This is where the clever people at AM Labels step in. They have introduced an all-purpose barcode scanner to be used with market leading smartphones such as the HTC Touch 2 and iPhone (OS 4.0 or higher).

AM Labels has worked hard to find a quick and simple real time solution to scan barcodes via Bluetooth to a smartphone. After much testing and research we have established the best way to combine a Bluetooth scanner and smartphone to rival the traditional and costly industry-standard handheld computers.

The Opticon OPN2002 is a Bluetooth barcode scanner, one of Opticon’s smallest, measuring just 33 x 63mm, and weighing only 30 grams. Designed for flexibility, this pocket Bluetooth scanner makes barcode data collection simple for anyone. Scan a barcode with the large button and it will be sent automatically via Bluetooth to the smartphone or device.

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What can we do for you?

AM Labels does whatever it takes to find the right solutions for individual customer’s needs. We understand that one size does not always fit all and that all businesses are unique.  No matter what industry you are in it is extremely likely that we have a solution for one or more of your everyday business needs – be it labelling, barcoding, scanning or similar. So get in touch and let our experts do the hard work for you:

• Using over forty years of industry experience we start by identifying your needs.
• Our unrivalled product knowledge enables us to swiftly identify and source the best solutions and products for you. And if you don’t need them we won’t try to sell them to you!
• Our technical experts will oversee installation / implementation of your new system.
• Our dedicated team is always on hand to support you and offer advice – we like to see all our customers as lifelong partners.

For a friendly chat about what we may be able to offer you or just for some advice please call us on 01536 414222 or visit our website www.amlabels.co.uk/OPN2002

This provided BSH with the perfect opportunity to update their ageing hardware with new, flexible products, designed to suit users’ needs as well as being rugged, reliable and easy to use. Additionally, BSH wanted a fast, dependable and top-quality service provider.

The dedicated AML team configured the handheld computers and cordless barcode scanners to operate to their exact needs when used to pick small appliances and spare parts at Milton Keynes. This has improved simplicity of use and user confidence. While the Kettering distribution centre has installed new rugged cordless barcode scanners and vehicle mount computers on its fork lift trucks, which are used in the picking of large domestic appliances. AML also ensured that all the equipment was installed to retain all the critical settings even after a cold start, and required the minimum set-up time for the operators. Barcode scanners have also been configured and supplied to the field service engineers to speed up the data entry of parts and returns.

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What can we do for you?

AM Labels do whatever it takes to find the right solutions for individual customer’s needs. We understand that one size does not always fit all and that all businesses are very much unique.  No matter what industry you are in it is extremely likely that we have a solution for one or more of your everyday business needs – be it labelling, barcoding, scanning or similar. So get in touch and let our experts do the hard work for you:

• Using over forty years of industry experience we start by identifying your needs.
• Our unrivalled product knowledge enables us to swiftly identify and source the best solutions and products for you. And if you don’t need them we won’t try to sell you them!
• Our technical experts will oversee installation / implementation of your new system.
• Our dedicated team are always on hand to support you and offer advice – we like to see all our customers as lifelong partners.

For a friendly chat about what we may be able to offer you or just for some advice please call us on:
01536 414222 or visit our website www.amlabels.co.uk

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The Products Bosch Are Using:

Champtek SG100 – Barcode Scanner

Symbol LS 53578-ER  – Barcode Scanner

Symbol MC9090-G  – Ruggedised Handheld Computer

Symbol VC5090  – Vehicle Mounted Computer

Durability
Incorporating an Internal magnesium-alloy roll cage, environmentally sealed housing and specialised wear-resistant components the 9900 delivers ultimate reliability – even in demanding mobile environments. An industrial strength scanner, the 9900 will easily withstand drops from 1.5m onto concrete, is independently certified to meet IP64 standards for moisture and particle resistance and still provides dynamic poly-carbonate touch screen technology.

Ease of Use
The 9900 boasts enhanced ergonomics, including user preferred features, such as an angled scanner and integrated finger saddle – ensuring comfortable and intuitive use for the mobile worker. Industry leading 10+ hour battery life ensures that the Honeywell 9900 can be used for a whole work shift and more – immediately increasing productivity.

Seamless Real-time Communication
With integrated multi-mode wireless technology including GSM/E-GPRS and 802.11b/g, the 9900 provides real-time data exchange and voice communications on-site or off, plus Bluetooth for efficient wireless connection to peripheral devices.

