 Back in 1994, very few consumers fully understood the future of “computer stores”. However, remote shopping conducted over the phone was already responsible for $60 billion worth of sales. Now, nearly sixteen years later, ecommerce is reshaping retail operations with complex supply chains and new consumer demands. Along with it comes the “Now” Economy which demands faster free shipping from coast to coast.
 Any device connected to a network is vulnerable to security breaches. From mobile computers to tablets, today’s hackers can target any networked device…including printers. When left unchecked, unsecured printers can become the perfect gateway into your operation’s sensitive data. A few layers of protection are what protects an efficient printing system from breach disasters such as the mass printer hacking that affected thousands of campuses nationwide. As a matter of fact, the IDC Worldwide Semiannual Security Spending Guide estimated a 38% growth in cybersecurity spending between 2016 and 2020, a nearly $30 billion overall increase.
 At the core of your crucial operations, your printers work diligently to secure continuous productivity while creating much-needed identification labels. To put matters into perspective, a broken printer can cost as much as $1,200 per one hour of downtime in a warehouse with approximately 100 employees. The longer the wait time – or the more stagnant workers you have – the costlier more downtime.
 To survive the demanding warehouse environment, an efficient printer must go beyond simply delivering clear barcodes. Bringing unmatched durability into the supply chain, Zebra’s Xi Series printers have redefined printing efficiency with faster printing speeds, high-volume printing applications, and early warning systems for maximum uptime. While this technology continues to empower today’s warehouses, new industry demands -such as the rise in ecommerce and automation- have paved the way for newer printing technologies. Zebra’s latest ZT600 Series printers successfully tackle today’s challenges, and while they will certainly meet tomorrow’s obstacles, technology will continue to accelerate, creating new and more powerful solutions in the months to come. Although new technology surely benefits the warehouse, the same might not be said of the environment.
 Between Thanksgiving and Christmas, the nation’s leading delivery services -USPS, UPS, and FedEx- can deliver as much as 50 million packages a day. That means there are 50 million chances for possible mistakes per day. With each passing year, online shopping continues to increase holiday revenue. However, delivery rates seem to shorten as customers expect their packages to arrive faster. Nearly one third of American customers fear not receiving their gifts on time, and indeed, around 8% of packages handled by FedEx and UPS during the 2018 holiday season were delayed, resulting in approximately 98 million late deliveries nationwide. With only a few days before the holidays kick off, Covington Barcoding partners with Zebra Technologies to provide the best tools in preventing inaccurate and late order fulfillment.
 What could you fit in 4.3 million square feet? Boeing uses this massive space to assemble their newest line of airplanes. While it may seem easy to imagine multiple ways to use the largest warehouse in the world, it is even easier to imagine what you could lose in it. As warehouses and distribution centers grow, the need for proper identification grows with them. As a matter of fact, identification and compliance labels play a large role in keeping big warehouses, like Boeing’s aircraft factory, functional.
 Not all labels are made the same. With dozens of different uses, labels diversity is not only inevitable but valued by your most dynamic operations. However, label versatility may lead to increased processing inaccuracies, for unique applications demand unique label qualities.
 To ensure optimal label performance, it is crucial to match your application to the correct printing method. A simple misunderstanding between common printing methods and label endurance can result in damaged printheads, ruined barcodes, and frequent unnecessary downtime. Implementing efficient labeling solutions for a wide variety of clients, Covington Barcoding dives into the differences between two prevalent printing methods: thermal transfer printing and direct thermal printing.
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AuthorCovington Barcoding Archives
January 2020
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