Read on for highlights of the topics addressed in this webinar replay or go directly to Intro to Zebra Certified Independent Software Vendors (ISV) to watch the replay.

Xemelgo ISV

Xemelgo strongly believes that technology should complement your business processes. The company focuses on turnkey software as a service for low-cost sensors, like RFID, to optimize your operations. From raw materials to work-in-progress and on to finished goods, Xemelgo works with:

• • • Manufacturing
    • Distribution & Logistics
    • Retail

Smart Solutions

Xemelgo offers smart solutions using their software programs to provide real-time visibility for manufacturing, supply chains, and logistics operations. If your organization is missing a tool, there is a bottleneck, or if training is taking longer than usual, Xemelgo can help optimize the problem.

David discusses the four areas the company focuses on for optimization:

• • • Asset tracking
    • Inventory management
    • Work-in-Progress
    • Shipment tracking

Industries Served

Xemelgo focuses in on specific industries to better serve their customers. The company collaborates and co-creates software that is specific to each of the following businesses, creating positive business outcomes:

• • • Aerospace
    • Marine
    • Automotive
    • Industrial
    • Food
    • OEM
    • MRO
    • Medical
    • Electronics
    • Pharmaceutical

Webinar Wrap-Up

Zebra Certified ISVs and Imprint Enterprises have the tools, knowledge, and expertise to help you move forward with the optimization of your manufacturing, distribution & logistics, and retail operations. Bob and David complete the webinar by answering the following questions:

• • • How does your product work with Zebra differently than some of your competition?

    • What if a company wanted to do something unique that isn’t in your basic feature set? Do you customize and how does that work?

    • How does your system integrate with ERP and WMS?

    • Can you explain a little more about your user interface and deployment, and how easy it is to get accustomed to the reports and information your software provides?

    • How do Imprint and Zebra integrate to help customers solve some unique problems?

Watch the Webinar Replay

From fast, simple solutions to a planning long-term sustainability, the specialists at Imprint Enterprises and Xemelgo can help you understand what you need to create custom software solutions for your business operations. Zebra Technologies is the global leader in providing top-quality solutions with Certified ISVs.

With 32 years of experience and product knowledge, Imprint Enterprises is a Premiere Solution Partner with Zebra Technologies. Imprint is an industry-leading provider of barcode printers, scanners, verifiers, software, RFID, labeling, warehouse labeling systems, as well as repair and maintenance solutions.

Watch the webinar replay, Intro to Zebra Certified Independent Software Vendors (ISV). The experts are there to help you and your business. If you have questions, contact Imprint Enterprises today.

Read on for highlights of the topics addressed in this webinar replay or go directly to Intro to Zebra Certified Independent Software Vendors (ISV) to watch the replay.

Kutir Mobility ISV 

Kutir Mobility has been in operation for over 20 years with over 100 resources worldwide, focusing primarily on custom enterprise mobility ecosystem solutions since 2008. Kutir Mobility helps customers reimagine their legacy Windows Mobile or legacy Windows CE applications in the Android paradigm.

Kutir Mobility has a Zebra Professional Services Master Agreement, working on their behalf to create custom software programs. The company is intimately familiar with RFID, mobile computing, barcode scanning, Zebra MotionWorks, and more.

Application Portfolio

Over the years, Kutir Mobility has created some off-the-shelf software solutions that are customizable for specific customer problems. These programs are designed to work straight out of the box and are primarily cloud based. Most programs are subscription-based, except for ASSET360. All of the applications are designed so they can stand alone to work on their own or integrate with other applications for information flow.

Brad discusses some of the software solutions they offer, expanding on two specific applications:

• • • ASSET360
    • TechDispatch
    • PROOFofDelivery
    • INVENTORY360
    • MONIT360

ASSET360

INVENTORY360

INVENTORY360 is a fully customizable warehouse management solution for simple and complex inventory solutions. INVENTORY360 is suitable for most businesses and is excellent for small to medium-sized businesses. The program provides the ability to quickly start adding barcode scanning to business processes, especially when moving from Excel into a more structured and automated method.

