Intermec Smart Printing seamlessly integrates new label printing requirements for New Zealand kiwifruit industry
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With growing trade volumes and increased food safety awareness among customers, the kiwifruit supply chain faces significant transport challenges that must be overcome to ensure the New Zealand kiwifruit industry’s competitive position in the market.
As early as 2001, European customers started paying attention to GS1UCC’s fresh produce shipping and traceability requirements. EAN-128 barcodes on the packaging ensure fast and accurate tracking of inventory, as well as other data required by the supply chain. GS1-compliant label printing on kiwifruit boxes has been mandated by law in 2005, marking the European food safety requirement for traceability of fresh produce has become an import standard. Kiwifruit operators in New Zealand need to ensure a high level of traceability for their kiwifruit shipping boxes and pallets. Mandatory traceability of printed labels would also protect New Zealand industry players’ investments in improving product quality.
Looking for a fast and efficient system
New Zealand kiwifruit packers and cold storage facilities are faced with the challenge of seamlessly integrating the new marking standards to ensure compliance with the new European food safety regulations.
Istari Systems Ltd is an advanced New Zealand supply chain management system developer with a special focus on product marking and product traceability. developed a system that enables complete fruit tracking from the orchard to the end customer.
The requirement to have a unique logo on each kiwifruit box to ensure accurate tracking meant that the success of the system solution depended on the ability to quickly print a variety of labels on demand.
Istari Systems has developed a system based on Intermec’s PM4i* thermal printer technology. The PM4i’s smart printing and Intermec Fingerprint programming language combined with the built-in LCD and keypad create an ideal hardware solution. Intermec’s technology combined with Istari’s custom software enables the ability to quickly print labels on demand. And it also avoids the possibility of operator error. No need for pre-printed labels and no waste.
Istari chose the Intermec PM4i, a full-fledged “smart printer” that also offers integrated serial, USB, and Ethernet interfaces. 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 of integration of the Ethernet interface on the PM4i with the Fingerprint programming language enables Istari to implement its own system designs on it.
The PM4i also features remote access capabilities, allowing for quick modification of label templates and operating software without the need for a physical presence. During the peak kiwifruit picking season, the packhouse operates three shifts a day, and this responsiveness is an important tool in the Istari software solution. Istrai’s competitors cannot match or emulate the app’s capabilities in this regard.
Sue Willetts, post-harvest processing manager at Kerifresh, said: “The Istari GS1 ‘EAN Label Printing System’ is based on Intermec PM4i printer hardware and has proven to be an essential tool in the work at Kerifresh’s packhouse. Istari adds custom labels and specific applications such as electronic scales , convenience is very important to our production operation. We have also found that the system is not only accurate and fast, but also has a very high working stability. These advantages help our packaging plant to run smoothly, ensuring that We are able to consistently meet regulatory requirements for exporting fruit.”
Easily print labels
Intermec and Istari’s new system is designed to be easy and convenient to use at all levels without extensive training, which is essential for the New Zealand kiwifruit industry as many field workers are required to work at various stages of the distribution process Use this technical system.
Tom Lawtom, managing director of Istari Systems, said: “The solution we installed did not require intensive or high-level training, as it was designed to work in a way that is not only efficient but also simple to use. Or in a three-shift work environment, that means ease of use is paramount.”
Since 2005, Istari Systems has supplied over 600 Intermec PM4i printers to the New Zealand kiwifruit industry. As the industry becomes more aware of the importance of the flexibility and programmability of the Intermec/Istari System system, the system has become the preferred solution for operators looking to replace other competing marking systems.
“Trevelyan’s Pack and Cool installed its first GS1 ‘EAN label printing system’ in 2005,” said James Trevelyan, Operations Manager at Trevelyan’s Pack and Cool. “Since then, we have installed newer systems as our packhouse has expanded. Multiple Intermec PM4i printers. The Istari system and PM4i have proven their reliability time and time again in the fast, harsh working environment of a kiwifruit packing plant, and we are very pleased with the reliability, flexibility and speed with which this solution works.”
Improvements to the kiwifruit supply chain process bring added value to the New Zealand kiwifruit supplier by complying with European label printing requirements, while also improving internal working efficiency. Istari plans to apply the knowledge and experience gained from the kiwifruit market to industries and manufacturing industries that require flexible, on-demand programmable printed labels. The biggest feature of Intermec printers is intelligent printing, offline printing. Furthermore, PM4i supports SmartSystems™, an Intermec device remote management platform, providing device management solutions. Centralized access to remote devices is provided through a single intuitive administrator control panel. Administrators can modify device settings directly from the console, send operating system upgrades, update software applications and make other modifications, saving time and significant cost savings.
* Intermec PM4i printer not only has mature applications in the international market, but also has been recognized by many customers in China. In addition to reliable product performance, Intermec also provides convenient maintenance services.
Intermec has been ahead of the market with on-site repair services for its industrial printer customers. Intermec provides free on-site hardware repairs for PM4i, PD42, PX4 and PX6 printers within the one-year warranty period. This new service greatly ensures business continuity, employee productivity, and protection of technology investments.
The service areas launched in Phase I of Intermec cover three municipalities and nine provinces: Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, Liaoning, Shandong, Jiangsu, Fujian, Guangdong, Hubei, Sichuan, Shaanxi and Zhejiang. In addition, Intermec will expand the coverage area of the project according to customer distribution and project progress.
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