April 29th, 2013
Quick Response (QR) codes have been around for more than a decade. Created in 1994 by Denso-Wave, a subsidiary of Toyota in Japan, the technology was developed to provide high-speed decoding for managing automotive components inventories. The two-dimensional graphic, made up of black and white dots, holds up to hundreds of times the amount of data that a bar code can carry.
The success of the QR code technology caught the attention of a wide range of businesses, which began coming up with more and more uses. From codes on landmarks in San Francisco so visitors can take self-guided tours to in-store promotions where shoppers can read QR codes with their smartphones, the mobile QR code represents the latest technology phenomenon. As tiny as an inch or as large as a billboard, the QR code’s popularity has exploded among mobile device users (e.g., iPhone, Android) who have downloaded free apps, like QR Reader and i-nigma 4.
At Vantage ID, we’re supporting customers who want to take advantage of QR code technology. The Zebra GK420d can print QR codes with exceptional quality, and at the speeds you need to keep up with your production. This direct thermal printer outputs media at 5 inches per second and features Zebra’s easy ribbon and media loading for quick changes.
If you’re looking for a way to get on board with QR coding, contact Vantage ID to arrange a free demonstration of the Zebra GK420d and our other printing solutions.
Tags: Denso-Wave, direct thermal printer, GK420d, high-speed decoding, mobile device users, QR code, QR coding, two-dimensional, Vantage ID, Zebra
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April 16th, 2013
Bar coding is gaining momentum in the hospitals as the technology addresses such a wide variety of needs throughout these facilities. But before you invest in a printer, ask these four questions to be sure the technology effectively meets your needs:
1. What effect does variable data have on the printer’s performance? If your bar code symbol will include lot codes and expiration dates, you should know how this variable data impacts processing. Some printers will slow down considerably while others run at top speed, even with variable data.
2. Does standard equipment produce enough resolution? A bar code is only valuable if it can be scanned and read. When the print resolution can’t produce the crisp clarity you need, the label is useless. And the challenge gets tougher as the codes get tinier. Pay particular attention to the clarity and contrast of the dark and light edges within the bar code symbol. Thermal printers, like the ones manufactured by Zebra, are specifically designed to output ultra-crisp bar codes, while laser technology is more likely to lose clarity in the output.
3. Is the desired symbology supported? Not all bar code symbologies are the same, and some print technologies may be more ideally suited for retail packaging than hospital labs. Find out if your symbology is supported, and, if not, determine how difficult it will be to modify your equipment to meet that need. Be sure to ask if symbols can be downloaded from software. Is new firmware going to be required to run the printer? Can users install it themselves or will a service call be required? Will the new symbologies strain the system’s memory and performance?
4. Will the condition-specific media you need be usable on this printer? Bar code labels in a hospital environment often need to withstand moisture, cold, heat, and harsh chemicals. They must also be able to adhere to odd shapes, cylinders, and IV bags. The printer you choose must output labels that meet these needs, while also producing crisp, scannable codes. Dealing with printer jams, frequent media changes, and other troubleshooting issues take their toll on the printer’s cost of ownership.
Direct thermal printers are ideally suited to bar coding in hospitals. Vantage ID has partnered with Zebra, a worldwide leader and innovator in the area of bar coding technology. Talk to us about your printer needs and ask about a free demo.
Tags: bar coding technology, buying a bar code printer, clarity, cost of ownership, direct thermal printers, firmware, hospitals, label, labs, laser, print resolution, processing, speed, symbol, symbology, Vantage ID, variable data, Zebra
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April 3rd, 2013
From printing bar codes on wristbands to labels for small slides and test tubes in the lab, hospitals have a wide variety of printer supply needs. By partnering with Zebra, a global leader in bar coding technology, we have access to hundreds of combinations of Zebra’s premium quality labels, wristbands, and ribbons. Combined with 500 stock ZipShip products, we can quickly supply our customers with everything they need to keep their printers producing the clean, crisp bar codes that ensure patient safety.
To make it easier to get the media that fits your needs, just remember “PRESS”:
• Printer model
• Resistance: chemical, scratch, etc.
• Environment: indoors, outdoors, heat, cold
• Surface: metal, plastic, rough, curved, etc.
• Size: length, width, perforated, slit, etc.
And you’re not just limited to standard products. As specialists in bar coding printing and supplies for the healthcare industry, we know that some applications require a custom solution—and we can help to create those specialty labels, including the graphics.
Remember that using quality media on your printer will extend the machine’s life. Lesser quality can leave debris in the printer, cause paper jams, and damage the printhead. When using a Zebra printer, optimize the print quality by choosing Zebra media, which has been engineered for peak performance.
Contact us at Vantage ID about your wristband, label, and other bar coding needs. We’re happy to provide you with samples, demos, and other information to ensure you get the best value.
