Posted by Kate Sparks
Are you ready for the Holiday Rush? The National Retail Federation is estimating a 2.8% rise in holiday sales this year to $465.6 billion.
Make sure your printers, mobile computers, and scanners are charged and ready! Here are a few quick tips to help workers stay productive and keep your equipment up and running during the busy season:
Stock up on "full shift" batteries to avoid downtime – mobile computers, mobile printers, scanners, etc.- Make sure you have enough chargers for all of your devices.
- Stock up on labels for your merchandise as well as shipping.
- Be sure to have your equipment maintenance or repaired now, before the rush really picks up.
If you find that you need to purchase new equipment, don’t wait. It takes time to make sure each device is configured for your network and ready to go.- Don’t want to purchase new equipment for your seasonal workers? Consider renting it. A lot of vendors will offer this service for mobile computers, printers, and scanners.
Are you prepared? If you still need help, contact RMS Omega. We offer assistance and services for mobile computers, scanners, printers, labels & wireless networks.
For tips on managing your batteries, check out our blog article: Battery Management for your Barcode Mobile Computer
Dead batteries? Recycle them!
Learn more about barcode printers: The most common printer replacement is the printhead - Simple Steps to Prolong Your Printheads Life.
Download NRF's 2011 Holiday Survival Kit: http://www.nrf.com/modules.php?name=Pages&sp_id=1487
Posted by Kate Sparks
Designed for the mobile workforce, Honeywell's new Enterprise Digital Assistant (EDA) is compact, light weight, and durable. The Dolphin 7800 offers a large high-resolution, outdoor-and off-axis-viewable screen for visibility in all lighting conditions. It also includes the latest in wireless technology for better communication. The new mobile device has built in Wi-Fi connection for 802.11 a/b/g/n, as well as a software-definable radio option that allows on-the-fly switching between GSM & CDMA networks. This allows you to instantly switch between cellular carriers for uninterrupted service.
The 7800 was built and based on the same platform as Honeywell's 99EX Computer, selected by UPS, but packaged in a smaller and lighter form.
Take a quick look at some of the 7800's features:
- 3.5 inch VGA color screen - high resolution, full axis viewing, sunlight readable
- Multiple keypad options
- 1D & 2D barcode reading capabilities
- 3.0 megapixel camera - autofocus, flash LED
- Microsoft® Windows® 6.5 Operating System
- 6.5 hours standard battery performance, 12 hours extended battery (decoding and sending data over WLAN every 9 seconds)
- IP54 rating - protection against dust & moisture
- Designed to withstand 5´ (1.5 m) drops to concrete & up to 1,600 (1 m) tumbles
- Fast processor - 800MHz IT-OMAP
- Full wireless coverage for applications inside and outside of
the four walls, allowing real-time access to critical data - 802.11 a/b/g/n, 3.9 G (Download a spec sheet to view all of the wireless connectivity features)
Honeywell's Dolphin 7800 is also available in a healthcare version, sealed with disinfectant ready plastics. Learn more about the 7800hc version for hospitals and medical centers - download the 7800hc spec sheet.
For more information about Honeywell's new mobile device, feel free to contact us at RMS Omega. We are happy to send you details on pricing and availability or discuss your current mobile computing challenges.
Learn more about Honeywell's line of Mobile Computers.
Posted by Kate Sparks
The following videos feature Datamax-O'Neil's latest mobile label printer, the RL4. Check it out below! The videos demonstrate the RL4's durability, features, and a nice comparison to several popular competitive printers. And although you probably shouldn't... you can even play soccer with them in the warehouse! For more videos, visit our Youtube channel or like us on Facebook.
Learn more about the RL4: Read our blog article or visit our Datamax-O'Neil webpage. And always, feel free to contact us with your questions.
Meet the RL4:
Fun with your Mobile Printer:
RL4 Competitive Comparison:
Get pricing for the RL4, contact one of our experienced sales representatives.
Posted by Kate Sparks
Barcoding and RFID systems are crucial in the warehouse. By labeling items, bins, units and locations, warehouse staff can accurately track and collect data by scanning a barcode. To take things one step further and increase your staff’s efficiency, why not utilize mobile label printers?