Brad provides examples of use cases such as:

• • • Combining with drone technology to track trailers in a yard
    • Inventory movement within a warehouse
    • Lot and serial number tracking
    • Capture photos
    • Catalog creation
    • And more

Webinar Wrap-Up

Zebra Certified ISVs and Imprint Enterprises have the tools, knowledge, and expertise to help you move forward with the future asset and inventory management. Bob and Brad complete the webinar by answering the following questions:

• • • How do people engage with your company? What is the best way for them to get in touch with you or work with you?
    • What are the different pricing models for the different options that you have? Is it cloud-based? Is there a desktop component?
    • How do you integrate with ERP WMS systems and what is the benefit of using your software?
    • How do Imprint and Zebra integrate to help customers solve some unique problems?

Watch the Webinar Replay

From fast, simple solutions to a planning long-term sustainability, the specialists at Imprint Enterprises and Kutir Mobility can help you understand what you need to create custom software solutions for your business operations. Zebra Technologies is the global leader in providing top-quality solutions with Certified ISVs.

With 32 years of experience and product knowledge, Imprint Enterprises is a Premiere Solution Partner with Zebra Technologies. Imprint is an industry-leading provider of barcode printers, scanners, verifiers, software, RFID, labeling, warehouse labeling systems, as well as repair and maintenance solutions.

Watch the webinar replay, Intro to Zebra Certified Independent Software Vendors (ISV). The experts are there to help you and your business. If you have questions, contact Imprint Enterprises today.

Read on for highlights of the topics addressed by Greg in this webinar replay or go directly to Intro to Zebra Certified Independent Software Vendors (ISV) to watch the replay.

Vertical Systems ISV

Vertical Systems, Inc., has been in operation since 1982, focusing in on RFID solutions over the last 10 years. Greg mentions that his company offers many software implementations that can help with the following for RFID software solutions:

• • • Asset Tracking
    • Truck Inventory
    • RFID Mobile
    • Conveyor Automation
    • Inventory Movement

Tagging Compliance Needs

RFID mandates have grown in popularity among many large retailers. RFID can help businesses manage inventory accuracy, improve customer experiences, and manage loss prevention, among other benefits. Greg highlights some of the large retailers that have RFID mandates:

• • • Walmart
    • Dick’s Sporting Goods
    • Macy’s
    • And more

RAPID RFID Mobile

Businesses sending their products to large retailers need to be able to quickly verify RFID tags. RFID Mobile is an affordable option to ease RFID mandate requirements. The program runs on Zebra’s equipment and is used to quickly verify RFID tagged items on a screen. Greg highlights the key features of the RAPID RFID Mobile App:

• • • Read RFID tags
    • Parse GS1 compliant EPC into UPC and serial numbers
    • Assign tag reads to job, location, user, etc.
    • Export tag read data into CSV
    • Multiple reader types
    • Advanced find feature to location specific tag (Geiger)
    • Optionally send tag reads to hosted web applications
    • Status of reader connectivity
    • Find button to navigate the Find Tag Feature (optional)
    • And more

Webinar Wrap-Up

Zebra Certified ISV’s and Imprint Enterprises have the tools, knowledge, and expertise to help you move forward with the future of RFID mandates. Bob and Greg complete the webinar by answering the following questions:

• • • How does RAPID RFID Mobile integrate with WMS or ERP systems and any other kind of customization that would entail?
    • What Zebra products can this software integrate with?
    • What web-based tools do you offer? Does that help with things like having multiple units or using the fixed-mount readers? What are some of the advantages of that?
    • How do Imprint and Zebra integrate to help customers solve some unique problems?

Watch the Webinar Replay

From fast, simple solutions to a planning long-term sustainability, the specialists at Imprint Enterprises and Vertical Systems can help you understand what you need to become compliant with RFID mandates. Zebra Technologies is the global leader in providing top-quality products with Certified ISVs.

With 32 years of experience and product knowledge, Imprint Enterprises is a Premiere Solution Partner with Zebra Technologies. Imprint is an industry-leading provider of barcode printers, scanners, verifiers, software, RFID, labeling, warehouse labeling systems, as well as repair and maintenance solutions.

Watch the webinar replay, Intro to Zebra Certified Independent Software Vendors (ISV). The experts are there to help you and your business. If you have questions, contact Imprint Enterprises today.

This first blog provides a basic foundation to understand the concepts and uses of ISV, and why it is important for your business to excel.

What is an ISV?

