RFID technology is a powerful tool for achieving real-time inventory or asset visibility in your supply chain. In a well-designed RFID implementation, items will flow through the process, with real-time quantity and location updates made to your systems with minimal human involvement.

One of the challenges in implementing an RFID solution is designing the software logic which will track and record events as you intend. It’s no longer necessary to wait until you’ve made the substantial investment in RFID hardware to begin designing your software solution. CSSI can design RFID software and prove out the solution in advance of RFID hardware installation.

In the video below, we demonstrate an RFID inventory tracking solution in a virtual environment:

This RFID asset tracking solution employs Android mobile computers and Clearstream RFID middleware, along with custom software developed by CSSI. Note that we can import a floor plan to create a visual representation of your site, mark out where RFID readers will be present, and virtually move inventory within the environment to test the software reaction.

By first modeling the RFID software solution in a virtual environment, we can then transfer to an actual physical workspace with confidence, knowing the RFID system logic is sound.

Potential Applications for Radio Frequency Identification:

• Asset tracking of high-dollar items
• Improved inventory visibility and reduced inventory errors caused by missed barcode scans
• Eliminating the need for human participation in each data acquisition event
• Reducing lost inventory and improving overall inventory accuracy through an RFID inventory system
• A much faster periodic and inventory and asset audit or cycle count

What are the Components of an RFID System?

An RFID system will consist of an RFID tag (active or passive) applied to each pallet or asset, RFID reader (handheld scanner or fixed antennna), RFID middleware, and software such as an RFID inventory management system.

CSSI Support for your RFID Tracking Project

CSSI can assist you with all phases of project design, including RFID system design, hardware, custom programming, and selection and sourcing of your passive tag, active tags, and barcode labels with embedded RFID chip. We recommend starting with an RFID pilot project to assess viability.

Please click here to contact CSSI to discuss your potential RFID project.

Printheads wear down over time, and print quality suffers. You may think of occasional printhead replacements as a standard cost of business for a direct thermal or thermal transfer printer, but good news… if your business uses Zebra desktop or industrial barcode label printers, CSSI can offer you a cost-saving way around this expense!

Get Replacement Printheads At No Cost

The Zebra Printhead Protection Program allows you to obtain no-cost replacement printheads throughout the life of your Zebra desktop or industrial thermal printer.

Here’s How It Works

Zebra’s print head replacement program is simple:

1. Speak to your CSSI account rep to determine that your Zebra barcode label printers qualify
2. Enroll in the program through CSSI
3. CSSI will work with you to specify high quality Zebra certified labels and ribbons in your label printer
4. Whenever you need a printhead to be replaced, CSSI will replace it for you at no cost.

Benefits of the Zebra Printhead Protection Program

There are many benefits to the program:

• Reduce downtime with longer-lasting printheads which reduce wear on your thermal transfer printer or direct thermal printer
• Eliminate unexpected printhead replacement costs
• Take advantage of CSSI’s experts as a single source for your label printing needs
• Enrollment and support through the program is easy
• There are no barcode label order minimums
• You don’t need to ship back your Zebra label printer, further reducing downtime

Why Use Genuine Zebra Supplies?

High quality barcode labels and ribbons

Certified Zebra supplies have been thoroughly tested to ensure minimal thermal printhead wear. Also, Zebra labels are reliable, resulting in consistent print quality, fewer bad labels, tears, and misprints.

Service and availability

CSSI can offer you the extremely wide variety of printing supplies and Zebra labels. Custom thermal labels? No problem – we will work with you to design and approve the optimal label for your process. We can even create inventory programs to reduce your label lead times.

Barcode label expertise

CSSI has decades of support in label specification and procurement. Combine that with our partner Zebra’s industry-leading position in barcode and RFID tag printing, and you are putting together a winning team!

How to Enroll

To get started, simply contact your CSSI account rep to discuss Zebra’s printhead protection program.

Are Your Customers Demanding Cold Storage Traceability?

While you may be confident about your system for cold storage traceability, research reveals that only 22% of customers have complete trust in food safety! If you operate a cold storage warehouse, freezer warehouse, or participate in cold chain shipments in any way, this video presents some interesting data.

Today’s complex cold chain logistics can leave a lot of room for costly errors. That’s one reason that 7 out of 10 customers cite food safety as their top concern when purchasing products!

