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How to Assess if Your Printers are Built for Enterprise

When operating in high-volume workflows, a functional printer becomes the foundation for unbroken productivity. With 82% of warehouses reporting an increase in stock-keeping units, distribution centers expect greater challenges in maintaining speed and accuracy during the order fulfillment process. While adapting to persistent shortages and consumer demands, fulfillment teams have no time for breakdowns. Consequently, it is recommended that business assess their enterprise technology to prevent premature failure and downtime.

Zebra’s most recent Warehouse Vision Study suggests that by 2027, over 90% of warehouses will have implemented enterprise printing in their main workflows. As businesses procure hardware, consider the following questions to guide your search.

 

  1. Is the printhead developed for high-volume printing?

Consumer-grade and desktop printers are not suitable for long workhours and high printing volume. While cheaper upfront, businesses risk spending more on downtime and frequent IT visits since printheads cannot keep up with the workload. An enterprise printhead fit for high-volume warehousing should be able to handle the heat associated with thermal printing while also maintaining barcode legibility at faster speeds.

Moreover, in addition to searching for a suitable printhead, consider also printhead longevity since this will determine the possibility of future downtime. For example, Zebra’s enterprise printers proactively prevent downtime by offering free printheads for previously purchased devices. This empowers warehouses to plan replacements

 

  1. What barcode resolution will I need?

Furthermore, depending on the size of your barcodes, you may need a crisper barcode. For example, a small test-tube label needs a sharper barcode compared to a shelf-rack label which can be seen at a distance. Printheads must match the type of inventory or asset you plan to label to preserve future barcode legibility.

 

  1. Will I need an RFID encoder?

RFID is expected to overtake 8 in 10 warehouses by 2025. As businesses scramble to meet incoming RFID labeling requirements from major retailers, that figure is only expected to rise. Furthermore, RFID is a foundational technology to support numerous visibility solutions such as asset tracking, indoor locationing services, and predictive analytics.

Fortunately, printers like the ZT411 and ZT600 series offer optional RFID encoding alongside standard barcode printing, streamlining costs while securing scalability. Moreover, by spacing inlays closer, Zebra’s ZT600 uses fewer materials, reducing label costs.

 

  1. Are current printing stations creating bottlenecks?

Procuring new hardware creates a great opportunity to re-assess workflows and pinpoint bottlenecks. Printing stations have notoriously been behind bottlenecks and long travel times in the warehouse since workers need to walk and wait in line to print.

If multiple workflows require fast label printing, enterprise mobile printers may be a better solution than simply procuring another large industrial device. The ZQ630 delivers enterprise-grade durability and fast printing speeds to meet labeling requirements for on-the-go workers. On the other hand, if printing stations are still preferred, consider integrating a mobile printing station with power carts to reduce travel times.

 

  1. Can you protect printed data digitally?

In the current digital landscape, no industry can compromise on cybersecurity. Peripheral devices are prime targets for cyberattacks since they are less likely to be protected. Therefore, when searching for a new device, be sure it integrates with your current cybersecurity policies.

Applications like PrintSecure prevent unauthorized users from accessing your device while also protecting stored data from accidental WiFi and Bluetooth connections.

With these responses in mind, businesses can have a better grasp of the kind of device their operations need. For step-by-step assistance in assessing your printing needs, schedule a quick conversation with our automation teams.

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4 Ways to Optimize Your Barcode Printing Solution

For decades, barcode labels have safeguarded product identification and facilitated inventory movement down the supply chain. As warehouses become more dynamic to accommodate customer expectations and new compliance standards, effective barcode scanning remains essential to:

  • Verify the correct shipments are packed onto the correct truck
  • Prevent product spoilage or misplacements
  • Maintain accurate inventory counts to meet demands
  • Meet shipping deadlines on time

Furthermore, 82% of warehouses report an increase in stock-keeping units (SKUs) while studies show a 23% increase in shipping volume. With product quantity and differentiators steadily increasing, the time to optimize barcode printing is now.

Speed up Printing. Expand Printer Longevity. Ensure Successful Scans. Protect Printed Data.

Labels generally account for a small percentage of total operational costs, which means that even small adjustments can impact overall profitability. Below are a few ways warehouses have optimized barcode printing workflows.