Tags: bar codes, bar coding, labels, media, Vantage ID, wristbands, Zebra, Zebra printer
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April 30th, 2012
Over the past few years Bar Code Software companies have been steadily moving away from hardware keys (dongles) in favor of keyless activation. Now with cloud computing on the rise there is a new option – web printing. Here we discuss the pros and cons of each so you can make a more informed decision.
Keyless Activation:
Keyless licenses provide you with instant activation because manufactures simply email you an activation codes. Enter them online and you’re off and running. Keyless licenses are typically less expensive (about 5-10%) because software companies don’t have the burden of making, stocking and shipping a physical product. Keyless activation also doesn’t hog valuable USB ports leaving you room for flash drives, wireless keyboard/mice and your coveted USB powered micro fan. Single user licenses are stored on individual PCs and they only interact with a limited number of printers (typically 3-5 at a time). It’s possible to transfer the license to another PC say, if it dies but it’s not a quick or easy process. It involves deactivating or releasing the original license and issuing and installing a new one. For all intents and purposes you can consider a single users license married to an individual PC. Network licenses on the other hand are stored at the server level and allow multiple users access to the host program from an infinite number of PCs. The number of licenses available limits the number of concurrent users.
Dongles:
Dongles are hardware keys that plug into USB and Parallel ports on your PC. They contain authentication codes which the software on your computer pings on a regular basis. If your dongle is plugged in, your software will find the codes and you’ll have full access to the program. Unplug the dongle and you’ll only be allowed to work in a demo or restricted mode, if at all. Dongles are ideal for environments with one to two users working across multiple workstations. By simply ejecting or unplugging the dongle you can transfer the software license from PC to PC. Parallel dongles offer additional versatility over their USB counterparts because they can be daisy-chained with other dongles…although we don’t recommend it. Despite the longer lead time and slightly higher cost, the biggest drawback is a lost or broken dongle. Break it and you’re well, stuck holding a broken dongle.
Web Printing:
Web printing is the latest option. It was born from the cloud computing revolution and combines server-based keyless activation and a hosted web portal. By drawing from a bank of licenses, users can use any PC they wish to remotely access the software from an Internet browser. As with Network licenses, the only limitation is that the number of concurrent users can’t exceed the number of available licenses. Although web printing requires some initial configuration it’s a great option for medium to large companies that print from multiple facilities. The biggest benefit comes from installation and deployment. Because the software is hosted on a local server your IT staff won’t have to physically install and manage licenses on individual machines saving time and money.
Before committing to a software platform or choosing an activation method it’s important to weigh the pros and cons of each. How many users will need access? How many machines will they be using? Will printing be centralized at one location or spread across many?
We also strongly recommend downloading a demo or trial version. Most manufacturers have a strict no-return policy so be sure to take advantage of the free demo versions. For more information about Vantage ID or our Teklynx, Niceware or Seagull Scientific software licensing options call our experts at 619-656-5887 (option 1).
Tags: bar code, cloud computing, dongle, installation and demployment, keyless activation, network licenses, niceware, seagull scientific, software, Teklynx, Vantage ID, web printing
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December 19th, 2011
Bar coding is gaining momentum in the hospitals as the technology addresses such a wide variety of needs throughout these facilities. But before you invest in a printer, ask these four questions to be sure the technology effectively meets your needs:
- What effect does variable data have on the printer’s performance? If your bar code symbol will include lot codes and expiration dates, you should know how this variable data impacts processing. Some printers will slow down considerably while others run at top speed, even with variable data.
- Does standard equipment produce enough resolution? A bar code is only valuable if it can be scanned and read. When the print resolution can’t produce the crisp clarity you need, the label is useless. And the challenge gets tougher as the codes get tinier. Pay particular attention to the clarity and contrast of the dark and light edges within the bar code symbol. Thermal printers, like the ones manufactured by Zebra, are specifically designed to output ultra-crisp bar codes, while laser technology is more likely to lose clarity in the output.
- Is the desired symbology supported? Not all bar code symbologies are the same, and some print technologies may be more ideally suited for retail packaging than hospital labs. Find out if your symbology is supported, and, if not, determine how difficult it will be to modify your equipment to meet that need. Be sure to ask if symbols can be downloaded from software. Is new firmware going to be required to run the printer? Can users install it themselves or will a service call be required? Will the new symbologies strain the system’s memory and performance?
- Will the condition-specific media you need be usable on this printer? Bar code labels in a hospital environment often need to withstand moisture, cold, heat, and harsh chemicals. They must also be able to adhere to odd shapes, cylinders, and IV bags. The printer you choose must output labels that meet these needs, while also producing crisp, scannable codes. Dealing with printer jams, frequent media changes, and other troubleshooting issues take their toll on the printer’s cost of ownership.
