CS3000 Series of 1D laser scanner has been introduced by Schaumburg , The Enterprise Mobility Solutions division of Motorola, Inc. This compact, two button scanning device is a great choice for mobile workers, who require essential bar code scanning capabilities for various mobile applications. The sophisticated data capture solution of Motorola allows mobile task workers to attain new levels of productivity. This handy 1D scanner provides the best scanning power in the palm of your hand in an economical manner.
Motorola CS3000 series helps mobile task workers in retail, facilities management, direct store delivery and supply chain to overcome the challenges in giving great levels of productivity. This easy to use device offers excellent scanning performance. For instance, an employee working in custody section can scan bar codes on entry doors and any other locations and document the exact completion of activities. The manufacturers and distributors can use CS3000 series to scan inventory to automate order processing.
In today’s modern world, mobility is indispensable for getting success. Al Quinn, the Vice President and General Manager of advanced data capture, Motorola, specified that the company continues to improve its scanning portfolio, so that it can meet the growing needs of a wide range of customers belonging to various fields. The latest CS3000 Series satisfies the need of mobile workers, who need to make use of scanning technology at anytime and from anywhere they want. The device brings a new level of efficiency and portability to mobile scanning.
The CS3000 series is available in Batch and Bluetooth models. It is priced reasonable. It is compact in size and fits in a pocket comfortably. You can also carry it on a lanyard for convenient access. It can be used in individual mode for scanning bar codes in batch. However, the CS 3070 allows both group and synchronized data transmission to any host application through a wireless Bluetooth connection to laptops, Smartphones and any other electronic devices. It has an easy to use two-button interface, which can be operated by anyone with little or no training. This in turn reduces the total cost of ownership and cost of improving productivity.
The CS3000 series comes with numerous other features like highly intuitive two button interface enabling effortless scanning, large memory capacity that enables workers to capture one than a million bar codes, ergonomic design that helps to complete scan intensive tasks and durability. IP40 seal and the capability to resist drops and tumbles and long battery life assuring great scanning performance per charge are some other useful features of this device.
The CS3000 series scanning device can provide peak performance, if you get the service from the Start Advantage Enterprise Mobility Support. This is highly recommended by Motorola Enterprise Mobility Services. It gives replacement of devices that require repair in the next business day and this helps to reduce downtime. Built-in comprehensive coverage capability of the CS3000 series protects the device from normal wear and tear. It prevents damages to internal and external components, in case of accidental breakages. Unexpected repair expenses are minimized significantly, so you can get ultimate peace of mind.
Motorola and partners of Motorola –Partner Empower sell the CS3000 series at present.
CS3000 Series of 1D laser scanner has been introduced by Schaumburg , The Enterprise Mobility Solutions division of Motorola, Inc. This compact, two button scanning device is a great choice for mobile workers, who require essential bar code scanning capabilities for various mobile applications. The sophisticated data capture solution of Motorola allows mobile task workers to attain new levels of productivity. This handy 1D scanner provides the best scanning power in the palm of your hand in an economical manner.
Motorola CS3000 series helps mobile task workers in retail, facilities management, direct store delivery and supply chain to overcome the challenges in giving great levels of productivity. This easy to use device offers excellent scanning performance. For instance, an employee working in custody section can scan bar codes on entry doors and any other locations and document the exact completion of activities. The manufacturers and distributors can use CS3000 series to scan inventory to automate order processing.
In today’s modern world, mobility is indispensable for getting success. Al Quinn, the Vice President and General Manager of advanced data capture, Motorola, specified that the company continues to improve its scanning portfolio, so that it can meet the growing needs of a wide range of customers belonging to various fields. The latest CS3000 Series satisfies the need of mobile workers, who need to make use of scanning technology at anytime and from anywhere they want. The device brings a new level of efficiency and portability to mobile scanning.