Is this product for you?
The Honeywell Dolphin 9900 has a wide range of applications within many sectors, such as:

• Logistics and Warehousing
• Retail
• Field Services
• Local Government
• Proof of Delivery
• Rail

For more information and immediate purchase visit www.amlabels.co.uk TODAY!

For any further enquiries about products email sales@amlabels.co.uk or call 01536 414222 today and speak to one of our friendly sales assistants, who will be more than happy to help!

EnLabel allows you to create labels containing barcodes, serial numbers, database records, date/time stamps, calculations and other variables for output to any Windows printer – direct thermal, thermal transfer, laser or inkjet.

Top Features:

• Copy fitting and rich text formatting
• Dongle-free operation
• Database support with filter options
• High-speed thermal transfer driver set available
• Separate, easy-to-use print program
• Drive any printer: Thermal Transfer, Laser, Colour Inkjet…
• Company-wide solution for labelling and bar coding
• Standard formats available: Odette, Pallet, NATO…
• Link to any database
• Many wizards for quick & easy design

With a few simple choices – design and print, multi-user choices and print only it’s not rocket science to decide which version you need. Print only is ideal for warehouse locations where designs don’t need to be changed – used in conjunction with a design and print version.

Click here to view more information and to buy EnLabel software online.

Email sales@amlabels.co.uk or call 01536 414222 and speak to one of our friendly sales assistants who will be happy to help.

• Zebra desktop printer (LP/TLP2844, LP/TLP2824, GK/GX420d, GK/GX420t, GX430t)
• Printer power cable (provided with the printer) 2 parts, mains lead and power supply unit (PSU)
• Communications cable (USB, Parallel, Serial or Ethernet cable, dependent on printers interface) (Purchased separately)
• Roll of Labels (Purchased separately)
• Ribbon (Thermal transfer printers only, purchased separately)
• Zebra Designer Installation CD (provided with the printer)

If any of the items that should have come with the printer are missing, or you require labels, ribbons or a communication cable, please contact AM Labels technical support using the contact information listed below.

From getting your printer out of the box to printing your first label, this can be completed in 5 easy to follow steps.

• Step 1: Loading the labels
• Step 2: Loading the ribbon (TLP and G-Series Thermal Transfer Printers)
• Step 3: Installing Zebra Designer
• Step 4: Connecting the printer to your PC
• Step 5: Configuring the printer driver

Step 1: Loading the labels

To load the labels into the printer, have the printer facing towards you. At either side of the printer there are two green clips, simultaneously pull both green clips towards you to open the lid and push the lid upwards. On TLP printers, the lid will lock into place using an internal support strut.

At the base of the printer there will be two identical green label spindles, pull these apart and place your label roll onto the provided support. On G-Series printers, please ensure that the media is placed between the guides provided.

On the TLP, you will then need to slide the labels in between the adjustable label guide and use the green wheel on the right hand side, to adjust the two guides to sit snugly either side of the media. Your labels will now be ready to print.

Step 2: Loading the ribbon (TLP and G-Series Thermal Transfer Printers)

In the thermal transfer printers, there are two separate spindles in the top half of the printer.

On TLP printers, place the ribbon on the spindle that is furthest back shiny side up, and a waste core onto the spindle that is closest. Please ensure that the holes in the ribbon and waste cores slide into the notches on their spindle. Pull the ribbon down and underneath the print head and then roll the ribbon around the waste core.

To close the TLP printers, press the green support strut to the left and slowly close the lid until an audible click can be heard. On G-Series printers close lid and again, ensure it clicks.

Step 3: Installing ZebraDesigner

The first step is to obtain the latest version of the ZebraDesigner software. Click here to download the software and select the ‘Open’ option to begin the download.

Once the download is complete, you should be presented with the ZebraDesigner Installation Wizard.

• You will be prompted with a choice of language, select your language and click ‘OK’.
• The ZebraDesigner setup wizard will then be displayed. Click ‘Next’.
• A license agreement is then displayed, select the ‘I accept the agreement’ option and click ‘Next’.
• Enter a user name and company and click ‘Next’.
• The next screen will allow you to change the location which ZebraDesigner will be installed to. Simply click ‘Next’ to confirm the default choice.
• Click ‘Next’ when prompted to enter a name for the shortcut, confirming the default choice.
• Click ‘Next’ to confirm the creation of icons.
• With all options set, click ‘Install’ to begin installing the program.
• After the installation is complete, uncheck the option that says ‘Run ZebraDesigner’ and click ‘Finish’.

