Archive for January, 2012
Barcode Scanning
Barcode Scanning
The use of barcode technology has revolutionized the process of inventory control. Barcodes are used virtually everywhere to keep track of product information and inventory levels. These days barcodes are even used to add products to gift registries. No one gives a second thought any more to the use of barcode technology.
They’re so common that barcodes and scanners rarely get a second thought as to how or why they work. It’s rare that one thinks about how dragging items across the checkout scanner suddenly makes it register a price and a name which are identical to the label. We simply take barcode scanners and barcode readers for granted.
So how exactly does a barcode scanner operate? To grasp how barcode technology works one first has to understand how bar codes themselves are generated and how they work to identify products. The barcode contains information about the item that has been “barcoded”. This information is coded using a special type of barcode language. The barcode scanner then translates the language of bar codes into information that humans can understand and decipher.
The barcode language is actually quite simple. All barcodes contain specific symbols which equal a series of bars. These bars are made up of short and long bars, along with varying spacing between the bars. Every part of the series denotes a number of characters, depending upon the date originally entered into the barcode software.
In other words, barcode software is the beginning point for all barcodes and barcode scanning systems. It is what makes the system work. Programmer are able to use barcode software to inventory their products by inputting the product’s name and assigning it a barcode generated by the computer. This is all accomplished by using a sophisticated database system, where data from each product is stored. This makes keeping track of the inventory easy and it also helps to speed up the updating of pricing. New information about products is entered into the database. Then whenever the barcode scanner reads a barcode that identifies a specific product it is connected directly to the database where it finds the most current information about the product.
The barcode scanner itself uses technology that “reads” the barcode label. It does this with photo sensors located within the barcode scanner that have the ability to read and decipher each barcode as it is scanned. All of these photo sensors work together to recognize spacing, length, and alignment of different bars, then match them with corresponding product information found in the database. This ingenious technology is really quite simple when you understand how it works.
Barcode scanning technology has made a huge difference in offices, factories, warehouses, hospitals, restaurants, government facilities – anywhere where it is necessary to keep track of inventoried items. Of course the most visible place where this technology has made a big difference is at the checkout line of your friendly neighborhood variety or grocery store. The next time you are there in one of those lines, think about how barcode technology gets you out of the door just that much faster.
By Rick Hendershot
Article Source: ezinearticles.com
barcode scanner search terms:
Small Scanners
Small Scanners
A small document scanner comes in very handy both for personal and business use. It can be used to scan small pieces of paper or other documents. The idea of this type of scanner is to be able to scan little pieces of paper, like a receipt. Many people have to keep a receipt for tax purposes. But having all those receipts around for years can cause you to have piles of paper everywhere.
However, with a scanner that will process small documents a businessman can scan it into the computer or another software program. This makes it so much easier to look through those receipts and to organize them.
There are many types of different handheld devices on the market, like the Neat receipt. This handheld device is used primarily for receipts and will assist in keeping your business organized. You won’t have paper piling up all around with this scanning device.
Does your company deal with vendors, you can use this scanner to organize them and keep track of where those invoices are. If you need to travel this is small and compact enough to take with you on the road. It will scan photos, checks, business and medical cards and even regular documents. A mini portable device is a great help to any traveling businessmen.
This is one of the neatest gadgets that was created in the last year. When on a trip people like to give out business cards, after a while this can result in a massive amount of cards in your pockets. However, use the mini handheld and to collect them all in one place. Most of these devices allow them to be placed in an e-mail program. Now you can easily find anyone your need without carrying his or her business card with you.
Everything you scan can be back up as a digital file. It is quick and easy to use, only requiring to be plugged in, load the software, and start using it. How about all those photos you have, afraid something might happen to them? Make a backup digital copy so if something happens to the original you can print out a new one. This small machine is great a making a duplicate of your photos.
When you have decided to purchase this neat little gadget, buying it online is simple. However, do some research on the one that will meet your needs. There are many different types of these on the market. They all offer about the same function; however, each has different software and hardware requirements. The gadget might need a computer for updating the software. So take your time and find the one just for your company.