Direct thermal printers are ideally suited to bar coding in hospitals. To meet the most demanding needs of today’s healthcare providers Vantage ID has partnered with Zebra, a worldwide leader and innovator in the area of bar coding technology. Talk to us about your printer needs and ask about a free demo.
Tags: bar coding technology, buying a bar code printer, clarity, cost of ownership, direct thermal printers, firmware, hospitals, label, labs, laser, print resolution, processing, speed, symbol, symbology, Vantage ID, variable data, Zebra
Posted in Barcode Printers, Healthcare | No Comments »
September 14th, 2011
When evaluating thermal printers you’ll come across many options; print resolution, print speed, connectivity, print width, memory, etc. While these options are all important, one in particular has the potential to significantly affect your operations should you get it wrong – print resolution.
There are three main considerations when choosing print resolution; print clarity, label size and print speed.
While 200 dots per inch (dpi) resolution meets the needs of most applications (think large shipping labels), there may be instances where you require additional clarity and barcode scanability. 300 dpi resolution, for instance, is good for medium sized labels with large graphics and text. For labels with a small footprint, like those used in electronics manufacturing, where 2D barcodes can be as small as 0.3” x 0.3”, you’ll definitely need a 600 dpi printer. Also, if you’re printing photos or small symbols like UL compliance badges, you should really consider a higher resolution printhead.
The last consideration is print speed. The higher the resolution the slower the print speed. Typical 200 dpi printers print a maximum 14 ips, 300 dpi printers print in the neighborhood of 12 ips and 600 dpi printers struggle to get around 6 ips. This is important because if you need to print high-volume, high-resolution labels, you may need to consider investing in additional capacity.
Torn between 300 and 600 dpi? Most hardware vendors, such as Vantage ID Applications, will lend you evaluation units for 30 days free of charge. Or, if you’re short on time, have your label provider print label samples in 200, 300 and 600 dpi so you can evaluate the readability of the text and the scanability of the barcodes.
For more information or to request an evaluation unit, contact the experts at Vantage ID.
Tags: 200 dpi, 2d barcodes, 300 dpi, 600 dpi, barcode, barcode scanability, dots per inch, electronics manufacturing, high-resolution, label samples, label size, print resolution, print speed, print width, printhead, thermal printers, UL compliance, Vantage ID, Vantage ID Applications, Zebra Technologies
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August 31st, 2011
7-20% of medication errors happen at the time the order is placed.
7-10% occur during transcription.
10-15% of the mistakes take place when the medication is dispensed.
50-75% of errors occur bedside, when the medication is administered to the patient.
According to the Institute of Medicine, medical errors are responsible for 98,000 deaths in U.S. hospitals each year. Gaps in the process, from writing the order to administering the medication, are being addressed through “The Five Rights of Medication Administration”—right medication, right dose, right time, right patient, and right route. These five components address the key elements that drive an optimal patient medication administration process.
The concern for patient safety has prompted a rise in new technologies and tools aimed at improving the quality of patient care at the bedside, where the most errors occur. In the hospital environment, patient safety tools and technologies must address the problem of administering incorrect medications at the bedside.
In order to succeed with the “Five Rights” initiative, information about the patient and the medication at the point of care must be easily accessible accessible to those healthcare providers who write, transcribe, and administer medication. Industry efforts to address patient safety are focused on reducing errors at the bedside. Bar coding presents a strong solution. The technology is easy to implement, demonstrates ROI, and offers a broad array of applications.
At Vantage ID, we’ve worked closely with numerous healthcare facilities to integrate bar coding solutions into their processes, with dramatic results in productivity, supply management, and most importantly, patient safety. By partnering with the leader in bar coding technology, Zebra, we can help you create a safer environment for your most valuable assets—the patients you serve.
Tags: bar coding, Healthcare, hospitals, medication errors, patient safety, productivity, ROI, supply management, The Five Rights of Medication Administration, Vantage ID, Zebra
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August 23rd, 2011
We’ve become a do-it-yourself culture, and kiosk printers are making it easier than ever. Self-service checkouts in retail outlets are growing in popularity. Airlines are using self-service check-in to give travelers the ability to save time.
So it makes sense that hospitals are starting to recognize the productivity potential of kiosks for patient check-in. Using a kiosk, patients can check themselves in, enter insurance information, update their medical information, and make a co-payment or deductible payment. Handling payments electronically improves the accounts receivables process and expedites primary and secondary claims reimbursement. The self-service check-in reduces administrative time that can be used on other tasks, while also giving hospital patients the same ease to check into the facility as airlines provide to their passengers. Hospitals that have deployed self-service check-in are also reducing paperwork. A major study found that peak performers in kiosk deployments improved customer satisfaction by an average of 88 percent. Kiosk programs also have proven to have positive impact on customer conversion rates and labor cost reductions.
