The Healthcare Distribution Management Association (HDMA) has just updated their guide for formatting, encoding, and placing bar codes on pharmaceuticals. The HDMA is the USA’s association representing primary healthcare distributors, and their aim is the safe and efficient distribution of healthcare products and services. 

As part of their mission, the HDMA creates and exchanges industry knowledge and best practices to enhance the value of the healthcare supply chain. Their new guide, “HDMA Guidelines for Bar Coding in the Pharmaceutical Supply Chain 2011” has recently been published to give manufacturers and repackagers the latest information on applying GS1 and HIBCC standard bar codes to packages, cases, and pallets.

The new guide explains how to apply the standards to identify drugs at all levels of packaging as they move through the supply chain. It also has expanded guidance on the use of 2D bar codes and RFID on packages and shipping containers. Previous editions of the guidelines had recommendations on linear bar code technology only, but the recent changes to imaging equipment – better performance and lower cost – have prompted their recommendations for 2D bar coding as well.

Some significant changes you will find include:

• The addition of a unique serial number in the GS1-128 product identification bar code to product case labels
• A recommendation to add an optional 2D GS1 DataMatrix bar code symbol to drug packages and product cases
• A reduction in the bar code dimensions, thus freeing up space on labels for serial numbers
• New information on standardized numerical identifiers (SNIs)

Although the HDMA does not enforce compliance with their guidelines for product case labels, compliance would greatly improve efficiency and accuracy in the pharmaceutical supply chain. If you need more information on the HDMA, or would like a complete list of their guidelines, visit their website.

For a while it seems that the companies building mobile devices have been really focused on building out their smart phone type products. It is nice to report that there seems to be a change in emphasis. New rugged devices for industrial applications are appearing -  starting with the Intermec 70 Series and now the new Tecton from our friends at LXE.

If you are at all familiar with the LXE product line, you’ll notice that the Tecton bears a strong family resemblance to the well proven MX7 that has been around for some time. The Tecton is indeed a derivative of the MX7 and replaces it in the line up.

The new product builds on the strengths of the older one – still designed to be robust enough for the toughest of applications, maintains the option of a version for very cold environments and keeps the same proven form factor.

As with all LXE models, Tecton has big easy to use keys – plenty of Function keys too which is always welcome.

The processor is faster than previously and the device has a decent amount of RAM and Flash memory. SD cards up to 4GB provide plenty of room for data and apps.

The display resolution of 240×320 pixels seems a little retro – then again, this is a device for improving your supply chain and logistics, not watching the movies from Netflix!

Wireless is the familiar 802.11 a/b/g with all the security features one would expect and the device is ready to run voice-driven applications.

The Tecton is a Windows based device (I’m still waiting impatiently for the first rugged Android mobile computer) so all the things we love and hate (mostly hate to be honest) about Windows Mobile are still there. One very good thing is that in addition to Windows Mobile 6.5, the device can be specified with Windows CE 6.0. This is great for anyone using apps such as the Oracle Java apps that don’t play nicely with WM out of the box.

For barcode scanning, the standout scanner is Symbol’s Lorax multirange laser scanner – great for reading linear barcodes at distances from 4 inches to 40 ft. Other laser scanners and a 2D imager provide options for other applications.

So; the Tecton doesn’t represent a dramatic change from the previous MX7 model, but it does bring a lot of incremental improvements to a product that already does a good job. For someone already using the MX7, the Tecton uses the same accessories, making the introduction simple. Anyone looking to introduce rugged mobile computers into their operation should certainly check out the Tecton. 

Want more info? Download the datasheet here!

It seems that all the data collection manufactures have been spending all their time of late bringing out new smartphone type devices. It is nice to see that the folks at Symbol recognizethat there is still a need to evolve the humble barcode scanner and their new CS3000 is a good example of scanner innovation.

For quite a while, there has been a Symbol scanner small enough to keep on a key chain – aimed mainly at consumers.

The CS3000 is a little larger and is aimed more at Enterprise customers who need to be able to quickly capture barcode data with a super-portable device.