Some websites offer a comparison of all the scanners together. This is a great place to start looking. Some questions you might write down when you start looking are, what type of application do you need, will the scanner provide those needs, and what is your budget?
Once you determine what your needs are pick an online store and order yours today. The benefits of this gadget are amazing.
By Chris Ferrer
Article Source: ezinearticles.com
barcode scanner search terms:
Barcode Tracking
Barcode Tracking
With the recent advancements in technology and the huge price reductions in the cost of barcode printers and barcode scanners, business owners are embracing barcoding technology for accurate tracking of their inventory.
However, there are other uses for barcoding than just to keep track of your inventory. Here are just three other ways you can use barcoding in your business:
(1) Tracking Paperwork / Invoices – A high quality Point of Sale (POS) software will allow you to print a barcode at the top of each invoice, receipt, purchase order, credit note, or any other paperwork you print out on a regular basis. This way, if a client brings back an item or if you simply want to enter in an invoice number or purchase order, you can just scan the barcode on the page instead of having to manually type in the document number.
This improves accuracy and makes dealing with paperwork more manageable.
(2) Tracking Employees – Through the use of employee id cards with printed barcodes on them, you can track employees signing in/out for their shifts. Simply assign an employee barcode card to each employee and have them scan in/out of the system when they start and end their shifts. This once again improves tracking accuracy for payroll, and also improves your security as well.
(3) Tracking Customers – Similarly to tracking customers, you can assign customers a customer loyalty card with a printed barcode on it and each time the customer purchases something you can simply scan their card and track their purchases. This is much more convenient and secure than having the customer tell you their phone number or name as a way of tracking them. Most customers don’t like saying their phone number out loud with a lineup of people standing behind them listening but won’t hesitate to hand you a card with their barcoded customer number imprinted on it.
These are just three ways in which you can use barcode printers and barcode scanners to improve your business.
By Nelson J. Packard
Article Source: ezinearticles.com
barcode scanner search terms:
Lxe Barcode Scanner
Lxe Barcode Scanner
RFID a great growth market
A new revolutionary technology is forming called RFID or Radio Frequency Identification. This technology greatly improved the ability to track items, any item. The current leading market solution uses a one way system where, for example, a simple “bar code” at your local grocery store where the grocery clerk has to run the bar code over a scanner. These readings are very man-hour intensive as each individual item must be scanned RFID is a two way system where a reader could scan every item at a Wal-Mart (WMT-48.14) store. Then each item with a RFID tag would respond or “chirp” back to the reader. Using the two way RFID system a single person could take complete inventory of a store almost eliminating all the man-hours of manual inventory. A reader mounted on a fork lift truck would track each item the hyster moves into the warehouse. The RFID will allow a single person the ability to inventory unlimited amounts of items.
Using our simple forecasting theorem which mathematically helps us forecasts how successful technologies will be; our approach signaled that RFID will be revolutionary.
Please refer to forecasting a revolution Multiplication of Moore’s law [http://www.durig.com/duriglaw.html] .
Here are some of the many uses of RFID. Tracking gamblers at a black jack table so the house knows who’s betting big, tracking prisoners in a jail to see who was involved in a scuffle, tracking prescription drugs for counterfeit, tracking cattle for mad cow disease, tracking cars so police could immediately identify a stolen car or a car with outstanding issues. More examples, tracking passports to see if the picture is correct, tracking products for Wal-Mart to almost any store and warehouse, tracking the Department of Defense inventories for most items, Boeing can track parts for building aircrafts and Ford tracking parts for it automobiles. It appears that both the scope and magnitude at this time is limitless.
Industries tracking consumer goods from shoes to cement blocks to frozen food to cars, including boats, planes, parts and supplies can utilize it in all aspects from manufacturing, inventory and shipping to retail outlets.
