During my 10 years in providing technical solutions for industrial computing, I have relied on iKey keyboards to provide an effective, dependable PC interface for customers requiring additional safeguards against harsh conditions. iKey keyboards are the most versatile keyboard on the market providing desktop, panel mount, OEM, rack drawer, and backlit keyboard options coupled with a USB, PS/2, or serial interface. They also provide intrinsically safe and nonincendive options designed to reduce the risk of failure in hazardous areas and harsh environments.
Whereas the elements would wreak havoc on most keyboards, rendering them nonfunctional, iKey Keyboards are the most reliable solution for remaining productive admist dusty, dirty, wet, and extreme temperature environments. Another advantage is that iKey keyboards can be pressure washed for easy and effective cleaning, thereby avoiding the clogging of electronics. iKey’s industrial keyboards are also tightly sealed to protect against all elements, providing long-lasting reliability.
If you are looking for an industrial keyboard that will eliminate down time as a result of damaged equipment and will survive the harshest of conditions in industrial environments, take a look at iKey keyboard solutions. If you require assistance in selecting the correct model to meet your custom business needs, please feel free to give me a call at 800-830-9523 ext. 126.
iKey keyboards demonstrate the following features:
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Are available with industrial durability ratings ranging from NEMA 12 to NEMA 4X for use in dirty, dusty, and greasy environments
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Conform to ISO certification to ensure quality control among manufacturing standards
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Feature waterproof and non-corrosive designs that will last up to 10 years in harsh environments
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Are readily available in nineteen language layouts
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Contain customizable function keys for specialized applications
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Withstand extreme temperatures permitting functionality in freezers, heat-sensitive areas, and other severe environments
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Have low-profile keys, reducing disinfection time and protect against cross contamination
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Have backlit keys for working in low-light environments
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Are available with polycarbonate and stainless steel cases
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Increase mobility with small footprint, ultrathin designs
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Cater to medical, military, emergency response, industrial, and material-handling end users
These days, most people expect a high degree of interaction with their smartphone, tablet and even their computer screen. Now touch panel computers offer fast-paced interaction between the machine and the human, satisfying increasing customer demand to interact seamlessly with their technology.
Once primarily the domain of laboratories and factories, touch panel screen computers have moved into the consumer dimension and come in a wide variety of sizes, from just over three inches to large-screen 17-inch displays. The computers are often referred to as TPC computers or simply TPC.
In order to look good and work correctly, a touch panel or TPC computer should be scratch resistant with tempered glass and should even work in sunlight. The best touch screen computers have no film overlay and can operate through finger touch as well as a pen, glove or any other direct object.
Most touch panel computers also use a fanless cooling system to reduce heat and are slim in size and appearance. Overall, TPC computers have a response time of around 25 milliseconds and an active matrix panel. A LCD screen offers a contrast ratio of approximately 300:1 and a display color of around 260K colors.
Since TPC computers are not widely available, you need to find a vendor who knows all about the technology and has touch panel computers available for sale. For more information about TPC computers and the right kind of touch screen monitor for you or your business, contact L-Tron at 800-830-9523. We focus on customer satisfaction and offer immediate technical support.
So you’re feeling positive about your operations since you automated many of your internal systems. What happens when one of your employee’s jobs takes them away from their computer? Imagine this scenario: They have to find something in the warehouse. They have to deliver product to a customer. They make a sales call. If these employees had access to the systems and data that are available to them at their desktops, then could your bottom line be improved? For many of these mobile employees, the answer is yes. But how can your existing desktop computer systems be extended to your mobile employees?
As with many business systems, two areas must be addressed when considering how to implement mobile computers into your organization: the hardware your employees will use and the software they will run on this hardware.
Hardware
Most of us are aware of what is a smart phone and how fragile it is. If you drop one, then you might find yourself purchasing a replacement. Using an industrial rugged mobile computer that can tolerate the hazards encountered by many mobile employees can decrease the total cost of ownership (TCO) for your mobile devices. An industrial device decreases the downtime caused by broken equipment and improves the productivity of your mobile employees. Make sure you deploy devices that can stand up to the rigors of the job. To discover the most popular devices on the market today, visit http://www.l-trondirect.com/barcode-mobile-computers.html.
The Honeywell Dolphin 99EX mobile computer is a highly durable, dependable, and easy to use device made for indoor and outdoor environments.
