Our story starts in 1947 when the president of a local Philadelphia food chain walks into a university.
Vexed by long checkout lines and inefficient stocktaking methods and in search of a solution, Food Fair's president tried, unsuccessfully, to enlist aid from the dean of Drexel Institute of Technology. A graduate student named Barnard Silver overheard their exchange, and recruited Norman Joseph Woodland, who had experience working on inventions, to explore the possibilities together.
Woodland’s first attempt at designing the barcode drew from his childhood experiences as a Boy Scout, where he learned Morse Code. Famous for its ability to store complex information in a series of discreet and easy-to-print symbols, Morse Code inspired Woodland’s original barcode design. Instead of dots and dashes, Woodland’s design featured a series of thick and thin lines. Ultimately, Woodland and Silver abandoned this initial blueprint in favor of a bull’s eye design, which they believed would be easier to read from any angle. The pair successfully patented their design in 1952, but the patent itself proved too advanced for that time’s technological capabilities. The crucial missing link was a method for generating a light bright enough to read the code. Rendered useless, the patent languished for nearly 20 years.
By the mid-1960s, technological advancements, notably the world’s first functioning laser in 1960, suddenly made the idea of a functioning barcode feasible. The booming supermarket industry strengthened the demand for automated checkout functionality. In 1966, the National Association of Food Chains (NAFC) began its search for a Universal Product Code (UPC). Although several electronics companies vied for the contract, RCA, a major electronics company of the day, took the early lead. They quickly produced a working prototype of the bullseye barcode, which first appeared in a Kroger checkout in 1972.
However, 18 months of testing found their design wanting. Once printed, the ink didn’t dry fast enough to prevent the bullseye from smudging. Once smudged, the barcode was useless. To top things off, the 1971 meeting that garnered excitement also gained the attention of a rival company – IBM. Late to the game, IBM was, perhaps for the last time in history, the underdog. They did have a secret weapon – Norman Joseph Woodland himself. Another engineer, George Laurer, realized the strength of Woodland’s original thick-thin line design would prove impervious to the printing issues inherent in the bullseye design. Laurer demonstrated his version of the barcode for his initially skeptical bosses by pitching labeled products as fast as possible over a prototype scanner, which read the products successfully. On March 30, 1973, a team of MIT scientists tested Laurer’s adapted design against RCA’s bullseye. On April 1, a winner was announced. IBM was victorious.
While barcode technology came into being and was first adopted in grocery stores, barcodes are now widely used in many different industries throughout the world. Wherever they are used, their benefits quickly compound – increasing profits, reducing losses and even saving lives.
History provides ample evidence indicating the direct impact barcode-based software has on an organization’s profitability. A 2004 Fortune article estimated that 80 to 90 percent of the top 500 companies use barcode-based management systems of some kind. High-performing companies rely on barcode technology to:
Barcode technology doesn’t just save money, it also saves lives. When healthcare centers switch from manual data entry to data input methods that rely on barcode hardware, medication errors are significantly reduced. Implementing barcode technology in such settings eliminates many of the human errors that can lead to preventable inpatient deaths.
Barcode-based software increases an organization’s ability to find, store and audit inventory and assets. A quick scan reveals an item’s vital information like supplier, cost and price. That same scan can also update records with current location, giving you a level of accuracy and control unmatched by manual systems.
Barcode-based inventory management systems create accurate, real-time data points that help you quickly identify best-sellers and slow-sellers. Historic data provides insight into merchandising and seasonal fluctuations. With a barcode-based inventory management system, you can make the most of every opportunity that comes your way.
Improvements in barcode-based technology improvements continue unabated. A good example is the QR code, a descendent of the Universal Product Code. Developed in 1994, QR codes offer powerful features that can enrich your inventory or asset management strategy. QR codes are read horizontally and vertically, making them two-dimensional. Compared to the one-dimensional UPC barcode, QR codes can store more detailed information. In addition to increased storage capabilities, QR codes can be encrypted and hold up better against wear and tear. These enhanced features make QR codes valuable even outside of warehouses. Today, QR codes can be found in nearly every area of modern life, directing patrons to restaurant menus, Wi-Fi networks and email lists.
It’s hard to imagine Woodland predicted the wide-ranging impact barcode technology would have on healthcare, transportation, business and government. As technology continues to advance, barcodes, barcode scanning and barcode-based asset and inventory management systems continue to revolutionize business processes for organizations in all sectors. If you’re interested in learning more about how implementing barcode-based technology can positively impact your business, contact a BarcodeShack specialist today.
]]>Equipped with this information, you’ll be well-prepared to select the inventory control system offering the best solution for your organization.
Identifying your company’s selection criteria before investigating the array of inventory tracking software systems is essential. This shortlist will help you identify a core set of requirements designed to meet your organization’s current and future needs.
Analyzing your business’s operational challenges will help determine the problems an inventory software must solve. Start by considering the size and complexity of the inventory you need to control and the most important parameters you need to track. Next, you should consider the requirements and goals particular to your industry or organization. What is your existing inventory management workflow and what issues tend to arise that delay or complicate operations? Generating a requirements document that addresses such findings will help you clarify the capabilities and features you’ll want to prioritize as you move forward.
Like most software available today, many inventory control systems are priced based on the number of concurrent users a company requires. For small businesses, this level of flexibility can help reduce initial costs while still allowing the possibility to scale as operations grow – so long as the software provider offers the ability to add users when necessary (most will, this is how they also grow their business). Another major consideration is user location, since working with a distributed workforce makes remote access to software systems a necessity. While certain security regulations make on-premises systems a preferred option in some industries, cloud-based systems are the top choice for many of today’s industry experts due to their support for access from almost any location with an internet connection. Cloud-based inventory management systems typically require a lower initial investment, as well as far less existing internal infrastructure to implement and run effectively. Their low cost and high performance make them the ideal option for many small and medium-sized business organizations.
The power of an inventory management system also lies in its ability to integrate with existing software systems. The lack of ability for the inventory management system to to integrate with other operational systems means manual data entry is required increasing the cost of operations and the possibility for errors. If you hope to receive the full benefits of automation, make sure it can integrate with core business software systems, sharing transactional data that is needed to streamline operations. This can include project management systems, accounting software, and shipping systems and more.
Wading through application specs can be cumbersome and time-intensive, but it’s necessary if you hope to gauge a software’s integration compatibility. The only way to be sure your system will maximize potential benefits is to enlist the advice of asset and inventory management software specialists. Reaching out to industry professionals for their guidance and expertise for consultation and implementation can help ensure you’ve selected an inventory management system that:
Enables Transparency and Visibility – Inventory tracking software produces real-time data you can trust. By comparison, manual data entry tracking incoming and outgoing inventory is prone to error, hard to manage and time-consuming to confirm and correct. The ability to track available SKUs and outgoing shipments empowers both operations and customer service teams to work with improved accuracy and transparency.
Reduces Operational Expenses – A barcode-based inventory system improves the ability to monitor inventory which leads to efficient product tracking, data analysis and improved quality control while also reducing personnel and process management costs. Thanks to task automation, organizations save time and resources while improving accuracy and efficiency.
Increases Inventory Accuracy and Forecasting Ability – Improved inventory management coupled with robust data analysis create the ideal environment for a just-in-time (JIT) inventory strategy, which reduces the potential for overstock and under-stock conditions. A successful JIT strategy lowers costs by ordering inventory only as needed and greatly enhances a business’s future growth potential.
Offers Data Security - Protecting company data with a secure inventory management system that allows user controls as needed enables small companies to reduce risks of unauthorized users.
Improves Efficiency – Reducing the time and effort it takes to track and manage inventory while simultaneously improving data accuracy and operational transparency positively impacts the overall efficiency of your operation. Improvements in efficiency mean your customers and/or clients receive their products reliably and on time.
Optimizes Business Processes – The compounded benefits of improved efficiency, visibility, transparency, inventory accuracy, data analysis and forecasting, data security and reduced operational expenses all serve to optimize your business processes, streamlining your organization’s operations. An industry professional helps businesses choose the right inventory management solution that offers these benefits without hampering operations or requiring workarounds.
Many of a business’s daily activities revolve around inventory control. To identify and implement the ideal inventory management system, you must consider many different operational components – logistics, current workflows, tech specs of existing software and more – before you can consider which options are viable. With so much at stake, why not bring in an expert?
