Metalcraft ID Tags and Labels

Dos and Don’ts of Specialty RFID Tagging

noreply@blogger.com (Julia Deets) — Fri, 11 Dec 2015 14:56:00 +0000

By Julia Deets, VP Sales & Marketing, Metalcraft

When using RFID for your tracking application there is a lot to remember and it could get a little overwhelming. But it certainly doesn’t have to be. The following is a short list of do’s and don’ts list from the tag perspective for when you are thinking about implementing RFID.

Do – Understand the objective
This should be the very first thing you do because without a clear direction of where you want to go, how can you expect to discover the best way of how to get there? You may even discover RFID might not be the right technology to achieve your objective and if that is the case, wouldn’t you want to know that as early in the process as possible? If you discover it is, then congratulations – you have made an even stronger case for your application.

Do – Qualify the application
After determining the objective this should be the next thing you do. I could write an entire article on qualification of the application because this is something that we focus A LOT on – and for good reason. The labor to apply the tags is one of the most important expenses in an application so why would you want to do it more than once? Choose the tag that is going to work best to achieve your objective even though it may not be the “cheapest” one – it will end up saving you money in the long run. When we qualify an application at Metalcraft we look at things like what is the tag going on, how long it needs to last, what kind of read range is required, what is the environment going to be like, etc. The more you know about the application, the better match you can make with your tag requirements and ultimately the tag’s performance.

Do – Test the tags in the actual environment
Metalcraft thoroughly tests all of our tags and publishes all of our results in our support literature; however, there is no possible way to replicate all of the environments our tags could be used in. Therefore, we strongly recommend testing the tags in the actual environment they will be used in prior to implementing the entire solution in order to minimize or even eliminate any issues that may arise.

Don’t – Assume all tags work the same
Even though the tag is typically one of the last things users may think about when implementing an RFID system, they really are a critical aspect because they provide the link between the item the tag is on and information about the item. This “don’t” is directly linked to the qualification “do” listed above. There are so many different tag options out there depending on the size you want, read range you need, what the tag is going to be applied to and environment the tag will be exposed to.

Don’t – Make it more complex than it needs to be
We often tell our customers just because there is the ability to write a lot of data to the RFID tag doesn’t mean you should. We recommend using a “license plate approach” which basically means you assign a unique serial number to an asset and they associate the additional information about that asset to it on the backend. This makes it easier to change information if necessary because you wouldn’t need to reprogram the tag, rather just change the information about the asset in the database.

Don’t – Forget about bar code
The majority of RFID tags we produce we also print with a bar code. This adds very little to the cost of the tag, but offers a lot of benefits. Having the dual technology within the same tag allows data redundancy if there is a reader malfunction or if the tag is going to be used in multiple locations where not all of the locations are RFID enabled. Most of the time the bar code information printed on the tag is the same information written to the RFID tag, but that does not have to be the case.

This short list of do’s and don’ts is designed to make you think before implementing an RFID tracking system. Putting in this effort beforehand will go a long way in making your system the most effective for your specific application and ultimately save you time and potential headaches down the road.

Reflecting on Metalcraft's 65 Years

noreply@blogger.com (Julia Deets) — Thu, 12 Nov 2015 14:44:00 +0000

By Steve Doerfler, President & CEO

As I pause to think of the significance of our 65^th Anniversary, there is a lot to think about considering that I have been associated with Metalcraft for 31 years!

First of all as in generations of families, the current generation lays the foundation for future generations with the goal of making it better for the succeeding generation. The same has occurred at Metalcraft and I immediately think of our former owner and President, Wally Smeby who started his career in 1959 as company Controller. He became majority owner in 1993 and led the company until 2006 when he sold to an inside group of investors led by Doug Peterson, our present COB, and me. It is great that Wally continues to hold a Board seat; he has been associated with Metalcraft for 56 years! Without his leadership in the early 80’s driving us into a different ID technology called bar code we may not be in existence or if we were, we would be a very small enterprise. He then subsequently latched on to another ID technology in 2000, RFID, and although he was selling the company, approved a significant investment for us to manufacture RFID Labels. We owe a lot to Wally, his excellent leadership and for also transitioning the ownership to a couple of his long-time Managers.