When using mobile label printers, your workers are able to attach a barcode or RFID label at the point of application, rather than traveling back and forth to the printing station. By eliminating wasteful trips you are increasing productivity, improving accuracy, and eliminating potential distractions.
Mobile printing systems can provide significant productivity gains as well as a rapid return on investment (ROI). Consider where your workers are printing the labels versus where your potential point of application is. Zebra Technologies conducted a time-motion study of receiving operations. In this study, the worker had to take nine steps to travel from the pallet, with items to be labeled, to the workstation where the labels were actually printed. Pallets were labeled in 42% less time when a belt-worn mobile printer was used. Based on the volume at that particular warehouse, the managers were able to see the productivity gains and return on investment they would receive by switching from stationary to mobile printing.
Worried about mobile printers being dropped and broken? Over the years, many manufacturers have made significant improvements to their printers for this very reason. Mobile printers will be dropped on occasion, and in a warehouse, it’s often on concrete. So needless to say, these printers have to be durable and they have to hold up to dusty, less than desirable environments without issue. When selecting a printer, check the IP rating and drop/tumble specs to confirm the device is rugged. Ask your vendor if you aren’t quite sure what the ratings mean, and seek out recommendations based on your specific work environment.
What a video to see how some of these printers are tested:
If you are looking to make warehouse labeling operations more convenient, improve productivity, reduce labeling errors, and see a return on investment, consider using mobile printers.
To learn more about mobile printing in the warehouse, download: Mobile Printing Streamlines Supply Chain and Warehouse Processes
Also, feel free to contact RMS Omega. We are happy to answer your questions, provide recommendations, or pricing for mobile printers.
Posted by Kate Sparks
Be kind to the planet, recycle your old batteries!
Do you have old batteries from your scanners, printers, mobile computer, etc. and are not sure what to do with them? Well the answer is: recycle, recycle, and recycle. Just because a rechargeable battery is financially and environmentally responsible does not make them safe to throw away in the trash. In the majority of states, it is actually illegal to toss your old batteries in the trash.
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Most states have initiated prohibitive laws for the disposal of your old batteries. On May 13, 1996 the EPA measure Mercury-Containing Rechargeable Battery Management Act, 42 U.S.C 14301-14336 (“Battery Act”) was signed into law. The purpose of this law is to allow for the safe handling and disposal of rechargeable batteries, placing responsibility on the manufacturers and distributors. You can learn more about responsible recycling practices by visiting the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency at www.epa.gov.
So, looking to recycle your old batteries? Contact the company you purchased batteries or equipment from and see if they have a recycling program. If they do not, there are several companies that can do this for you.
Call2Recycle® is the only free rechargeable battery and cell phone collection program in the United States. You can visit their website at www.call2recycle.org. Simply enter your zip code and they will provide you with the nearest collection site location where you can properly and legally dispose of your batteries. Founded in 1994, Call2Recycle is funded by product manufacturers across the globe committed to environmentally sound recycling of rechargeable batteries. Since then, they have diverted over 60 million pounds of rechargeable batteries from the solid waste stream and established a network of 30,000 collection sites.
Staples also offers a program called EcoEasySM. They basically provide the same services as Call2Recycle®, but for a small fee. You can learn more about this program at http://www.staples.com/sbd/cre/marketing/ecoeasy/recycling.html. Or, download a quick overview of the program here.
By recycling batteries properly, you are not only abiding by the law, but also helping to ensure harmful mercury and other contaminants are properly disposed of.
Download EPA Responsible Recycling Practices.
Learn more about battery management for your Mobile Computers.
For more information please contact us at www.rmsomega.com or at 888-857-8402.
Posted by Kate Sparks
Honeywell has introduced their most durable mobile computer yet. The new Dolphin 99EX is not only rugged, but also offers extended battery life, (up to 16+ hours!), improved scan technology and impressive wireless connectivity features.
