Altrincham - 18 January 2010: Maxatec is pleased to announce that it has been selected by Printer Services Limited as their preferred supplier of barcode printers specifically for the healthcare industry.

ISO 9001:2000 certified supplier Printer Services Limited is well established as a national independent specialist for the repair and support of print, copy, scan and fax equipment within the healthcare industry. Their reputation as a reliable and consistent support provider has driven clients’ to ask for services to be extended to the supply of new print related hardware.

The Maxatec portfolio of barcode printers fits comfortably with Printer Services requirements for products that are high quality, reliable and competitively priced, but at the same time are not over distributed in the mainstream channel. The barcode printers offered through Maxatec include the CognitiveTPG C series and the EZ-LP. The C series is a mid-range barcode printer with a compact footprint for small desktop areas, fast print speeds and feature rich with multiple communication options as well as industry standard printer emulations. The EZ-LP is a low cost, 4″ barcode printer which comes with a strong metal chassis, unlike some of the competitors’ products which are predominantly of a plastic structure. In addition, the TSC TDP 225 barcode printer is offered which includes a specific wristband printer model, ideal for the healthcare industry.

Tom Abbott, business development manager at Maxatec commented: ‘We believe that the partnership with Printer Services will work really well. The product set from Maxatec is unlike many others in that it really is not over-distributed. This allows our selected partners to differentiate against the competition and offer good quality, reliable products at the right price. Printer Services is a very focused company and they have strong relationships within the healthcare sector having proved themselves to be a consistent and highly valued support provider over many years. We are delighted to partner with them.’

Mark Pearcy, Managing Director at Printer Services Limited added: ‘We approach machine supply with a vast knowledge of device reliability and suitability for individual requirements and demands. We have taken great care to evaluate the products from Maxatec and we are very pleased with the results. The healthcare market needs reliability and the technology we deliver will give them just that.’

In addition to thermal barcode and label printers, Printer Services can provide colour & mono multifunction devices and desktop laser printers.

For more information about barcode printers visit the Maxatec website: http://www.maxatec-europe.com/press/2010/01/barcode-printers/

About Printer Services Limited

As well as being ISO 9001:2000 certified, Printer Services is Environment Agency registered and certified by the Office of Fair Trading for leasing. Initially established as an independent support and maintenance company for all makes and models of printers, Printer Services reacted to customer demand to also supply equipment and provide on going support maintenance. Employing a dedicated team of manufacturer trained field engineers; Printer Services is now the professional one stop specialist for all printer and multifunction device related requirements. Service excellence and value is supported by an online helpdesk which assists a diverse range of organisations, from sole traders through to national corporate companies. From the introductory stage, Printer Services can identify and analyse current expenditure and productivity. This therefore allows effective cost solutions to be proposed thus leading to significant savings for an organisation. From reliable machine support through to print equipment and consumables supply (including fusers), Printer Services looks forward to continued growth and development in 2010.

About Maxatec

Maxatec is an ISO 9001:2008 certified Value Added Supplier of Specialist IT Hardware and Services to the Auto ID, POS and Mobile markets. As well as offering own brand products, Maxatec’s product portfolio includes CognitiveTPG point of sale and bar code label printers, Barcode & Label Printers NCR POS terminals, Extech portable receipt printers, TSC industrial label printers, Zebex bar code scanners, MMF cash drawers, FlexPOS POS terminals, and Firich (FEC) Touch screens and SAMMI mobile computing devices. Maxatec also offers software and services including NiceLabel label design package, and a wide range of consumables (paper, labels, ribbons), spare parts and in-house and on-site service capabilities. The Maxatec brand is synonymous with high standards of service as well as high performance, high quality products.

For more information about Maxatec:
Tel: +44 (0) 161 942 7850
Fax +44 (0) 161 927 7664
www.maxatec-europe.com

With clients including BP, Total Gaz and AFS at Heathrow Airport, Manchester-based TouchStar delivers robust touch-screen computers to businesses requiring field automation, such as on-board sales on airlines and trains, van sales and field service organisations. Technologies include bespoke software and a range of integrated peripherals such as scanners, printers and credit card readers that are designed to increase productivity, improve accuracy, and save time for companies.

