The use of barcode labels is common practice these days. Barcodes have proved to be a great method of recognition, pricing, location and classification. These widespread applications are not just for industrial usage, but for retail and consumer use too. When you buy any packaged product from the market, they most often have barcode labels attached or the barcode printed on it.

So how does the common person make use of these barcodes? We can hardly carry an industrial barcode reader with us every time we visit the grocery store. The answer lies in your pocket. It’s your mobile phone.

Smartphones

If you happen to have a smartphone, then it can help you to translate the barcode into a language which you can read and understand. For those of us who are not familiar with smartphones, it is a new generation of phone which runs applications and connects to the internet. They have their own operating system, much like your computer. You may even be familiar with a few of these smartphones. These include popular phones like Apple’s iPhone and RIM’s BlackBerry.

How does it work?

So how do smartphones read barcodes? Almost all smartphones have a camera. This camera acts as the hardware for the barcode reader. In addition to the camera, you also need to download the application for your respective smartphone. This application has the required software program to recognise the barcode label and translate the information for you.

Advantages and applications

This may come in handy when you want to check out the price and other details of any product at a store. You wouldn’t have to take a product to the counter every time you have a query. These barcode label reader applications on smartphones are also equipped to read other kinds of codes, like the QR-codes. A great benefit is that once you read the barcode label with your phone, you can save the information for future use or simply check it online if you have an active internet connection.

Posted in Barcode Labels by Geoff

Barcode labels offer an effective and efficient way to speed up the entire data processing for any type of business venture. Therefore, it is important for organisations to have barcode labels to ensure the smooth functioning of their business. In earlier days, dot matrix and laser printers were most commonly used for making barcode labels.

Laser printers project an image on the drum to attract toner particles and transfer data onto the paper. Unlike with dot matrix printers, laser printers can quickly get the matter printed on paper. This is the reason why most barcode and asset label manufacturers now use laser printers for printing.

Barcode labels and asset tags are such tools that greatly help business organisations to track their tools and equipment. Whether it is a laptop, desktop, flash drive, mobile phone or any other asset, barcode labels can help to track them with ease.

Asset labels can be purchased in different types and sizes. You can even get the name, logo and other important company details printed on the labels. This in turn will help businesses to track their items when placed amongst other assets. While many people think that asset labels are expensive, this is not so. In fact, barcode labels and asset tags are the most affordable ways to track your company assets.

Be it a departmental or retail store, warehouse or any other business place, barcode labels can be helpful. So, if you want to ensure efficient functioning of your business, using barcode labels is a good option.

Posted in Barcode Labels by Bridget

While looking to effectively manage your inventory items, it is important to know what products you want to hand. Proper inventory management involves tracking existing inventory items. Besides, it is also important to control the transfer of units to avoid inventories from dwindling to levels that can affect the company operations.

There are three different aspects of inventory management. The first aspect is to complete everything in time. It is important to understand the time taken by the supplier for processing the order and executing the delivery. Knowing this, organisations can ensure that their entire process runs smoothly. Using barcode labels and asset tags will be a good option to track all your inventory items. The key to effective inventory management is to calculate the buffer stock.

Some useful advantages of asset tags

Asset tags are tools that are perfect to use in places like supermarkets, retail stores and warehouses, etc. These tools can also be customised based on your needs. For instance, you can add your company name, logo and contact number etc. on asset tags. Different adhesives are used to ensure that these tags are affixed properly onto the surface.

With a number of barcode label manufacturers out there, you can easily find one on the internet. Here you can look at different designs and materials used for making barcode labels and asset tags. You can even order barcode labels online. So, if you are looking for the best way to manage your inventory items, using barcode labels would be a wise decision.

Posted in Barcode Labels by Grahame

Almost every organisation ceaselessly strives to decrease their expenditure and save money. However, investing in asset labelling and tracking systems could eventually help your organisation save a lot of money in the future.

Even if your company has a policy that they will not buy any new equipment till such a time, the least that can be done is to make an audit. If possible you can also implement systems that will help in preventing your company’s assets from being misplaced or stolen.

If you think that keeping track of your company’s fixed assets, their maintenance and status is becoming a herculean task, then asset labels can be the answer to your problem. These are some simple tools which are used for recording as well as identifying valuable business equipment. Asset labels are available in a wide variety of materials and styles. They can be attached with the use of permanent adhesive and can also be customised to have your own business’s name and logo.