Step 4: Connecting the printer to your PC and installing the windows driver

Connect the power supply and communications cable to your Zebra printer. Power up the printer using the on/off switch located to the rear of the printer. Upon powering up, the light on the feed button on the top of the printer should glow a steady green.

Windows 7 should automatically detect the printer and install the ZebraDesigner driver. You should receive a notification in the bottom right hand corner of the screen updating you on how the installation is proceeding, and when it is complete.

Step 5: Configuring the ZebraDesigner Driver

Before you begin to design and print labels within ZebraDesigner, it’s worth configuring the driver settings. To do this:

• Click the Windows Start button in the bottom left hand corner of your screen, and select Devices and Printers from the menu.
• Within the open window, select the ZDesigner printer from the list of printers, right click it and select Printing Preferences.

Check the following from the Options tab:

• Speed – This can be adjusted using the list box. The higher the number selected, the faster the printer will print. Note that speed can often be related to print quality, with slower speeds often generating better quality print.
• Darkness – As with speed, this can be adjusted using the list box. Higher darkness values will produce a darker print, and as with speed, increasing this value will often improve print quality. However be wary of setting the darkness higher than necessary, constantly running at the top darkness settings can often reduce the life expectancy of the printer’s print head, and can cause other problems such as ribbon crease of ribbon tearing.

ZebraDesigner will generally handle the page and label size settings, and as such, these can be ignored. Now select the Advance Setup tab and check the following options:

• Media Type – Set to match the media you are using. For labels with a gap between each label, select ‘Label with Gaps’, for black mark select ‘Label with marks’ or for continuous media, select ‘Continuous’.
• Media Settings – This option will only be displayed on printers which are capable of printing with both direct thermal and thermal transfer methods. If you’re using a ribbon with your labels you will need to select the thermal transfer option. Alternatively if you’re not, you will need to select Direct Thermal.

Once each of these settings is set, you are ready to design your first label. For more information on doing this, please see our blog post on How to setup a label in ZebraDesigner.

(Note: These printer driver settings can also be changed within ZebraDesigner by clicking on File, followed by Printer Settings. But if you change the settings in ZebraDesigner they will only be saved within the current label design and will not affect other label designs.)

Contact Details

If you require any of the ‘purchased separately’ items, please don’t hesitate to contact our sales department on 01536 414222 who will be more than willing to assist you with your requirements.

For technical support please contact the AM Labels Technical Team on 01536 414400 or e-mail support@amlabels.co.uk.

• Zebra desktop printer (LP/TLP2844, LP/TLP2824, GK/GX420d, GK/GX420t, GX430t)
• Printer power cable (provided with the printer) 2 parts, mains lead and power supply unit (PSU)
• Communications cable (USB, Parallel, Serial or Ethernet cable, dependent on printers interface) (Purchased separately)
• Roll of Labels (Purchased separately)
• Ribbon (Thermal transfer printers only, purchased separately)
• Zebra Designer Installation CD (provided with the printer)

If any of the items that should have come with the printer are missing, or you require labels, ribbons or a communication cable, please contact AM Labels technical support using the contact information listed below.

From getting your printer out of the box to printing your first label, this can be completed in 5 easy to follow steps.

• Step 1: Loading the labels
• Step 2: Loading the ribbon (TLP and G-Series Thermal Transfer Printers)
• Step 3: Installing Zebra Designer
• Step 4: Connecting the printer to your PC
• Step 5: Configuring the printer driver

Step 1: Loading the labels

To load the labels into the printer, have the printer facing towards you. At either side of the printer there are two green clips, simultaneously pull both green clips towards you to open the lid and push the lid upwards. On TLP printers, the lid will lock into place using an internal support strut.

At the base of the printer there will be two identical green label spindles, pull these apart and place your label roll onto the provided support. On G-Series printers, please ensure that the media is placed between the guides provided.

On the TLP, you will then need to slide the labels in between the adjustable label guide and use the green wheel on the right hand side, to adjust the two guides to sit snugly either side of the media. Your labels will now be ready to print.

Step 2: Loading the ribbon (TLP and G-Series Thermal Transfer Printers)

In the thermal transfer printers, there are two separate spindles in the top half of the printer.

On TLP printers, place the ribbon on the spindle that is furthest back shiny side up, and a waste core onto the spindle that is closest. Please ensure that the holes in the ribbon and waste cores slide into the notches on their spindle. Pull the ribbon down and underneath the print head and then roll the ribbon around the waste core.