Software
Some of the software systems you use may have optional components their manufacturers designed specifically to run on mobile computers. This should always be your first stop when looking to implement a mobile solution. If your software manufacturer does not offer this, or if their offering is incomplete or only comes with functionality you do not want to use or pay for, then your software integrator may be able to create an application front end. If you choose this latter avenue, then pick a manageable subset of functions to implement for your mobile employees. Fully document the screen layout and navigation for the mobile application because the screen size and real estate is much smaller than the desktop version. Also, user access and security should not be left as an afterthought as this provides wireless access into one of the systems vital to run your business.
If your company currently does not have a system integrator capable of implementing a mobile front end for your business software, or if you want a second opinion, please give us a call to discuss how the experts at L-Tron Corporation can develop a customized solution for you.
Most healthcare providers have heard about the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). An important component of the ARRA comes from the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act. This component of HITECH provides incentives to encourage information technology across the healthcare industry. Electronic Medical Records (EMR) systems and Electronic Health Records (EHR) systems are the principal technicological goal for physician practices and groups of all sizes. For additional information on ARRA/HITECH,
click here.
What is the difference between an EMR and an EHR?
Both systems are digital versions of the paper charts in a physician’s office. An EMR system contains the medical and treatment history of the patients within a specific practice, allowing clinicians to track data and easily identify which patients are due for preventative visits or checkups. An EMR system also allows doctors in that office to check how their patients are doing over time - for example, trends in their blood pressure readings. This system provides the ability to monitor and improve the overall quality of care within a particular practice.
An EHR system has all the capabilities present in an EMR system, but also has the added ability to focus on the total health of the patient between practices. EHR systems are designed to reach out beyond the originating heath organization. The entire premise behind the EHR system is to easily share medical information amongst all stakeholders associated with a given patient, including the patient herself. This information moves with the patient from the patient’s family practice to a specialist, hospital, home care or nursing home within or out of state. What this means for the “common” patient is that with fully functional EHR systems, all members of the medical community have access to your information in a secure way. The information gathered by your primary care physician can:
- allow the emergency department clinician to know about a life-threatening allergy even if you arrive at the hospital unconscious;
- let you access your own records and see any trends on your lab results over the last year and, in turn, allow you to keep up with any lifestyle behavior changes required;
- provide your clinician notes to be updated in a consistent and timely manner during discharge from the hospital, with instructions based on history.
Within the healthcare community, both EMR and EHR systems harness the power of technology to: lower health care costs, reduce medical errors, improve point of care, improve access to data, and improve the overall quality of service and care. This allows the healthcare community to raise the bar on the 5 R's principles.
L-Tron Corporation understands, believes, and supports the guiding 5 R’s principles of the healthcare industry: Right Medication, Right Dose, Right Time, Right Route, and Right Patient. If you’re in the midst of looking into an EMR or EHR Solution, I would be interested to find out how your journey is progressing. For more information on how L-Tron can assist with such a solution, contact me at lynn.johnson@l-tron.com anytime!
Submitted by John James; guest blogger
Over the past few months, I have had occasion to visit my local car dealership service center several times. Auto shop waiting rooms not being the most interesting environments on my list, I would wander the floor and check out the newest vehicles and chat casually with the office personnel while my car was serviced. One day I noticed a label printer sitting off in a corner with a large black zip-tie harness around its casing. My curiosity got the best of me so I asked the office manager why they had bound their printer this way.
As it turns out, this is the second printer of its kind they’ve had over the past few years… and this is the second time the plastic locking mechanism broke. This time, rather than go through the trouble of having the printer repaired or replaced, they simply strapped on a big black zip tie to keep the printer closed while in operation. Not an ideal solution, to be sure, since every time they need to change the paper roll or ribbon, the zip tie must be cut off and replaced with a new one.
I explained that my company, CognitiveTPG, makes a comparable label printer that features highly durable and reliable metal components. To my surprise, the manager went into his back office and returned with one of CognitiveTPG’s oldest flagship printers, the Barcode Blaster, which he said he used for years until his supplier told him he could no longer acquire the ribbon used for that model (which is not true Blaster ribbons are still available today). I promised to come by the next day with the supplies he needed to get the printer back up and running… without the need for the zip tie.
Today, most label printer manufacturers reserve metal mechanisms for their large industrial printers. But this story illustrates the need for reliable and durable metal components even in smaller office settings. That’s why CognitiveTPG still uses metal for ALL critical components in their desktop barcode printers, just like we have for over 30 years when the Barcode Blaster first entered the market. Because if it doesn’t break… you don’t have to fix it.