Maxatec’s Advantage LX printer is fitted in many of the 25,000+ mobile commerce systems and is interfaced with TouchStar’s range of TouchPC mobile computers. These communicate with each other in real time to print invoices and receipts for customers.

The four-inch direct thermal label printers are packed with features and specially designed for small areas. They allow large-volume printing and also provide the capability to continue to print even if the computer network fails.

Chris Edwards, marketing manager at TouchStar said: “Maxatec provides solid barcode printers with the reliability to meet our needs. With TouchPC, TouchStar effectively eliminates all paperwork, such as delivery or despatch sheets that would previously be created in vehicles. Now everything is on the GPS-enabled IT system and Maxatec allows printing when needed. It adds the final touch to a fully mobile payment system.”

Andrea Percival, managing director of Maxatec said: “This is a significant deployment of the Advantage LX printer. A company like TouchStar requires systems that are reliable and durable enough to keep functioning while on the road and we are pleased to be able to provide this to the leader in the field of mobile computing.”

About TouchStar Technologies

TouchStar’s range of TouchPC touch-screen computers are used in businesses and industries requiring robust field automation, including fuel distribution, on-board sales on airlines and trains, van sales and field service organisations. The solutions, which incorporate both standard and bespoke software and a range of integrated peripherals such as scanners, printers and credit card readers are designed to increase productivity, improve accuracy, and save time for companies.

TouchStar has its headquarters in Manchester, from which it supplies and services its own range of TouchPC rugged, hand-held computers and application software to business users around the world. TouchStar’s sales base extends principally across five worldwide locations, including the UK, USA, mainland Europe, Australia and New Zealand.

Current users benefiting from TouchStar solutions include BP, Shell, Total, Air Products, Gate Gourmet, Eurostar and over 40% of the world’s airlines including Lufthansa, Swissair, Saudi Arabian Airlines and Britannia Airways.

About Maxatec

Maxatec is an ISO 9001:2008 certified, Value Added Supplier of Specialist IT Hardware and Services to the Auto ID, POS and Mobile markets. As well as offering own brand products, Maxatec’s product portfolio includes CognitiveTPG point of sale and bar code label printers, Barcode & Label Printers NCR POS terminals, Extech portable receipt printers, TSC industrial label printers, Zebex bar code scanners, MMF cash drawers, FlexPOS POS terminals, and Firich (FEC) Touch screens and SAMMI mobile computing devices. Maxatec also offers software and services including NiceLabel label design package, and a wide range of consumables (paper, labels, ribbons), spare parts and in-house and on-site service capabilities. The Maxatec brand is synonymous with high standards of service as well as high performance, high quality products.

For more information about Maxatec:
Tel: +44 (0) 161 942 7850
Fax +44 (0) 161 927 7664
info@maxatec-europe.com

Gaist Communication is an independent supplier of airtime to the UK market place and specialists in SIM-based data communication over GPRS, 3G and HSDPA networks.

Maxatec is now able to offer and provide a fully-managed airtime and connectivity service for transmitting data from device to device partnering with Europe’s leading mobile data airtime providers - including Vodafone, 02 and Orange, to deliver competitive and reliable connectivity. Gaist is network-independent to ensure optimum coverage for any application wherever devices are located, and can advise on appropriate networks including strength of signal on a pan-European basis.

The solution is cutting-edge, but it’s far from impersonal. Clients have easy access to a team of consultants dedicated to managing national and international enquiries. The technical support teams work 24/7 to ensure service continuity and maximum efficiency. Gaist continuously reviews customer feedback, as well as monitoring its own and competitors’ service levels to ensure technological and business leadership. New business is prioritised too, with large scale proposals typically processed within 48 hours; off the shelf solutions by return.