BarcodeShack provides businesses with industry-leading hardware and software products, and one-on-one assistance to help ensure you select and implement a software solution that will meet your business requirements and overcome your current inventory management challenges. Our barcode-based systems specialists provide the knowledge and resources you need to choose, deploy and integrate the right solution that will scale with your small business as it grows. Consult with a BarcodeShack professional today to discuss your requirements and challenges, so you can be sure you reap the benefits of using the best solution for your inventory control and tracking needs.
]]>In order to efficiently and cost-effectively deliver the highest project value, the Cape Associates team needed to simultaneously manage project statuses against asset usage and availability. Yet due to the set-up and restrictions of their on-premise legacy systems, manually updating each database as a means of tracking assets against job schedules and budgets proved error-prone, tedious and unsustainable.
Cape Associates required an asset management solution that could efficiently automate asset tracking, eliminate isolated database instances and improve system accessibility for field personnel. The company required a system that could meet their implementation deadlines, integration needs and accessibility requirements. Such a solution needed to provide instant high-level visibility and enable employee accountability while reducing inaccuracies.
Formerly, the company lacked asset inventory capabilities in the field, which compounded their issues with manually updating their job tracking and asset management software. Mismanagement of asset tracking led to inaccurate job cost calculations as well as increasing the potential of lost assets.
BarcodeShack consulted with Cape Associates to determine their current operational challenges in order to pinpoint the most effective software solution, then performed rapid requirements analysis to evaluate business requirements and select, implement and integrate the commercial off-the-shelf solution: Wasp AssetCloud.
This cloud-based software enables Cape Associates’ employees to access and update the asset management database from anywhere using a smartphone. The software has check-in/check-out functionality and supports specialized search criteria, such as by item and jobsite to pinpoint equipment locations. BarcodeShack enabled an alert functionality to ensure no tools or equipment were unaccounted for upon leaving the jobsite. BarcodeShack provided data integration between Wasp AssetCloud and Cape Associates’ project management/cost accounting software, enabling automation information updates and sharing between the two systems.
Cape Associates has enhanced their custom home build capabilities with an accessible, integrated software system in place supporting their ongoing operations. Their cloud-based asset management solution efficiently automates tool and equipment visibility and tracking from any location, reduces the potential for asset loss (and subsequent replacement cost and decreased productivity) by enabling database updates and alerts in the field. Visibility into asset location, usage per project and integration with project management systems also improves the client billing process. BarcodeShack cost-effectively integrated the software solution with a number of third-party systems, including accounting, ERP and vertical systems (construction management systems and more).
Cape Associates can now properly track, manage and bill for assets from any location and multiple devices, resulting in increased accuracy, productivity, reduced losses and improved asset accounting, management and reporting capabilities.
*Image Credit: Cape Associates, Inc.
]]>A fixed asset management system is intended to make it easier for your organization to track, manage and audit your assets while providing the necessary visibility and controls that fit your company’s processes and operations. Thus, there are many criteria and features to consider, such as the type of asset management system (cloud-based or on-premise software system), data management, data categorization, options for barcode scanning methods, check in and check out capabilities, along with calculation, reporting and printing features. In this blog post, we’ll cover the essential features in each category to help you make your selection.
Commercial off-the-shelf software are ready-to-use, highly configurable solutions that can be acquired, installed and integrated fairly quickly versus a complex, custom system built specifically for your organization. Evaluate your asset tracking needs first, then choose from one of the numerous COTS solutions available in the market that meet those requirements.
Your software solution should be supported by a company with the infrastructure to roll out timely updates and offer technical support. A solution with a growing user base also helps guarantee that the company will enhance, upgrade and support the product in the future.
Cloud-based solutions allow users to access the system anywhere, greatly improving productivity and visibility. An internet connection and user credentials are the only requirements to access the system.
Locally hosted solutions are installed on the premises on the organization's servers and hardware behind a firewall. This type of software system allows for on-premise accessibility, ensuring data security.
Proper adherence to data security via separation of duties is a key requirement in a robust asset management solution. The system must have the ability to tailor a user’s access as needed, such as limiting visibility or allowing read-only access.
When this requirement gets overlooked, it can often cause project delays and cost overruns that could have been avoided. Many organizations have existing assets with barcode labels affixed, so the new solution must support entry of these assets into the database.
Existing systems have important information – such as asset information, location, customer, employee and other data – that must be integrated into the new asset management software database in order to “go live.” The solution you choose should have an import feature that supports Excel and/or CSV files.
APIs allow two software systems to send data to one another and are essential for systems integration. Without published APIs, your legacy systems cannot readily integrate with other software systems, leading to duplicative data entry, potential inaccuracy and more.
Easily locate assets at any onsite or offsite location with robust tracking capabilities that include logging building, room number and additional details as needed. This feature also keeps track of asset location changes. Such asset location information is required by management and auditors periodically.
The system needs to be able to sort and report data by department, in order for managers to conduct inventory of assets accordingly.
To produce meaningful, accurate reports that distinguish between asset types, they must first be properly attributed within the database. Correctly classifying assets by type can be tricky without expert assistance.
In order to extend asset lifespan and reduce potential audit/compliance issues from unmaintained assets, the system must support asset maintenance scheduling and on-the-fly asset repair. In addition, being able to track asset condition provides necessary data to schedule timely maintenance.
Effective software management requires tracking software licenses to keep expenditures in line with budgets. The asset management system should track the total number of software licenses, and if and where they’re in use, in order to assist the IT and accounting departments.
Most physical assets reach the end of their lifecycle and will be disposed of at some point, data which must be reported and retained for company analysis. The asset system should allow you to record information about the disposal transaction, such as method of disposal, purchaser, date of disposal, sales proceeds, etc.
Many organizations commonly include images of high-value assets for insurance and internal purposes within their database. The system you select should allow the assignment of multiple different categories of pictures to an asset. For example, these could include a copy of the purchase order, lease or purchase contract, material safety data sheet, user manual, technical support document and warranty data.
Every asset has essential information that may be required for analysis or audit at some point, such as purchase date, use configuration, repair history, user assignment and so on.
The system must allow the administrator to add custom fields as required to meet reporting and tracking requirements, and also allow standard field names to be changed to match your organization’s naming conventions.
Items purchased in multiple quantities must still be maintained within the asset management system on an individual basis. Asset duplication speeds data entry, while data field modification updates individual asset information afterward.
Assets operated together are commonly linked in data systems, such as a computer (parent asset) used with a monitor, keyboard and mouse (child assets). The system should support linking and unlinking assets, as well as the addition, transfer and disposal of said assets.
Organizations move office and warehouse locations, transfer large quantities of assets from one department to another or dispose of all of a building’s assets due to sale of a division. In order to efficiently process these regular business transactions, the system must support mass asset updates on a variety of field selection criteria.
Your system choice should have a mobile application compatible with Android and iOS operating systems in order to be untethered in your scanning operation. This mobility increases efficiency of collecting new asset information and assists with physical inventory, check in and check out and asset move transactions.
As the most cost-effective option for scanning barcodes, direct PC-connected scanners are an important option to have with your asset management system. A PC-connected scanner could be used to scan an employee’s badge, check-out and check-in loaner equipment like tools or audiovisual equipment.
Asset assignments enable employee accountability due to the permanent records of assigned assets for use. The ownership/custodian concept is an important factor to consider when evaluating asset management systems.
At times, assets can be loaned to a customer or vendor, or are checked out to a repair facility. In such cases, the asset management system needs to be able to support movement of assets to internal employees, customers, vendors or other assignees.
When assets are checked out for specific lengths of time, the asset management software must be able to track due dates and generate reports and automatic alerts when check-ins are past due.
Customizing reports to meet your business needs often requires expensive programming. The asset solution you choose should have extensive standard reporting, support the use of logical expressions and be able to export all reporting to Excel and other popular file formats.
The asset system you choose should calculate, track and report on depreciation, including custom depreciation methods. It should also support calculations based on the most common depreciation methods, such as straight line, double-declining balance and 150% double declining balance.
Many reporting requirements state that organizations need to keep track of physical assets even after they’ve been disposed of. The asset system should allow you to record information about the disposal transaction, such as method of disposal, purchaser/donee name, date of disposal, sales proceeds, etc.