Zebra certified ISVs are organizations that develop software solutions that run in conjunction with one or more computer hardware devices, operating system (OS) platforms, and cloud platforms. The ISV’s work with Zebra and are not owned or controlled by Zebra. ISVs provide a software solution for operational challenges that can display real-time visibility of devices and scannable materials.

What is ISV for?

Bob Conti, President of Imprint Enterprises held a webinar with three Zebra Certified ISVs:

• • • Greg Heilman with Vertical Systems
    • Brad Mackenzie with Kutir Mobility
    • David Vásquez with Xemelgo

These ISVs provide software solutions to coordinate your Zebra hardware products, OS platforms, and scannable items for real-time visibility of your Zebra products, your scannable materials, shipments, inventory, processes, and more.

Many verticals can benefit from using Zebra certified ISVs, including:

• • • Manufacturing
    • Distribution
    • Retail
    • Automotive
    • Industrial
    • Pharmaceutical
    • Electronics
    • And more

Why You Need Zebra Certified ISV’s

Zebra’s Certified ISVs provide a customized system that is easy to use with your Zebra devices. Incorporating an ISV into your devices and OS system can help solve visibility problems and add customizations to your existing product line. This can, in turn, result in very successful deployments, ultimately offering better functionality and cost savings to your customers.

Watch the Webinar Replay

Using Zebra’s ISVs is a simple solution to enhance the functionality of your Zebra products and OS platforms. Incorporating an ISV can provide many benefits that will keep you ahead of the competition. Stay tuned for the next blog in the series which focuses on the ISV Vertical Systems.

For more information, watch the webinar replay Intro to Zebra Certified Independent Software Vendors (ISV). The experts are there to help you understand the basics. If you have questions, you can always Contact Imprint Enterprises today.

In this webinar, Bob Conti, President of Imprint Enterprises, Marty Johnson, Global Product Management of Environmental Sensors from Zebra Technologies, and Ankan Basak, Principal Product Management of Environmental Sensors from Zebra Technologies discuss the new technologies that are both useful and interesting.

Read on for some of the topics addressed in this webinar replay or go directly to Reimagine Supply Chain Visibility with Zebra Environmental Sensors to watch it now.

Cool Chain Challenges

Increased on-demand and e-commerce economies can make it more difficult to ensure products are of top-quality from manufacturing, through shipping, to the end-user. Zebra Technologies merged with Temptime® technology to help ease the challenges businesses can face. 

Marty discusses:

• • • • Compliance regulations
      • Validation of processing
      • Assessing unexpected effects
      • Minimizing waste
      • Lower costs
      • Avoiding liability
      • Maintaining customer confidence
      • Improving profits while accelerating ROI

Cold Chain Monitoring

Core Markets and Applications

These environmental solutions are designed to meet different use cases among different industries, from cold chain, storage, monitoring, and even high heat processing. Marty addresses the following industries and how their sensors can help their processes:

• • • Transportation & Logistics

    • Food

    • Pharma

    • Manufacturing

Electronic Product Solutions

From extreme heat to freezing conditions, there are simple visual solutions that can be attached to your products, placed in cases, or printed out. Marty discusses the range of visual solutions, how they visually change, and what can be thermal printed and what cannot.

• • • Ready-to-Use Temperature Indicators
    • Temperature Printable Indicators
    • Humidity/Moisture Printable Indicators
    • Sterilization Printable Indicators

Webinar Wrap-Up

Reduce waste and eliminate assumptions that products have been kept within specific environmental parameters. Integrating environmental indicators and sensors can improve accuracy. Marty and Ankan complete the webinar by answering the following questions:

• • • Are there custom options for visual indicators?

    • How do the electronic sensors communicate?

    • Are there different label material (base substrate) options?

    • Can a regular Zebra printer print temperature labels?

    • Are there extra costs for the Cloud services?

Watch the Webinar Replay

Monitoring environmental conditions does not have to be a guessing game, potentially resulting in unnecessary fines and chargebacks. With the latest Zebra Technologies merger, there are more options than before to help you better track and/or monitor the quality of your products from beginning to end.

Stop relying on protective or qualified packaging that can still leave your customers wondering. Imprint Enterprises, partnering with Zebra Technologies can help guide you through where you are today and where you want to go in the future. There is a team of experts that understand the aspects of environmental sensors, to provide efficient solutions.

Watch the webinar Reimagine Supply Chain Visibility with Zebra Environmental Sensors. The experts are there to help you understand barcode solutions. If you have questions, you can always Contact Imprint Enterprises today.