For additonal information please contact our partners at L-Tron Corporation.
Info@L-Tron.com, 800.830.9523.
The last time you were in the airport, you probably took advantage of the flight status monitors to check whether your flight was on time and whether you were at the right gate. Through these monitors, real time information is displayed and used to keep the flow of passengers going to the right locations and at the right time. If you work in a warehouse or distribution center working to ensure that the right product gets delivered to the right location at the right time, using a digital signage solution (like the airport monitors) can help deliver this information in real time.
A digital signage solution is a network of customizable digital displays that can be controlled electronically using a computer. The content can be changed remotely, which allows for the most efficient, effective, and targeted messaging possible. The ability to make changes remotely also allows for the delivery of timely, targeted messages that inform, educate and motivate your warehousing team. Data can also be automatically generated from multiple sources and application databases.
In the distribution center, a digital signage solution will allow you to display the status of all orders being worked on, the dock door status, or the yard status. Your team can instantly view the latest status, allowing problem areas to be promptly addressed. Having all members of the team view the status can also provide additional motivation towards a common goal.
A display of trailers in the yard can be used as a simple and inexpensive method of yard management. Real time information in the yard will reduce penalties from carriers for drivers that have not been loaded on time.
A digital signage solution involves many components, including dynamic content, multiple sources of information, and sometimes user-interactivity. Various departments (IT, warehousing, HR, etc.) within your company's organization may want to have input on the information that will be displayed and how. A detailed solution, created by experienced professionals, addressing company input as well as the necessary components is highly recommended. L-Tron Corporation has experience with both digital signage and creating company-specific solutions. Please give us a call (800-830-9523) right away to discuss how we can create a warehousing digital signage solution for you and your team.
Did you know barcode scanning can speed up tax preparations for both individuals and companies? In November 2010, the Internal Revenue Services (IRS) announced that it was adding bar codes to W-2 forms. Then, in November 2011, the IRS also published a set of bar code specifications for the K-1 forms for individual returns (1041s) and corporate returns (1065s and 1120s).
In order to implement the use of new bar-coded forms, the IRS created a set of procedures which streamline the testing and certification process for all companies using bar coded schedule K-1 forms. Under these procedures, coded K-1 forms must be created according to certain specifications, and the printed forms must be mailed to the IRS for testing and certification. More details can be found here.
If you decide to take advantage of these changes and are using a tax preparation software, ensure that it is an IRS certified solution before you start. In addition, be sure to select a 2D bar code scanner that will be able to read this information.
Using scanners to read bar codes on these tax forms is not the only way to speed up tax preparation – you may also want to consider scanning drivers’ licenses. Almost all states now have bar codes on their drivers’ licenses. Scanning a driver’s license barcode speeds up the input of personal information from clients, and also provides an additional level of client verification. In other words, it is one more way to ensure that clients’ refund requests are valid.
Visit www.l-tron.com for more information, or give us a call at 1-800-830-9523 or email us at info@L-Tron.com today to ensure you have the right scanner to speed up your tax preparation.
Let me begin by sharing how cold environments could effect technology. Think about it; materials like plastic on keyboards or rubber gaskets can become brittle, liquid crystal displays can freeze, touch screens can malfunction as ice develops between the screen and the front bezel. In addition, connectors may shrink and loosen and mounting brackets on fork-trucks can loosen.
When 23% of all US warehouse space is in a refrigerator, freezer or climate controlled storage and of that, 78% of all cold space is freeze space, this becomes a huge impact on how you run your business! These significant cold storage businesses include food processing, distribution, ports, outdoor logistics, retail, 3PL, pharmaceuticals and health care. Government mandates in the food and beverage and health care industries, formally track and trace all steps within the work flow process. If there is a breakdown in the work flow based on inadiquite technology, businesses will have a negative impact on their bottom line.
If your business has deployed standard mobile computers within these environments, you may need to consider the following:
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Transitions between cold and and warm environments may cause condensation or corrosion, fogging or frost
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Standard batteries failing
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Low-light conditions creating a hard to see display and hard to read keyboard for your operators
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Operators are physically hampered with bulky and cumbersome clothing and gloves while working on technology
So what should you be looking for when you need to address environmental requirements? Internal heaters for the display and scan window to start. Additionally, thermostat or user heather controls for energy conservation. Freezer related plastics that hold up and do not crack in sub zero temperatures. Furthermore, military-grade conformal coatings which protect electronics against condensation and specialized low-temp batteries will allow operators to work in frigid environments.