The CS3000 series is available in Batch and Bluetooth models. It is priced reasonable. It is compact in size and fits in a pocket comfortably. You can also carry it on a lanyard for convenient access. It can be used in individual mode for scanning bar codes in batch. However, the CS 3070 allows both group and synchronized data transmission to any host application through a wireless Bluetooth connection to laptops, Smartphones and any other electronic devices. It has an easy to use two-button interface, which can be operated by anyone with little or no training. This in turn reduces the total cost of ownership and cost of improving productivity.
The CS3000 series comes with numerous other features like highly intuitive two button interface enabling effortless scanning, large memory capacity that enables workers to capture one than a million bar codes, ergonomic design that helps to complete scan intensive tasks and durability. IP40 seal and the capability to resist drops and tumbles and long battery life assuring great scanning performance per charge are some other useful features of this device.
The CS3000 series scanning device can provide peak performance, if you get the service from the Start Advantage Enterprise Mobility Support. This is highly recommended by Motorola Enterprise Mobility Services. It gives replacement of devices that require repair in the next business day and this helps to reduce downtime. Built-in comprehensive coverage capability of the CS3000 series protects the device from normal wear and tear. It prevents damages to internal and external components, in case of accidental breakages. Unexpected repair expenses are minimized significantly, so you can get ultimate peace of mind.
Motorola and partners of Motorola –Partner Empower sell the CS3000 series at present.
Socket Mobile Inc is an innovative supplier of mobile productivity and network connection solutions in Newark city, California. It announced that it has expanded barcode scanner compatibility with Blackberry Smart phones, which include the Curve, Tour, Bold, Pearl and Storm. The Blackberry users can add high volume barcode scanning capabilities effortlessly to their Smartphones.
Industrial-class barcode scanning brought by the CHS Series is available in 1D and 2D scanning option. It is offered in lightweight, pocket size form, for the convenience of the users. It comes with either standard casing or antimicrobial casing. The latter one protects your device against the infestation of harmful bacteria and microbes. This is therefore a great option in the healthcare and hospitality industries.
Socket Mobile provides SocketScan software for free and it allows the CHS to attach to any Blackberry Smartphone through Bluetooth. You can therefore easily integrate it, no matter whether you belong to an IT team or an individual user.
Healthcare industry is the most important area where there are plenty of opportunities to use barcode scanning applications on Smartphones. Manhattan Research provides a report that specifies 64% of health care professionals use Smartphones and this number is estimated to grow by 17% by 2012. The data collection product manager at Socket Mobile Samantha Chu confirms this estimation. The most important barcode scanning applications in health care industry include medication administration, inventory management, patient identification, asset management and documentation.
Most of the health care professionals experience the problem of mobile phone overload. Samantha Chu said that providing a single device to physicians to accomplish more tasks easily and quickly can help them to be more effective in providing sufficient care to their patients. Blackberry is the best Smartphone choice for health care professionals as well as home care providers today. The CHS series allows them to work seamlessly. They can integrate 1D and 2D barcode scanning capabilities effectively and economically into one device, which they are using already on a regular basis.
RIM demonstrated the CHS and Blackberry live from July 12 to 16, 2010 at the ESRI International User Conference in San Diego at the San Diego Convention Center. It also participated in the live demonstration at the Syclo Mobile Conference in Chicago on July 14-16.
Socketscan software is available at present for all the 1D versions of the Socket Bluetooth CHS. It will also be made available for all 2D versions, including 7X, 7XRx by the final quarter of 2010. If you want to get a complete list of Blackberry Smartphone models compatible with SocketScan software, you can log on to www.socketmobile.com/blackberry. You can also download the software for your Blackberry.
In the early 1930s once a month shopkeepers used to count all the stocks manually and then used to order further. Everything was a written as well as manual procedure. Counting of all the bags, packets and products and writing it down is definitely a very tedious project. Very often the number used to be wrong and the shopkeepers used to give number which is approximate. This cannot be considered as a correct system as it was based on the judgement of the shopkeeper. As a result there was of course heavy demand for an alternate program. In 1932, a Harvard University business student, Wallace Flint came with a program where a client can pick up the required product from a product catalogue which has hole punched cards next to them. After punching they used to tear the cards and take it with them. This card could be inserted into an engineered reader machine and then they used to get items through conveyer belt system.