The study highlights global views of consumers and food and beverage industry decision-makers. The study shows the challenges businesses face on information throughout the supply chain. Consumers want to know about the source, quality, and safety of their foods. Consumers do not feel they are sufficiently informed.

COVID-19 may have since impacted this study by increasing consumer concerns on traceability and transparency. Curbside and e-commerce deliveries add to the pressures of businesses.

Zebra Technologies has the solutions your business needs to ease consumer concerns while optimizing resilience.

Consumer Faith in Food Safety is Low

Consumer demand for unlimited choice, fast availability, and lower prices are increasing. This can impact your profit margins while generating pressure to maximize production. In some cases, it can cause manufacturing systems to exceed their limits. Food safety can quickly become compromised.

If consumers had the same access to information that decision-makers of the food and beverage industry have, they might have more trust in the processes. As it is, consumers’ top five food safety concerns are:

• • 1. Restaurant kitchen staff hygiene
    2. Foodborne outbreaks
    3. Illness from contaminated food
    4. Food and beverage recalls
    5. Restaurant wait staff hygiene

By the Numbers

80% of consumers surveyed had little to no trust in companies and brands to ensure food safety, compared to 63% of decision-makers who did not. When consumers lose trust in a company, it can drastically impact that company’s ability to generate profits.

69% of the industry decision-makers believed the industry can manage food traceability and transparency, compared to only 35% of consumers that agreed. This statistic shows the growing discrepancy between what information consumers have access to and what the decision-makers have access to.

Business Consequences of Food Safety

There are several consequences of food safety incidents that can negatively impact a business. First off, a business’s finances can be impacted by recalls and stopped productions. Their reputation can be damaged, discouraging consumers from future purchases. The internet and social media are quick to spread bad publicity.

Legal and regulatory factors can tie up a business in processes that affect long-term operations with potential economic and practical consequences. Partners of a business affected by food safety issues may end their association to protect their own image.

Benefits of Using Technology

Zebra Tech that can Increase Transparency & Safety

RFID is the leading technological innovation that can improve food traceability within the supply chain, yet only 31% of businesses surveyed have not yet incorporated them. This can provide a unique opportunity to get a distinct advantage in the industry over competition. Zebra Technologies is the leading provider of RFID equipment.

Rugged handheld mobile computers with scanners, mobile barcode labels and thermal printers, and rugged scanners have been identified as the top three most popular technologies to improve traceability. Zebra Technologies has options that can match your needs, ranging from good, better, to best.

Temperature monitoring and sensing technology is expected to play a crucial role in the industry in the coming years. Products that are damaged or destroyed by temperature and humidity fluctuations can be easily tracked. Zebra Technologies merged with Temptime® technology, providing the industries best labels, cards, and sensors.

Get Ahead of the Competition Today

82% of consumers say the food and beverage industry has an ethical responsibility to ensure food safety. Ease consumer fears of foodborne illness and disease by integrating technology. Why wait on another public health crisis or some other market disruption? Close the trust gap and improve traceability and transparency.

Zebra Technologies is an award-winning company that knows and understands barcoding technology. Originally founded in 1969, Zebra now has 10’s of millions of devices worldwide, creating end-to-end solutions. Want to read the full report? You can get it by following this link.

With 32 years of experience and product knowledge, Imprint Enterprises is an industry-leading provider and a Premiere Solution Partner for Zebra Technologies barcode printers, scanners, and terminals. Some clients have been with Imprint Enterprises from the start of the company. Every client is about building a lasting relationship to facilitate client growth and future sustainability.

Get ahead of the game and contact Imprint Enterprises today to discuss Zebra’s solutions that will put you ahead of the competition.

Zebra Technologies and Imprint Enterprises have the tools, knowledge, and expertise to help you move forward with the future of barcode technology, such as which barcode terminals are best for your food manufacturing environment. Terminals can have a variety of keypad configurations, can support multiple wireless technologies, are capable of scanning barcodes and/or RFID, and more.

What’s Important to Know About Terminals

Terminals can be a vital component to your wireless infrastructure because of their mobility, ruggedness, and ability to scan quickly and efficiently. Terminals are used when your employees need mobility to perform a function, scanning through a workflow for real-time information and data. Real-time information provides employees with always having health and safety at their fingertips.

