Printed Barcodes vs. Mobile Barcodes

It will shock absolutely no one to read that the rapid growth of smart phones along with mobile Internet access has changed the way we do business and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. We shop, checkout, collect virtual tickets and coupons and much, much more with our smartphones. Many of these items are accompanied by, or are inclusive with, a barcode – a mobile barcode to be exact.

Now, while many retailers are turning to mobile barcodes in order to make shopping easier for their customers, managing that information on a smartphone’s LCD introduces new challenges as compared with its printed counterpart. Let’s take a look at the differences between these two cousins and where some challenges currently lie.

Printed VS PIXEL

So, the most obvious difference between printed barcodes and mobile barcodes is that one is printed and the other is, you know, mobile. But there’s a bit more behind that. Printed barcodes are typically designed once and printed multiple times. The quality of the barcode can be monitored and tested to international printing standards using commercial barcode verifiers to ensure readability. Pretty straight forward.

Mobile barcodes, on the other hand, are typically generated spontaneously and displayed on cell phones LCDs. And unlike printed barcodes that reflect and absorb light, mobile barcodes actively admit light. Plus, a single LCD pixel is typically constructed from three rectangular color sub pixels. Barcode readers may need to address additional noise resulting from the underlying pixel structure along with reflections and distortions exhibited by the display.

AVOIDING PITFALLS

While printed barcodes adhere to international standards, mobile barcodes, well, let’s just say they are currently ahead of such standards and commercial verification equipment. The lack of standards combined with the dynamic nature of mobile barcodes displayed on an increasing variety of phones present an additional burden on developers and increase the possibility of errors that can make a barcode unreadable. Here are a few things to keep in mind when creating mobile barcodes.

              Barcode Quit Zones

In addition to the display area needed for the barcode itself, a “quiet zone” is required to promote robust reading. Think of this as white space that surrounds the perimeter of the barcode. Larger quite zones can increase the robustness of the barcode, while the lack of one can result in unreadability.

Element Distortions

It’s important that no distortions – such as bitmap stretching, scaling, and pixel round off – are introduced when the barcode is rendered onscreen. Distortions that seem acceptable to the human eye, can render a barcode unreadable.

Backlight Illumination

Because a mobile barcode are self-illuminating, any mobile barcode app must assure proper backlighting required by the reader. Phone model, user settings, display timeout settings and ambient light conditions can affect the backlight level. Generally, the maximum backlighting is recommended when displaying barcodes.

Of course there’s more to the story, such as 1D vs 2D barcodes, atmospheric lighting, and, as always, user error, but that’s all for another day. Leave it to say, that the simple barcode is just one part of the massive tracking and information machine that evolves on a seemingly daily basis. And at Tri-State Business Systems it’s our job to help you stay ahead of the curve. To learn more about how we can help you specifically, please visit us online at www.tri-statebussys.com or give us a call at 908.359.8001.

Is It Worth It to Use Zebra® Certified Supplies?

The short answer is: yes. Of course yes! 1,000 times YES! OK, maybe that could have been shorter, but you get the point.

Contrary to popular belief, printing supplies are not an interchangeable commodity. Printing supplies can impact everything from printhead lifespan to operational efficiency. In thinking through the entire lifecycle of their devices, Zebra creates certified supplies – such as labels and tags, RFID labels, thermal ribbons, wristbands, and receipt paper – to ensure consistent, optimized performance in Zebra printers. This results in quality images being produced, consistently exceptional supplies, and enhanced productivity and long life for the Zebra printers themselves.

Zebra is known the world over for our exceptional quality, durability and dedication to thermal printing technologies. Zebra puts their expertise, insight, and reputation into everything they make, from scanners and mobile computers to printers and, of course printing supplies. That dedication starts from the very beginning…

Consistently outstanding quality

Zebra painstakingly combs through thousands of raw materials and only uses conversion processes, inks, varnishes, tools, and equipment that are optimized for thermal printing. All raw materials are subjected to a rigorous 23-point ISO 9001:2008 certified quality approval process by a dedicated team of material science experts. In addition, they subject all finished supplies to a follow-up round rigorous testing, ensuring premium craftsmanship and durability. They never substitute materials for any reason, so you get the best possible printer performance and print quality. Only the best become Zebra Certified Supplies.

