Many data collection devices include Voice-over IP (VoIP) technology in order allow workers to communicate with others both on and outside of the network. However, since workers are often mobile, it is important to make sure complete coverage throughout the facility. Because of this, it is necessary to make sure your existing WLAN can support voice capabilities so that the quality of the call is maintained throughout the warehouse.

802.11 is commonly used in the world of wireless, however, it was not originally designed for devices with limited battery capacity, thus impacting the use for wireless VoIP clients, as they have limited battery capacity.

Learn more about readying your network for VoIP here.

In today’s chaotic world of business, companies need a reliable way to manage their inventory that has been taken and returned throughout their locations. Without proper tracking, business can experience missing inventory, in addition to inaccurate inventory counts.

Using a check-in/check-out inventory control application, in conjunction with the proper hardware, allows organizations to gain more visibility into their inventory. In order to implement this, organizations will typically upload their information into the inventory software application and use tamper-proof barcode labels for each item that will be checked in and or out. When an item is taken from the inventory, a record is automatically created.

Typically, check-in/check-out solutions are used in applications such as offices, hospitals, repair shops, schools, emergency services and military units and are becoming more and more popular. In fact, the Material Handling Industry of America (MHIA), recently named Check-in/Check-out Inventory solutions their Solution of the Month for February 2010.

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It seems as though almost all retailers have some sort of customer loyalty program in place theese days, but almost all of them involve carrying around a card, which gets to be cumbersome if consumers are enrolled in multiple programs. That’s where mobile barcodes come in.

While mobile barcodes offer great convenience for customers, retailers often find them troublesome because it requires that they install the proper scanning equipment. Target has recently announced that they will take this step, installing mobile barcode scanners throughout their locations across America.

With the new mobile barcodes in place, Target customers will be able to easily update Target GiftCards via their mobile phone. While a physical giftcard is still necessary, there won’t be a need to carry it with you at all times. Instead, customers will be able to use their phones to go to the Target mobile site, which will display a barcode linked to the giftcard, which can then be scanned at the point-of-sale, automatically updating customer loyalty points.

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Motorola’s MC17 Retail Mobile Computer allows customers to scan items while they shop, reducing time in the checkout line. Because of this, retailers are able to track inventory and pricing at the shelf level and run targeted promotions based on buying preferences.

The Motorola MC17 Retail Mobile Computer also features:

• Windows CE 5.0 Professional
• Internet Explorer 6.0
• Motorola PocketBrowser compatibility
• 320×240 QVGA color display
• Six-key intuitive interface
• Wi-Fi IEEE 802.11 a/b/g
• Large capacity battery
• Motorola Mobility Services Platform compatibility

In addition, the device is very ergonminc and sleek. In fact, the Motorola MC17 won three industrial design awards including International Design Excellence award, iF Product Design award and Good Design award.

For more information on the MC17 Retail Mobile computer, download the feature sheet here.

Watch the video below to see the MC17 in action!

In potentially hazardous environments where flammable gas or other combustible/ignitable materials exist, it is necessary to invest in intrinsically safe (I-safe) equipment.

Intrinsically safe equipment has wiring that is not capable of releasing a sufficient amount of electrical and or thermal energy that would cause any sort of ignition. By limiting the amount of power available to the equipment in hazardous areas prevents the equipment from reaching a level that would be able to ignite gas, preventing the devices from creating sparks or a substantial amount of heat.

Industries that would benefit from intrinsically safe devices are those such as chemical, oil and gas, whom would need I-safe devices for inventory data collection, work-in-progress and shipping/receiving.

In order to officially be considered I-safe, devices must be labeled with the exact IS rating for the equipment, the name of a nationally recognized testing lab that performed the tests and a certification stating the types of hazards for which the device is safe.

For more information on which devices are Intrinsically safe, learn more here.