Soon after Doug and I bought out Wally in 2006, we transitioned to an ESOP. We wanted to provide a greater stake for all employees, so we blended the ESOP with investors and this has worked wonderfully with the value of the company increasing significantly. Doug led us as CEO; providing leadership through some unusual times including a major flood in 2008 and economic downturn a few months following our flood. We prevailed and with continued growth in bar code and RFID technologies, grew right out of our 4^th St. SW building, one that we had been in for 49 years, into breaking ground for our new facility on 9^th St. SW in 2012. While a short leadership tenure, we made tremendous strides and Doug retired as CEO October 1, 2012, leaving Metalcraft better than when Wally left in 2006…a goal of each ownership generation.

As the current President and CEO, it is truly a blessing to lead such a talented group of member-owners. Whether it is committing to our three promises of taking care of customers (Keep it Simple, Deliver as Promised, or Show a Better Way); developing new products and the next technology; witnessing a team triple sales in a few years and another have 100% on-time shipments for two consecutive quarters; living our Values and Compass - seemingly nothing is out of our Team’s reach! It is great to be in a new facility which allows us to better serve our customers.

Metalcraft has thrived for 65 years and this is not only due to the leadership but a lot of talented members who over 65 years have made tremendous contributions. So one day when I decide to pass the torch to the next generation of leadership the company will be stronger than when Doug left in 2012! Thanks to all our stakeholders; shareholders, member-owners, suppliers, community and especially our customers for making us successful for 65 years!

Metalcraft's Anniversary Video

Metalcraft's new building as of October 2013.

That Depends... on Qualification

noreply@blogger.com (Julia Deets) — Mon, 02 Nov 2015 16:17:00 +0000

By Julia Deets, VP Sales & Marketing

After having a couple of months off from conferences and trade shows, we had a double dose of them in August and one in October. One of the conferences we attended was the NPMA (National Property Management Association) NES (National Educational Seminar) and in addition to having a booth at the trade show we did a presentation on Specialty RFID Tagging. The presentation was very well attended and I thought the questions that were asked were probably the best ones I have witnessed while presenting; however, I noticed a common theme on how I started answering the majority (if not all) the questions that were asked. I started my answers with the phrase “that depends.”

To some people answering questions with “that depends” may sound like the person answering the question doesn’t know the answer, but in actuality what we are saying is that it depends on how you as the user answer the following questions.

How much do the tags cost? This is a question that is not just exclusive to RFID tags; prospective customers ask this question about bar code tags or any of our products. Everyone wants an idea of cost, but we want to get them interested in the best product for their application regardless of cost so it can be a tricky situation. Nevertheless it depends on a number of factors like quantity, size, number of colors, etc. Whenever I have someone come into the booth one of the samples they always like to point out is the Coca-Cola “AUTOGRAPHS” sample because it is so recognizable (which is why we include it). When they ask me how much something like that costs I just try to get them to talk about their application more because more often than not that particular product is not the right one for their application; it’s just a good conversation starter.

What read range will they get? This is primarily an RFID question and the fact is that it does depend. It depends on what the tag is going on, what reader is being used, what inlay is being used if they are just pointing to a specific construction, i.e. our smaller hang tag that can use a number of different inlays and more. Again, I use this question as an opening to get them talking about their application and what it is that they are actually trying to accomplish. What they think they want/need may not be it at all. It all depends.

Will they survive (whatever application conditions apply)? This question is great because the customer appears to understand that not all labels are created equal and if they understand that they may be more likely to place additional value on a label that will survive a particularly demanding application. However, even knowing what kind of conditions in general the tag will be exposed to still deserves the answer “that depends.” Additional questions must be asked. For example, how long will the tag be exposed to these conditions? How long does the tag need to last? Is the tag directly exposed (i.e. sunlight)?