About Maxatec

Maxatec is an ISO 9001:2008 certified, value added supplier of Specialist IT Hardware and Services to the Auto ID, POS and Mobile markets. As well as offering own brand EPOS systems, Maxatec’s product portfolio includes CognitiveTPG point of sale and bar code label printers, Barcode & Label Printers, NCR POS terminals, Extech portable receipt printers, TSC industrial label printers, Zebex bar code scanners, MMF cash drawers, FlexPOS POS terminals, and Firich (FEC) Touch screens and SAMMI mobile computing devices. Maxatec also offers software and services including NiceLabel label design package, and a wide range of consumables (paper, labels, ribbons), spare parts and in-house and on-site service capabilities.The Maxatec brand is synonymous with high standards of service as well as high performance, high quality products.

For more information about Maxatec:
Tel: +44 (0) 161 942 7850
Fax +44 (0) 161 927 7664
info@maxatec-europe.com

Specifying the right IT solution at the outset is a tricky business. First you need to identify the requirement and then build a business case. Many large organisations have such complicated and finicky tendering processes that can go on forever. This often makes a timely solution become redundant by the time it’s implemented. The other factor is the vendor and client do not always own up to the full cost of living with the system. They don’t take into account all its associated costs during the natural lifecycle. The Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) is not focussed on only the capital cost, but in lots of cases it is all the Board is initially interested in.

Built-in-obsolescence drives the need for an IT system’s replacement, because it is old, outmoded, falling into disuse - both functionally and technologically. This becomes apparent particularly when the service it was designed to provide is no longer efficient or cost effective. For instance, when the scalability has reached its limits and the architecture is harder to maintain. Also old systems may need significant updates to cope with new legislation changes and compliance regulations. A big driver is of course when competitors have grabbed an edge by implementing new technology features. However it’s not all bad as a depreciation of an asset looks good from an accounting perspective.

Keeping ahead of the competition is every businesses challenge and the retail sector is no exception. Since the introduction of POS systems in the mid-1980s, retailers and customers alike have benefited from the technology. The POS system has improved retailing beyond recognition. It has enabled faster transaction times and helped to improve the overall shopping experience and increased customer satisfaction. Also the retailer has been able to better manage their inventory and business processes.

Now new developments are taking retail POS systems to a whole new level, helping to reduce labour costs and increase impulse purchases, both in stores and on-line. These include the introduction of in store self-service kiosks, managing personalised advertising and loyalty rewards and integrating the physical store with its online store customer activity, providing yet more new improved technology options to think about.

No matter how big or small the retail operation; there are some basic considerations that should be addressed when specifying a new IT system to help manage your IT investment effectively.

Start by selecting a partner and not just a supplier - the system is a significant investment, and you need a partner who will work with you to ensure that you get the most out of your investment - and is going to be around for the long term.

Plan for the future - think about technological advancements, business needs you may have planned for in the future for example expansion. Are you planning to add interactive kiosks, or develop e-commerce?

Branding - systems are available in all sorts of shapes, sizes and colours now. It’s not like the old cash register on a counter; you can enhance your brand with the implementation of technology.

Reliability - you can’t afford to implement a system that proves itself unreliable. If your system is ‘down’ then you can’t make transactions which means you can’t run your business efficiently. Ask for references, and check out the level of support from the maintenance provider.

Think about what your business needs - EPOS software isn’t just about the front end at the till, it is a powerful management tool providing reams of information relating to your business. Reporting, stock control, purchase orders, price look-ups, cashing up, e-commerce, bar-coding etc. The list is endless, but not all systems offer everything so check them out and make sure you have a check-list when you have a demo. Does the software integrate with your accounts package? Payment options, what does the provider offer?

Speed and Ease of Use - there’s nothing worse than having queues at the checkout and the system is slow. Make sure the hardware is the right specification and the software is tested on the platform so that you know what you are getting and how it responds. Make it easy for the users to feel comfortable with the system, and ensure that training is delivered in a professional and comprehensive manner.