Imagine your employees are picking orders. Using a mobile device that enables access to a host interface provides immediate interaction with a database. The employees can see in real-time what orders need to be pulled and what items need to be scanned to the order. As the data is scanned, the host updates the inventory. Inventory problems can be minimized with real-time data.

An Option for Any Stage of Business

Whatever stage your food manufacturing business is at, starting out or planning long-term future growth, Zebra has options to support you. Imprint’s specialists are always available to help you understand the differences with Zebra’s terminals.

Starting Out Options

For food manufacturing SMBs that are just starting out, the following terminal are good options:

Durable and Flexible Options

For food manufacturing SMBs that are looking for a terminal option that provides greater flexibility and durability, the Zebra MC3300 is a better option:

• Data capture up to 70 ft (21.3 m)
• Configurable forms: pistol grip, turret with rotating head, straight shooter
• IP54 sealing
• Wi-Fi enabled
• Backwards compatible with MC3200 accessories
• Android OS

Long-Lasting Options

For food manufacturing SMB’s that are wanting professional and long-lasting solutions, the following are the best terminal options to choose from:

Zebra MC9300

• • • Ultra-rugged construction
    • 3-in WVGA touchscreen
    • Corning® Gorilla® scanner window
    • Drop spec 8 ft (2.4 m), 6 ft (1.8 m) drop to concrete
    • IP67 and IP65 sealing per applicable IEC sealing specifications
    • Standard operating temp -4°F (-20°C) to 122°F (50°C)
    • Cold Storage operating temp -22°F (-30°C) to 122°F (50°C)
    • Android OS with LifeGuardTM for Android

Barcode Labeling is an Interconnected System

When you incorporate a complete Zebra Technologies barcode labeling system within your food manufacturing business, the process becomes more simplified which enhances operational efficiency. Every aspect of barcode labeling technology creates an interconnected system that can help your company thrive and grow into the future.

Zebra Technologies & Imprint Enterprises have over 30 years of experience each to help move your SMB food manufacturing company into a technological future that is more efficient. Zebra is an expert in the barcoding technology field with their rigorous testing of their own products. Zebra has multiple R&D facilities to test their products and is one of the largest converters in the USA for barcode labels.

Imprint Enterprises is a Premiere Solution Partner with Zebra Technologies. Imprint is a company that grows with you, providing your food manufacturing business with a total, competitively priced solution. Imprint builds a lifelong relationship with you and your company that is based on quality and trust.

With Zebra & Imprint, there are multiple options to suit your growing needs and your budgetary requirements. From just starting out to a long-lasting solution, Imprint’s specialists can help you determine what it will take to get you where you want to go. You can have a comprehensive barcoding solution that will decrease overall costs, increase efficiency, and achieve higher levels of customer satisfaction.

Contact Imprint Enterprises today to discuss Zebra’s barcode labeling solutions that are best for you.

Over the past few decades, technology has continually advanced. Moving into the future and growing your business includes embracing this advancing technology. Zebra Technologies and Imprint Enterprises have the tools, knowledge, and expertise to help you move forward with the future of barcode technology, starting with printing barcodes at your facility.

A proper barcode label helps you and your clients ensure FDA compliance standards are met. A barcode label provides information on what a product is and where it goes. Labels are used to track inventory, which is vital to supply chains, inventory management, transportation, asset management, sales, and more.

What’s Important to Know About Printing 

When printing your own barcode labels, there are certain factors to consider. Printing requirements involve determining the parameters of your barcode printer setup:

• • • How big of a label do you need to print?
    • What kind of design do you want to print?
    • Do you want to incorporate a UPC label?
    • How many labels do you want or need to print at any one time?
    • Will the labels be printed in a centralized method or a distributed method?
    • How many work areas will need printer capabilities, or will there be one printer room?

Font Size Matters

Once you know how your company will be printing labels, the next factors to consider involve the font size on the labels and the size of the barcode itself. The smaller the font size, the higher the resolution the printhead of the barcode printer needs to be. Printheads come in 203, 300, or 600 DPI (dots per inch). The smaller a label needs to be, the higher the DPI resolution must be to accommodate the size of the label.