Every fixed asset has a history that must be recorded: its purchase date, use configurations, repair history, user assignment history and so on. This is an important feature for maintaining and reporting on asset history in order to answer management questions and auditor requests.
Boolean logical expression searches must be a standard feature in the system so that you are easily able to locate specific assets and find exactly the data you want to work with.
Most asset management systems support barcode printing, but not all solutions offer the flexibility that most organizations require. Factors such as label size and type, label use, barcode symbology and support are important considerations when selecting your barcode-based asset tracking system.
The purpose of a barcode-based fixed asset management system is to make the management process easier, more efficient and more accurate. However, selecting a system that doesn’t fully offer the capabilities or features you need can result in lost time, expensive workarounds, lack of visibility needed, redundancies or other problems due to system limitations and incompatibility with your organization's needs. This software is meant to maximize your business’ asset management capabilities, and improve the tracking, reporting and analysis of key fixed assets that are essential to organizational success. Data management and categorization, options for barcode scanning methods and printing, check in and check out capabilities, calculation and reporting features are all essential considerations when making your choice.
Consult with an expert to determine what your data needs are, and receive one-on-one assistance to determine the best asset management solution for your business. Contact us at BarcodeShack today to learn more.
]]>But with so many fixed asset management systems available, selecting the best option for your business isn’t easy. This article presents five important considerations that can guide your search for the software system that best meets your organization’s needs. Before examining the selection criteria, let’s take a more in-depth look at what fixed asset tracking software can deliver and the benefits it can provide.
Fixed asset tracking software is a comprehensive software system that enables users to track and monitor assets and equipment history, usage, performance, maintenance schedules and more. These systems rely on barcode scanning technology, eliminating manual data entry and their accompanying errors. Automation of key tasks such as report scheduling, record auditing and regular service notifications keep businesses running at peak performance. These systems track asset conditions and history, helping organizations maintain and extend the life cycle of their assets, reduce downtime and equipment failures, improve operational efficiency, meet compliance standards and evaluate performance to improve future equipment selection.
These functions provide powerful improvements to productivity and decrease the margin of error. Not all asset management software systems are equally capable of meeting your organization’s specifications or producing the results you’re after for the price you’re willing to pay. The following five questions examine the core functionality offered in asset tracking software to help you better analyze the available options.
When it comes to today’s options for fixed asset tracking software, there are many choices available. Finding the most suitable option requires careful evaluation based on your organization’s specific requirements. These five criteria will help you compare the asset management software available on the market.
If a software product is going to provide value, it must meet your organization’s particular business needs relating to your industry and operational processes. Quantify business requirements by clarifying users, tasks and workflow processes a system needs to handle to serve as a viable solution. Basic questions to ask include:
Understanding these business requirements up front will help you narrow down the options early on, as well as provide necessary context for the remaining considerations on this list.
Where will your data be stored, in the cloud or on-premise? Cloud-based systems offer maximum accessibility and flexibility, making it easy to access and update the system anytime, anywhere (with an available internet connection). Ease of access, low cost of ownership and lightning-fast deployment make cloud-based solutions the obvious choice for many of today’s organizations.
Still, organizations that must maintain strict data compliance protocols may demand an on-premise solution. Accessibility generally remains limited to on-network devices that are used within the company’s offices because connectivity and usability rely on a business’ existing IT infrastructure to provide support and security services. However, in some cases, large companies with significant IT security infrastructure can configure the on-premise systems to offer off-site connectivity to selected users. Your organization’s accessibility and security requirements will guide whether or not you need an on-premise or cloud-based fixed asset management system.
Ideally, the asset tracking system you select will seamlessly integrate with your existing core business applications. Some asset management systems may have limited integration capabilities. An important question to ask is whether or not your potential selection integrates easily with other critical business programs such as accounting and project management software. Well-integrated software can eliminate manual data entry, as well as the errors an ineffective software workaround can produce (and may need to be completed again after software updates).
Poor integration can result in the duplication of work and erroneous records, leading to manual data-entry fixes your new system is supposed to avoid. If possible, try to consult with an asset management software professional prior to purchase. A well-trained professional can provide insight on native integration capabilities and suggest optimal workarounds where necessary, helping you avoid future pitfalls.
Automation of key processes is the shortest path to making your business scalable. Without a doubt, incorporating a fixed asset tracking system into your workflow improves efficiency, but can your chosen software grow alongside your business?
To be scalable, your selected asset tracking system should fit the current size and budget of your business, while allowing for the possibility of growth. Software companies offering tiered options maximize scalability by allowing businesses the flexibility to add users and storage as necessary, while still controlling for costs in the short term.
Budgetary concerns are the clearest selection criteria for many business owners, but cost is more realistically determined through value. Selecting the system that provides the most value to your organization among those options within your budget range requires a more holistic view of cost.
The price of the software itself (and any necessary hardware) cannot be the only cost consideration in your research. A holistic approach to cost considers a system’s implementation price, native integration capabilities, staff training costs and how well it handles the problems your business currently faces. The availability and cost of product technical support is also an important consideration. It’s often beneficial to purchase your system from a value-added reseller capable of providing a full-service customer experience – from product selection to software integration and implementation, from custom report writing to staff training and more.
While the benefits of owning any fixed asset tracking system are numerous, it’s essential to purchase software that suits your business’s requirements, is accessible when and where you need it, integrates easily into existing workflows, can scale with your business’ growth, meets your budget and streamlines fixed asset management to maximize your ROI.
Barcode Shack powers sustainable business growth by providing consultations that guide selecting and purchasing the optimal fixed asset tracking software that gives you the flexibility and control to track your assets when and where you need it. As a value-added reseller, we offer business owners an unmatched service experience through a three-step process that starts with a detailed discussion about your business goals and ends with the implementation of a customized, ready-to-use system. From planning and implementation, to installation and with ongoing technical support, our customer service is unparalleled. Schedule your free consultation today so we can help you select the fixed asset tracking solution that best fits your requirements.
]]>Many businesses have successfully used barcode technology with modern inventory control solutions to reverse the negative operational and financial effects of their previous inefficient systems. It can be hard to know which hardware tools are the right fit for your organization’s operations and systems. In this article, we'll explore the differences between two popular barcode technology options so you can find and implement the right equipment for the job and for your team.
Barcode scanners scan barcodes and send the data to a smart device (desktop computer, mobile computer, smartphone or tablet) running a software application for data processing.
Barcode scanners are highly accurate and efficient when compared to manual keyboard entry. One can think of a barcode scanner as a keyboard/key entry replacement device. Rather than typing out a part number, one now simply scans the part number barcode instead.
The barcode scanner does nothing more than scan a barcode, interpret and decode barcode data and send the data to a smart device that has an application that will process the data. As such, they are commonly referred to as dumb devices.
There is much confusion when it comes to understanding barcode scanners. Many people believe that they can just scan items in a warehouse and that the scanned data will somehow update their inventory database. This is not the case.
Only when a scanner is coupled with a smart device running a software application is where the true magic happens.
Barcode scanners come in many different forms, such as handheld, countertop, scanner-scale (found in grocery stores), fixed mount, and in corded or cordless models.
Consumer smartphones and tablets are mobile computers, essentially smart devices that run applications. Consumer smartphones can even run a barcode scanning application and use the smartphone’s camera to scan barcodes.
However, smartphones are generally not as durable or as scanning efficient when compared to devices built specifically for rugged and scan-intensive environments. Pointing a smartphone’s camera at a barcode can be awkward and most smartphones are not designed to withstand multiple drops to concrete.
Inefficiency and lack of durability are the two main reasons organizations sometimes choose rugged mobile computers that have an integrated barcode scanners as their scanning hardware. Security is another main reason companies decide to use rugged mobile computers with integrated scanners. This is because these devices can be made to limit application access and also provide other security measures.
Both traditional barcode scanners and mobile computers have strong advantages that make them useful tools for any business requiring a barcode scanning solution. If you want to make sure you're choosing the right type of unit for your business, it's important to know what role the devices will play in your business operations and what your employees need from the devices. For example:
Every business is different, and upgrading to new inventory or asset management technology is an important business decision. We recommend evaluating pain points in your business's daily operations to determine which barcoding hardware technology is the right choice for your internal processes and your budget. At BarcodeShack, we're committed to helping businesses find the right barcode hardware and software technologies that will help organizations succeed. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation for expert assistance in evaluating whether your business will thrive with traditional barcode scanners or mobile computers with scanning enablement.
