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Symbol Graphics Bar Code Solutions
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Symbol Graphics Inc. a PC software developer
for Roland vinyl cutters and engravers, has developed a unique and inexpensive software solution for asset inventory
management. Honeywell International approached Symbol Graphics with a request to help solve an inventory control
and tracking bar code problem. Facility Operations needed a more effective and permanent way to tag their factory
and facility assets. This tagging was to identify each asset with a bar coded property control number along with
visually readable information including the control number and the manufacturer's model and serial number. In the
past, multiple methods of stick on tags had been utilized including typed foil tags, printed plastic and computer
generated paper tags. Adverse conditions such as exposure to machine oils, solvents, water, heat and chemicals
would cause tags to fall off or fade and become unreadable. Tags lasted no more than a couple of years. Tag maintenance
was becoming an expensive annoyance.
Facility Operations presented the tagging problem to various vendors for price quotes, with most turning the project
down due to their lack of proper equipment to produce the required bar code. The few that remained provided pricing
quotes within the range of $2.00 to $5.00 per tag. Those price quotes were not acceptable due to the quantity of
tags needed for the 2200 pieces of equipment. The approximate cost was $11,000.
It was decided to investigate an alternative method of producing these tags in house. Searching the Internet, they
found Roland's desktop computer controlled engraving machines and Symbol Graphics, a Roland dealer. After discussing
the specialized requirements, Symbol Graphics became interested in helping Honeywell by expanding its Letter-Art
engraving software to include the required high resolution bar code capability. This had not previously been accomplished
in the sign making business and definitely not for the Roland CS-20 entry level engraving machine. While the equipment
and software costs were well below budget considerations, the question remained whether tags could be reliably
produced with readable bar code. Symbol Graphics committed to the project and within 2 weeks had 8 different Bar
Code 39 fonts ready for demonstration. An appointment was made with Roland to test the new fonts. After producing
numbering sequences on engraving plastic with flawless scans, all were convinced it could be easily accomplished
on the Roland CS-20 engraver with Symbol Graphics Letter-Art software.
Engraved asset inventory tags are efficient, durable and less xpensive. Engraved plastic tags are virtually impervious
to any aging process. Maintenance personnel can also use bar code scans when they perform maintenance on equipment.
With the Roland engraver and the Symbol Graphics software the total price came to less than $5000, a huge savings
compared to what other vendors were asking. Material costs were reduced to about 20¢ per tag. The tags are
being produced with no data entry errors using an attached file of over 15,000 lines of text retrieved in a few
minutes from an existing Excel inventory database. The software produces an array of tags on 8" x 12"
plastic. The engraver runs unattended with minimum labor. An additional bonus is that the system can be used to
produce many other needed office tags, plaques and signs. |
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