Similar to snowflakes, no two refrigerated or cold storage facilities are alike - be it the requirements around commodity, distribution, manufacturing or import/export environments. However, one common thread that unites them all is the operational costs which continue to escalate while profits prove to be more difficult to achieve. Preparing and deploying a solution which stands up to the rigors of battling the heat and transitioning to the cold, will provide your operators with the tools to be productive in any environment.
Fortunately, there are cold storage solutions which will provide your operators with the tools to be productive in the most demanding environments. For additional information feel free to contact us at L-Tron at info@l-tron.com or click below to qualify for a free assessment.
Life is grand. Your data center is running on all cylinders. People are using the computer system as it was designed. You have your feet up on your desk listening to your Bee Gees 8-track tape. Then, out of the blue, you get beckoned to come down to the warehouse because “something just isn't right.” Of course, the call came just as Barry Gibb was hitting the high notes, so you already have a little chip on your shoulder.
You trudge down to the warehouse and talk to the culprit, because you just know it was his fault. HE did something – sat on the keyboard, hit 5 keys and a bunch of special characters at the same time, spilled water, did something that is not humanly possible. Whatever it is, he did it. You take a deep breath, and start asking questions. As you inquire, you realize that he wasn't entirely at fault. There was a hidden “feature” in the software. Under normal circumstances, this “feature” would probably never see the light of day. But, since your company does these particular procedures on occasion, “surprise, surprise” – you win! Your prize? You get to call tech support to report the problem to a tech support line that may or may not be in the same time zone as you.
In any case, it is your duty to report the issue that made your call necessary, and all the steps leading up to it. Be prepared: have the information at your fingertips so you can explain the issue in detail when asked. It is so much easier to gather the information in advance, than to end up calling multiple times, in which case you may end up running into even more delays such as limited availability or wait times (“Due to the unusual amount of support calls today, you are the 259th caller. Your estimated wait time is approximately 2.5 years...”).
What do you need to know before you call? First off, how did you arrive at this bug/issue? What steps did you take/run/choose? Which versions and releases of the software, hardware, firmware (any applicable) are you using? Which version/release of the operating system are you using? Get the serial numbers of each piece of hardware that is involved. Document everything you can think of – you are far better off calling with too much info than trying to run back and forth, especially over multiple calls.
Now comes the fun part. After you have established the case with tech support, you finally get a response. It could be an easily solution, or it could be something else, like one of my all-time favorites, and I am sure yours, too: “hmm…we've never seen that before...” or a variation, such as, “hmm... well, that's unusual!”
Granted, quality testing is quite involved in most software, and the software provider cannot test for every situation, but it is frustrating when obvious situations or not-so-unusual usage brings about errors. I have been on both sides of the call, and I have had my teams test every situation we could think of, but things sometimes act differently in real-world environments. It’s no excuse, but I take it into consideration when I need tech support. What it really comes down to is that both patience and knowledge are needed when placing and answering tech support calls. Get your point across accurately, and make them aware of the urgent nature of this issue, and you will find that the stress levels will be more manageable. Most importantly, you are more likely to get an effective and useful solution.
During my time in Industrial Computing, I have found that Industrial PCs are the most suitable solution for a number of projects involving rugged environments, including testing Print Circuit Boards (PCB) and Print Circuit Board Assemblies (PCBA).
Industrial PCs have an abundance of filtered cooling fans. These fans provide optimized and streamlined airflow and allow Industrial PCs to withstand the extreme heat and airborne particles found in most manufacturing areas. With a hold-down clamp and shock mounted drive brackets, Industrial PCs can also withstand the shock, vibration and dust found in harsh environments.
Industrial PCs are designed for high-efficiency, mission-critical applications and can run 24/7/365, which is critical in high-volume production where a bed of nails tester, a fixture, or a rigid needle adapter is used to facilitate testing. Industrial PCs are also vital during the PCBA test phase after the board has been populated. They provide the user with the ability to administer both an in-circuit test, where physical measurements can be done, and a functional test, which checks to see whether the PCB does what it was designed to do.
Industrial PCs are available in multiple forms and in customized configurations. If you have any projects that require an Industrial PC that adheres to certain project specifications, please call L-Tron Corporation at 800-830-9523 and we will be more than happy to assist you!