CS3000 can be used in two modes - batch and Bluetooth.

The batch mode does just as you would think – stores the captured scans in memory and uploads to a computer when placed in a cradle. Bluetooth mode is intended to be able to instantly upload data to a Bluetooth enabled computer or smartphone (wonder if I could use with my iPhone?).

Despite the rather plastic look, the CS3000 is designed to be able to survive the inevitable drops to concrete floors – I wouldn’t suggest using for your tough warehouse jobs though! If you have 2D barcodes you are out of luck. The only scanner available is a 1D laser one. Maybe Moto is adopting the Apple technique of holding back features and will include 2D in next year’s version.

So if you need a simple, low cost (list price is a shade over $300) 1D scanning system, the CS3000 could be it. It already shows up in the inventory systems of the AutoID distributers so should be available pretty soon.

Want to learn more? Check out Symbol’s video here. Need some? I’m your man for that!

I think this in an interesting little device – hopefully I’ll be able to get hold of one to try out soon.

The folks at Primara have been busy for quite a while, changing how quality multicolor labels can be printed on-demand.

They’ve just taken things another step by introducing an RFID enabled color printer – the RX900.

The RX900 is intended for applications such as asset tracking, garment tagging and applications such as file folder labeling and medical applications where color coding is needed as well as RFID.

Rather than try and invent the RFID encoding system themselves, Primera are using the well proven system from Intermec, which seems to be a good solid choice. The antenna can be fine tuned to allow labels as small as 1 inch high to be handled, without the old problem of encoding the wrong one.

I must say, it is nice to see some innovation in the RFID labeling world – it has been a long time. I’ve been a fan of the Primera line of color printers for a long time (even sold one or two) and I’m looking forward to seeing how this new product takes off in the market place.

Is there a need for a printer that can print and encode RFID labels in color? How would you use a device like this?

The Senate’s version of the food safety bill introduced last year - S.510 – looks like it finally has enough bipartisan agreement on key issues and might have a chance of passing. Some of the provisions of the bill include:

Hazard analysis and preventive controls: Facilities that manufacture, process, pack, or hold food must have in place risk-based preventive control plans to address identified hazards and prevent adulteration. The FDA will have access to these plans and relevant documentation. These requirements do not apply to restaurants or most farms.

Imports: All importers must verify the safety of foreign suppliers and imported food. The FDA can require certification for “high-risk” foods and can deny food that lacks certification or is from a foreign facility that has refused U.S. inspectors.

Inspection: The FDA will have additional resources to hire new inspectors and requires the FDA to inspect food facilities more frequently.

Mandatory Recall Authority: The FDA will have authority to order a mandatory recall of a food product if the food will cause serious adverse health consequences or death and a company has failed to voluntarily recall the product upon FDA’s request.

Surveillance: Enhances surveillance systems to detect foodborne illnesses.

Traceback: Requires the FDA to establish a pilot project to test and evaluate new methods for rapidly tracking foods in the event of a foodborne illness outbreak.

Increased FDA Resources: Increases funding for the FDA’s food safety activities through increased appropriations and targeted fees for food facility reinspection, food recalls, and the voluntary qualified importer program.

The legislation includes training for facilities so they can come into compliance with new safety requirements and includes special accommodations for small businesses and farms. There are also no changes to current organic farming practices and does not change the current definition of farm under the 2002 Bioterrorism Act. Any farm that is not currently required to register with FDA will not be required to do so under this legislation.

The current version of the bill is available for download, just click on this link.

Using flame retardant materials has been common in some industries, such as the aviation business for a long time.

Recent cases in the electronics industry, where some consumer devices have overheated and caught fire, shows how important the use of flame retardant materials is in this industry as well.

This makes the introduction of the XF-603 polyimide label an important step. XF-603 is a flame retardant polyimide label material that can be used for product identification or bar code label applications.  The XF-603 meets the difficult VTM-0 level of flame retardants per UL94 standard.  This polyimide label is designed to perform in the most demanding environments and also is compliant to the latest REACH/ROHS requirements and each lot is certified to be halogen free to the IEC 61249-2-21 levels.