How long will they last? This question is directly related to the preceding one. How long a label will last DEPENDS on the environmental conditions the tags will be exposed to. This question just begs for additional qualification. We get asked this question a lot – not just for RFID, but this was a specific question that was asked during my presentation and I’m afraid I didn’t handle it very well. Rather than qualifying my answer with “it depends” I gave her the information I knew about the anticipated lifetime of the chip. Obviously, it does depend on a number of factors including how often the tag is read. For example, a passive RFID tag that is read on a daily basis is not going to last as long as a tag that is read only once a year.

Is RFID right for me? Answering this too quickly can have huge potential consequences for the customer. We actually have an entire presentation devoted to qualifying whether the customer is ready for RFID and it DEPENDS in a large part what their defined objective is – what do they hope to accomplish? After determining the objective it also DEPENDS on what kind of environment the tags are going to be exposed to and whether the application is something that is truly realistic.

The key to all of these questions (and more) is qualification and this definitely lends itself to our “How” statement which is “our mission is to understand customer ID applications even better than they do in order to provide a superior customer experience.” Our ability to accomplish this DEPENDS on how well we qualify the application – it’s as simple as that.

The Metalcraft Brand

noreply@blogger.com (Julia Deets) — Mon, 19 Oct 2015 16:31:00 +0000

By Natalie Braun, Marketing Director

“If your business is not a brand, it’s a commodity.” – Donald Trump

Just over a year ago, Metalcraft embarked on a journey to rebrand our company. It seems like after all the preparation, planning, strategizing, frustration at times and excitement at others, we would be congratulating ourselves on a job well-done at the recent launch of our new website. The rebranding project is complete, right? Not so fast. All that preparation and planning allowed us to have the right tools to portray our brand, but the launch of the websites is really the commencement of the rebranding. While the logo is the most memorable piece of any brand, a brand in its entirety is the sum of all experiences you have with a company. Therefore this rebranding will guide decisions we make in all of our sales and marketing efforts moving forward. Can you guess what the guiding force behind our brand is? The Metalcraft Compass – and what better way to sum it up than “ID MADE BETTER”?

Metalcraft’s goals for the rebranding were to: simplify and modernize, portray the technological aspect of our company, portray personality and present a look and feel that would stand the test of time. With our current brand, we felt it was holding us back from being perceived as modern, tech savvy and from reaching ID technology customers of the future.

Our new Metalcraft logo represents the duality of our name: Metal, with its properties of strength, durability and adaptability is the physical product. Craft speaks to the knowledge and expertise of our member-owners. It’s the human element behind the product.

Our new RFID logo, “Universal RFID by Metalcraft” was inspired by our flagship product, our Universal Mini RFID Tag. Metalcraft is known for our five patented, mount-on-metal Universal RFID Tags, which has transformed our RFID solutions into more than just a product line; Universal RFID by Metalcraft is now distinguished as a sub-brand.

Our new websites include simplified navigation; relevant case studies, videos and testimonials on our product detail pages; and an area for related products and previously viewed products. These new features allow the site to be simplified and user-friendly. Time is valuable to everyone; a visitor to our website averages just over two minutes per session. Therefore, we want to help customers find an ID solution in just a few clicks.

At Metalcraft we strive to keep things simple for our customers, whatever it takes. We want customers to put their trust in us to determine the most effective solution for their ID challenge. We want to be thought of first, not only for today’s ID technologies, but those of the future. Having a brand that differentiates us from competitors the way ours is now positioned to allows Metalcraft to remain an industry leader, no matter what the ID challenge.

Metalcraft will celebrate 65 years on November 14, 2015. Happy Birthday to Metalcraft and we wish continued success to our customers and member-owners!

Metalcraft Earns Certified Metalphoto® Converter Designation

noreply@blogger.com (Julia Deets) — Mon, 31 Aug 2015 14:38:00 +0000

The Company Completes Assessment, Implements Processes to Improve Quality and Application Knowledge for the Metalphoto Product Line

Cleveland, Ohio, USA, Monday, August 31, 2015 – Horizons Imaging Systems Group (ISG) announced that Metalcraft has achieved Certified Metalphoto Converter status. Certified Converter status means that Metalcraft has completed a process assessment, received recommendations and begun implementing new processes to improve product quality and expand application expertise for Metalphoto® photosensitive anodized aluminum.