Rather than worry about the effects of obsolescence, businesses can benefit from pragmatic management of their IT systems which will at least help them prepare for the inevitable.

Andrea Percival,
Managing Director
Maxatec
www.maxatec-europe.com

“For decades just a functional part of the packaging of every item that we purchase, barcodes are undergoing a revolution in Japan.

Design Barcode Inc. is working with dozens of companies here to brighten up the mundane black-and-white stripes that contain information on the product. The new designs still include that data, but are increasingly incorporating company logos or an image associated with the product.”

Read the full story.

Andrea says: Branding through a barcode is not entirely new but some of these designs really are fun. The barcode has been around for a long time and is not about to diminish despite the ‘threat’ of RFID, so more companies should look at brightening up their brands in this way - making sure that the barcode is scanner compatible of course.

Patient wristbands rolled out across Europe

” Brenmoor, whose printed identification wristbands are used in eight out of 10 UK hospitals, is looking to roll out its products in Europe and globally using trade fair Medica in Dusseldorf as a launch platform.”

Read the full story.

Andrea says: Error-free patient identity has got be of paramount importance and the wristband has made significant strides in this direction. The printable wristbands are easy to print on and the thermal printing technology makes it clean, fast and efficient. Generally the barcode printers have easy access to the media well, which makes it very simple for the user to load and unload different types of wristband depending on the patient (adult, child, long stay, short stay and so on).

Today Maxatec announces the availability of two new thermal barcode printers for desktop label printing, the TDP-225 and TDP-225W, which are manufactured by TSC Auto ID Technology Co. Ltd. These low cost, compact printers offer an ideal solution for a wide range of applications including barcode printing for retailers and wristband printing for patient ID and entertainment ticketing.

The two-inch direct thermal label printers are specially designed for compact areas, but at the same time are packed with features. They are the first low cost compact two-inch desktop printers to offer an optional LCD display to its customers. The LCD is used to present important information about print job status which brings a new level of ease of use to its customers. They also provide the capability to continue to print even if the computer network fails. It simply calls up a stored wristband/barcode printing program from within the printer allowing patient or product information to be entered via a PC keyboard, and it then continues to print the relevant label.

Andrea Percival, managing director of Maxatec said: “These are really neat barcode printers and we are very pleased to add them to our extensive range of printing solutions. There are very few low cost two-inch desktop printers around and I believe that these will be well received in the market place. However, it’s not all about cost, it is also important that they are reliable and durable if we are to meet our customers’ demands effectively and these two new products fit that criteria.”

The TDP-225 and TDP-225W user-friendly clamshell design offers features including inexpensive internal Ethernet adapters for easy integration into network systems, and optional keyboards for printing labels/wristbands in standalone or down-time situations. They are designed to fit into areas other barcode printers cannot, and integrate easily into a wide range of applications. The TDP-225 features large 5” OD centre biased media capacity and fast 5 inches per second print speed. They both have a 200 MHz processor, standard memory of 4MB FLASH, 8 MB SDRAM and a slot for a MicroSD memory expansion that increases FLASH storage up to 4 GB and support standard industry emulations including Eltron® and Zebra®.

In addition the TDP-225W printer supports full 6.5″ OD rolls of wristbands right out of the box. It has an easy-load spring loaded centre biased wristband holder, that supports a one inch core that is common to full 6.5″ OD rolls sold by major wristband manufacturers.

About Maxatec

Maxatec is an ISO 9001:2008 certified, Value Added Supplier of Specialist IT Hardware and Services to the Auto ID, POS and Mobile markets. As well as offering own brand products, Maxatec’s product portfolio includes CognitiveTPG point of sale and bar code label printers, Barcode & Label Printers NCR POS terminals, Extech portable receipt printers, TSC industrial label printers, Zebex bar code scanners, MMF cash drawers, FlexPOS POS terminals, and Firich (FEC) Touch screens and SAMMI mobile computing devices. Maxatec also offers software and services including NiceLabel label design package, and a wide range of consumables (paper, labels, ribbons), spare parts and in-house and on-site service capabilities.The Maxatec brand is synonymous with high standards of service as well as high performance, high quality products.