The Dolphin 99EX is the first product in Honeywell’s Mobility line to incorporate Adaptus Imaging Technology 6.0. Adaptus 6.0 provides faster decoding, enhanced motion tolerance and longer reading distance. It also offers flexibility to operate in various work environments such as direct sunlight, darkness, and under fluorescent lights, allowing workers to accomplish more in less time. We’ve had our hands on a demo unit and it scans everything!
The device has an IP67 rating for protection against water or dust, (Read: What is an IP rating?) and can withstand 6 foot drops to concrete.
The 99EX would fit well in various work environments but it was ultimately designed for the transportation and logistics worker. The device is equipped with high speed wireless, voice, and data communication and allows for on-the-fly switching between cellular carriers for uninterrupted service.
If you’re unfamiliar with Honeywell’s mobile devices, they perform well in transportation and logistics. UPS recently teamed up with Honeywell to supply drivers with new handheld computers, or as UPS calls the units internally, the DIAD V (Delivery Information Acquisition Device V) - Read the press release. Learn more about Honeywell Mobile Computers.
Dolphin 99EX Features:
- Full wireless coverage for applications inside and outside the four walls – Voice and data, “n” WiFi, assisted GPS, and data coverage for GSM and CDMA
- Switch between cellular carriers on-the-fly – Switch between GSM and CDMA carriers or between two GSM or two CDMA carriers for uninterrupted service
- Adaptus Imaging Technology 6.0 – Faster decoding, excellent motion tolerance, longer read distance, works in the dark, sunlight, or fluorescent lighting
- Durable - IP67 Rating, withstands 6 foot drops to concrete and 2,000 1m tumbles
- Battery life for a full shift – up to 9.5 hours (standard battery), or 16.5 hours with an extended battery
- Ergonomic form factor – light weight, designed for one handed use
- Large chemically strengthened 3.7” VGA display – Great for indoors, outdoors, easy to see in direct sunlight, industrial touch panel
- Multiple keypad options available
- Smart Sensors – Motion sensor to rotate screen or wake up when device is moved, light sensor adjusts screen brightness and keypad light, proximity sensor turns off display when device is face down
The 99EX will be available globally in April 2011. Interested in this device? Contact RMS Omega, we’re happy to answer questions, schedule an evaluation, or provide pricing.
Download Spec Sheet for the Dolphin 99EX.
Read Honeywell’s full press release.
Posted by Kate Sparks
LXE has released their latest Vehicle Mount Computer, the Thor. With a processing platform that is dramatically faster, and new patent-pending features, we expect to see the new computer on forklifts, cranes, trucks and heavy machinery everywhere.
New features:
- Field-replaceable front panel - Touch screens, keyboard and defrosters can occasionally fail, even rugged designed computers. All can be replaced in minutes using this field-replaceable front panel.
- Quick Mount Smart Dock - Allows one-handed move of units between vehicles. Moving computers between vehicles as workload changes can save computer cost and improve efficiency for vehicles that would traditionally not have a computer.
- Ignition control- The computer automatically comes active when the ignition is on.
The Thor also offers a fast 1.6GHz Atom Z530 processor, WWAN, WLAN, and Bluetooth connectivity, and a Windows CE 6.0 or Windows Embedded Standard Operating System. Its Cold Storage configuration, indoor & outdoor displays, and true space diversity antennas for WiFi, make this device ready for virtually any industrial environment.
The Thor will begin shipping in April, 2011.
Want to know more? Download a spec sheet for LXE's Thor Vehicle Mount Computer.
Learn more about LXE Vehicle Mount Computers. Contact RMS Omega for additional details, we're happy to answer your questions.
Watch a video:
Field Replaceable Front Panel:
Quick Mount Smart Dock:
Ignition Control:
Posted by Kate Sparks
Motorola Solutions announced today that the DS6878 and MT2000 series of hand-held scanners have been successfully validated to meet FIPS 140-2 Security Requirements for Cryptographic Modules. Both scanners provide wireless and Bluetooth® connectivity.
Visit The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) website for more information on Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS). 
The DS6878 is a cordless 2D Barcode Scanning Imager capable of reading all common barcodes on labels, mobile phones, and wristbands. The DS6878 is available with disinfectant ready plastics and therefore popular in the healthcare industry in addition to various government applications.
