over-heating or over-cooling, resulting in greatly reduced running costs.

Protecting the environment

They only use chlorine-free refrigerants that are safe and have ‘zero ozone depletion potential’.  Therefore their systems require less energy to run, and have lower indirect global warming potential too.

Introduction

For any company involved in the distribution of goods, the accuracy, efficiency and speed of its operation is crucial to ensure a high level of customer service and retaining key customer contracts.

When Cleland McIver began seeking new measures to streamline and improve their efficiency they contacted Bar Code Data Ltd as its solution provider.

The Business Challenge

Cleland McIver would lose a substantial amount a year from stock sent to numerous key customers. This was due to stock going missing, human errors with order picking i.e. miss picks, and oversubscribed orders.

The result meant the company being financially penalised for all incorrect orders, even for oversubscribed orders. Therefore Cleland McIver would lose stock, incur extra shipping costs and be fined for all incorrect orders.

The Solution

The previous working method was a paper based system where the employees would print off the order sheet and manually mark off what stock was picked.  Therefore it was difficult to track where the errors were made and also how to analysis ways of improvement.

Bar Code Data implemented a barcode data entry system using the Honeywell Dolphin 7600 terminals with a bespoke software application.  In addition software was written for their host system to allow complete integration between the new portable devices and the customers system.

The new barcode data entry system would flash red, highlighting any errors made at the picking stage and the employees would not be able to proceed until the error was rectified.  Also every order picked would be recorded for analysis purposes, thus showing any areas of improvement and making the whole system totally efficient.

The Benefits

“The speed and accuracy of order picking has improved beyond measure states Paul Adams.

It was imperative for new measures to streamline our distribution in order to improve our efficiency.  Bar Code Data’s barcode data entry solution gave us all of that along with significant financial savings.  The Return on Investment (ROI) has been such that we are rolling out the application into other key areas of our organisation and the new barcode data entry system paid for itself in only a matter of months. Bar Code Data have been totally professional and exceeded our expectations. I would not hesitate recommending them to anyone.” Paul Adams, Operations Manager

Honeywell Dolphin 7600 Terminal

Compact, lightweight and built for the worker who is constantly on the move, the Dolphin 7600 features the data collection and communication capabilities that keeps businesses connected to their employees, their customers and their supply chain – empowering them to work smarter.

• Microsoft® Windows® CE 5.0 standard platform for simple integration and intuitive operation
• Rugged, magnesium alloy internal chassis with component shock mounts – withstands drops from 1.5m to concrete
• Ideally suited to light-industrial applications in retail, transportation and logistics, field services, postal, route accounting, healthcare, and warehousing
• Integrated finger saddle that mirrors the natural curves of the hand

Company Profiles

Cleland McIver Ltd was established 20 years ago predominantly as a manufacture of readymade curtains, however they have now progressed in supplying a vast range of textile products.

For a number of years Cleland McIver has been importing direct merchandise in various textile products from China, Pakistan, Turkey and Bangladesh.

Bar Code Data have over 20 years experience in providing integrated solutions and partnering with the World’s leading Auto ID suppliers that includes Honeywell, Zebra and Motorola, Bar Code Data had the expertise to implement a system on time, within budget and supplying the best of breed equipment.

For more information on how a barcode data entry system can improve order picking contact Bar Code Data on 0161 330 0077 or email at sales@bcdata.co.uk or visit www.bcdata.co.uk.

Barcodes printers fall into two technologies, direct thermal and thermal transfer printing.

Direct thermal printers – there is no ribbon used. Heat is generated as the printhead comes in direct contact with the specially treated paper also called thermal paper, resulting to a chemical reaction that turns the paper black and forms an image of the bar code.

Thermal transfer printers – the printhead generates heat that causes the transfer of the ink from the ribbon to the paper or other printing surfaces by melting the wax or resin coating on the ribbon.

barcode printers from Zebra Technologies

Advantages of Direct Thermal Printers

• Produce better quality barcodes than regular printers, such as laser
• Capable of up to 600 DPI bar codes that any barcode scanner can easily read
• Faster and less expensive
• No ribbon required

Advantages of Thermal Transfer Printers

• The same as Direct Thermal printers
• better quality print as the quality will not diminish over time or become illegible upon exposure to direct sunlight, heat, or chemical vapors

Some Thermal printers can function as both a direct thermal and thermal transfer printer.