Compliance Matters

While you’re growing your business and building your clientele list, it’s important to know if there are specific barcode label industry compliance standards that your manufacturing company must adhere to. If labels are not done to specific standards, your company can be liable for more than just fines and chargebacks, there is a possibility of a legal exposure as well.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires using a unique device identifier (UDI) on barcode labels in food and beverage industries. Labels are required to list ingredients, potential allergens, and specific serialization requirements. Not meeting the standards opens the potential for legal ramifications.

These standards play key roles in identifying, tracking, and tracing products as they move through supply chains across the world. Whether it is a simple traceability requirement or a complex regulatory compliance code, incorporating barcode technology can help your food manufacturing company minimize fines and exposure.

A Printer for Any Function

Barcode printers typically come in three varieties: desktop, tabletop, and mobile. Desktop printers are typically smaller and lighter than tabletop printers. Tabletop printers are more durable and can do more functions than a desktop, such as label rewinding and peel and present. If your company needs to print a thousand labels at a time and rewind them back into a roll (label rewinding), then a tabletop printer is the way to go.

Peel and present label printing is a method of sending a label job of, for example, a thousand labels to a printer where the job sits in a queue so that one label can be printed at a time, peeled off, and applied. Then it repeats until the queue is emptied.

Another option is using a mobile barcode label printer that can print barcodes as employees are walking around working. This is a good option for mobile workflows to minimize interruptions of walking back and forth to a centralized printing location.

An Option for Any Stage of Business

No matter what stage your business is at, Zebra has the options to support your growth. From just starting out to knowing your business will expand into the future, Imprint can help walk you through Zebra’s barcode printer options.

Starting Out Options

For food manufacturing SMBs that are just starting out, the following printers are good options to print hundreds of labels a day:

Durable and Flexible Options

For food manufacturing SMBs that are looking for options that provide greater flexibility and durability, the following printers some of the better options to print thousands of labels a day:

Zebra ZT111 Industrial Printer

• • • Easy integration and backwards compatible
    • Printer Emulation capabilities
    • Operates in direct thermal or thermal transfer mode
    • Print speed of up to 10” per second at 203 DPI
    • Three button keypad
    • Connectivity options include Serial, Ethernet, and USB Host

Long-Lasting Options

For food manufacturing SMB’s that are wanting professional and long-lasting solutions, the following are the best options to choose from to print tens of thousands of labels a day:

Zebra ZT411 Industrial Printer

• • • Durable for harsh industrial environments
    • 3” full-color touch display
    • Industry specific configurability
    • Print speed of up to 14” per second at 203 DPI
    • Operates in direct thermal or thermal transfer mode
    • Connectivity options include USB, Serial, Ethernet, Bluetooth, and Dual USB Host,
    • RFID option

Barcode Labeling is an Interconnected System

When you incorporate a complete Zebra Technologies barcode labeling system within your food manufacturing business, the process becomes more simplified which enhances operational efficiency. Every aspect of barcode labeling technology creates an interconnected system that can help your company thrive and grow into the future.

Zebra Technologies & Imprint Enterprises have over 30 years of experience each to help move your SMB food manufacturing company into a technological future that is more efficient. Zebra is an expert in the barcoding technology field with their rigorous testing of their own products. Zebra has multiple R&D facilities to test their products and is one of the largest converters in the USA for barcode labels.

Imprint Enterprises is a Premiere Solution Partner with Zebra Technologies. Imprint is a company that grows with you, providing your food manufacturing business with a total, competitively priced solution. Imprint builds a lifelong relationship with you and your company that is based on quality and trust.

With Zebra & Imprint, there are multiple options to suit your growing needs and your budgetary requirements. From just starting out to a long-lasting solution, Imprint’s specialists can help you determine what it will take to get you where you want to go. You can have a comprehensive barcoding solution that will decrease overall costs, increase efficiency, and achieve higher levels of customer satisfaction.

Contact Imprint Enterprises today to discuss Zebra’s barcode labeling solutions that are best for you.

Food manufacturing businesses must be able to keep up with changing regulations, technological advances, and increasing omnichannel shopping. In fact, in today’s climate, food manufacturing productivity and effectiveness are greatly affected by their ability to keep up with the demands of regulations, clients, and the economy.

Zebra Technologies and Imprint Enterprises have the tools, knowledge, and expertise to help you move forward with the future of barcode technology, including which barcode scanners are best for your manufacturing facility.

