January 06, 2020

Nigel Holloway, who some of you may recall worked for Dash previously, is returning as a Partner at Dash Computer Products and a Director of Barcode-IT Ltd.

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For the last four years Nigel has been working in the SAP warehouse and logistics sector and has developed particular skills in SAP Mobility.  Mobility is the use of mobile devices used by workers in the manufacturing, warehouse and logistics areas of the business, to bring the power of SAP ERP and eWM directly to the workers point of use.  This allows SAP transactions to be completed by the worker in real time, rather than being entered back into SAP at a later stage.

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With the introduction of SAP's eWM product and S4/Hana platform, the use of mobile devices in the workspace has become critically important for the fast pasted modern business, where efficiency and accuracy are of primary importance.

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Nigel has been involved in the introduction mobile solutions into a number of major UK and European businesses who run SAP ERP systems.

January 29, 2020

The Sato NX Range of barcode label printers are the best mid range printers we have ever sold and customers who have replaced other makes of label printers, have been delighted with their reliability and performance.

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Designed with the operator and productivity in mind, CL4NX Plus is the next evolution in this product series and will surpass your expectations of today’s printing technology.

• Faster print speed

• Micro Label Print Mode

• Platen roller wear indicator and Smart Print Head

• Multiple Interfaces - Auto Switching

• Direct PDF printing

We are so confidant that you can replace any other make or 4 inch model of label printer, that we will offer a no quibble try before you buy.  Simply give your new Sato printer the same IP address as your old printer ( or use the same USB interface ), load the same labels and ribbons, use the same printer driver ( the NX will sort it out!) and start printing.

September 24, 2019

TekTerm has been the TE ( terminal emulation) of choice for Big ERP users such as SAP and IBM Host applications 5250, 3270  and VT for years and years.  Often running on older rugged mobile terminals from Intermec or Psion, this application gave direct ERP access to mobile devices without any special software client.

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But Tekterm only runs on Windows mobile devices and now that most manufacturers only support Android, it left many ERP users trapped with no where to go.

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Now a joint project by Zebra and StayLinked (a major player in the terminal emulation market space) is about to be launched, offering a direct "plug and play" replacement of a range of Zebra industrial mobile computers, such as the Zebra MC9300

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Zebra Technologies’ TekTerm TE for Android™ will offer existing users a 10 minute set -up with zero changes needed to the ERP or Host back end.  This will allow legacy host systems to use the latest Android kit from Zebra, without having to face the trauma and upset of any changes to the ERP at all.  Many IT and Ops people will breath a sigh of relief  as devices such as the Psion XT15 and even older Intermec mobile terminals, can finally be replaced with modern Zebra Android kit.

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Due to roll out in November 2019, book your demo now to see how your warehouse or manufacturing system can benefit from the latest Zebra devices, running on your existing ERP platform.

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Call 01200 441977 or email sales@dashcomputer.co.uk

September 17, 2019

Wireless battery charging is now available of Mobile terminals from a small but growing number of suppliers.  Wireless charging is a huge advantage for mobile terminals and computers as it helps further seal the device from liquid ingress and moisture, which is a problem for many devices.  Also the constant use of the charging pins or contacts can become damaged over time leading to poor device performance and an increase in repair downtime.

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One example of wireless charging is the Datalogic Memor 10 with gives ultra-reliable contactless charging using the Qi Worldwide standard for wireless or contactless charging.  this is one of the first mobile computers to offer this facility and as its the Qi standard can be charged using any Qi compliant wireless charge point.

August 14, 2019

The creators of Mobile solutions for Navision and Dynamics 365 recommends the Zebra TC 8000 as the perfect partner for MobileNav.  MobileNav is the standard mobile app used by Navision users since 2009.

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Read more here:  https://barcode-dash.blogspot.com/2019/08/mobilenav-and-zebra-tc-8000-perfect.html

May 15, 2019

Wearable barcode scanners have been around for some years, but early models are heavy and clumsy to use.