Judging from our theorems, RFID will see revolutionary growth to the likes of the cell phone, Personal Computer and the Internet that also at the beginning of their cycles scored extremely high.
IdtechEx forecast
From IdtechEx, the market for RFID is to grow from 2.7 billion in 2006 to 12.3 billion in 2010. The value is expected to be about 26.2 billion in 2016 or ten years to grow almost 10 times.
Selecting the company that could lead that market
Identify the correct market to invest is only part of the challenge. Possibly the bigger challenge is to identify the company that will lead this technology. This is where we have identified Intermec. Intermec is one of the leading companies in bar codes. Over the last few years Intermec has been focused on developing products that would comply with the new Gen 2 RFID standard rather than introduce products that supported the older Gen 1 Class and 0 Class protocols. This strategy has allowed Intermec to utilize its roughly 149 patents to allow Intermec to extract royalties from the entire RFID industry and appear to be essential when utilizing the Gen 2 RFID standard. The Gen 2 RFID standard and Intemec’s patents are very co-depended of each other. In my opinion Intermec is gaining an integration monopolistic position.
Why monopolies have great success
Past monopolies have had great success from controlling the market like Intermec integrating their solution into and then helped become part of the standard. Compared to war it is the equivalent of having the high ground in battles – this approach is extremely valuable. Control in new revolutionary technologies is very rare. Our studies shows that in the past when companies achieved control they are usually able to hold it for 1-2 business cycles or from 9 -19 years. Some past successes that have demonstrated integration and or control of revolutionary products were Microsoft (MSFT-27.13) and Intel (INTC-19.78) in the Personal Computer, Cisco (CSCO-21.44) for the Internet and Qualcomm (QCOM-49.87) currently for Cell Phones. When I was young child IBM (IBM-84.32) controlled the standard for Mainframe and AT&T (T-26.81) the phone business. You can often see companies that are monopolistic in a revolutionary industry have a probability of achieving super wealth. Several monopolies we listed achieved the world’s largest stock value.
Is Intermec a new monopoly?
Intermec or any company for that matter to have a chance to be great monopoly it must have a degree of control. The question is how much control does Intermec have over the RFID industry?
To answer this simple but very important question we devised an extremely effective test. Intermec claim’s to be an integral part of the Gen 2 standard. The definition of de facto standard is recognized by all its peers as the standard.
Does the RFID industry recognize Intermec as the standard?
Companies like Symbol Technology (SBL-10.64), Zebra Technology (ZBRA-45.45), Philips Electronics (PHG-32.38), Texas Instrument (TXN-30.59) are some of the leading companies in RFID space that also have the size, technical background, law staff and other resources to verify or reject Intermec’s claim. Accepting Intermec’s claim means paying royalties to Intermec for years, you must understand if possible all theses companies would NOT want to pay royalties so their preferences is to reject Intermec’s claim.
All the companies mentioned above and more have agreed that Intermec will receive royalties on every Gen 2 RFID product they make. No one wants to pay 2.5-7% royalty to Intermec to utilize the Gen 2 RFID standards. Especially leaders in RFID like Phillips, Texas Instrument and Symbol which all have a major leading position in the market, and their agreements with Intermec greatly validated Intermec’s claims.
It was when the largest company and Intermec’s closest competitor, Symbol Technologies, that created the biggest challenge to Intermec’s claims. Symbol Technologies not only refused to pay early in the process, but sued Intermec asking for Intermec to pay Symbol royalties for their many patents and Symbol wanted their own version of the standard.
Symbol gave up their court fight and agrees to join Intermec’s Rapid Start Licensing program. When your biggest competitor allows you to sign a controlling contract where Symbol has to pay royalties to Intermec every time Symbol sells a RFID hardware product. To me the Intermec/Symbol relationship Intermec has provided validation with a very high degree of control.
Many experts assign a similar agreement to the rise of Microsoft and the downfall of IBM when IBM accepted the Microsoft PC standard. I believe history will say the same thing when Nokia (NOK-20.52) then the largest cell phone company in the world signed and agreed to pay royalties to Qualcomm on all Nokia 3G phones.