It is also used to label equipment. It is advised to maintain a register with the information of the assets in case of a fire or theft. This will prove helpful in keeping track of the goods. In addition, the asset labels help to make an insurance claim, as it acts a proof of the materials that were in stock.
The printing of labels can be done on aluminium foil and polyester type materials, which are not only durable but can easily stick to almost all types of surfaces. Some of them will leave the word “VOID” behind if the label has been removed from the surface. These are just some simple measures to avoid any possibility of theft.

Labels can also have a barcode printed on them. This is a useful feature which can be used for audit checks. The entire process of audit can be carried out very quickly with the scanning of barcodes combined with the use of asset management software.

Asset labelling and tracking software increases the efficiency of organisations. These systems not only give you a pinpoint location of your equipment at any given point of time, but also provide information about repairs and maintenance and the overall status of the equipment.

Posted in Asset Tags by Geoff

Nowadays, self-adhesive labels are found almost everywhere. These are available in different shapes and sizes and find application across industry verticals, right from the trade sector to a prospective end user.

They can be suitably used for almost any type of application and are mainly used for identification of barcodes and serial numbers as a security measure. Barcodes have now become a universal system of tracking goods and products. Almost all the goods that are retailed have asset labels on them. It is an economical method of keeping track of the various expensive equipment of the business.

One of the types of self-adhesive labels are digital labels. These are available in multi-colour and full colour labels and can be printed in a variety of vibrant colours. The manufacturer can not only print the barcodes and serial numbers on the label but can also have them laminated for complete protection. In addition, the water proof label is made to withstand outdoor weather conditions. This can be used in areas with close proximity to water, such as washrooms, swimming pools and kitchens. One can be guaranteed of the fact that the print on the label will remain intact.

The next type of self-adhesive label is the warning label, which is usually put on dangerous items such as chemicals or inflammable substances. On the other hand, there are window stickers which are used to display information. For example, stickers are used on the windows of cars and trucks to provide the details of its model, make and the year of its production.

A few other such labels are product labels, custom labels, tamper evidence labels and electricity safety labels. These are used in areas where product information, tamper proof, warning label etc. are of prime concern.

Posted in Barcode Labels by Grahame

Most companies are susceptible to losing their goods due to theft or misplacement. Being able to keep track of the company’s stock gives the management piece of mind. A small asset label on expensive and important items will make a big difference as the items can now be kept track of.

Asset labels are available in all sizes, shapes and materials. In fact there are companies that will print asset labels customised for your company. The asset label could comprise of your company’s logo and a barcode with a proper sequence. This may seem like an expensive process, the result of which will be a durable over-laminate that will protect the number or the barcode from being smudged or scraped. Polyester labels are seemingly the best for long life use including exposure to heat and sunlight. Another type of asset label available are tamper evident asset labels. They have a VOID adhesive which inherently leaves behind a stick residue on the item from when it was taken off. This also means that a label cannot be taken from an item and placed on another. There is a “VOID” mark on the label itself; this makes it evident if the label has been tampered with. Another type of asset label is made from destructible vinyl. This tears up and rips apart if anyone tries to remove the label.

There are some assets that require heat and chemicals like anodised aluminium labels which happen to be practically indestructible. The material is baked with an image in the back and has a highly aggressive adhesive.

Posted in Asset Tags by Geoff

What is the most important thing you look for when you’re searching for barcode labels? When asking this question to people, eight out of ten will say ‘durability’. Durability in barcode labels is essential for their industrial application. It also plays an important role in issues pertaining to security and the marking of equipment. They not only help in pricing, but also in classification and easy management of stock.

What?

So what exactly do we mean when we ask for durability? A durable barcode label should be able to withstand extreme temperatures, corrosion due to exposure to chemicals and natural factors, abrasion, solvents and harmful UV radiations.

Why?

Why is durability important in barcode labels? The answer lies in the question itself. They are coded labels, which need to be read with the help of barcode readers and barcode apps on mobile phones etc. For this reason they always need to be clear and accurate. Their consistency has to be maintained for easy identification. This makes the barcode labels more reliable and legible. The presence of these factors signifies their high-quality and flexibility.