Now there is a new barcode scanner from ProGlove, which has been specifically designed to solve all of these issues. Worn as a full or half glove (made to a proper industrial spec) the ProGlove is super light and easy for the operator to use and the battery lasts 15 hours - (about 6000 scans)

March 04, 2019

The Datalogic Memor 10 is the first Android Enterprise Recommended device in the rugged terminal sector of the industry and is part of a new family of rugged Android PDA devices from Datalogic. The Memor 10 incorporates Datalogic's industry first wireless charging system for ultra-reliable contactless charging while still offering a one piece swappable battery. It targets Retail, Healthcare, Transportation & Logistics, and Manufacturing applications requiring a state of the art rugged Android device to automate their data collection needs.

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Android Enterprise Recommended for rugged devices, means that Google has validated that the Memor 10 meets or exceeds their stringent requirements including:

• Memor 10 well exceeds Android Enterprise Recommended minimum hardware requirements for rugged devices.

• Datalogic offers regular Android security updates for the Memor 10 within 90 days of release from Google, for a minimum of five years. The Memor 10 also offers regular firmware updates to add features and/or improve performance for the device and its ecosystem.

• Memor 10 exceeds the ingress protection requirement and achieves IP65, while attaining a drop specification of 5ft/1.5m repeated drops to concrete with rubber boot (4ft/1.2m repeated drops without boot).

• Supports both Android zero-touch enrolment and QR code provisioning for bulk deployments, while also offering support from all the major EMM's for remote management.

• Memor 10 launches with Android 8.1 and will support at least 2 additional major OS releases.

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Wireless charging is another unique innovation of the Memor 10.  This ensures that there are no contacts exposed and will allow workers to use the new universal QI wireless charging technology currently being introduced to advance mobile phones.

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The Memor 10 is available to buy in a number of configurations, including a gun style unit with trigger for the barcode reader.

September 26, 2018

The TC72 and TC77 Android Touch Computers builds on the highly successful TC70/TC75 Series family to create the ultimate ultra-rugged all-touch computer for all workers inside or outside the four walls — a smartphone experience for maximum simplicity, the ultimate in rugged construction, complete mobile network flexibility, and a new platform offering more capabilities than any other device in this class for maximum staff enablement.

July 11, 2018

Creating a new SAP IM - WM or EWM mobile application can be a daunting prospect for some SAP users and even SAP consultants can "pale" at the prospect of having to learn a totally new Mobile Development Environment and then integrate it all into SAP.

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Now there is a new approach to SAP powered Mobile Applications in the warehouse, logistics or manufacturing areas. A library of standard SAP transactions for IM, WM and EWM functions have been created which are purpose designed for a range of Mobile Barcode equipped hand held computers, from suppliers such as Zebra, Honeywell and Datalogic.

These SAP Apps are already linked into standard SAP WM fields and have been designed with the modern worker in mind and have the "look and feel" of a smart phone.

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But don't be fooled into thinking these devices are simple toys, they are very powerful and can read and write data to and from SAP WM instantly! They are also operating in real time, so data is being updated into SAP as the operator completes his work.  this saves time, improves accuracy and ensures that SAP is always up to date with the workflow.

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And if you want something outside the SAP standard WM transactions, we can build a customised Mobile SAP App that works exactly the way you need.

January 11, 2018

Innovative Features of the MC3300 Mobile Computer

The perfect combination: touchscreen and keypad
Whether an application requires touch or physical keypad input, Zebra covers it. An application can utilize the entire display, while the physical keypad allows workers to have the same experience they have today. In addition, the touchscreen paves the way to migrate to intuitive touch-based interfaces. Users can choose the keypad that most simplifies data entry—alphanumeric, numeric and functional numeric.

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A common platform for the warehouse and beyond
If users are using Zebra Android handheld and wearable devices in the warehouse, workers and IT will benefit from a common operating system and solution platform. Businesses will get the same user experience and management tools across different form factors throughout the warehouse and supply chain.