For more information about Maxatec:
Tel: +44 (0) 161 942 7850
Fax +44 (0) 161 927 7664
info@maxatec-europe.com

The retailers are an attractive target, as the point-of-sale (POS systems) collect a massive amount of customer financial data which, if it fell into the wrong hands, such as a hacker, could be used to duplicate replica cards for criminal purposes. To try to combat this crime, the card industry introduced the Payment Card Industry (PCI) Data Security Standard, which is a code of best practice to help retailers and merchants who process card payments, to prevent credit card fraud through increased controls. However, as we can see, there are still chinks in the armour.

IT security solutions are being implemented by organisations in spates but how do you control the human factor? It’s rather like building ten feet high thick walls to protect the data and intellectual property but ignoring the many gaps in between where the perpetrator can sneak. Also, as the walls get higher, invaders seem to get smarter. Yet we expect the security solutions alone to provide hundred per cent protection. It has to be a combination of technology and rigid processes because the threats are both physical and technological.

If we look at general safety issues, it’s accepted that you can only minimise the problems not eradicate them completely, hence the plethora of government health and safety regulations. In the motor industry, for instance, safety has become a key component of the marketing message. In order to differentiate, car manufacturers introduced better safety features such as stronger structures, safer brakes, airbags etc. But even with all these advancements, we accept that motoring injuries and deaths will still occur. You can’t foresee every eventuality.

Just relying on technological advancements is not enough. Safety and security in the passenger airline industry improved dramatically, yes, in part due to technology but the major impact was due to the introduction of the flight take-off and landing checklist procedure, which has to be gone through rigidly for each and every single flight.

Malicious attacks on IT systems continue to happen with the introduction of more sophisticated bots, Trojans and viruses etc. But the human element is also ever present, whether it is a disgruntled employee who physically attaches a device to a server to siphon off data or a bogus maintenance man who nonchalantly walks past security into a data centre that houses highly sensitive data. The global village has created a market for all kinds of sensitive information, so there will always be people who find ways of stealing it.

This form of display is known as digital out-of-home (DOOH) advertising and the benefits over traditional static signs are significant. For instance, it’s more cost effective than print; it allows content to be exchanged quickly and easily, and you can adapt messages to target specific audiences.

Andrea Percival, managing director of Maxatec commented: “These digital signage displays will broaden the portfolio of products we offer to our resellers for the retail and hospitality markets, but also as we participate in a number of verticals we anticipate that these products will be widely sold in a number of new territories and markets. The digital signage complements the POS environment as well as being used as a standalone product. These digital screens can display advertising and important information in areas such as retail outlets, healthcare facilities and even estate agents.”

Digital signage has proven its effectiveness as a marketing channel and has become one of the fastest growing advertising mediums. This has been driven by a number of factors including the downturn in television advertising and reduced viewing figures. This in turn has spurred major brands and their agencies to explore more effective messaging channels.

The SUMO ST8A series are available in a range of screen sizes from seven inches up to nineteen inches. The SUMO ST8A also has the option of motion detection. This enables the advertisements to only play when people are actually near the display, helping to target audiences much more effectively. They are able to play MPEG-1 (VCD format), MPEG-2 (DVD format), MPEG 4 (video format) as well as MP3 and digital photos (JPEG format).

About Maxatec

Maxatec is an ISO 9001:2008 certified, Value Added Supplier of Specialist IT Hardware and Services to the Auto ID, POS and Mobile markets. As well as offering own brand products, Maxatec’s product portfolio includes CognitiveTPG point of sale and barcode label printers, NCR POS terminals, Extech portable receipt printers, TSC industrial label printers, Zebex barcode scanners, MMF cash drawers, FlexPOS POS terminals, and Firich (FEC) Touch screens and SAMMI mobile computing devices. Maxatec also offers software and services including NiceLabel label design package, and a wide range of consumables (paper, labels, ribbons), spare parts and in-house and on-site service capabilities. The Maxatec brand is synonymous with high standards of service as well as high performance, high quality products.