The consequences of poor food traceability can include:

• missed compliance
• fees
• cross-contamination
• spoilage of perishable goods
• recalls

CSSI Technologies brings you the tools you need to implement a tracebility system for the transparent cold storage warehouse and frozen food chain. We sell and support mobile computers and rugged scanners with a higher operational temperature range, freezer-grade screens, and ergonomic and glove-friendly form factors for employee comfort and productivity.

For more detailed information on cold chain food safety, check out the Food Safety Supply Chain Vision Guide .

Contact CSSI to Discuss Implementing a Traceability System for Your Cold Storage Environment

To learn more about how CSSI can assist you in creating transparent cold storage in your operations, please contact us today.

There is a large disparity in the perception of food safety between food industry professionals and consumers. CSSI’s partner Zebra Technologies has produced a data rich white paper which is a must-read for food industry professionals. The 2020 Zebra Food Safety Supply Chain Vision Study is based on surveys with almost 5,000 consumers and 462 industry executives.

Are you optimally employing cold chain technologies which ensure food supply traceability? This study will provide insights to guide you. The vision study is packed with useful information which will help provide insights for any food industry supplier.

Some insights from the report include:

Metrics around food safety and consumer trust

Zebra spoke with 4,957 consumers and 462 food producers and supply chain pros. Survey metrics bear out the realization that there is a disconnect in food safety confidence between food producers and the average consumer.

69% of industry decision makers believe the industry can manage food traceability and transparency… but only 35% of consumers agree!

Consumers have low faith in food safety

Food producers are under great pressure to improve speed and efficiency, all while maintaining strict food safety standards and addressing food safety issues which can result from a lack of preventive control. For example, frozen foods must be maintained at acceptable temperatures throughout the global supply chain.

Top 5 Food Safety Concerns

1. Hygiene of restaurant kitchen staff
2. Foodborne outbreaks
3. Illness from contaminated food
4. Recalls of food and beverages
5. Hygiene of restaurant wait staff

What are the business consequences of food safety incidents?

Outbreaks of foodborne illness borne from poor food hygiene, food fraud, and contamination can give the entire industry a black eye. The consequences can be financial, reputational, legal, regulatory, and even co-operative if bad actors are shunned. Supply chain transparency and cold chain food traceability can help to improve confidence and reduce food safety incidents.

Confronting the food information challenge

In general, consumer want to know where their food comes from, and a majority feel the industry is not sufficiently transparent about food quality. They expect the food safety professional to play a role in ensuring regulatory compliance in food facilities.

Key technology enablers to build consumer trust in food safety

Thankfully, technologies supported by companies like CSSI exist to address these food chain issues. Areas of benefit include:

• Reduce risk through proper handling, transportation, and storage
• Tracking of product perishability
• Food supply chain optimization
• Regulatory compliance with food safety guidelines
• Intake management of raw material and ingredients
• Greater transparency in the food supply chain and cold chain

Traceability technology investment

Technologies such as barcoding, RFID, freezer grade mobile computers, and software solutions play a role in addressing traceability, food safety, and regulatory compliance. As an example, consider the Zebra MC9300, a rugged freezer-grade handheld suitable for cold storage and challenging food production environments. Food safety risk can be diminished with confidence if a food manufacturer invests in technologies such as these, after consulting with an experienced integrator such as CSSI. 62% of food processing pros and supply chain partners expect to operate more predictively over the next 5 years — 62% increase from today!

Regional findings within the study

This is a global study, with findings from all continents. In North America, the typical food manufacturer or food safety professional trusts food production safety 2.5 times more than the average consumer!

The trust gap: information is power!

With sufficient visibility and access to information, it is possible to improve perceptions and results around the food value chain, while reducing food safety incidents!

How can CSSI Technologies help?

CSSI’s experienced team of integrators can support food producers, freezer warehouses, and cold chain participants in improving operational results. Contact us today to discuss your unique situation.

As we start off a new year in 2021, what does the investment roadmap look like for your company’s tech infrastructure? When it comes to warehouse management and material handling, are you ahead of, or behind, the technology curve in workflow optimization?

While the year is young, it makes sense to benchmark your workflow tech adoption against other companies. According to a new report from Vistage (Technology trends facing business in 2021 and beyond), a few broad trends can be expected:

IT will drive workflow optimization

IT spending clearly varies widely by industry, with the software industry unsurprisingly in the lead. However, it’s worth noting that traditional IT laggard industries such as transportation & logistics, manufacturing, and industrial products are already being impacted by the ‘Amazon effect’, in which consumer expectations have been raised owing to Amazon’s extreme investments in technology enabling it to dramatically improve service levels and throughput. Where does your company stand on IT spend as a percent of total revenue?