]]>Flis Performance collaborates closely with their partners to secure the necessary parts for the manufacturing and repair process to flow smoothly and on schedule. Helping owners maintain these race cars required the company to have a presence at events, supporting the race teams during competitions while simultaneously completing assemblies back at the shop.
Like their clients, Flis Performance is constantly in a race against the clock to provide the exact parts needed to ensure vehicles are ready for competition. While supporting race teams on the track, the company also needed immediate insight into their inventory – from individual parts to sub-assemblies – in order to make purchasing decisions necessary to complete repairs.
Flis Performance required an inventory management solution accessible from any location and one that could help them with purchase orders, tracking and managing the parts used to build and maintain race cars, and do so on schedule. Based on damage and repair needs that occur on the race track, Flis Performance needed to perform vehicle maintenance and replace and order parts as soon as possible.
Their former inventory control solution did not provide them with the visibility needed during races to confirm database stock and look up parts manufacturer information offsite. This caused the company to lose valuable time and money when attempting to confirm the availability and status of parts or identify the correct vendor to place orders, resulting in work delays and expensive overnight orders.
BarcodeShack consulted with Flis Performance to determine their requirements for an inventory management solution that could provide them with the visibility and control they required to properly build and serve their clients’ race cars. BarcodeShack recommended Wasp InventoryCloud, assisting Flis Performance during each aspect of the project: software selection, proper implementation, system customization, database configuration, data imports and staff training.
Flis Performance now has a cloud-based inventory management solution that heightens the company’s assembly and maintenance capabilities for high-powered race cars. The organization can now verify inventory remotely to make split-second decisions and ensure required parts and components are available for maintenance and repairs, or immediately place purchase orders with the correct vendors when out of stock. The cloud-based solution helps empower employee decision-making, reduces overall inventory costs and improves business profitability. The remote access and update system capabilities of Wasp InventoryCloud granted Flis Performance full insight into parts availability and assembly completion status at multiple facility sites – data which powers greater efficiency and accuracy in their race car assembly and maintenance schedules.
]]>The question is, should you select a cloud-based or on-premise software system for your operational needs? For many businesses, cloud-based systems offer specific advantages and have fewer limitations when compared to locally installed software. The first step is to understand how these types of systems work and how they differ so you can make a decision that best fits the needs of your organization.
As its name suggests, on-premise software is locally installed on an organization’s in-house servers behind a company firewall, and is therefore physically located on your premises. Thus, the company is responsible for the security of their server and hardware. Such systems are only accessible on local IT infrastructure or with remote access software. If the organization has not set up remote access, employees cannot view data or complete work off-site. Even locally installed software can still be updated and backed up automatically, however, should the server crash, it is the in-house IT department’s responsibility to fix. The infrastructure, personnel and maintenance costs to run on-premise systems could potentially exceed those of cloud-based software solutions.
Cloud-based applications are hosted by a third-party that provides access to the software system your company needs on a server that is off-site. This solution enables users to access, control and update inventory and asset management records using an internet connection from any location, most usually without time restrictions. If you are a smaller business requiring a cost-effective solution, a cloud-based solution will mean you don't need servers and an IT department solely to run your asset management or inventory control system. Instead, the cloud solution service provider is responsible for the management of required hardware and software, along with maintaining, updating and securing that infrastructure.
Let’s examine the primary differences between a cloud-based software system and an on-premise software system.
Security - Locally installed software will always be your responsibility to secure and maintain resiliency within your IT infrastructure, a costly proposition for most companies. Large corporations with significant overhead can install on-premise software systems effectively and safely, but for many companies, server security is a challenge. Especially if the organization uses remote access software to provide off-site access, this puts company data at an even greater risk of being hacked without strong authentication to secure it. Additionally, without a robust resiliency plan, including scheduled backups, companies risk losing data in the instance of a server crash. A cloud-based system is hosted (likely in a data center) with critical security infrastructure and world-class resiliency planning, including regularly scheduled data backups that improve the system’s protection from data loss.
Updates - Over time, software gets improved and upgraded; many cloud-based software products are built upon modern code bases, and may include features and functions that older, legacy on-premise systems may not offer. Outdated systems are often sunsetted by the provider, meaning there is no direct update path for that version and it cannot integrate with other business systems. Cloud-based systems are scheduled to update automatically to ensure optimal performance, deploy incremental bug fixes and introduce new features based (usually) on agile development models. By comparison, locally installed software may have less frequent updates and require manual permission if the software is not set up to do so automatically.
Accessibility - Locally installed software means your employees’ access is limited to the organization’s network. Depending on how your on-premise inventory or asset management system is configured, you may only be able to connect to your company’s server locally, meaning you'll only have access to your data during working hours. Even if the on-premise system is accessible via a remote connection, any server failures outside of normal working hours could mean users are unable to perform their job functions. Cloud-based systems, however, are always connected and can be reached via online at any time (except for scheduled maintenance, which does occur) provided you have an internet connection.
Total Cost of Ownership - In the long run, on-premise systems are more expensive to manage and maintain. Locally installed software requires the hardware to support it, IT professionals to ensure the systems and programs run properly and stay up-to-date and require in-house professionals to fix hardware issues as they arise. By comparison, cloud-based systems are more affordable without such high maintenance costs. Downtime and hardware issues are infrequent and cause minimal delays due to resilience plans employed by these third-party cloud providers.
Deployment – Cloud-based systems can be deployed almost instantly for a swift implementation on the same day, depending on the software’s complexity and setup requirements. But with on-premise systems, the software disks may be shipped or the software must be downloaded before it can be installed by the IT department. This type of complex installation requires deployment on the server itself as well as each of the computers and mobile hardware required for access.
Cloud-based asset and inventory management systems are the more beneficial option for most businesses for several reasons. In some cases, organizations with a large overhead and sensitive data, must protect and access their information using an on-premise system, but would require formidable network and server security at a steep cost. But in most other aspects, cloud-based software systems tend to be the superior choice.
Cloud-based software systems are easier to implement and are regularly updated to fix performance issues as needed, ensuring workplace efficiency is maintained. Implementation and deployment of on-premise inventory and asset management systems is often time-consuming and the installation process may be delayed.
Cloud-based inventory and asset management systems require minimal internal IT support. Being responsible for the server and security needed to run your asset management system may be cost-prohibitive. It is far easier to let a third-party safely maintain your solution and address software bugs.
Mobile computing is limited to an organization’s network access with locally installed software, and remote access places data at a significantly higher risk without proper, costly security infrastructure. Cloud-based systems offer real-time access to data whether onsite or off, enabling greater visibility, efficiency and decision-making. Around the clock data accessibility means employees and stakeholders need not be on the premises to view and update important data. Finally, cloud-based systems are more cost-effective. On-premise systems require ongoing IT support, annual software maintenance fees, server maintenance and user licensing costs, all factors that require evaluation as part of the cloud vs. on-premise decision process.
Wasp has recently introduced an on-premise version of their Cloud-based software solutions which has created the need of our clients to choose between a cloud or on-premise solution.
There are many items to consider when making your choice. We hope the below helps in helping you make an informed decision.
Cloud Advantages | On-Premise Disadvantage | On-Premise Advantages | Cloud Disadvantage |
Highest Level of Convenience Minimal or no Hardware Investment |
Costly Infrastructure Investment Costly Upkeep and Maintenance |
TCO May be Lower over a 3 to 5 Year Period | TCO May be Higher over a 3 to 5 Year Period |
Access Anywhere* |
Access Limited to Organization’s Network |
Local Database may allow for more flexibility for integration | APIs are used for integration and may limit the ability to integrate in some instances |
Upgrades and Support Included |
Costly Upkeep and Maintenance |
Investment can be capitalized | Limited Ability to Capitalize the Investment |
Deploy Instantly No Installation Required** |
Longer Deployment Cycle Installation Required | Useable in Secure Environments where Internet Access is not Allowed | Can’t be used where Internet Access is not Allowed |
Cloud Provider Responsible for Security, Server Hardware, Hardware Maintenance, Backups, and Upkeep |
You are responsible for Hardware Infrastructure Maintenance, and IT Security, Backups, and Upkeep |
||
Anywhere Mobile Computing* |
Mobile Computing Limited to Network Access |
||
Minimal Internal IT Support Required |
Ongoing IT Support Required |
||
No Annual Software Maintenance Feeds |
Annual Software Maintenance Fees - 18% of MSRP |
*Internet Connection Required - **Required Web Browser and must install the mobile application to use mobile devices
Determining which type of system is most appropriate for your business is a great starting point toward choosing the optimal solution. A free consultation with an industry expert can help further define your requirements and help you select the best solution from the many options on the market. Contact BarcodeShack today for assistance selecting your asset and inventory management solution.