Increased efficiency and productivity

Because Zebra’s printing supplies are so consistent, there’s no need to make printer adjustments between rolls when using the same media. Your workers will experience fewer hassles and require less IT assistance, reducing downtime—plus they can get more done in less time when labels consistently print, adhere, and scan properly. Think about it: if a barcode label isn’t scannable or it falls of a container, operations get interrupted, productivity and efficiency suffer, and costs rise. Finally, consider the fact that with Zebra certified supplies, wear and tear on printers and print heads is reduced, and the need to reprint and replace labels due to poor quality is virtually eliminated. When you look at the big picture, you’ll see that by choosing Zebra, you’re choosing a lower total cost of ownership (TCO).

THE Tri-State Way

The same integrity and dedication to detail that Zebra brings to the table is reflected in every experience you have with Tri-State Business Systems (TSBS). When we design and implement your RFID and Wireless system, we’re not only thinking about your site requirements, training needs and project coordination, we’re also thinking through and ensuring the success of your label & ribbon applications. Together with Zebra Technologies, we are your go-to partner to provide industry leading products, service, and support. Contact us today at 908-359-8001, www.tri-statebussys.com or sales@tri-statebussys.com

LABELS ARE MISSION CRITICAL.
IF SHIPPING AND COMPLIANCE ERRORS COST
YOU MONEY KEEP READING THIS.
The composition of your labels makes all the difference when it
comes to ensuring brand consistency, satisfying your customers,
and improving your operational efficiency.
Using substandard labels can slow down barcode scanning,
disrupt inventory and deliveries, cause expensive printhead
failure, and create a constant need to reprint.
Avoid the costs and headaches by choosing Zebra supplies for
high-quality, pre-tested, and reliable materials.

GET THE BENEFITS FOR YOUR BUSINESS
• Minimize print downtime and unexpected printhead failure
• Ensure high-quality, durable, and scannable printing
• Improve your operational productivity and efficiency
• Lower your total cost of printer ownership
• Ensure brand consistency and customer satisfaction

CONTACT US NOW AT 908-359-8001 OR VISIT
WWW.TRI-STATEBUSSYS.COM TO LEARN MORE.
DO NOT REPRINT.
GET IT RIGHT WITH ZEBRA SUPPLIES
www.tri-statebussys.com

MINIMIZE PRINTER DOWNTIME
We can help your business keep your Zebra mobile,
tabletop, desktop, card, and kiosk printers online and
ready for business. You can choose from multiple service
levels and customize an arrangement to maximize the
availability and productivity of your Zebra printers.

ORDER ONCE FOR THE WHOLE YEAR
Buy your supplies with a single, annual order through
our “stock and ship” program. Order once and we will
send your supplies on a fixed schedule. If your demand is
suddenly higher, just contact us and we will ship your
next supplies sooner!

SIMPLIFY YOUR PACKING SLIPS
Zebra’s Z-Slip all-in-one packing slip solution eliminates
the need to fold your packing slips and slip them into an
envelope before applying them to a box. Z-Slip combines
high-quality packing slip printing with a built-in label and
protector. It is as simple as print, peel, and apply!

CHOOSE QUALITY ZEBRA SUPPLIES
Genuine Zebra supplies are designed with the right
composition and pre-tested to provide high-quality,
reliable labels to meet the most demanding
requirements—including indoor/outdoor use, chemical
and abrasion resistance, reliable barcode scanning, and
long-lasting durability. Zebra has a complete selection
for all your needs, including virtually any format, printing
requirement, or environment.
GET GUARANTEED PRINTHEAD PROTECTION
If you agree to use genuine Zebra supplies exclusively,
you get guaranteed protection against unexpected
printhead replacement costs. If you have a printhead
that fails, it will be replaced at no charge!
ADD A LITTLE COLOR
Zebra’s IQ Color allows you to add color to your barcode
labels, tags, or receipts without changing media in your
printer. Print up to 9 colors on your Zebra thermal printer
by using pre-printed zones of invisible, heat-activated ink.
CONTACT US NOW TO LEARN MORE.

Tri-State Business Systems, LLC
PO Box 5615
Hillsborough, NJ 08844
908-359-8001
www.tri-statebussys.com