The MT2000 family of cordless scanners are often used for inventory tracking and asset management. 
These terminals have an easy-to-use keyboard and QVGA user interface to run simple applications using barcode scanning. The MT2000 has a rugged design with a 6 ft drop specification, IP54 sealing and scratch-resistant tempered glass to help protect against everyday drops and exposure to dust and liquids.
Learn more about Motorola's MT2000 series scanners, download a spec sheet.
Check out Motorola's DS6878 cordless scanner.
Read more about healthcare scanners. Download a spec sheet for the DS6878-HC with disinfectant ready plastics.
Need more information on FIPS 140-2 validated scanners? Contact RMS Omega, we're happy to answer your questions or provide more information.
Posted by Kate Sparks
To avoid downtime, you want to keep your devices charged and ready. After all, what good is your mobile computer if the battery is dead? In this article, we’ve pulled together some suggestions and guidelines for the proper care of mobile computer batteries.
Mobile Computer Battery Usage Guidelines:
1. Track the purchase date and age of each battery. Mark your batteries with color coded stickers, based on purchase dates, to help determine how long a battery has been in use and when it’s time to replace it.
2. Assign each battery to a specific mobile computer. Label each device and corresponding battery with its own unique number. Label the device’s charger and charging slot with the same number.
3. Plan on replacing your battery every 18 months for average use (8 hour shift in a retail environment) or every 12 months for moderate to high use (24x7 warehouse environment).
4. Always have a spare battery, fully charged and ready to use. Make sure spare batteries are also assigned to a specific mobile computer.
5. Keep your battery’s contact surfaces clean. Dirty contact points can cause charging problems. Gently clean your battery’s contact surface with a soft cloth on a regular basis.
6. Store your batteries in a dry location with low humidity and no corrosive gases. The recommended storage temperature for most batteries is 15° C (59° F).
7. When charging batteries for the first time, charge overnight before initial use. Charge times may vary depending upon capacity and charger.
Please recycle your batteries:
When your rechargeable batteries are no longer able to provide the appropriate charge, it is critical that you dispose of them properly (Nickel Cadmium (Ni-Cd), Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH) or Lithium Ion (Li-ion),).
Click here to recycle a Honeywell rechargeable battery. Don’t have a Honeywell battery? Contact RMS Omega for details on recycling equipment.
Posted by Kate Sparks
LXE’s popular MX7 series Mobile Computers are new and improved… Meet the Tecton!
Introducing the Tecton™ warehouse computer, the successor of LXE’s popular MX7, offering enhanced performance, ergonomics and flexibility. The new Tecton was built for manufacturing operations, warehousing, transportation and logistics. It has natural handgrip ergonomics, and superior performance features for a wide array of supply chain tasks. In addition, the Tecton CS is available for cold storage environments, operating in as low as -30°C.
The new Tecton™ has a barcode reader capable of reading data from 10 cm to an impressive forty feet away! Scan-intensive picking applications are made easier with a removable easy-grip handle with two-finger trigger and combined light weight form factor. Every Tecton™ comes with LXE’s proprietary Tough Talk technology for a voice-driven process, and scan vibration signal to ensure successful scans and data entry.
Some key attributes of the Tecton™ are:
- Faster real-time data capture with a PXA320 806MHz processor running Windows® CE 6.0 or Windows® Mobile 6.5
- IP 65 rated with up to 1.8m (6') drop to concrete and available cold-storage configurations for environments as low as -30°C (Tecton CS)
- Natural handgrip ergonomics and removable pistol grip
- Flexible enough to fit your needs, with 55 or 32 key backlit keypads, Tough Talk, and available vehicle mount.
- Reads barcodes from inches away to as far as forty feet.
- Full shift battery life with faster eco-friendly battery charge
- 100% compatible with all MX7 accessories
Watch a video:
The Tecton and Tecton CS will begin shipments in March, 2011.
Download a Tecton spec sheet.
For more information about industrial handheld computers, contact RMS Omega.