  1. Match your printer to your throughput levels – Not every enterprise-grade printer is best suited for high-volume printing. Integrating the wrong printer into your space can initially save money, yet frequent printhead replacements and hardware damage create more unnecessary expenses after integration. While industrial printers can handle high-volume workflows and deliver 600dpi barcode resolution, smaller desktop printers like Zebra’s new ZD611 still deliver quality barcodes at faster speeds for smaller workspaces.
  2. Match label composition to your storage environment – Dust particles and extreme temperatures can harm printing performance, draining budgets in the long run. Fortunately, rugged industrial printers are made to withstand harsh environments with all-metal casings and durable printheads. Devices like the ZT600 Series Printers go a step further by combining rugged durability with a user-friendly touchscreen and media loading, accelerating deployment for faster productivity.
  3. Choose labels that protect the printhead – Inferior label quality damages printers over time by leaving behind debris and scratching the printhead. This creates gaps in the barcode that later hinder scanning. To prevent early printhead failure and jams, consider integrating quality labels like Zebra’s Certified Consumables. Labels with smoother surfaces and stronger adhesives are less likely to damage printheads and leave excessive debris in the printer, ultimately improving print quality and safeguarding printer longevity.
  4. Add printers to your cybersecurity initiatives – Lastly, while cybersecurity may seem far removed from barcode printing, peripheral devices are often targeted by cybercriminals since they are less likely to be protected. Data protection applications like PrintSecure block unauthorized users from viewing printed data while encrypting connections and enabling remote management.

Optimizing your barcode printing solution doesn’t have to be complicated. From label redesign to hardware upgrades, work alongside Avalon’s printer specialists to elevate operations and stay ahead of supply chain challenges. Contact us for a free workflow assessment to learn how you can get started.

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Data Security Must be a Part of Your Peak Season Strategy. Here’s Why:

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As warehouses and distribution centers race to welcome the end of the year surge in online orders and shipments, it is important to include maximized data security as part of optimization strategies. Studies show that cyberattacks may increase by as much as 57% during the holiday season since most IT departments may function with smaller workforces at the end of the year. While many attacks target online shoppers, big businesses are not exempt. In 2019, 40% of surveyed retailers admitted to losing revenue as a result of cyberattacks. Although thorough security plans are highly beneficial in preventing costly breaches, individual device security is also essential to mitigating attacks. To prioritize data protection, the following recommendations provide a safe place to start:

  1. Make sure operating systems are updated – An outdated OS such as Windows Mobile incur greater vulnerabilities that can be exploited. Without updates, operating systems cannot provide the necessary patches to close security gaps. This is one of the many reasons why Android for Enterprise has grown in popularity within modern warehousing. Not only does it facilitate onboarding and app integration, but it also offers recurring and silent OS updates to protect data without disrupting workflows.
  2. Certify non-screen devices are also secured – With the rise of IoT comes additional vulnerabilities through points of entry previously unimagined such as a barcode printer. Security applications such as Zebra’s PrintSecure allow workers to prevent connections by unauthorized users while also encrypting printed data from an extra layer of security within operations.
  3. Ensure all employees are familiar with basic security measures – Studies show that human error alone has been responsible for as much as 43% of data breaches. With the modern workforce being composed of mostly 18-30 year-olds, complicated green-screen devices may pose a risk for data security along with delayed productivity. Consequently, modernized and easy-to-use handheld devices can help prevent human errors that result in breaches, thus maximizing data security.

Modernizing Security in Three Steps with Zebra Technologies

To remove the hassles of modernized device security, Avalon continues in its partnership with Zebra Technologies in simplifying upgrades through the GO Zebra Trade-In Program. Replace outdated devices with Android handhelds and get up to $650 in cash rebates per device by following 3 simple steps:

  1. Purchase your eligible device
  2. Submit your claim form within 90 days of the invoice date
  3. Trade in legacy devices from any manufacturer for cash rebates.

From optimized visibility to dependable data security, create a modernization solution built to thrive in today’s challenging environments both physical and digital. Contact our modernization experts today for a free consultation of your workflows to get started.

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