It reminds me of a very old saying “the king is dead, long live the king” if you can dictate your will to the powerful companies your have a high degree of control.
Gutter vs. Shingles
Intermec is using their RFID control to establish what I call a gutter business. In Oregon it rains a lot and what we know are roofs. Water from shingles flow into a gutter. In some cases the gutter and shingles are co-dependent and need each other for the roof to work properly. First gutters have tremendous leverage. Second you could measure the number of shingles or measure the square footage of the roof to understand the amount of possible water flow or leverage the gutter might achieve We believe gutter based companies are far better companies to own. If you wanted fill a cup of water would you put your cup under a shingle or a gutter? It’s my believe that by far most companies are shingles business models, but the gutter business model have far great potential to grow profits utilizing and leveraging the shingles.
In a few situations all the shingles combined could flow into a single gutter. A roof with a single gutter or a monopoly has one of the best business models and has a chance to leverage the entire industry to enrich its profits.
Intermec is possibly building this type of business model and has awarded the premier client of Cisco, and IBM while having alliances with Microsoft, Oracle and SAP. Companies that joined Intermec’s Rapid Start Program and agreed to pay Intermec a royalty on every RFID hardware product they sell.
· Accu-Sort
· Avery Dennison
· AWID
· Datamax
· EM Micro
· Feig Electronics
· Hand Held Products
· LXE
· Metrologic
· Paxar
· PSC
· Psion Teklogix
· SAMSys
· Sato
· Symbol Technologies
· Texas Instruments
· ThingMagic
· Toppan Printing
· Zebra Technologies
All of these agreement occurred in 2005 after the new Gen 2 standards for RFID established in early 2005.
If we are right Intermec should have outstanding and accelerated growth for the duration of the Gen 2 RFID standard business cycle possible Gen 2 Standard last about 9 years based on many business cycles we followed.
Risk
Intermec’s placement and degree of control in the Gen 3 RFID standard is very unclear, and will take many years from now to achieve any clarity.
A company could challenge Intermec’s legal position. Even though Intermec has about 149 patents in the RFID industry the largest IP portfolio, a single company could sue making Intermec’s patent unenforceable. Knowing that Symbol Technologies is well funded and a leader in the RFID industry and has attempted this and failed, it makes the hurdle even higher for a smaller less funded company to attempt this knowing that it would be a very costly approach.
Intermec appears to limit the companies that license their technology especially during their Rapid Start Program. If in future years Intermec is found to be a monopolistic company this could be very damaging in a court system. Intermec should give every company an equal chance.
RFIG Gen 2 is still not Intermec’s core profit center and there are no guarantees that RFID will become revolutionary. Most all new technologies have gone through long incubation cycles before becoming mainstream which RFID Gen 2 will probably incur.
In my opinion the great appreciation will come when the royalties are the main profit center, and that may be many years if it ever occurs.
Conclusion
To summarize
1. The RFID appears to approaching a revolution growth cycle.
2. Intermec is the technology patent leader and has degrees of control over the Gen 2 RFID Standard.
3. Intermec is forming a gutter business model combined with a possible monopoly position giving Intermec the ability to have possible leverage over the entire RFID industry
If Intermec could achieve the three items above it has a chance to achieve
a: Modern Monopoly Effect.
A Modern Monopoly Effect is when a single monopolistic company achieves a stock market value roughly equal to all the companies’ market value that supports the standard. In Intermec’s case Intermec could achieve stock market values about equal to all RFID hardware partners businesses that supports Intermec Gen 2 Standard for RFID.
The water from all the shingles on a roof could roughly equals the water flowing into a gutter, a single monopolistic gutter named Intermec.
If Intermec becomes a Modern Monopoly Effect possibly it will become the fifth time we have identified and owned a Modern Monopoly Effect.
By Randy Durig
Article Source: ezinearticles.com