April 23, 2017

Many businesses who receive visitors every day, still rely on sign-in books or old fashioned paper based systems to manage visitors to site.  Now Dash Computer Products have launched a Digital Visitor Management solution that deals with all aspects of visitor security, fire safety and tracking of who is on site.

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A dedicated touch screen PC greets visitors, who are guided through the sign in process.  A digital picture is captured and this and all other information is printed onto a self adhesive badge.  Expected visitors can be pre-registered by their Host to speed the process and as the visitor badge is printed an e-mail or optional text message is sent to the Host to tell them that their visitor is ready for collection.

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Under fire safety regulations, businesses are obliged to identify visitors arriving and departing, so that in the event of a fire, visitors can form part of the role call to inform the Fire Service, who might still be in the building. 

However many businesses require visitors to provide much more information before entering the site.  In food manufacturing businesses this can involve details of recent illness, contact with other who have communicable diseases or visitors with long term health issues. Visitors may need to provide detailed information and may be required to watch a video on both health and safety procedures whist on site.

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Different businesses have widely differing requirements, but the Dash Visitor Management Suite, caters for every need and provides a full and detailed audit trail for visitors and contractors on site. 

See full details on our dedicated website here - audiovisual-it.co.uk/entry-system

Or call Jonathan Pressley on 01200 441977 to arrange a visit to evaluate your companies needs.

April 17, 2017

Perfect for Fork Trucks - Goods in area - anywhere in the Warehouse - Anywhere in Manufacturing

Warehouse and manufacturing operations demand rugged equipment, which must perform day in day and and survive the rigours of the industrial environment. The NEW Zebra ULTRA rugged barcode scanner, now combines every industrial application into a single ultra rugged scanner.

• Scans 1D barcodes

• Scans 2D barcodes

• Scans near to the worker (2-3 inches)

• Scans far away from the worker ( really far away 70 feet!)

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Over 20% more durable than any other barcode scanner in its class!  IP67 and can be totally submerged for up to 30 mins.

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February 16, 2017

Small desktop barcode label printers are mostly designed for printing low volume retail labels and are built accordingly. But in many industrial and manufacturing businesses there is a need to produce high quality barcode labels in an environment that is a little more demanding.  Enter the Sato WS 408 range.  A small footprint desktop printer with all the features of a retail desktop label printer, but much more ruggedly built to stand up to light industrial environments.

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Available in 203 or 300 dpi resolution and as Direct Thermal or Thermal Transfer versions, the WS 408 come with a LAN network interface and USB as standard and can be ordered with RS 232 serial for legacy systems.

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Designed to replace any standard Desktop printer from other manufacturers, the WS 408 will accept ribbons and labels from all the other printers in the class and automatically switches between emulation of ZPL, DPL and IPL as well as supporting the Sato language.  It really is plug in a start printing.

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The introduction of the LAN interface as standard also shows the commitment to industrial application, where a direct connection to the network is a prime requirement.  Happily the LAN interface has not affected the price which at £300 + vat is a bargain.  

February 01, 2017

Zebra, Datamax, Intermec - One printer to replace them all!

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When it comes to barcode label printers many companies end up with a mixed bag of different makes and models, from old systems, previous suppliers or changes in ERP systems.  This make life difficult for IT and Logistics departments who struggle to manage these different printers, but who can't alter legacy systems software to take advantage of new and more reliable label printers.

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Enter the Sato NX range of 4 and 6 inch barcode label printers, that have such amazing printer language emulations that they can literally plug-in and and just work as replacements for old Zebra Datamax and Intermec models.  The NX will even take exactly the same label and ribbon media, with no concerns about proprietary brands and matching label/ribbon combinations.

But consider this scenario.  Lets say you old data system only supports Intermec ( or Zebra or Datamax) and you new ERP prefers only Zebra.  This could mean that you need two set of printers to support the old and new systems.  But the Sato NX with "smart" printer emulation, will support multiple printer languages, allowing you to gain all the benefits of new and more reliable printers, while still printing labels from the old system and able to print labels from the new ERP.

