Category Archives: Industry

Small business retailers are often left on the sidelines when it comes to watching the technology that is made available to the “big boys” of retailing. Solutions used in retail stores include high-performance Point-of-Sale systems, mobile devices, sophisticated software tools, self-service kiosks, and digital signage. These are all valuable tools when it comes to providing a […]

There’s so much information flying around about the impending end for Microsoft’s® family of embedded operating systems, and it’s true, they are going away. However, a lot of the information that is being put out there is being somewhat skewed, possibly with an agenda… one that might cause concern with someone that is currently using […]

When I was a kid, my parents had a great, big console TV… one of those old glass tube types (CRT) mounted in a huge wooden enclosure, with big speakers on each side that were covered with that sparkly, gold fabric, and two mechanical channel changers… one for channels 2 through 13 and one for […]

When I was a kid, I used to marvel at watching my Mom run a “10-key adding machine”, a device that has gone the way of the typewriter and the corded telephone. But it was amazing to watch her flip through the papers at her work, fingers flying, paper tape spewing out of the back […]

The concept of “self-service” in a retail setting is certainly nothing new or revolutionary. Self-check-out has been around for some time and has been so well accepted that many stores rely on it heavily. It’s not unusual to see only one staffed check-out lane open. Self-check-in at the airport is the “only way to fly” […]

There’s a lot of chatter lately about the pros and cons of using consumer grade devices (CGD’s) in commercial and industrial applications. Specifically we’re talking about smartphones and tablets being used in places where historically we might see a purpose-built rugged device, designed to withstand the rigors of all-day, everyday use. We see retail stores […]

Retailers, are you reading the headlines? The need for self-service technology is rising. “Obama team to expand overtime coverage”  –(USA Today) “Louisville’s minimum wage hike survives first court test”  –(Associated Press) “Ikea to hike minimum wage to $10 an hour.”  –(CNN) “Target hiking minimum wage to $9 an hour in April”  –(CNBC) In addition, 14 states have enacted minimum […]

One of the driving factors behind any free market economy is competition. More competition in any given market means more choices for the consumer, keeps pressure on prices, and forces suppliers to constantly innovate, looking for ways to stay a step ahead of the competition. Even suppliers recognize that healthy competition serves as the catalyst […]

There’s an old adage that says “Always use the right tool for the job”. A butter knife might make a decent screwdriver in a pinch, but it wouldn’t be your first choice if you had to drive more than one screw. A Swiss Army knife is a great tool to have under certain circumstances, but […]

Small business manufacturers have a few different reasons for not instituting the use of barcodes. Some might not see how barcodes can increase the profitability of their businesses. Others might not understand how barcodes work, and think implementing a barcode system would be a daunting task. Regardless of the reason, these businesses are missing out […]

In this day and age, technology is no longer a choice for businesses. In order to succeed, technology must be embraced. The time has passed for paper-based systems; they simply can’t compete with the speed and accuracy of newer software. A plethora of options are available to those looking to bring their businesses up to […]

Barcodes can be used in a variety of ways, all of which can save a business time and money. So much thought goes into implementing a barcoding system that little is put into how those barcodes will be printed and displayed. However, one overlooked aspect of barcoding is the use of barcode labels. Choosing the […]

The supply chain is vast, tracking the movement of limitless inventory from start to finish. This could mean products making their way across the country – or even around the globe. In between there are a myriad of interconnected businesses and related activities such as suppliers, transport and logistics companies, and service providers – before […]

Outsourcing your IT needs allows you to reduce labor costs, gain access to advanced capabilities and make capital funds available. It is a cost-effective, long-term alternative to having an internal IT staff, eliminating the cost of hiring new employees. A business also greatly benefits from the knowledge and experience of a team of IT professionals […]