What’s Important to Know About Scanning

It's important to know what kind of barcodes your food manufacturing SMB is needing to scan to determine what kind of Zebra scanners are best suited to your needs. There are different forms of barcodes, depending on the product it is placed on and the lifecycle requirements of the barcode itself.

1D, or linear, barcodes can only hold approximately 20-25 characters. 2D barcodes can have a higher data density in a smaller space. 2D barcode labels use patters, shapes, and dots to encrypt more data information and can include images, website addresses, and binary data.

In most food industries, such as manufacturers and retailers, use 1D barcode labels. With Zebra Technologies, you can have the option to be able to scan what you need, whenever you need to. Most scanners are rugged, and some even have the ability to withstand sanitization and sterilization measures to minimize contaminations.

Once you know what kind of barcodes you will be scanning, it’s important to determine if you will need tethered scanners or cordless scanners. Tethered scanners are typically connected to a host computer via USB cable, which powers the scanner. Cordless scanners are portable and typically connect via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi to host computers.

An Option for Any Stage of Business

Zebra has options to support any stage of business growth. From just starting out to facilitating a growing demand, Imprint can help walk you through Zebra’s barcode scanner options.

Starting Out Options

For food manufacturing SMBs that are just starting out, the following scanners are good options:

Durable and Flexible Options

For food manufacturing SMBs that are looking for options that provide greater flexibility and durability, the Zebra DS4600 series provides a better option:

• Capture laser etched direct part marks, high density and low contrast codes, and 4-in wide barcodes
• Reads 13 mil 100% UPC barcodes up to 8.5 in (21.5 cm) away
• 800 MHz microprocessor, megapixel sensor
• Zebra’s exclusive PRZM Intelligent Imaging technology
• IP52 Sealing

Long-Lasting Options

For food manufacturing SMB’s that are wanting professional and long-lasting solutions, and scanners that can withstand sterilization and sanitization measures, the following are the best options to choose from:

Zebra DS3608

• • • Ultra-rugged tethered scanner
    • Scan 1D/2D barcodes up to 5 ft (1.5 m) away
    • High resolution imaging sensor scans damaged barcodes
    • Zebra’s exclusive PRZM Intelligent Imaging technology
    • IP67 Sealing
    • Drop Spec 8 ft (2.4 m) drop to concrete with 5,000 tumbles
    • Extreme temperature rating

Barcode Labeling is an Interconnected System

When you incorporate a complete Zebra Technologies barcode labeling system within your food manufacturing business, the process becomes more simplified which enhances operational efficiency. Every aspect of barcode labeling technology creates an interconnected system that can help your company thrive and grow into the future.

Zebra Technologies & Imprint Enterprises have over 30 years of experience each to help move your SMB food manufacturing company into a technological future that is more efficient. Zebra is an expert in the barcoding technology field with their rigorous testing of their own products. Zebra has multiple R&D facilities to test their products and is one of the largest converters in the USA for barcode labels.

Imprint Enterprises is a Premiere Solution Partner with Zebra Technologies. Imprint is a company that grows with you, providing your food manufacturing business with a total, competitively priced solution. Imprint builds a lifelong relationship with you and your company that is based on quality and trust.

With Zebra & Imprint, there are multiple options to suit your growing needs and your budgetary requirements. From just starting out to a long-lasting solution, Imprint’s specialists can help you determine what it will take to get you where you want to go. You can have a comprehensive barcoding solution that will decrease overall costs, increase efficiency, and achieve higher levels of customer satisfaction.

Contact Imprint Enterprises today to discuss Zebra’s barcode labeling solutions that are best for you.

Improving food safety along the supply chain could help bring healthcare spending on foodborne illnesses under control.

Below are a few statistics that highlight the need to improve food safety and meet customer standards.

• 70 percent of consumers say that the way food is manufactured, prepared, and handled is of high importance to them.
• 69 percent of decision makers say that the industry is prepared to manage food traceability and transparency but only 35 percent of consumers agree.
• 93 percent of decision makers are planning to make increases to their investment in food monitoring technology.
• 41 percent of decision makers say that RFID tags improve food traceability more than any other technology, yet only 31 percent currently use them. Emerging technologies such as temperature-sensitive labels and blockchain could also likely have an impact on food safety within the supply chain.

Zebra technologies develop products that help companies keep food safe for consumers throughout all locations along the supply chain.