This system was not foolproof. All the equipments used for it were very expensive and difficult to use. This did not work as no retailer could afford this instrument and as a result people went back to their original method. Again in 1948 there was some action which introduced barcodes.
There was a heavy demand from the head of the food companies for some automatic readings of the product information. Drexel Institute of Technologies started working on this project under the guidance of their dean. Norman Joseph Woodland and Bernard Silver who were two graduates from the Drexel University were working on labelling and prototype codes.
The main difficulty while working on this project was expensive material, total cost of the project as well as the installation of the equipment at the user end. During 1940 to 1970 many formats of the barcode came into the market with many different codes. In 1973 standard codes had been selected and named as UPC. The implementation of it was quite fast and this barcode was very popular amongst the retail shops.
Today label printing has been improved a lot and can take help from computer. This has made bar codes very easy for the retails shops. Many industrial and military applications started using this bar code. Many more companies came forward for improvement in bar coding. Maybe in future some other technology can be used which is easier than bar codes but today barcodes is the most convenient technology for the shop keepers.
Do you remember an item without barcode? Barcode has been giving security to many retail and consumer industry. Today it is one of the most important security measure device used for theft. First release of barcode has created history in the industry and surprising that first release itself was so powerful that there is no need of improvement in the barcodes over the years. The appearance and capabilities are still the same when it was introduced many years ago. There is hardly any change in it.
You need to create barcodes through label printers as that is the easiest way of creating barcodes. Initially they used to print the same barcode on the packaging of the product which turned out quite expensive. It is easier for any shop owner to keep track of his stock and further ordering without spending too much time on counting each item became possible. It has given precise way of attending shoplifters.
The Magellan 8400 bi-optic scanner is the best performing five sided point of sale scanner available in the market. Not only does it improve operational efficiency, it also helps to achieve the maximum first pass read rates. It has helped to take Magellan and Datalogic to the next level of higher value addition and greater productivity at checkout points, breaking previous thresholds achieved in terms of performance, output, value and reliability. The Magellan 8400 works as either just a scanner or a combination of scale and scanner with the aid of the Datalogic patented All-Weighs scale platter. This ensures accuracy in weighing at the check out counter of fresh produce and bulky items. The two remote scale display options include a single display only on the pole or a dual display on the pole, one meant for the customer and one for the cashier, as required in certain applications.
The Magellan 8400 models come in three sizes, namely short, medium and long scanners, each meant to accommodate specific POS configurations. It gets the fastest scanning speed in the industry with the aid of FirstStrike advanced software decoding algorithms. The software also enables the simultaneous improvement of first pass read rates of barcodes that are poorly printed, damaged or wrinkled. Thus operational efficiency gets enhanced at the check out counters in the retail segment.
The Magellan 8400 has additional features like Flash memory that provides easier software upgrades which help to extend the benefits of the investment made in the scanner. Its auxiliary RS-232 port offers multiple uses like handling handheld scanners, configuring and programming the scanner, and accessing the label data output of the scanner. It can optionally be equipped with the Checkpoint EAS for certain applications that require Electronic Article Surveillance. Its auxiliary RS-232 port helps to support aftermarket integrated Sensormatic EAS antennas that provide good read acknowledgement. Other Value Added Features that are optional also bring optional information tools that lead to a reduction of front end costs by better management of information on scanner software and diagnostics.