With consumers become more adept at self-service technology—from gas pumps to ATMs to airports and beyond—the healthcare industry can utilize the proven technology for the same reasons other industries have deployed it.
At Vantage ID, we work with Zebra, recognized globally for its innovation in kiosk thermal printers. We can develop the application design and create a customer-facing experience that succeeds in healthcare with the same success as it has had in so many other industries. Bring us your challenges and we’ll work with you to develop a solution that meets your business and your customer’s needs.
Tags: check-in, checkouts, hospitals, kiosk, patient check-in, self-service, Vantage ID, Zebra
Posted in Barcode Labels, Barcode Printers, Healthcare | No Comments »
August 17th, 2011
For some businesses, adding a bar code to a product is as easy as putting a label on a box. In healthcare facilities, the challenge is much greater—and the risks much higher. When dispensing medications, an unmarked or improperly marked item can be fatal.
The FDA mandated that pharmaceutical manufacturers mark their products on a unit-of-use basis to enhance patient safety. But what happens when they have to be repackaged to a patient-specific dosage?
Zebra’s direct thermal bar code printers provide the solution. Zebra has developed a wide range of media to meet the unique bar coding needs of hospital labs and pharmacies, filling in the gaps to support equipment and materials that don’t ordinarily align with labeling:
- Repackaging equipment presents an efficient way to prepare unit-of-use packages from liquids and oral solids. You can use a Zebra thermal printer to produce bar code labels that accurately identify the contents and sources, and then apply them manually to repackaged products.
- Overwrapping works well for labeling irregularly shaped objects, like syringes, vials, and ampoules, as well as for medications that are placed into bags. A thermal bar code printer is an ideal tool to produce labels for the bag, which can be encoded with medication-specific or patient-specific information and printed as needed.
- Automated dispensing systems rely on bar coded medications and cassettes for their automatic medication selection and counting processes. Pharmacists can create cassette or individual labels so medications can be loaded into automated dispensing machines for quick, automated application.
Bar code label printers also present an effective option for producing unit-dose labels for compounds, IVs, and other prepared medications. These printers can be used to re-label items whose manufacturer-supplied bar codes do not adequately meet the hospital’s system needs.
For patient safety and staff efficiency, thermal bar code printers in a hospital lab or pharmacy provide an invaluable return on investment. Talk to us at Vantage ID to learn more or schedule a free demo of Zebra’s bar code printing solutions for healthcare.
Tags: automated dispensing systems, bar code, compounds, dosage, FDA, hospital, labs, medications, overwrapping. bar code labels, patient safety, pharmaceutical manufacturers, pharmacies, repackaging, thermal printer, unit-of-use, Vantage ID, Zebra
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August 9th, 2011
Bar coded wristbands have proven to increase patient safety, but some healthcare facilities still try to use the laser printers they already have, which simply doesn’t provide an adequate solution. Direct thermal printing is a technology that is ideally suited to wristband printing with a list of advantages: print quality, wristband durability and comfort, cost of ownership, and ease of use are just a few of them. At Vantage ID, we’ve partnered with Zebra, a global leader in bar coding technology, to find the solutions that best meet all the criteria. Direct thermal printing, we’ve discovered, is far better than laser printing when it comes to doing the best job.
Thermal printers use easy-to-load cartridges or rolls of wristbands, not full sheets. This simple difference produces savings in time and wasted inventory—when you only need one or two bands, you don’t have to use an entire sheet because direct thermal produces bands one at a time. And thermal printers don’t require toner or ink, so staff members don’t need to spend their valuable time monitoring those supplies, replacing toner cartridges, and clearing printer jams.
When a hospital implements a dedicated thermal printer for wristbanding, the existing laser printers are free to do what they do best—print documents. This reduces wear and tear that could lead to premature repair and replacement. Printing bar codes also uses up 30 percent more toner than ordinary document printing, so your organization can realize savings in this area as well. Furthermore, thermal printers are designed to easily accept and encode variable data without dramatically slowing print speed. Laser printers are not optimized to handle the demands of variable data, which can result in slower processing of print jobs—creating a queue that wastes everyone’s time!
Finally, thermal printers—unlike their laser printer counterparts—feature intuitive interfaces for convenient connection and management in hospital environments and can be easily calibrated to accommodate varying wristband sizes. No special programming or font add-ons are required to produce the bar code formats needed for hospital applications.
When you add up all the advantages of a dedicated thermal printer for wristbands, the solution is right there in black and white—just like Zebra! Contact us at Vantage ID for a free demo to see how easy and effective this solution can be.
Tags: advantages, bar code, bar coding, cost of ownership, direct thermal printer, durability, ease of use, Healthcare, hospital, intuitive interfaces, laser printer, patient safety, printing solutions, Vantage ID, variable data, wristband printer, wristband printing, Zebra
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