To close the TLP printers, press the green support strut to the left and slowly close the lid until an audible click can be heard. On G-Series printers close lid and again, ensure it clicks.

Step 3: Installing ZebraDesigner

The first step is to obtain the latest version of the ZebraDesigner software. Click here to download the software and select the ‘Open’ option to begin the download.

Once the download is complete, you should be presented with the ZebraDesigner Installation Wizard.

• You will be prompted with a choice of language, select your language and click ‘OK’.
• The ZebraDesigner setup wizard will then be displayed. Click ‘Next’.
• A license agreement is then displayed, select the ‘I accept the agreement’ option and click ‘Next’.
• Enter a user name and company and click ‘Next’.
• The next screen will allow you to change the location which ZebraDesigner will be installed to. Simply click ‘Next’ to confirm the default choice.
• Click ‘Next’ when prompted to enter a name for the shortcut, confirming the default choice.
• Click ‘Next’ to confirm the creation of icons.
• With all options set, click ‘Install’ to begin installing the program.
• After the installation is complete, uncheck the option that says ‘Run ZebraDesigner’ and click ‘Finish’.


Step 4: Connecting the printer to your PC and installing the windows driver

Connect the power supply and communications cable to your Zebra printer. Power up the printer using the on/off switch located to the rear of the printer. Upon powering up, the light on the feed button on the top of the printer should glow a steady green.

Your computer should also display the found new hardware notification, followed by the found new hardware wizard. At this point you will need to install the windows printer driver for your printer, to do this:

• Insert the CD that was supplied with your Zebra desktop printer. This will automatically start an application entitled ‘Zebra Desktop Printers’ which is required for the next step. Please do not close this window.
• On the found new hardware wizard window, select the option ‘No, Not this time’ and click ‘Next’.
• Select the ‘Install the software automatically (Recommended)’ (Default option) and click ‘Next’.
• After searching, the wizard will display the available drivers in a list. Select the first option in the list and click ‘Next’.
• You will be prompted with a warning, click ‘Continue Anyway’ to continue.

The wizard will install the required files to your computer and then close. The windows driver is now installed. At this point you will need to take a note of the USB port that the printer has been linked to. To do this:

• Click the Windows start button in the bottom left hand corner of your machine and select ‘Control Panel’ from the start menu.
• Within the Control panel, double click ‘Printers and faxes’.
• A list of all of the currently installed printers will be displayed. Select the option that matches the model name of your printer, right click it, and select ‘Properties’.
• A new window will be displayed. Select the Ports tab. A tick will be placed next to one of the ports. This is the currently selected port and you will need to note the name of it. This will frequently be USB001, but it can be another number, for example USB002 or USB003. You may need to widen the first column to see the full name.

Step 5: Configuring the ZebraDesigner Driver

Before you begin to design and print labels within ZebraDesigner, it’s worth configuring the driver settings. To do this:

• Click the Windows Start button in the bottom left hand corner of your screen, and select Devices and Printers from the menu.
• Within the open window, select the ZDesigner printer from the list of printers, right click it and select Printing Preferences.

Check the following from the Options tab:

• Speed – This can be adjusted using the list box. The higher the number selected, the faster the printer will print. Note that speed can often be related to print quality, with slower speeds often generating better quality print.
• Darkness – As with speed, this can be adjusted using the list box. Higher darkness values will produce a darker print, and as with speed, increasing this value will often improve print quality. However be wary of setting the darkness higher than necessary, constantly running at the top darkness settings can often reduce the life expectancy of the printer’s print head, and can cause other problems such as ribbon crease of ribbon tearing.

ZebraDesigner will generally handle the page and label size settings, and as such, these can be ignored. Now select the Advance Setup tab and check the following options:

• Media Type – Set to match the media you are using. For labels with a gap between each label, select ‘Label with Gaps’, for black mark select ‘Label with marks’ or for continuous media, select ‘Continuous’.
• Media Settings – This option will only be displayed on printers which are capable of printing with both direct thermal and thermal transfer methods. If you’re using a ribbon with your labels you will need to select the thermal transfer option. Alternatively if you’re not, you will need to select Direct Thermal.

Once each of these settings is set, you are ready to design your first label. For more information on doing this, please see our blog post on How to setup a label in ZebraDesigner.

(Note: These printer driver settings can also be changed within ZebraDesigner by clicking on File, followed by Printer Settings. But if you change the settings in ZebraDesigner they will only be saved within the current label design and will not affect other label designs.)