Check out this video from Polyonics that shows just how well this material performs…

Here at Winco ID, we have been a partner of Polyonics for many years. Many of the high quality durable labels we convert are made from Polyonics materials.

Whether you need Kapton (polyimide) or other durable or flame retardant labels, our team of label experts is bound to have a solution.

Give us a call at 603-598-1553.

A new label made of antistatic materials offers protection from electrostatic discharge on your PC boards. Even the smallest and most complex components can be protected from ESD throughout the life of the label.

These labels protect against ESD in two ways: first by eliminating the charge that can occur when the label is removed from its liner during application and second by preventing charge build-up on the label surface.

The antistatic label materials are able to withstand PC board manufacturing processes and they conform to REACH, RoHS, and HALOGEN FREE requirements of the electronics industry. Something as simple as a label can improve production yields and product reliability for your business.

The Food Safety Modernization Act (S. 510) could be on the President’s desk within a few weeks. The bill was unanimously voted out of committee in mid-November 2009, and after months of waiting, the Senate is expected to bring pending food safety legislation to the floor within the next week.

Even though the bill has the support to get through the Senate, many small farmers still have concerns about the bill, which they feel will place too heavy a burden on local food producers.  Eighty-seven groups, including the Center for Food Safety, and dozens of food co-ops, recently signed a letter in support of an amendment proposed by Senator Jon Tester (D-MT) that would exempt small, local processing facilities from some of the bill’s controls and traceability requirements.

“Farmers and processors who sell directly to consumers and end users have a direct relationship with their customers that ensures quality, safety, transparency and accountability,” said the letter.  “In addition, small-scale food producers are already regulated by local and state authorities, and the potential risk their products pose is inherently limited by their size.”

Many agriculture groups are hoping to gain support to reduce federal regulation on small farmers and producers. Such groups contend that local and organic farms are safer than the large industrial food producers and are not the source of the food safety problems. Centralized production, centralized processing, and long distance transportation are the main threats to food safety. Not surprisingly, those who are coordinating the effort for federal food safety reform, such as the Center for Science of Public Interest, and the Grocery Manufacturers of America, do not support federal exemptions. “We do have issues with anything that provides any blanket exemptions,” Sandra Eskin, director of the food safety campaign with The Pew Charitable Trusts, told Food Safety News in an interview. “Food should be safe regardless of its source–big processor, small farm, conventional operation or organic grower. We can talk about scale-appropriate regulation, but not exemptions.”

Both House and Senate versions of the bill give the FDA mandatory recall authority, require more frequent inspections, and ask food facilities to implement food safety plans. Most likely this legislation will require changes to how your label and track your products. Contact Winco ID and we can discuss ways to easily add traceability to your food processing operations.

Bartender is a great label program, but it can be tricky trying to figure out which edition you need.

Seagull Scientific currently has no less than six editions, from the incredibly powerful enterprise Print Server down to the (very) Basic Edition.

Like most of the label software companies, Seagull has published charts of all the features in each edition, but this can get confusing.

In an attempt to make it easier for potantial customers, Seagull has come up with an interactive version of their Features and Editions Comparison Chart. Check it out here!

To be honest, I find that the thing about BarTender that most confuses my clients is the difference in licensing between the Pro and Enterprise editions. You’ll note that this is the very top item in the chart.

Do you use BarTender or are you thinking of using it? Need help with determining which edition you need? Let me know what you think.

Winco ID is a business partner of Seagull Scientific, we have been providing and supporting Bartender with great success!

If you need to keep track of your assets or inventory, RedBeam software offers a simple and economical approach.

RedBeam is available in Inventory, Assets and Check in/Check out versions and can be used both on a PC or a selection of mobile devices.

Right now, RedBeam is also offering a special deal: For a limited time only, customers who purchase a single user mobile edition of RedBeam software receive a two user license for the single user price!

Is 2010 the year for you to get control of your assets and inventory? Give me a call at 603-598-1553 x237 and I’ll be happy to help.