2D Barcodes: 5 Reasons You Need Them

(A 2 minute read…) Barcodes have been in use commercially for decades. As businesses recognized the value of storing more information in these linear codes, they realized that the good, old-fashioned 1D barcode—which stores the equivalent of approximately 20 to 25 alphanumeric characters—wasn’t enough. The 2D barcode has been around for over 10 years, but…

Barcode Scanners: A Comparison of Serial, Keyboard Wedge, and USB Interfaces

(A 4 minute read…) There are various computer models that barcode scanners can be attached to, and it’s important to familiarize yourself with the physical connection types and communication protocols to determine which barcode scanner would be best for you. Serial/RS232 Interface RS232, commonly referred to as serial, is a communication protocol—not a physical connection….

Overview: Serial Barcode Scanner Interfaces

(A 3 minute read…) An Overview of Serial Barcode Scanner Interfaces Connector Options and Standards There are three fundamental ways of connecting your barcode scanner to a computer: serial, keyboard wedge, and USB. Even though a serial interface is the most complicated of the three to configure, it offers the greatest control and flexibility of…

Top 5 EN50155 Compliance Requirements for Railway Applications

Railway applications present some of the most unique and challenging industrial automation solutions because the impact of harsh environmental factors and movability on the equipment must always be considered. The EN50155 is an international standard used to monitor these elements, as well as the electronic equipment’s humidity levels, temperature, vibration, shock, and other specifications for…

Asset vs Inventory Management Systems, Part 2

Welcome back to Part 2 of this blog series on what you should know about purchasing asset and inventory management systems. Prior to investing in one of these systems, it is important to determine exactly which type you need. Keep in mind that assets are owned items of value, while inventory is the amount of…

Asset vs Inventory Management Systems, Part 1

If you’re considering purchasing an asset or inventory management system, there a few things you should be aware of when determining which one is right for you. First, let’s specify the difference between assets and inventory: An asset is an owned item of value. Inventory is the amount of materials on hand. Next, let’s look at how each of these…

28 Metrics That Manufacturers Must Measure, Part II

Welcome back to my two-part blog series addressing 28 measurable metrics that manufacturers must consider in order to achieve essential goals. If you missed Part I, you can read it here. In today’s blog post, we will explore the metrics related to Ensuring Compliance, Reducing Maintenance, Increasing Flexibility and Innovation, Reducing Costs and Increasing Profitability….

28 Metrics That Manufacturers Must Measure, Part I

Manufacturers invest in data collection technology because the information that’s available contributes to better decision-making. Gathering the data, however, represents partial progress toward improvement and when you analyze the information you’ve collected, you get even more value out of it. The Manufacturing Enterprise Solutions Association conducted research and developed a list of 28 metrics that manufacturers…

9 Best Practices for Cloud Security

Businesses are steadily navigating to the cloud for enterprise computing. The access, scalability, and flexibility are commonly observed benefits. Learn more about enterprise cloud computing here. The 2015 State of the Cloud Survey reported that 93% of enterprises are adopting the cloud, with 88% saying they’re using a public cloud. The use of the public…

Using Thermal Printers to Perfect Tattoos

Thermal Printers for Tattoo Stenciling  When you hear the word “stenciling”, what comes to mind first? Tracing a pre-cut design by hand? How about creating tattoo templates? The idea of a permanent tattoo might seem frightening at first—but as you watch a tattoo artist work, the process becomes more and more fascinating. The skill and precision…