Certified Converters receive in-depth training regarding the features, benefits and performance specifications to which Metalphoto is certified. They understand when Metalphoto is appropriate for a specific application and can help organizations write Metalphoto into specifications.

According to Scott Lehner, Director of Converter Sales, “the Metalphoto Converter Certification sends a clear message to OEMs and government organizations as to which suppliers are optimally prepared to offer outstanding product quality and service.” Certified Converters receive access to a library of tools, including data sheets, case studies and product videos, as well as a certification press release and a “Certified Metalphoto Converter” emblem for their website.

Metalphoto is one of the most durable identification materials available. Metalphoto is converted into barcode labels, nameplates/data plates, placards, maintenance schematics, machine control panels and other identification items by more than 500 companies around the world. The largest and most advanced converters are eligible to apply for certification.

About Metalphoto^®:

For over 50 years, industrial and military engineers have specified Metalphoto® photosensitive anodized aluminum in applications where permanent product identification is critical. Metalphoto’s durability comes from its photographic image which is sealed inside of the anodized aluminum, providing resistance to corrosion, sunlight degradation, abrasion, extreme temperatures and chemical exposure.

Available from 0.003” to 0.125” thick, Metalphoto can be used for a wide variety of applications where permanent identification is critical including barcode labels, nameplates/rating plates, maintenance schematics, machine control panels and signage.

For more information, visit www.metalphoto.com.

About Metalcraft:

Metalcraft has provided property identification solutions since 1950. What began as a solution for the Bostitch Stapler Company's identification needs has evolved into Metalcraft as we know it today. The solution for Bostitch was to have Metalcraft provide nameplates with printed copy of Bostitch customer names that were attached with solvent-activated adhesive to their staplers.

Since that first Bostitch stapler solution in 1950, Metalcraft has provided thousands of businesses and industries throughout North America and around the world with a wide range of choices in durable nameplates and labels to meet the needs of the ever-evolving industry of tracking and controlling. These customized products may include consecutive numbers using barcode and/or RFID technologies.

Made from the toughest materials including polyester, anodized aluminum, stainless steel, polycarbonate, ceramic and more, Metalcraft nameplates and labels are built to withstand environments ranging from mild to extreme and resist abrasion, caustics/acids, solvents, salt air, high temperatures, and UV rays.

For more information, visit www.idplate.com.

Press release courtesy of:

Redefining a Reputation

noreply@blogger.com (Julia Deets) — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 16:20:00 +0000

By Julia Deets, VP of Sales & Marketing

What does a nameplate and label company know about RFID anyway? Well, a lot actually and it’s time we make the industry take note of it. Unfortunately, it looks like we may have our work cut out for us in order to bump out some of the “traditional” RFID companies. Metalcraft is known for our nameplates and labels first and our technology expertise (i.e. RFID) second. Two things happened recently that made me more acutely aware of this. First, I was at an industry conference where I heard that a large customer who we had been trying to work with had done an RFID installation with an integrator who we had contacted, but ultimately used tags from a competitor. They had never actually seen or tested our tags. Supposedly the competitor’s tags are reading fine; however, they are not adhering very well to the asset they are supposed to be tracking. Perhaps this application would have been better suited to a company with expertise in both RFID performance and actual tag construction and superior adhesive knowledge.

The other example was feedback received from a customer where we did actually receive the order, but they didn’t initially think that our tag would perform as well or better than the competition. It came as no surprise to us when it did – so why did it surprise them? Our competitors are RFID companies while we are a label company with RFID products – or at least that is how we are seen by some. In some ways it’s almost as though our long history of providing durable nameplates and labels works against us. But it shouldn’t – we should be able to use this even more to our advantage. We have more experience with printing, materials and adhesives than our RFID only competitors. And really, what good are tags that read if they fall off what they are supposed to be tracking in the first place?