]]>But which barcode label is right for your organization's purpose? There are several types of barcode labels, which mainly differ based on barcode printer compatibility and the label’s durability and adhesion properties. Selecting the wrong type of label can prove costly and annoying if you’ve chosen a product that is incompatible with your business needs or your barcode printer. There are a few important considerations that must be looked at in order to choose the right label for the job – keep reading to determine the most important barcode label selection criteria.
Thermal barcode printing technology is the most reliable and widely used option to print barcode labels. There are two different types of thermal barcode printers: direct thermal and thermal transfer. Both print high-resolution barcodes but deliver fundamentally different results and are selected based on the intended use.
Direct thermal printing uses a specialized type of ink, as opposed to ink ribbons, to print barcodes. Ink gets applied to the barcode label then the printer head heats up, using the temperature change to make the ink visible. With heat serving as the only catalyst for the chemical change, the resulting label will not hold up to extremely hot conditions, moisture or sunlight. Direct thermal printers offer a high-resolution barcode label best suited for short-term solutions, such as packing labels.
This goes to show that your barcode label choice and characteristics is directly affected by your barcode printer and vice versa.
With thermal transfer printing, the printer heats a high-carbon ribbon containing ink to melt the ink onto the barcode label.
Thermal transfer printing creates more durable label products than the direct thermal method, ideal for long-term uses that require a label that can withstand hard conditions. Barcode labels printed via a thermal transfer printer will be resistant to smudging, scratching, moisture, excessive temperatures and sunlight. Without using such a printing method, a barcode label will most likely deteriorate over time, causing errors and misreads.
Each type of barcode label material has pros and cons that dictate its intended, ideal purpose. Note that in the case of thermal transfer printing, the barcode label you chose must be matched to its correct ribbon type. Failure to do so can result in inability to print or label smearing. Here's a closer look at barcode label materials and their matching thermal transfer ribbons.
Paper labels paired with wax ribbon printing materials can last a long time under the right conditions, and are best suited for indoor uses. The labels are best applied to a smooth, dry surface and be stored without exposure to extreme temperature and humidity conditions, liquids and sunlight. Paper barcode labels can tear and degrade easily. In most cases, paper barcode labels are easy to scan and won't fade or rub off easily.
Paper barcode labels are commonly found on parts, inventory and assets that are stored indoors, such as on file folders and product labels.
A polypropylene barcode label is a synthetic option that can withstand harsher conditions than paper barcode labels. Printing polypropylene labels with a wax/resin printer ribbon provides a high-quality result that can come in a clear or matte finish.
Barcode labels made with polypropylene and wax/resin ribbon are weather, scratch and tear-resistant, and in some cases, chemical and oil-resistant as well. Polypropylene labels are best for non-flexible materials. And while they're water-resistant, polypropylene labels are not waterproof. If your products will be squeezed or stretched, and submerged in water or continually exposed to humid/wet conditions, this barcode label is not the ideal choice.
These labels have a lifespan of six months to two years. They cost twice to three times the price of standard paper barcode label materials.
You'll most commonly find polypropylene barcode labels on the following products.
Labels made of polyester and printed with resin ribbon are the most durable option. A polyester barcode label is able to hold up to extreme temperatures. Polyester barcode labels are commonly used for outdoor applications. They are abrasion, chemical, water and weather resistant.
Polyester barcode labels produce durable, easy-to-scan barcodes. You can print barcode labels made from polyester in matte or white depending on the look you need.
Polyester labels are used on materials, assets and inventory that routinely experience harsher or extreme conditions. These include but aren’t limited to:
Polyester is the most expensive label material due to its ability to hold up well in almost any environment. Selecting the right materials for your barcode label ultimately saves you time and money.
Another important consideration that should help guide your barcode label type choice is your adhesive requirements, which are affected by the environment and surface requirements. The type of label adhesion should be chosen based on the operating and storage environment, which can be impacted by the presence of moisture and extreme temperatures. In addition, the adhesive durability should also be chosen based on the nature of the labeled item and its surface requirements.
Following are the three most common types of barcode label adhesive options: permanent, removable and high tack.
This is the most common label adhesive type. As the name implies, it's meant to keep the barcode label on its product. Permanent adhesive bonds to the product surface and cannot be easily removed. It’s commonly used on wood, plastic, metal and glass.
Removable adhesive is commonly used for temporary labeling such as products or promotional materials. Removable barcode labels can be removed without causing damage to the product or material.
However, if left on for too long or exposed to extreme heat, removable adhesive can cure and leave residue or marks behind when removed.
High tack adhesive is a stronger type of permanent adhesion designed to keep labels in place even when the surface is not uniform or clean. These labels are not meant to be removed and last a long time on their surfaces.
Companies use high tack adhesive where other adhesives don't work. Fabrics or building materials that have different textures use high tack adhesives.
Gaining an understanding of barcode printer options, label materials and adhesive choices is important to select the right barcode label for you. This blog is a great starting point to outlining and determining how your requirements and environment can guide your choice.
In order to make sure you're getting the right barcode label material and adhesive for your business, consult our experts at BarcodeShack. Schedule a free consultation today to see how we can help you find the right fit for your barcode labeling needs.
]]>Working in close collaboration with their partners, Magna Powertrain’s (Magna) prototype division is involved in the design and manufacturing of prototype transmissions for trials and testing as part of new vehicle designs and existing model updates. In order to deliver high quality prototypes, the Magna team must ensure that the precise components they use in manufacturing processes are traceable – from raw materials to assemblies to finished goods.
The prototype department has always taken this responsibility quite seriously, investing the time and resources necessary to track the manufacturing process for each build, but it was laborious, time-consuming and based on manually updated systems.
Magna wanted a solution that could be rapidly implemented; could automate their existing manual processes; and would provide the reporting and data they needed to trace any issues found during any phase of manufacturing, from testing individual components to the entire transmission assembly, including pinpointing issues found at their automotive partner plants back to the Magna manufacturing facility for research and resolution.
BarcodeShack consulted with the Magna team and determined that Wasp Barcode Technologies’ (Wasp) solution would fulfill their inventory tracking requirements, along with BarcodeShack’s professional services to ensure accurate implementation, database configuration, data imports and staff training.
The BarcodeShack team also guided hardware selection, recommending a mobile computer/scanner from Wasp and a tablet with an integrated barcode scanner from Unitech specified as the tools to get the job done on a daily basis during manufacturing and assembly.
Magna Powertrain now has an effective cloud-based, barcode-based inventory management solution that ensures improved accuracy, efficiency and visibility into the manufacture of their high-quality prototype transmissions. The solution effectively manages raw materials, assemblies (bills-of-materials) and finished goods. Magna is able to automatically keep track of those who are responsible for each transaction within the manufacturing process, and trace back through the entire production chain for root cause analysis and product improvements.
]]>There are several types of barcode printing technology and barcode printer designs to consider, as well as characteristics you should look for when choosing a printer that can efficiently handle what you need it to do. In this guide, we’ll explore the various types of printers and the most important considerations to determine which option will be the best investment for your company.
The first step in choosing the right barcode printer is understanding the different types of printing technologies available along with the pros and cons of each option. Some well-known technologies include: thermal, dot matrix, laser and inkjet barcode printers. Although use cases may differ, most organizations find the advantages of thermal barcode printers prove to be the best fit for their operational needs.
Thermal printers use heat to print barcodes, text and graphics on barcode labels. Depending on the specific type of thermal printer you choose, heat may be applied directly to your label to create the barcode and text (direct thermal) or to a ribbon that transfers the ink on the ribbon to the label (thermal transfer). Thermal barcode printers are the most efficient and versatile option, able to accurately and quickly print high-quality barcodes, text and graphics on a variety of label substrates and label sizes. Thermal barcode printing technology may meet your organizations’ barcode printing needs needs more effectively, and choosing this option will give you the best value for your money for the vast majority of business uses. Direct thermal and thermal transfer printing are the dominant print technology used to print labels worldwide.
