Intermec smart printers seamlessly integrate the new label printing requirements of the New Zealand kiwi fruit industry
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The New Zealand kiwi fruit industry is an export-oriented industry that requires continuous and timely delivery of high-quality fresh fruit. Europe is one of the important markets for New Zealand-produced kiwis, and more than 90 million pallets of kiwis are exported to Europe each year. Kiwifruit has always been an important export product of New Zealand. In 2007, exports accounted for 60.6% of all fruits and nuts exports, and 27.3% of all agricultural exports. There is a complex freight and distribution service network serving the kiwi fruit market in New Zealand and overseas. With the increase in trade volume and increased customer awareness of food safety, the kiwifruit supply chain is facing major transportation challenges, which must be overcome to ensure the New Zealand kiwifruit industry’s competitive position in the market.
As early as 2001, European customers began to pay attention to the fresh production transportation and traceability requirements of GS1UCC. The EAN-128 barcode on the packaging can ensure fast and accurate tracking of inventory and other data required by the supply chain. The label printing of the kiwi fruit packaging box meets the requirements of GS1 and has been mandated by law in 2005. It indicates that the European food safety requirements for the traceability of fresh products have become the import standard. Kiwi operators in New Zealand need to ensure a high level of traceability for their kiwi shipping boxes and pallets. Mandating the traceability of printed labels can also protect New Zealand industry players’ investment in improving product quality.
Looking for a fast and efficient system
New Zealand kiwi fruit packaging plants and cold storage facilities are facing the challenge of seamlessly integrating the new marking standards to ensure compliance with the new European food safety regulations.
IstariSystems Co., Ltd. is an advanced New Zealand supply chain management system developer. They specialize in product marking and product traceability. They have a good reputation in providing supply chain solutions for the New Zealand domestic kiwi fruit industry. They have outstandingly developed A system that can realize complete fruit tracking from the orchard to the end customer.
Each kiwi fruit packaging box must have a unique logo to ensure accurate tracking. This requirement means that the success of the system solution depends on the ability to quickly print various labels on demand.
IstariSystems has developed a system based on Intermec’s PM4i thermal printer technology. The combination of PM4i’s smart printing and Intermec Fingerprint programming language with the built-in LCD and keyboard creates an ideal hardware solution. The combination of Intermec’s technology and Istari’s customized software realizes the ability to quickly print labels on demand. And it also avoids the possibility of operator error. No need to pre-print labels, avoid waste.
Istari chose IntermecPM4i, which is a mature “smart printer” that also provides an integrated serial port, USB interface and Ethernet interface. As a smart printer, PM4i does not require a PC and can directly control peripheral devices such as scanners, electronic scales and external keyboards. The high-level integration of the Ethernet interface on PM4i and the Fingerprint programming language enables Istari to implement its own system design on it.
PM4i also has remote access capabilities, which can quickly modify label templates and operating software without having to visit the site in person. During the peak season of kiwi fruit picking, the packaging plant will operate in three shifts every day. This response capability is an important tool for the Istari software solution. Istrai’s competitors cannot match or imitate the app’s capabilities in this regard.
“IstariGS1’EAN label printing system’ is based on IntermecPM4i printer hardware, which proved to be an important tool in the work of Kerifresh packaging plant,” said Sue Willetts, post-harvest processing manager of Kerifresh. “Istari adds custom labels and specific applications such as electronic scales. The convenience of our production and operation is very important. We also found that the system not only has high accuracy, fast speed, but also has very high working stability. These advantages help our packaging plant to run smoothly and ensure that we Able to consistently comply with the legal requirements for exporting fruits.”
Easily print labels
The new system design of Intermec and Istari can be used easily and conveniently at all levels without a lot of training, which is essential for the New Zealand kiwi industry, because many field workers need to be in multiple stages of the distribution process Use this technical system. “The solution we installed does not require intensive or high-level training because it is designed to work in a way that is not only efficient, but also easy to use,” said Tom Lawtom, general manager of IstariSystems. “This system requires two shifts for employees. Or a three-shift work environment, which means that ease of use is of the utmost importance.”
Since 2005, IstariSystems has provided more than 600 Intermec PM4i printers to the Kiwi industry in New Zealand. As the industry has become more aware of the importance of the flexibility and programmability of the Intermec/IstariSystem system, the system has become the first choice for operators who wish to replace other competing marking systems.
“Trevelyan’s PackandCool installed its first GS1’EAN label printing system’ in 2005, said James Trevelyan, the operations manager of Trevelyan’s PackandCool. “Since then, we have installed 54 IntermecPM4i along with the expansion of the packaging plant. printer. The Istari system and PM4i have repeatedly proven their reliability in the fast and harsh working environment of the kiwi fruit packaging plant. We are very satisfied with the reliability, flexibility and speed of this solution.
The improvement of the kiwi supply chain process has brought added value to New Zealand kiwi suppliers by complying with European label printing requirements, while also improving internal work efficiency. Istari plans to apply the knowledge and experience gained from the kiwi market to industries and manufacturing industries that require flexible, programmable and printed labels on demand. The biggest feature of Intermec printers is smart printing and offline printing.
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