CSSI can help: Are you effectively utilizing automatic data capture, mobile computing, barcode scanning, and warehouse management software in your operations?

Digital transformation will be pervasive

In today’s fast paced business day, pen-and-paper processes are slow-moving and error-prone. By migrating from paper to digital, it’s possible to accelerate workflows and reduce errors as well as new employee training time. CSSI offers a range of tools to help you rapidly move to digital. Speak to your CSSI rep about custom programming options which can rapidly move you forward. For example, consider this case study in which CSSI supported a company’s adoption of a completely digital quality sample management process.

The adoption of robotics, automation, and AI is accelerating

If there is one long-lasting impact of 2020’s COVID crisis, it will be the further acceleration of robotics and automation. As technologies have evolved, companies are increasingly seeking ways to replace labor. Robots can work faster, cheaper, and with greater accuracy — and don’t get affected by illnesses.

One of the sweet spots of robotics has been the use of cobots, or collaborative robots — these machines augment, rather than entirely replace staff workers. As capabilities expand and training time diminishes, expect to see more use of these multi-purpose machines.

Artificial intelligence is another exciting area of advancement. Practical AI applications are available now which can save time and improve your capabilities. For example, AI-powered hybrid cloud security cameras enable your team to rapidly scan hours of footage to identify events and event specific individuals. Hybrid cloud video surveillance can save time and improve security workflows.

CSSI can help: Are you ready to explore technologies such as AI, robotics, or RFID? Contact us today to start a conversation.

Many industries anticipate significant increases in IT infrastructure investment

Based on Flexera’s 2020 Tech Spend Report, status quo IT investment levels are not expected to hold, but will instead increase. Note that respondents in retail/eCommerce indicate the highest overall percentage increase, with Industrial coming in second.

Concerned about how you will budget for and afford IT investments? Speak to CSSI about exciting technology financing options which are available — take advantage of current historically low interest rates with an equipment lease which enables you to match the equipment benefit with the cash outlay over a period of years.

Augmented reality & virtual reality tools are making inroads for workflow optimization

Extended reality, augmented reality, and virtual reality technologies are gradually making inroads in businesses. While some of these technologies may be a little ‘early’, other well-vetted technologies are ready for prime time in your business. for example, have you tested hands-free wearable computers and voice-directed devices? In fast-paced warehouse environments, the ROI can be compelling. Contact us for a demo today.

In summary, it’s a new year and a whole new technology world. As your enterprise mobile and automated data capture partner, CSSI can introduce you to technologies which can transport your business. Contact us today to discuss your opportunities.

Read the complete Vistage report on 2021 Technology trends here.

Interested in more reporting on IT investment outlooks for workflow optimization? Read Zebra’s most recent field operations vision study or warehousing vision study.

The Zebra WT6300 wearable computer is the ultimate industrial wearable mobile computer to support hands-free picking operations. Built on the latest Android platform, this device has been optimized to meet the unique needs of mobile, hands-free workers in rugged environments such as warehouses and cold storage. Wearable technology has come a long way – take a look at how you can reduce cycle times with wearables.

Cutting edge warehouses increasingly utilize wearable technology to reduce wasted motion and compress cycle times.

Some of the features of the Zebra WT6300 wearable computer include:

• Hands free mobility and great ergonomics keep your employees working at optimal speeds for longer
• Rugged design! Built for everyday use, even in the toughest environments like freezer warehouses
• Display is optimized for use with gloves
• Supports 24/7 use – hot-swappable battery enables maximum uptime
• Covid safe – will withstand disinfectants
• Push-to-talk lets the Zebra WT6300 double as a communication tool
• Combine with headset and a paired Zebra ring scanner for hands-free barcode scanning
• Android operating system enables fast application performance and ensures years of productive use — intuitive graphical android applications will allow faster training of new employees. Consult with CSSI for custom application programming.

Complete the form at right to speak to CSSI today to arrange your personal demonstration of the Zebra WT6300 wearable computer for best-in-class industrial wearable computing.