RFID or Radio Frequency Identification is often touted as the technology of the future which will gradually lead to the phasing out of barcodes. But barcodes are meant for a specific segment in the business world, and will continue to be used even as RFID technology makes inroads into myriad business applications. The two technologies are related but also use a different method of auto identification and data collection, with some overlapping in applications. If used together in applications, the two technologies are capable of providing the highest returns on investment for end users. RFID offers many advantages over barcode technology. The primary difference between the two is based on the line-of-sight concept. A barcode has to be seen to be read, that is, it has to be directly exposed to the scanner to be read, which also implies that the barcode has to be oriented towards the scanner. RFID on the other hand, need not even be visible. They only need to be within the range of the reader to be read, and do not require any orientation or human effort. Moreover, barcode scanning is a slower process with each barcode having to be passed across the scanner, whereas, multiple RFID tags can be read simultaneously, leading to unparalleled efficiency, time saving and enhanced throughput.
Barcodes are prone to fading and damage and this can render them illegible. This will mean that there is no way the product can be identified since standard barcodes will only provide manufacturer and general product details but not those specific to the item in question. This also poses a problem in perishable goods like milk where the barcode will contain identical information but there is no way of checking which cartons have earlier date of expiry. RFID tags, make this possible since serialization is possible with each item having a distinct identification. This proves to be a big asset in situations requiring product recalls and also in product settings in the retail setup.
The following are the differences that highlight the advantages of RFID:
1. Faster reading of RFID tags- RFID technology proves faster due to the higher read rate with multiple RFID tags being read simultaneously and automatically once they fall within the range of the reader. Barcodes on the other hand have to be individually read and they need to be placed within the line of sight. This leads to a slower speed of reading barcodes.
2. Line of sight- Line of sight is not a prerequisite for reading RFID tags since they can be read when they are hidden from the reader, by just falling within its range. Barcodes have to be oriented specifically towards the barcode scanner and it is not possible to reading them if they do not fall between the line of sight of the scanner.
3. Read/write and modification of data- RFID tags can be used for reading and writing data on them, and it can also be modified or updated. This cannot be done on barcodes which once generated and printed can hold only that information which can only be read.
4. Human involvement- Once the system of RFID has been installed and implemented, it can function without any human intervention and involvement. However, barcodes need constant human support, are labor intensive, since the work force needs to bring the barcode within the line of vision of the scanner, and this must continue for every item.
5. Durable- RFID tags are highly durable and do not get damaged easily since they can be attached inside a protective layer and still get scanned. This makes them easier to use in harsh and tougher conditions. Barcodes have to be attached to the external surface and are prone to damage, can be torn easily and fade as well, making them illegible.
6. Security- RFID tags provide higher security to data stored on them, since they can be password protected and encrypted and can also incorporate a “kill” feature which will enable permanent erasing of data stored on it, if ever the need arises. Barcodes, however have lower security thresholds, and are easier to copy, reproduce and imitate or counterfeited.
7. As event triggers- RFID tags are useful as event triggers and can therefore be used for door opening, alerts and alarms. This function cannot be performed by barcodes at all.
Thus RFID technology can be used where barcodes cannot. But RFID does not need to be used as a replacement for barcode technology. Having a system that incorporates both RFID and barcode technology would lead to numerous advantages for businesses with their proper integration and leveraging the benefits of each for product identification and data collection. RFID experts are able to give the right advice about how to use the technology for maximum benefit to the business.
The laser beam is a highly intense and narrow parallel beam of light. The term ‘Laser’ stands for Light Amplification by Simulated Emission of Radiation. The use of this term also led to a 28-year patent lawsuit fought between Bell Laboratories and physicist Gordon Gould. The first laser was fired at the Hughes Research laboratories, Malibu, California on 16th May 1960. It was built by Theodore Maiman based on the theoretical foundation laid by Albert Einstein in his paper, “The Quantum Theory of Radiation”, in 1917. In simple terms, light energy is bounced between two mirrors at the two ends of a tube, one of which is translucent and can allow a beam to pass through it. However powerful the technology, the initial reaction of scientists to it was negative, and they called it a solution looking for a problem. The first mention of a laser-like device came up in a literary sci-fi novel by Alexei Tolstoy, “The Hyperboloid of Engineer Garin”. Measuring the power of the early lasers was done in Gillettes, that is, in terms of how many safety razor blades the laser beam could pass through. The laser beam is far hotter than the sun’s surface but when combined with a magnetic field, it can be used to cool atoms. Lasers are graded in levels 1-4, with level 4 being the most powerful and can cause burning and blindness. The laser beam has been used in tens of films and is used by dentists to remove rot without causing any pain. Lasers are used extensively for surgical procedures including tattoo removal. They make the surgery bloodless since the heat from the laser beam cuts and cauterizes simultaneously. Lasers facilitate the derivation of DNA sequencing with only one molecule. Laser eye treatment helps rectify vision problems. The first laser eye treatment on human beings was done by Dr Marguerite McDonald in 1987. The first Q-switch Laser hair remover came to markets in 1968 but safety concerns led to its withdrawal after 3 years.