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And if you wanted to really test the NX, you could print to the printers from BOTH systems to the printer via the LAN and the NX will intelligently switch from one system to the other by examining the data and swapping printer emulations on the fly.

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Oh and just to add icing to the cake, the Sato NX has as standard, all types of interface, serial, parallel, USB and ethernet. So even if your legacy data system used an obsolete interface the Sato NX with still be the perfect replacement for old and new ERPs.

December 14, 2016

In Most factories and warehouses Mobile users and workers often have very limited exposure to the normal SAP interface and want simplified access to the transactions they they need every day. Often only a few transactions are used and the fast pace of work-flow means that workers have only seconds between tasks.

Now a suite of SAP applications have been developed with Apps for SAP WM, EWM, PP, SD, QM, MM/IM and ENG. STORES, that focus on the user and the task.  These Apps have been designed to minimise what the user sees and where possible scan barcodes or use drop downs for fast accurate data entry.

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Click the picture link for the full article.

November 29, 2016

This fully rugged Mobile Truck Computer becomes a powerful Tablet computer when its detached from its docking station.

The DLoG DLT-M8110 has a host of features that makes this new terminal, best in class. This detachable vehicle mount terminal combines the reliability of a VMT (Vehicle Mount Terminal) with the flexibility of a tablet. It is rugged for all warehouse operations, comes with the industrial WiFi performance for uninterrupted logistics processes, and features a high capacity battery for off-vehicle operations. With integrated camera and barcode scanner, its ideal for a wide variety of ERP applications, both on and off the truck.

May 01, 2016

A few years ago no one knew what 2D barcodes where, but now we see them in magazines and even on the TV, offering a quick link to a web site or an address.  QR Codes are also being used to offer a much higher level of security for drugs and pharmaceuticals used by the public, to enforce new anti-counterfitting and individual tracability.  Read the full article here.

These easy to print and low cost 2 dimentional barcodes can carry lots of information, so are perfect for all kinds of product information, serial no, batch code, best before date, product code etc, etc.  They can carry a link to a web site and can be used to look up the authenticity of a product can be seen here.  Codikett security solutiions

2D barcodes can be created on any standard barcode label printer using NiceLabel Designer Pro (or one of its more powerful versions) and many of the latest barcode terminals can scan and process 2D barcodes, such as the Datalogic Falcon x3.

For further information on 2D barcodes or any barcode driven data collection application, call the Dash sales team on 01200 441977 or email sales @ dashcomputer.co.uk

December 14, 2015

The latest barcode label printers from Sato feature a colour screen that can display help videos to the end user.  No more struggling with how to load the ribbon or thread the labels.  The 4NX and 6NX now display help messages and "how to" videos directly on the printer's main screen.  These high resolution video's are all included as standard and do not require a connection to the internet.  While some of the videos show run of the mill tasks that newbie users might need, others offer step by step detail on print head and platen replacement, label calibration, etc which are tasks that even experienced operators can't be expected to remember.  The 4NX and 6NX are tool free for operator tasks and designed to be easy to clean, adjust and replace standard items like heads and rollers.

The NX Range from Sato represents a huge step forward for barcode printers, designed from the ground up to be powerful, productive and easy to maintain.  For full details see the Barcode-IT web site

November 16, 2015

Encap is a division of a global contract manufacturing and development organisation and the world's number one company for liquid and semi-solid capsule products.

Pharmaceutical product and carton labelling is highly regulated and controlled to ensure the correct information is printed on drugs packaging. So Encap and their parent company Capsugel are implementing NiceLabel Enterprise, a powerful label printing solution with full control and reporting of all label production throughout the business.  This ensures that the correct labels for every product, including batch and traceability information is is printed and the details collated back to a central repository. In addition centralized storage and role based access, makes it impossible for unauthorised users to modify or release to production, label designs or SQL database information that has not been properly scrutinised.

A division of Capsugel  -  www.capsugel.com