Did you know that you can produce vivid color labels in-house and on-demand? No need to pre-order large quantities of pre-printed labels… CSSI’s partner Canon has a line of industrial grade color inkjet printers which enable you to print labels as you need them.

Color inkjet is an excellent option for companies which:

• Need to uniquely customize or personalize each label
• Have large quantities of low-volume labels which are difficult to inventory
• Runs labels in low quantities which are uneconomical to pre-print

With Canon printers you can select between pigment and dye-based inks. CSSI will work with you to determine the best fit for your application. Contact us today to get started.

Picking is the largest labor cost in most warehouse facilities. Pursuing labor efficiency thus produces the biggest bank for the buck when seeking operational improvements. With this in mind, bringing mobile power into your business creates a rapid and significant change in your volumes, accuracy, and efficiency. By taking the computing power to the point of use with mobile powered carts, you will increase speed and throughput while reducing costs.

A powered picking cart lets you design ever-more intelligent options into your process:

• route guidance monitors
• on-demand label printing
• paperless mobile pick-to-light or put-to-light capabilities

CSSI Technologies can help! CSSI is a partner of Newcastle Systems, a leader in mobile powered carts. Contact us to learn more about your mobile computing options today.

Zebra has introduced the next generation of the versatile MC3000 family of mobile computers, the Zebra MC3300x. The MC3300x provides more of all the essentials you need to meet the challenges of the modern warehouse environment — increased power, an even more rugged construction, and additional features.

The MC3300x offers a purposeful ergonomic design which includes 4 form factors, several keypad options, and a bright touch-sensitive display. With so many choices, CSSI can work with you to select the optimal configuration for your needs.

Why Choose the Zebra MC3300x?
1. Zebra’s most powerful Android architecture
2. Proven fit-for-purpose ergonomics (now even more rugged!)
3. More ways to capture more kinds of data
4. Triple-shift battery power boost productivity
5. Compatible with MC33xx accessories you have today

The MC3300x is built with Zebra’s latest Android architecture, including a faster SD660 octa-core 2.2 GHz processor, more standard memory (4 GB RAM/32 GB Flash on every model), and delivers superior performance on all of your voice and data applications.

Just as exciting, the MC3300x is even more rugged than the original MC3300! The drop specification has been increased to 6 ft., and the tumble spec tripled to 3,000 3.3 ft. tumbles. Further, sealing increased from IP54 to IP64, making the MC3300x dustproof.

You’ll love great data capture features, with one new scan engine. The SE4770 standard range 1D/2D scan engine offers an intuitive illumination field for easy aiming, providing a superior user experience in the most scan intensive applications.

Running a multi-shift operation? With the MC3300x you’ll have fewer interruptions to swap batteries — it has 35% more capacity, sufficient to power three shifts.

Wireless connectivity has also improved. 2×2 Multiple-User Multiple Input Multiple Output (MU-MIMO) delivers maximum WiFi range and speed for better, more robust connections. Bluetooth 5.0 provides twice the speed and four times the range of the prior generation MC3300, improving the performance of peripherals, such as headsets, printers and more. And since the new WiFi and Bluetooth technologies use less power, more battery life is preserved.

The MC3300x runs on Android 10, the most powerful version of Android yet. This makes it easier to use and even more secure, with over 50+ new security and privacy improvements.

And Zebra’s Mobility DNA and LifeGuard™ for Android™ put the MC3300x in a class of its own. Over 17 value-added Mobility DNA tools boost workforce productivity, simplify device management and improve device performance. And LifeGuard offers up to eight years of security updates, end-to-end remote control of the OS update process through your supported EMM, plus built-in support for the next version of Android.

Speak to CSSI Technologies today to arrange your demo of the Zebra MC3300x and improve workforce productivity and efficiency from your manufacturing shop floor to the warehouse.

Did that come out right?

You can be confident it did if you used Zebra Certified Print Supplies. CSSI Technologies is an expert in the selection and specification of barcode labels, RFID tags, and all manner of print supplies. Work with our team to ensure that you are using the optimal adhesives, label materials, and more to keep your label printers humming.

Watch out for these 7 signs of deficient supplies syndrome:

1. Rapid printhead wear
2. Pre-print color buildup on printheads
3. Printer adjustments needed with every order
4. Adhesive ooze
5. Labels fading
6. Labels falling off
7. Labels are not withstanding the environment.

Complete the form at right to speak today with a CSSI print supplies expert!