How?

There are different kinds of highly durable barcode labels available in the market. They usually fall into the aluminium, polyester and ceramic categories, which use adhesive backings. Each of these kinds has their own advantages and is suitable for different conditions. Aluminium barcode labels can withstand wear and tear even in the presence of harsh chemicals. Ceramic labels have a stainless steel base, which can withstand extreme temperatures and strong acids. Polyester barcode labels have a permanent adhesive and are used for industrial purposes.

Posted in Barcode Labels by Bridget

Today, most organisations all over the world are searching for ways to cut down their expenses and keep a check on their business equipment. This is one of the reasons why the demand for asset labels and tags is rising. If you own a business then it is recommended to affix asset tags on your business equipment and tools.

The main function of asset tags is to secure your company products from getting lost or being misplaced. With the help of these asset labels, you can also track the quantity, condition, location and status of all your assets.

Currently, manufacturers have introduced asset labels which are available in different materials and styles. These labels can be fixed with adhesive and can be easily personalised with your company’s logo and name. If you have decided to buy asset labels for your company equipment then you should select between several asset labels before buying.

The different kinds of asset labels used in business

Various types of asset labels have been introduced in the market for different industries and equipment. These include self-adhesive labels, ultra destructive labels, polyester labels, foil labels, stainless-steel labels and polycarbonate labels. Out of these types, you can choose one which suits your industry type and budget. Asset labels also differ on the basis of their size and format.

Once you have tagged all your business equipment then keep a check on it on a regular basis and change the tags when required.

Posted in Asset Tags by Grahame

As an entrepreneur the more that people talk and interact with your business the better it is for your bottom-line. With increasing competition in the commercial market, companies need to constantly market themselves innovatively to stand a chance in this rat-race.

Many companies are running out of ideas to promote their organisation creatively and the usual gimmicks are now falling flat. However, there is yet another way to gain the attention of your customer’s which remains untapped. Printed custom labels is one of the more innovative techniques that one can employ to enhance one’s brand image, business appeal and to create more customised and stylised products.

How can you creatively use custom labels as a marketing tool?
Surprised? There are not many who are able to recognise the potential of using custom labels as a means to promote your company. All you need to do is set your imagination free and you will realise the number of possibilities in which you can use custom labels as promotional tools.

The most common custom labels are business or industry labels. These are perfect for almost any kind of industry – manufacturing, healthcare, retail and the like. These custom labels help promote your business among other fields and are available in different shapes and sizes and colours. They can be personalised to represent any industry using particular symbols and colours and can be reused for a number of different purposes.

Want customers and clients alike to remember you? Having custom labels affixed onto promotional chocolate bars might just do the trick. These make for scrumptious and mouth-watering deal-breakers. Whether it is a tradeshow you need to prepare for or you are searching for a unique promotional product then a personalised chocolate bar with personalised custom labels will surely grab a lot of attention.

Custom labels on wine bottles too are a great way to break the ice and forge strong corporate relationships. These wine bottles with custom labels are considered to be a great corporate gift and they make for fantastic promotional items too.

Custom labels are thus proven marketing tools where they work on existing branding strategies to create new and interesting promotional products.

Posted in Custom labels by Geoff

Retail oriented companies need to use asset tags as a form of identification for the items they own. The asset tags are semi-permanent labels which have an adhesive backing on which the product information is added.

Why should you use asset tags?

Asset tags can be used in any profession. People often use them for personal reasons as well. Asset tags are very durable and versatile. You can use them anywhere, regardless of the environmental conditions in which the asset is kept. Certain countries even use asset tags for their defence services in order to track their assets all over the world.

Asset tags play an important role in not just securing your product from damage or theft but also when it comes to inventory. Asset tags allow you to have a tracking system which makes it easy for you to keep stock of things. Keeping a check on your inventory with the help of asset tags, helps your business grow and keeps you updated on the current business status.

Asset tags help you track your products in any part of the world. All you need to do is enter the code on the site and know where exactly your product is. The barcode technology used on asset tags has made product identification a much simpler process.

Asset tags are programmed to not only provide you information on the product but also about the handling of the product. Asset tags are an ideal tool for every organisation as they help keep things organised.

Posted in Asset Tags by Grahame