Choosing the correct printer depends on what you wish to print and quantities.

The Purpose of a Barcode

The purpose of barcodes is to identify a labelled item with a barcode containing a unique number or character string. Barcodes are typically used with a database application where the data encoded in the barcodes is used as an index to a record in the database that contains more detailed information about the item that is being scanned. For example, when a shop assistant scans a barcode, the barcode data is fed to a computer that looks up the information in a central database and returns more detailed information about the item such as description and price. Therefore the shop doesn’t need to price tag all items in the store and they can also change the price by modifying a single entry in the central database. They can also track how much of a product is currently in stock so that they know when to re-order.

Barcodes also provide a quick and error free means for inputting the data into an application running on a computer. By using barcodes, the potential for errors from manual data input is eliminated. Another typical application for barcodes is therefore for inputting data without having to type. For example you could encode name or address data in a barcode on an ID badge and then scan the ID badges to input a person’s name into a computer program instead of typing the information.

A barcode enables the rapid and un-ambiguous identification of products, assets, documents and people. Using a barcode can greatly reduce human errors in data entry and processing, eliminate ambiguities caused by inconsistent approaches to product labelling and mistakes in reading handwriting.

Benefits

In point-of-sale (POS) management, the use of barcodes can provide very detailed up-to-date information on key aspects of the business, enabling decisions to be made much more quickly and with more confidence. For example:

• Fast-selling items can be identified quickly and automatically reordered to meet consumer demand,
• Slow-selling items can be identified, preventing a build-up of unwanted stock,
• The effects of repositioning a given product within a store can be monitored, allowing fast-moving more profitable items to occupy the best space,
• Historical data can be used to predict seasonal fluctuations very accurately.
• Items may be repriced on the shelf to reflect both sale prices and price increases.

Besides sales and inventory tracking, barcodes are very useful in shipping/receiving/tracking.

• When a manufacturer packs a box with any given item, a Unique Identifying Number (UID) can be assigned to the box.
• A relational database can be created to relate the UID to relevant information about the box; such as order number, items packed, qty packed, final destination, etc…
• The information can be transmitted through a communication system such as Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) so the retailer has the information about a shipment before it arrives.
• Tracking results when shipments are sent to a Distribution Center (DC) before being forwarded to the final destination.
• When the shipment gets to the final destination, the UID gets scanned, and the store knows where the order came from, what’s inside the box, and how much to pay the manufacturer.

“Elf™ uses our next generation platform, providing incredible speed coupled with the latest technology for mobility, all packaged in one of the best ergonomic devices on the market” notes Gian Paolo Fedrigo, CEO of Datalogic Mobile.

One of it’s key innovations, is that it’s one of the first in the mobile computing industry to run Microsoft’s latest operating system, Windows Mobile 6.5. Datalogic patented Green Spot good read technology with both a laser barcode reader and 2D imager has also been integrated into the product. Elf™ incorporates an option to support HF RFID for reading and writing as well.

As in all Datalogic Mobile computers, the Wavelink® Avalanche™ device management system is pre-loaded and pre-licensed. Elf™ connectivity options include: UMTS HSDPA mobile radio for voice and data communication, embedded 802.11 a/b/g radio with CCX V4 certification for secure enterprise-class mobile connectivity and Bluetooth® wireless 2.0 EDR for simultaneous connections with lower power consumption.

Elf™ also comes with other important features to make the operator’s job easier than ever before. A micro SD card slot which supports SDHC storage cards provides easier access to consumer channels for memory, while the QWERTY and numeric keyboards allow the user to choose the best keyboard for specific applications. Elf™’s display is sharp and clear, making viewing easy at all angles in any lighting conditions indoors or outside. The display is also provided with a QVGA and FVGA resolution options so users can choose between traditional and web applications.

Datalogic Mobile’s Elf™ puts the world in your hand. It’s ready to face any challenge out in the field and inside the store to provide the business world with a complete solution that fits in the hand.

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