Dot matrix, laser, and inkjet barcode printers are also available, but these are rarely efficient choices for printing barcode labels. These solutions tend to deliver poor results due to issues such as: low print quality and/or unreadable barcodes, adhesive and ink bleed, paper waste due to printing entire sheets at a time, inefficient printing due to rendering barcodes as images, barcode printing size limitations and more. These types of printing technology are often unable to print on all the label facestocks available, limiting the types of labels that can be used. These methods are more expensive and produce more paper waste than thermal printing technology.
In order to choose the barcode printer that best meets your needs, it is crucial to consider both how well the printer itself works and the quality of the labels it produces.
Choosing a reliable printer that works efficiently and consistently is essential in order to avoid wasting time and money by dealing with slow equipment, reprinting labels or having to make frequent repairs. Since thermal printers are able to print high-resolution labels one at a time as needed instead of requiring an entire sheet, this also ensures proper, efficient usage of the paper and equipment. Your barcode printer should be capable of printing at a high speed to ensure that you are able to create the volume of labels you need within a reasonable amount of time. During the selection process, it’s also important to take into account the label size and resolution you’ll need, because not all printers are able to print small barcodes at a high enough resolution to work properly. Your barcode printer also needs to be compatible with your computers, software and other equipment, and if your selection requires the convenience of a wireless printer, be sure it will connect properly with your network and Wi-Fi.
First and foremost, your barcode printer needs to create high-quality labels that accomplish your purpose. Barcodes that are incomplete, smeared or difficult to read can lead to inventory and/or asset management errors, accounting mistakes, inefficiencies and other problems for your company, which means that choosing a high-speed printer that consistently creates complete, high-quality barcode labels is a must.
Choosing the right type of barcode printer can ensure that your purchase effectively meets the needs of your business and proves to be a reliable investment. As cost-effective, efficient barcode printers that produce high-resolution labels, thermal transfer and direct thermal printers consistently are the most popular choices for a variety of organizations.
Thermal transfer barcode printers work by heating a ribbon, which applies ink to your labels. Although thermal transfer printing technology is slightly more expensive than direct thermal printing technology, it offers much more flexibility with the kinds and types of labels you are able to print. One of the advantages is that a thermal transfer printer can print both thermal transfer and direct thermal labels. The subsequent label durability makes thermal transfer printing a much stronger option for any barcodes that you require to last and stay readable for months on end or use in hot, cold, damp, rough, or other imperfect conditions. These barcodes will withstand exposure to water, extreme temperatures, sunlight and physical damage.
Direct thermal barcode printers apply your barcodes directly to your labels using heat, rather than an ink ribbon. Creating labels with only heat means that these barcodes can be made illegible by exposure to sunlight, excessively hot or wet storage areas. This means that these labels work well for short-term uses, such as event tickets and shipping labels, price labels and are not a good option for barcodes that need to last.
Depending on the nature of your business and the specific types of barcodes you plan to print, choosing a barcode printer that is capable of both thermal transfer printing and direct thermal printing can be a great way to get more out of your investment. Even if your business does not currently require printing both short-term and durable, long-term barcodes, a barcode printer that can print via both methods is a future-proof investment. Purchasing a printer upfront that can handle both types makes your options more flexible and is likely to be more cost-effective over time than purchasing a second printer later on.
One of the last considerations when selecting a thermal printer is to consider your label size requirements as well as your overall printing usage, essentially, selecting an option that can handle your print volume. Although many basic desktop and industrial thermal printers are versatile enough to handle a variety of uses, more specialized models are also available to make printing certain specific types of barcode labels more efficient. Mobile printers enable easy on-demand or out-of-office printing from phones, tablets and laptops, and specialized thermal printers for tickets and wristbands handle the unique needs of these smaller barcodes better than many general thermal printers. These printers create labels that are the proper size without having to adjust them yourself, are able to handle the demands of wristbands and tickets better, and give you more options for printing in your office or on the go. While desktop barcode printers may be suitable for lower print needs, industrial barcode printers are ideal for high-volume printing operations.
Purchasing the right barcode printer for your company is essential to take advantage of the cost-effective labeling, management and tracking possibilities enabled by printing barcode labels in-house. Your selection should reflect your barcode label printing needs, sizing and durability requirements and should efficiently and reliably deliver the quality labels your organization needs. Although these considerations can help you narrow down your choices, consulting with BarcodeShack's industry experts can help you make the right decision that best meets the needs of your organization!
]]>BarcodeShack’s dedication to delivering best-in-breed barcode solutions that improve customers’ productivity, profitability and accountability has been recognized by the industry-leading Wasp Barcode Technologies. BarcodeShack is honored to help customers improve their visibility and control over asset management, inventory control and manufacturing processes with robust solutions based on commercial off-the-shelf software, such as Wasp’s cloud-based offerings that generate high ROI operational efficiencies. BarcodeShack’s capabilities, reputation and continued customer success form the foundation of their partnership with Wasp Barcode Technologies. This award acknowledges BarcodeShack’s achievements as a full-service barcode solutions consultancy – from product selection, implementation, integration and customization to customer training and product support.
For more details, view the announcement below or read the press release here.
BarcodeShack today announced it has been selected as the 2020 Wasp Link Partner of the Year by Wasp Barcode Technologies.
“The BarcodeShack team is thrilled to receive this award from Wasp Barcode Technologies,” said Bob Hogan, President & CEO of BarcodeShack. “As a long-term partner in the Wasp Link program, we’ve recommended, sold, implemented and supported Wasp’s solutions to customers across multiple industries, including government agencies, hospitals and other medical care providers, educational institutions and manufacturers. We find great satisfaction in helping our customers improve their ability to achieve their business goals, and we’re continually inspired by the innovative technical solutions and support we get from our partners at Wasp. BarcodeShack looks forward to serving as a strong partner to Wasp and our customers in 2021 and beyond.”
The Wasp Link Partner of the Year Award recognizes the Wasp Barcode Technologies’ partner that demonstrates an outstanding commitment to customer success and satisfaction based on sales and implementation of Wasp’s turnkey tracking solutions that improve customers’ productivity, profitability and accountability.
“It is an honor to recognize the achievement of BarcodeShack and their commitment to Wasp’s solutions,” stated Larry Goldsticker, channel sales manager, Wasp Barcode Technologies. “The ongoing and tireless efforts of BarcodeShack in ensuring a positive sales and implementation experience for our clients and their ability to deliver first class customer service ensures our shared customer success. I’m proud to recognize BarcodeShack’s achievement and look forward to working with them in the future to deliver best-in-class, cloud-based asset management and inventory control solutions.”
About BarcodeShack:
BarcodeShack is committed to helping businesses improve control over their inventories, assets and manufacturing processes, demonstrated in their knowledgeable consultative approach which enables them to efficiently select the right solution to the business problem and quickly implement the commercial off-the-shelf solution, such as Wasp Barcode Technologies' cloud-based offerings. Once paired with the company’s extensive experience, domain expertise and proprietary rapid requirements management capability, BarcodeShack is able to deliver targeted solutions that improve efficiency and power sustainable business growth. With a range of hardware and software solutions, along with strong capabilities in integrating those solutions into accounting, ERP and other business critical systems, BarcodeShack can assist a wide range of customers across multiple industries with successfully managing their assets and inventory.
]]>Almost every sector and industry has assets and/or inventory that needs tracking. It's essential to know the location, amount and condition of assets and inventory at any given time. Has an item been sold? Is it sitting on a shelf? Is it checked out by an employee or being leased or rented to a customer? Some companies attempt to use spreadsheets to handle this type of tracking, which proves inconvenient and time-consuming to maintain. Spreadsheets are also fraught with inaccuracies regarding item statuses and quantities. As soon as an employee forgets to enter a sale or the use of any item, inventory balances are incorrect.
Barcodes and barcode scanners made labeling, tracking inventory and ordering new items easier than ever and more accurate. For example, a hospital can scan supplies as they arrive, and then scan them again when these items are used for patient care purposes. As they scan the item for use, it's deducted from the hospital's inventory.
