LABELLING FOR 3PL BUSINESSES
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more product and traceability data than linear barcodes. This allows logistics providers to improve visibility throughout the supply chain.” Jeremie agrees that RFID-enabled labels continue to grow in popularity. “They help automate inventory management and traceability within distribution centres (DCs) or fulfillment centres (FCs), enabling accuracy in real time,” he says. “As the technology becomes more prevalent across retail and the supply chain, implementation costs have fallen, meaning more smaller and mid-sized companies are taking advantage. “Increasingly freighters are also using PDF direct printing. This method simplifies the printing process, as the printer receives a simple PDF file and then automatically translates it into printer language.” What customers want in a printer As trends change in what is wanted from a label, so too does the demands on the printers that print those labels. “For most 3PL businesses, reliability and uptime outweigh raw print speed,” notes Deyon. “Warehouses often operate around the clock, so downtime can quickly impact fulfilment targets and customer service levels. “Customers are looking for durable, industrial-grade printers that deliver consistent output, integrate seamlessly with warehouse systems and support emerging technologies such as RFID and GS1 compliant 2D barcodes. “Toshiba’s GS1 certified BX410T Series is an example of how businesses can future- proof investments while preparing for
new barcode standards and traceability requirements.” Javier agrees that for 3PL customers, printer performance is about more than speed. “Reliability and uptime remain critical, but print quality, media flexibility and the ability to handle variable content efficiently are increasingly important too,” he says. “On demand production can also reduce reliance on stocks of preprinted labels.” Jeremie adds that linerless labelling printers are also increasingly popular. “Traditional labels have always required the removal and disposal of plastic backings, which takes up time and space in a busy DC or FC,” he says. “In contrast, linerless labels can be printed and stuck directly onto items without having to remove a sticky plastic backing, and can come in a mobile format, which proves useful when changing labels on racking or on larger items. “Finally, stationary desktop labels are a common choice within the 3PL sector. These printers are often located at areas where pallets are received from clients before they are unpacked, labelled and redistributed through the FC. They are also found at packing stations, where goods are packaged and labelled according to an array of shipping companies’ preferred label configurations.” Reseller conversations When talking to customers in the 3PL sector about labelling solutions, there are various facets that should be highlighted. “For resellers, the opportunity is to look beyond the printer specification and understand the customer’s wider workflow,” says Javier. “Questions around what is being labelled, how items are tracked, how often information changes and where errors occur can uncover opportunities around label production and traceability. “At OKI, our digital toner label printers support flexible, short run and variable label production, including CMYK plus
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As the technology becomes more prevalent across retail and the supply chain, implementation costs have fallen, meaning more smaller and midsized companies are taking advantage.
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BX410T
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