The next application of the laser beam was for barcode scanners, and laser scanners facilitated scanning of barcodes from greater distances as well. Lasers have been added to printers and the laser printer invented in 1969 by Xerox. It has revolutionized the printing process. The laser disc came out a few years later and was used for recording music with the aid of lasers. In 1982 the first compact disc player entered people’s homes and the music world has never been the same. In the world of entertainment laser light shows have made performances by stars like Pink Floyd a great success, and now are used by every stage performer. The film Star Wars had glowing light sabres, which were based on laser technology, became the most popular film weapon of all times as revealed by a survey conducted by 20th Century Fox. In 1979, the first toy using a weak laser beam was marketed as the Star Trek ‘phaser’ gun. The laser tag, a ray gun used by people for shooting each other for fun was developed by the US army as a non-lethal training tool in the 1970s.
Lasers are used to detect cars crossing the specified speed limit, and laser pointers are used during presentations. Pointers came into the market in the 80s costing over a hundred dollars but are now available for less than a dollar. This however, has led to their misuse. Lasers are harmful for the naked eye and pointing the pointer to the eye can damage it, as was seen in the case of South Korean goalkeeper Lee Woon-Jae, who was hit in the eye in 2008 during a qualifying match for the World Cup against Saudi Arabia.
Lidar is a system of using lasers to measure objects at a distance, and has proved to have greater accuracy than the radar. Laser technology was also used by the astronauts of Apollo 11 to measure the distance between the earth and the moon with a maximum error possibility of a finger’s width. In fact, laser measuring is considered to be more accurate and precise than a nanometer. Bolt-117 was the name given to the world’s first laser guided bomb, made in 1967.
Lasers are part of almost all do-it-yourself tools. The sales of lasers have been spiraling for every application. In the year 2004 alone, 733 million diode lasers valued at $3.2 billion were sold for use in DVD and CD players. The London Royal Docks held a massive concert of Jean Michel Jarre in 1988 in which he used the laser harp.
Lasers are used to milk cows since they help to scan the underside of a cow for locating the udders for robot machines used for the milking process. In the world of fashion programmed lasers help to cut thousands of garments. Lasers can scan fingerprints in seconds so that computers can then compare them to huge databases. Lasers are also used for generating light pulses for use in cable TV and internet, and fiber optics for phones.
Laser curtains have been used to understand how sharks manage to swim so fast. Laser thermometers are able to check temperatures of a surface without actually touching it. Scientists are exploring possibilities of using laser beams to draw all lightening strikes away from airports and power stations. The first fusion power source is being tested in California with 192 laser beams, and conclusive results will be available in summer. The US army and navy are testing a laser gun that is at once powerful but light enough to be used in a battlefield. Numerous toys are equipped with laser beams to display flickering lights. Laser beams heal broken bones, reduce acne scars and subcutaneous fat. Focused laser beams can manipulate objects even as small as atoms. Finally, lasers can etch a serial number on the world’s hardest natural substance, a diamond. In short there is no area of activity where laser beams are not useful and beneficial.