As mobile phones developed ever greater capabilities, becoming smartphones, technology improved to the point that the camera on your iPhone or Android phone can scan barcodes. Many organizations seeking to adopt barcode technology now wonder if it’s possible and practical to use existing smartphones as barcode scanners. While a smartphone can in fact work as a barcode scanner, here are some important factors to consider when selecting the best barcode scanning technology for your business needs, environment and functionality requirements.
Your company employees probably carry a wide variety of mobile phones. These smartphones can vary by brand, version and operating system, so the compatibility of a scanner app with each device is not guaranteed. Here are some questions you need to ask:
Answering these questions should help you determine whether or not using a smartphone is a practical possibility for your business needs. If so, this should guide you to find the most useful and widely compatible scanning app that will work for your business as well as the best device for the job.
Regardless of the business environment – be it a warehouse or busy hospital – human error can cause dropped or damaged hardware. This includes your barcode scanning tool. Therefore, when considering your scanning solution, take into account how durable it must be in order to be worthy of the investment. Replacing an unusable scanner can disrupt supply chain or management processes, so you must ensure your solution is durable enough to last in the working environment. If you’re considering using a smartphone, be sure it can withstand:
Consider the working environment and possible issues that might cause damage to a mobile phone and choose a solution to combat that. There are many accessories for smartphones designed for industrial or outdoor environments such as rugged cases or companion sled scanners (to make scanning easier) that are resistant to water, dust, shattering and more. You may need to purchase specific products and add-ons to ensure a smartphone is a feasible solution. You may also need to consider using a conventional barcode scanner that is purpose-built for demanding work environments.
Efficiency is an important consideration for barcode scanning, especially if your operations require ongoing, regular use of scanners. A mobile phone might not be the most efficient way to scan barcodes. Most smartphones do have auto-focus capabilities nowadays, but low lighting, water or dust can interfere with reading the barcode correctly or efficiently. This might be okay if your company only scans barcodes a few times a day, but can significantly impede scan-heavy inventory and asset management operations.
Another consideration is the size of the items to be scanned. A smartphone can be awkward to hold, especially if you need to also hold up the item in order for the camera to effectively scan it. How many times a day your organization uses a scanner and efficiency are important to know before choosing your scanning solution, whether smartphone or conventional barcode scanners.
How does the app send information to your inventory control or asset management system? Does it use Wi-Fi, or do you need cellular phone service to update the system? Typically, a smartphone can connect to Wi-Fi, but not every business location has reliable internet service. You need to know that the barcode scanner app for a smartphone offers the connectivity you need.
You may need to use Bluetooth to update your data systems with each scan. One thing to consider is if this type of connectivity is included with the app or do you need to pay for it as an add-on option. It's also important that the app features data integration capabilities to track inventory for all sorts of purposes from billing to reorders.
A crucial consideration when using a smartphone to scan and transmit data is whether or not your app works with your existing software systems, such as your inventory control or asset management software. If data integration is not possible with your chosen smartphone solution, then the data would remain on the phone only and could not automatically update the system, which means that using a smartphone as a barcode scanner is not feasible, and you will need to look at more traditional barcode scanning options. If integration is possible, it’s often best to have an experienced professional set up the integration to ensure proper data transfer and reduce the potential for errors that would render the data automation useless.
If scanned information is stored on a smartphone, how easy would it be for an unauthorized individual to gain the passcode and access company data? You want to make sure that you have a way to control the flow of any sensitive information from the phone into your company servers to ensure no one else has to access the data.
You know your employees are productive and dedicated, but it can be tempting to check messages (if using a personal phone), social media, email news or more over the course of the workday with a smartphone in hand. If you choose to use a smartphone as a barcode scanner, you may need a way to lock out the other apps either during work hours only or at all times.
It's essential that these phones don't offer a source of temptation to your staff. By locking out the other apps, you're removing the temptation for your employees to spend excess time on the phone doing other things than scanning items.
In conclusion, yes, your organization may be able to use a smartphone as a barcode scanner for your company operations, with specific product designs, apps and add-ons that can help get the job done. But though it’s possible to use a smartphone as a barcode scanner, your business requirements should dictate if that is a reasonable and productive option. It’s important to choose the barcode hardware that will maximize the effectiveness of barcode scanning capabilities: automated product identification and data entry. Consult with an expert at BarcodeShack to discuss the most important considerations for your scanning requirements, and determine whether a smartphone with appropriate accessories or an actual barcode scanner is the best option for your business.
Here are the top four questions you should ask before choosing an inventory management system.
Organizations across sectors (such as education, healthcare, manufacturing, construction, government and more) struggle with inefficient processes and outdated systems that can be solved with the right inventory management software. To select the best solution, the first step is to identify your business requirements for tracking and managing various inventory types.
Requirements are best stated by identifying your existing challenges, such as inaccurate inventory balances, delayed order fulfillment, customer/client dissatisfaction, higher operating costs/reduced profit, lack of visibility, overstock/understock conditions and the frequency of emergency orders. There will likely be other challenges specific to your industry or business that you face but the bottom line is this: Without accurate insight into your business problem, it is more difficult to select the proper solution.
Determining what operational challenges you need to solve in turn guides the requirements that dictate which software and features are most suited to your business needs. Some considerations could include data accessibility, automated reporting, security, segmentation, data analytics, automated backups, multi-location tracking and much more. Both cloud-based and server-based inventory control solutions have pros and cons, and your business requirements can help narrow down suitable solutions.
Data silos can prevent proper inventory management, cause inaccurate general ledger balances, reduce employee accountability and more. Inventory management doesn’t happen in a vacuum – it often requires integration with other systems to ensure accurate financial reporting, current knowledge of product stock and conditions, proper forecasting order amounts and dates, timely order fulfillment and analysis of operational processes and efficiencies.
In order to choose the best inventory control solution, you need to be able to integrate it with your current data systems. This includes any financial programs such as accounting or job/contract pricing systems in order to generate accurate insights such as your revenue, expenses, inventory turnover ratio and project costs. You need to be able to see at a glance real-time data such as your daily sales and income so you can make the best decision for your company when it's time to order more parts and/or products without overstocking or understocking.
So, look at your existing software programs. What systems are you currently using that will need to integrate with your new inventory management program?
Another consideration includes customization. Ideally, you want an inventory control solution that requires very little customization or work-arounds to fit with your business model and inventory management needs. A system that meets most of your requirements for data entry and inventory control reduces the potential for error, but at times, customization may be necessary to ensure your solution works as best as possible and properly integrates with existing data systems.
As you compare each different system, consider how easy it will be for your employees to use. Productively using any new program will include a learning curve, but a difficult or non-intuitive program won't be quickly adopted by your team. Likely they might never fully implement it and you'll find everyone reverting back to their old program or spreadsheets. If one solution cannot be customized to fully accommodate your data entry needs, it’s likely that the workarounds may hinder product usability, in which case you should consider other inventory management systems that help your employees successfully use the application.
Talk with a knowledgeable source about your specific requirements, one who is capable of guiding you through the selection process, conducting product implementation and onboarding and offering product training and support. Often, it’s best to seek out an expert value-added reseller who’s well-versed in different solutions and can listen to your business needs, explain the benefits and limitations of various solutions and help you select and implement the best solution to fit your requirements.
You don't want to buy an inventory management solution only that doesn’t meet your needs, doesn’t integrate with your key business systems and is difficult to use. The value of a third party integrator is their ability to help you reduce the chance that your new system is a poor fit.
At the end of the day, even if you do find the best software program on the market, it won't do you any good if it's out of your budget range. So, map this out before you get started looking for a new system. When you know what your available budget is you'll be able to stick to the choices within your price range and make the best decision for your company.
Thankfully, with so many cloud-based products coming out on the market today, the ability for businesses to upgrade their inventory management systems has increased dramatically. Now, you can upgrade to a more robust program at a lower introductory price than ever before.
However, you don't want to only look at the introductory software and hardware price. You will also need to consider the price of implementation and onboarding, annual licensing costs and any on-going support plan you may need to purchase. Before you purchase, be sure to ask how much product support is included in the price or if it will need to be added on as an ongoing cost of the software implementation.