Food Safety Automation Through Touch Screens and Tablets

Improper handling of food can put both employees and customers at risk for potentially serious foodborne illness. Poor protocols can increase liability and undermine your company’s reputation and bottom line. Traditionally, paper logs are used to record temperature data to monitor food safety along the supply chain.

The supply chain is larger and busier than ever before. Safety is paramount and the delays associated with paper and pencil could be catastrophic for the entire supply chain. It could drastically slow recording down, and it doesn’t provide any type of continuous monitoring.
Technology such as touch screens and tablets can help to better bolster food safety.

Disney CHEFS and Zebra

Disney CHEFS is a mobile application developed by Disney that automates food safety expertise gained through operating their amusement parks. They are increasing third-party licensing for this program, opening it up for use in warehouses, grocery stores, and other stops along the supply chain. This application paired with Zebra hardware are prime examples of how to use technology to keep employees and consumers safe.

Download our Infographic to Closing the Trust Gap: Technology and the Food Supply Chain

Follow HACCP Procedures for Stricter Compliance

Technology Speeds Up The Temperature Monitoring Process

When businesses logging food safety issues on paper logs discover potential safety issues, it may come with potentially dangerous or costly delays. It’s not a system that lends itself to immediate action. Bluetooth sensors allow for speedy, continuous monitoring with a dependable data set.

Health Department Compliance

When companies fail to comply with health department standards it can lead to further complications. Errors in temperature control, or lack of training for new employees can lead to costly mistakes and additional food safety risk. The use of current technology can make it easier for your team to maintain consistent, accurate readings.

The Use of TC51 and TC70 Computers or the ET50 Tablet from Zebra

The Zebra TC51 and TC70 computers, or the ET50 tablet from Zebra serve as a way to utilize the latest digital technologies to improve your company’s food safety regulations. Integrated food safety software can help your company remain in compliance with all food safety regulations in an effort to keep employees and customers safe.

The Use of Rugged Tablets

Durable touch screen computers and handheld tablets can help add technology to the food safety process as well. The IP65 and IP67 tablets are standardized to MIL-STD 810G standards. They can handle the drips, spills, and splashes that can occur while handling food products in the supply chain.

Enhanced Temperature Control

Strict temperature controls are one of the most significant measures for food safety. Zebra computers, tablets, and temperature control sensors can collect and analyze data in your cold storage areas making sure that your protocols are closely monitored.

Remote Temperature Probes

Zebra tablets and computers work with sanitized Bluetooth and Wi-Fi thermometers designed to ensure proper temperatures during food preparation. The protocols to follow when temperatures are not within guidelines are also readily available. Real time and historical reports can also easily be accessed within the system.

Accessible Data

With the Disney CHEFS program on Zebra computers and tablets, all food safety data is automatically recorded onto the device and becomes immediately accessible. It becomes easy to access critical data within the system and keep employees and customers safe. It’s also not susceptible to human error in the same way that paper logs would be.

Food and Beverage Distribution Labels

Zebra also offers printing and labeling options designed to meet the unique temperature conditions within your warehouse. This allows for better transparency and stronger food safety adherence. We have labels suited to freezers, humid warehouse conditions, or dry storage applications.

Our labels are known for:

• Reliable scannability
• Durable adhesiveness
• Maximum printer uptime

Using Better Technology to Create a Stronger Adherence to Food Safety

Technology can help you to educate your employees and consumers on the importance of food safety within the supply chain. Simple prompts for when to take and record food temperatures, or when to wash your hands can help minimize training and let your employees know what is expected of them. The opportunity is also there to educate consumers about the steps that you take to ensure that their food is kept under the safest standards while in your care.

The combination of Zebra hardware with applications like Disney CHEFS allow for continual measurements, and easy access to data, drastically improving food safety and keeping employees and customers safe from foodborne illness.

Download the 10-page Food Safety Supply Chain Vision Study “Technology and the Food Supply Chain –
The path toward better food safety through traceability and improved consumer confidence”

Download “Food and Beverage Distribution Labels: Specialized labels for your environment”

Download the application brief – “Automating Food Safety Assurance with Zebra Touch Screen Computers and Tablets
REAL-TIME WIRELESS FOOD SAFETY TECHNOLOGY”

For more information, visit www.imprint-e.com  or contact us at (855)745-4464 or drop us an email at customer_service@imprint-e.com.