The Intermec portfolio has broadened with the addition of three new solutions for RFID data capture and asset management. These include industry leading software ARX-Advanced RFID Extensions, IF2Network Reader, and IT36 Durable Asset tag. Each of these effectively reduces total cost of ownership, removes problems that obstruct progress and hence lead to enhanced levels of productivity. Thus producers are able to increase their inventory and asset visibility.
Advanced RFID Extensions (ARX)
ARX is a remarkable software solution that reduces the gap between application development and low-level visibility. Launched by Intermec, it is the most innovative and advanced software of the RFID industry that enables the discrimination of relevant tags out of all the tags. The software solution helps customers in tracking article movement with speed and accuracy with little scope for false reporting. RFID readers are able to read all activated tags whether or not they are relevant. This makes the identification of the tags of interest more complicated.
ARX helps Intermec’s RFID readers get all advanced motion data details of every activated tag through innovations in both hardware and software simultaneously. ARX is able to analyze low level information from RFID readers using data mining techniques and artificial intelligence of a highly advanced variety. It subsequently uses EPC global Low Level Reader Protocol extensions to provide the analysis and results to end applications.
ARX is available on Intermec’s Forklift system that incorporates the Intermec IV7 Vehicle Mounted RFID Reader and the CV60 Vehicle Mounted Computer. The Intermec IF61 Enterprise Reader is also equipped with ARX.
IT36 Durable Asset Tag
The IT36 is an RFID tag delivering unbeaten performance and durability on multiple surfaces. It is another durable asset tag added to the Intermec range of tags exclusively servicing industrial asset management. It comes with a wider frequency band that supports both ETSI and FCC based regulatory regions. It has been optimized for non-metal surfaces including wooden and plastic pallets and reusable containers of plastic. The IT36 is equipped to track assets of different kinds with its Gen 2 silicon supporting, latest generation 512 bit user memory contained in a small and compact form factor. It will be ready for dispatch to customers in the third quarter of 2010.
IF2 Network Reader
The Intermec IF2 Network Reader is an inexpensive and compact network reader meant for all RFID applications in industry and enterprise environments that need a scalable system of RFID but having a low cost per read point. It has been developed from the Intermec-designed RF platform with the best reading performance in its class and can support the Intermec ARX software solution.
The IF2 will be equipped with the Intermec SmartSystems client that will enable the use of a centralized console to make changes like device settings, effect firmware upgrades, execute any other changes and even software updates. It will be ready to be shipped in the fourth quarter of 2010.
Phyllis Turner-Brim, Intermec’s director Strategy and Licensing, stated that the new innovations are targeted for improving the Supply Chain operations with greater accuracy and higher visibility, which will also reduce in-premise TCO for customers and provide enhanced data intelligence to the mobile work force.
During a robbery attempt by Michael McInnis at a Seven Eleven retail outlet in Massachusetts, USA, he was in for a surprise of his life when an anonymous senior citizen took matters into her own hands. She repetitively tried to hit the thief with a barcode scanner which she got from the counter. Even though she was not able to hit the robber, he was only able to snatch less than $100 before making his getaway because of what she did.
We laud the lady for her bravery in defending the retail outlet from the robbery. The following are a number of product suggestions for the lady as well as other similar outlets.
* The most practical section of the scanner is its stand where most of its weight is found.
* Obtain unbending stands which can allows more power and not the bendable stand that comes with the Motorola LS2208
* Another effective method is using the cable of the stand to swing it around like a Bolas. Just be certain to inspect the cord to guarantee that it is still not damaged. You can email to get a new cable for your scanner.
* Due to the low energy of the laser, it will not be effective to try to blind the thief with the laser scanner. Due to the absence of laser light, it will be useless to utilize a CCD scanner or linear imager.
Even though the MS1633 2D barcode scanner from Honeywell/Metrologic will be as useful as other scanners, the thief can be identified using it. The device can be easily configured to take a picture of the perpetrator, that is, if you have user’s manual close by.
Should you have apprehensions of being at the receiving end of the scanner in your own shop, you can purchase the Metrologic MS9540, the stand can be fastened into the counter of your store.