Contact Details

If you require any of the ‘purchased separately’ items, please don’t hesitate to contact our sales department on 01536 414222 who will be more than willing to assist you with your requirements.

For technical support please contact the AM Labels Technical Team on 01536 414400 or e-mail support@amlabels.co.uk.

Buy ZebraDesigner Software

The enhancements include:

• New, easy-to-use design tools
• Expanded RFID tag support and updated wizards
• New printer drivers with enhanced printer configuration tools
• New printer diagnostic and configuration tools
• Support for Windows Vista® and Windows® 7
• And much more!

To ensure that users get the most from their Zebra® printers while using the latest versions of Windows, ZebraDesigner Pro, ZebraDesigner for XML and ZebraDesigner for mySAP^TM Business Suite have all been updated . Still available is the no-charge, limited-feature “ZebraDesigner” software which has also been updated to v2. Click here to buy ZebraDesigner V2 Online With this new version the products are now licensed using software keys which need to be activated over the Internet.  Please note that for a limited time, customers can update to the new version at reduced prices by visiting www.zebrasoftware.com. Email sales@amlabels.co.uk or call 01536 414222 and speak to one of our friendly sales assistants who will be happy to help.

Direct Control

LabelDirect’s software accesses your printer’s features and settings directly, talking to it in its native language, which avoids many printer driver issues, and is fast to print.

LabelDirect Screenshot

Ease of use

LabelDirect allows non-technical personnel to produce striking labels in minutes. It offers direct control over all your printer’s settings and comes with accurate screen representations of printer fonts, making it the first 100% WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) labelling application.

Printer Compatibility

Fully compatible with the major printer brands including: Zebra, Datamax, Toshiba TEC, Sato and TSC.

LabelDirect Basic costs from just £95.00 and offers all the above benefits.

LabelDirect Professional is ideal if you want to connect to a database to create multiple labels from one design, or if you need to print using a keyboard display unit. Perfect for printing product or address labels. Prices start at £195.00.

Click here to buy LabelDirect Software online, email sales@amlabels.co.uk or call 01536 414222 and speak to one of our friendly sales assistants who will be happy to help.

Promotional offers – Ideal for pro-actively targeting existing customers with new discounts to get them back to your store or reactively allowing customers to request a discount barcode from your website by text rather than printing it out – not too shabby for the environment either!

Mobile tickets – Cost effective method of giving your customers electronic tickets, ideal for events and transport.

Order confirmations – order online, receive confirmation through a barcode, go in store and scan to pick up the order.

If you think this could work for you – what do you do next?

1.  Decide what barcode you want to use.

2D barcodes – PDF417 and Aztec barcodes can store more information than a standard 1D barcode, e.g. name, address, ticket and offer details. Allowing you to track offers by customer or scan details in for tickets or order confirmations.

2.  Choose a barcode scanner.

Hands-free and Handheld Scanning

The Symbol DS9808 is the ideal scanner for checkouts with it’s Omni-directional scanning allowing you to read barcodes from any direction. Inside, the DS9808 offers the very latest in scanning technology, delivering record swipe speeds for 1D and 2D barcodes, as well as the ability to capture images and signatures, it can read 1D or 2D barcodes from the screens of mobile phones.

Click here to find out more about the DS9808 and buy online

Handheld Scanning Only

The Symbol DS6700 series scanner combines durability with omni directional scanning making it ideal for use in retail, light manufacturing, government and postal applications. Fast capture and transfer of images ensures increased productivity in digital document storage and processing.

Click here to find out more about the DS6700 and buy online

Call us on 01536 414222 to find out about scanning barcodes on phones.

TSC manufactured the original Eltron LP 2022/2042 way back in 1992. Since then TSC have built numerous models for other brands, so they do have a fair bit of experience when it comes to developing printers.

As a company, TSC build durable, reliable and cost effective thermal label printers. It is this thinking that has led them to create their desktop and industrial printer range. Each and every one of these printers is packed with features that make it easier for you to print labels, no matter what the quantity. For a complete label printing solution, combine a TSC printer with LabelDirect software, labels and ribbons.

AM Labels recognises the quality of TSC printers and are proud to offer these printers at great prices. Don’t just take our word for it; click here to view the TSC printer range for yourself.

Alternatively, you can email sales@amlabels.co.uk or call 01536 414222 and speak to one of our friendly sales staff who will be happy to help with your enquiry.