As you navigate these considerations, you should be able to determine the product features that best fulfill your company’s inventory management needs. Your business requirements will ultimately dictate what inventory management program is best for your particular data requirements, customization and integration needs, usability requirements and fits your budget. For expert assistance with finding the most compatible solution, turn to a value-added reseller like BarcodeShack – an organization capable of leveraging a proprietary, rapid requirements analysis system to help identify and meet your needs.
If you're ready to take control over your inventory management processes, then you should consult with a product expert. Our team here at BarcodeShack specializes in helping companies just like yours decide, integrate, implement and use their optimal inventory management solution. We leverage an in-depth, consultative approach to ensure our product recommendations and customizations perfectly match your business requirements. Contact us today at BarcodeShack for assistance with choosing the best inventory management software for your business.
]]>Your inventory data might as well be located on the moon if it’s not integrated with your business or accounting systems.
The lack of integration between key business systems causes extra work (manual data entry), data inaccessibility and integrity issues and decreases productivity. Proper business decisions can’t be made without reliable, updated information and integrations are the key to providing managers and executives the information they need to make good business decisions.
BarcodeShack and its development partner, Mobility Systems have successfully integrated inventory solutions with hundreds of different business and accounting systems (ERP/MRP).
Wizard Exchanger is an integration utility developed by Mobility Systems and is the tool used to integrate Wasp Inventory Control and other inventory systems with business systems such as Microsoft Dynamics, Infor, Sage 100 and other ERP - MRP and accounting solutions.
Wizard Exchanger is designed to select the best possible integration method and desired level of integration to many back-office enterprise systems, open database applications and external data files. Selecting the correct integration methods allows Wizard Exchanger to provide seamless automated results between Wasp Inventory Control and the third-party system. It does so by querying (reading) pending records that contain information defined as shared data with the Wasp SQL database tables and submitting (append/update) completed transaction information to the appropriate system to update it with the information captured by the Wasp system.
Wizard Exchanger can be configured to use direct SQL connections or other common formats such as EDI, XLS, CSV and more. The integration can also be designed to use the native API functions or formats for the targeted business system software.
The integrated transactions will be performed as an automated process between WXE and the external system(s).WXE is designed and installed to execute as an un-attended and non-interactive Windows Service on a dedicated Server.
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BarcodeShack is the world’s most capable full service Wasp Barcode Solutions Partner. BarcodeShack specializes in the successful implementations of inventory and asset management systems. Wasp, Honeywell, NumberCruncher, HandiFox, Unitech, Seagull Scientific and Zebra Technologies are all represented in our capabilities.
Mobility Systems Solutions provide comprehensive and integrated system solutions along with mobile device software for data collection. For over 20 years, our success has given us the experience and ability, using our products and services, to fulfill the exact needs of our clients. We provide usable software designed for all levels of business data requirements in a streamlined and cost-effective solution set.
Wasp Barcode Technologies provides data capture and tracking solutions designed specifically for small businesses. Solutions include: inventory control, asset tracking, time and attendance, and point of sale; as well as the supporting mobile computers, barcode scanners, and barcode printers utilized to automate operations. Wasp products help small businesses achieve efficiency through cost-effective solutions designed to increase productivity.
It is extremely important to choose the right Wasp Barcode software package for your needs. Often we hear from clients after they have purchased the wrong product. Purchasing the wrong software product is not only a waste of money, but also a waste of time. Learn how to avoid this problem!
]]>Quite a bit of confusion exists on when you should invest in Wasp Mobile or Wasp Inventory. It is extremely important to choose the right Wasp Barcode software package for your needs. Often we hear from clients after they have purchased the wrong product. Needless to say purchasing the wrong software product is not only a waste of money, but also a waste of time.
This article is intended to help save you the time, money and hassle that occurs by investing in the wrong Wasp Software product. We have made every effort to layout the information you will need in order to make the right decision. If you have comments, questions, or suggestions on how we can improve this article we would love to hear from you at info@barcodeshack.com, or call us at 800-662-1715.
Assets are defined as permanent inventory that an organization uses over a period of time. Good examples of assets include computers, tools, furniture, and etc. Assets have a lifecycle or history, for example, are received as new assets, moved to various locations, assigned to employees, maintained, and at some point retired. Inventory items are items that are consumed. Inventory is added, put on a shelf, and then removed or consumed. Inventory consumption can be tracked to an individual, department, company or any entity. Good examples of inventory are office supplies, retail items, and any other object consumed.
Description |
Asset |
Inventory |
Permanent Inventory; computers, tools, furniture, etc. |
X |
|
Depreciation |
X |
|
Maintenance Tracking |
X |
|
Items that are consumed or sold |
X |
|
Track Reorder Levels |
|
X |
Track Item History |
X |
|
Assign Item to Employee |
X |
|
Sales Orders |
X |
If you need to track permanent objects and also need to keep a lifecycle history of those objects then Wasp Mobile is your choice. If an item is consumed then your choice is Wasp Inventory.
How does a Work-In-Process (WIP) solution differ from an Inventory Control solution?
Both systems track inventory, but a work-in-process system will tie the inventory to a work order and a step-by-step manufacturing process.
Work-in-process systems are primarily used in manufacturing and production environments while inventory control systems are primarily used in stockrooms and warehouses. Work-in-process systems can also track the transformation of materials while inventory control solutions generally do not.
An inventory control solution can track the raw materials and finished goods but leaves the manufacturing process as a “black hole” with little or no visibility into the production process.
A work-in-process solution tracks the inventory and also provides visibility into the manufacturing process. A work-in-process solution also will tie the raw materials to a finished good so that you’ll know what specific item(s) were used to produce a specific batch. Lot number and serial number traceability are sometimes very important in manufacturing processes.
BarcodeShack has decades of experience you can rely on when selecting a barcode-based work-in-process tracking solution. We provide expert advice, solution selection guidance, requirements analysis and documentation that supports your organization’s processes. With decades of installation and implementation experience, BarcodeShack can get your WIP tracking system up and running quickly, expertly moving you from outdated paper, spreadsheet and legacy software-based systems to a complete solution that helps dramatically improve productivity and the accuracy of your WIP records. Call, email or complete our online contact form to get started today with a cost effective, time saving work-in-process tracking system.
Transaction | Inventory Control | Work-in-Process - WIP | Work-in-Process with Inventory |
---|---|---|---|
Inventory by Location | Yes | No | Yes |
Purchase Order Receipts | Yes | No | Yes |
Sales Order Picking | Yes | No | Yes |
Serial # Tracking | Yes | No | Yes |
Lot # Tracking | Yes | No | Yes |
Expiration Date | Yes | No | Yes |
Weights | No | No | Yes |
Raw Materials | Yes | No | Yes |
Finished Goods | Yes | No | Yes |
Intermediate Materials | No | No | Yes |
Materials Transformations | No | No | Yes |
Work Order/Job Tracking | No | Yes | Yes |
Labor Tracking | No | Yes | Yes |
Production Routes | No | Yes | Yes |
When selecting an inventory control solution your chances of success are dramatically increased if you develop a list of requirements. Below are 15 questions that will help you understand your basic inventory control needs and assist you in developing your requirements list.
BarcodeShack recommends that you work with a Value-Added Reseller (VAR) who offers a variety of inventory control solutions rather than selecting an Independent Software Vendor (ISV) who is compelled to force-fit your requirements into their limited product suite. BarcodeShack is a VAR and we carry multiple solutions that are designed for a variety of inventory situations. We possess the knowledge and experience to understand your organization's needs and will match those needs and advise you on the selection, purchase & implementation of the appropriate solution.
BarcodeShack offers free telephone consultation and, depending on the complexity of your system requirements, can provide an inventory control solutions quote based on one call. More complex systems requirements sometimes necessitate a formal systems design study. BarcodeShack offers such requirements analysis services.
A web demo of the recommended system is usually performed and we can offer a 30 day unlimited trial for many of the systems we offer.We encourage you to review the above and give us a call. We’re also creating an online form with the above information so you can complete it, submit it to us and we can assist you further during a consultative phone session.
If you are still unsure or want to talk to one of BarcodeShack Wasp Software experts please feel free to contact us. We are more than happy to spend a few minutes to learn about your unique situation and recommend a solution that will work for you and your organizations. Call 800-662-1715 or email info@barcodeshack.com.
If you have comments, questions, or suggestions on how we can improve this article we would love to hear from you! Email us at info@barcodeshack.com, or call 800-662-1715.