For more information about Maxatec:
Tel: +44 (0) 161 942 7850
Fax +44 (0) 161 927 7664
info@maxatec-europe.com

“The government has pumped £80m into mobile devices for police forces, and officers can expect an increasing proportion of their workload to be dependent on them. There is a raft of problems for police forces to iron out, but the clear benefits and relatively low cost mean it is one initiative that is not likely to disappear.” Read the full story

Andrea says: Police Forces across many different countries are now using mobile technology. The applications and benefits are vast. Mobile technology reduces the time an officer will spend in the station on time-consuming tasks such as data entry and instead spend valuable time on community based activities. Police have access to up-to-date information and intelligence – with instant background checks and sex offender tracking capabilities which increase police officer and community safety. The technology can also reduce the need for officers to use their radios, freeing up call handling staff to concentrate more on communication with the public. Security is of course paramount, and it is vital that the infrastructure is completely secure when using mobile technology for data transfer.

Growth of POS terminal market

“Payment card authorization terminal shipments jumped almost 9 percent last year, to 13.9 million units from 12.8 million in 2007, according to new figures compiled by The Nilson Report.” Read the full story

Andrea says: It’s really not surprising that payment card terminal sales have grown so much. The growth is partly related to equipment renewals, which have been reported as being as much as 20% per year, and of course, EMV migration over the past few years. The market growth will continue to depend upon development in each country and commitment to EMV.

The rise (and history) of the barcode

“Barcodes have a quiet ubiquity. They have proliferated to the point where few of us even notice them. A US invention, they finally made their way to the UK in the late 1970s and in October 1979 a momentous event happened at a branch of Key Markets in Spalding, Lincolnshire. The barcode arrived at the till.” Read the full story

Andrea says: Maxatec became involved in bar code printing back in 1994. The products we distributed were from a US manufacturer and getting the products ‘Europeanised’ was an experience. Simple and basic requirements such as the ability to print an EAN bar code were just not there. Our products have come a long way since then, and the applications for bar codes are quite diverse covering markets such as healthcare, warehousing, security, identification and many more. It is worrying though, that there are still retailers (relatively large as well!) who stick a price tag over the bar code and then manually run the product through a cash register as a ‘sundry item’. So we still have some way to go before we completely obliterate the 1970’s individual price stickers.

Before the till, one of the earliest inventions for keeping track of commercial transactions was the abacus, which was invented over 4,500 years ago in the middle-east. The forerunner of today’s POS terminals, the cash register, was invented in 1879 by James Ritty, a saloonkeeper in Dayton, Ohio. He introduced a much more secure machine than was previously available and called it his “Incorruptible Cashier.” Ritter then sold his patent rights to John H Patterson, who, recognising its potential, put it into production in 1884 under the newly formed company, National Cash Register (NCR).

By the middle of the 19th century, cash drawers, with their dividers to hold notes and coins, were a common feature of retail establishments all over the world. Today, modern POS terminals enjoy wide market penetration, incorporating a host of integrated office systems. Now, what about the people who operate them? In the first instance, you have the shop assistant or checkout operative whose job it is to look after customers, process their transactions and generally be courteous and helpful, although the last characteristic is optional. Then, you have all the back office, marketing and general management functions, all relying on information retrieved by the POS terminal.

All this talk of tills and operators brings to mind yet another term involving the ‘Till’ word – the Tiller Girls. To think that a gentleman from Manchester, called John Tiller, created the first Tiller dance troupe in 1890, which grew into a high-kicking routine performed by thousands of Tiller Girls in theatres in Paris, London and New York. Allegedly, the steps and look of the Tiller Girls was inspired by the famous Lippizaner stallions. Today’s till can’t boast of such a colourful conception.