We realize the need to update our image and really work at being viewed as more of a technology company and we are doing just that. Steve mentioned in a recent call we are updating our image including taking the ID PLATES AND LABELS out of our logo. We realize we are so much more than that and it’s time to be recognized as such. Developing universalrfid.com is another step in building our image. Just to be clear we are very proud of our long-standing reputation in the identification products industry for having durable, reliable products – we just want more. We want people to see that we bring both the RFID knowledge to make sure the product will function in the application and the tag knowledge to make sure the product will last to the table – giving customers the best of both worlds.

One Tag for Multiple Applications

noreply@blogger.com (Julia Deets) — Mon, 11 May 2015 13:55:00 +0000

At a recent conference I was at where I gave a presentation on selecting the right tag and technology for an application, I was asked a question:

"What product should I use if I have multiple types of assets in various types of environments?"

Without qualifying the application any further to see how long they would like to have the tags last or more information about the types of conditions the assets and thereby the tags attached to the assets are going to be exposed to, I suggested that they go with the most durable, yet versatile tag that we offer – our Foil Bar Code Labels. These products are versatile enough to be used in the typical office application, yet durable enough to last outside or in a more demanding environment like a manufacturing floor. This question made me realize that this is a more common issue than I may have thought. For example, assets for a university could range from computers to lab equipment and furniture to vehicles. Yes, you could optimize your application and get different tags for different assets depending on what they are going to be exposed to, and many companies do that; or you could go with what is going to survive the most demanding application and get the same tag for all assets. Even if this means it’s a more expensive tag, a higher volume would drive the price per tag down. Plus, the tag would last for a very long time.

Learn more about our Foil Bar Code Labels:

Foil Bar Code Labels

Foil Bar Code Roll Labels

Metalcraft's Laser Converting Process, RFID Converting Process and HPIndigo Printer

noreply@blogger.com (Julia Deets) — Tue, 17 Feb 2015 16:32:00 +0000

New videos that explain how our production processes add value for our customers.

noreply@blogger.com (Julia Deets) — Wed, 16 Apr 2014 21:15:00 +0000

Smaller Size, Lower Profile – Impressive Results

When developing a new product we set expectations for each product and often time we exceed those expectations. Rarely do we have products exceed performance expectations to the point of our new Universal Mini RFID Asset Tag. Building upon the success we’ve had with the Universal RFID Asset Tag we introduced a number of years ago, we’ve taken our patented Universal RFID Asset Tag and cut the height nearly in half – plus, we reduced the foam standoff from 1/16” to 1/32” giving the tag a lower overall profile without sacrificing too much read range. You still get excellent read ranges on a variety of different surfaces including metal (up to 15’)*, plastic and even wood. This product introduction video illustrates the concept behind this product and the relative size reduction.

*Read range differs by environment and reader type

Favorite Time of the Year

noreply@blogger.com (Julia Deets) — Tue, 11 Mar 2014 14:25:00 +0000

Well, it's my favorite time of the year - no, not Christmas; it's trade show season! Yes, trade show season is upon us again and it looks like we've got a pretty packed schedule of exhibiting, presenting or simply attending various shows representing different markets and applications our identification products are being used for.

Our first stop was at the National Association of Trailer Manufacturers expo, an association Metalcraft has been a member of for a number of years. From customized printed nameplates on trailers to VIN plates or even warning labels, the opportunities with this great association are numerous.

Next, I stopped at a facilities management conference where I was excited to learn more about this application and discover more about Metalcraft's role in this industry. We will also have a presence at an upcoming NPMA (National Property Management Association) show, as well as an exhibit space at the Supply Chain and Transportation Show and Expo (Modex), where we will also be presenting on how bar code and RFID are impacting supply chain operations worldwide. All of these events take place for us in March.

Then, of course, in April we have RFID Journal Live where we will be exhibiting some of our new RFID products including our Universal Mini RFID Asset Tags.

It is shaping up to be a very busy spring here at Metalcraft, but honestly we wouldn't have it any other way! Come see us if you are planning to be at any of these events - we'd love to speak with you about your identification product needs.

ID Solutions for All

noreply@blogger.com (Julia Deets) — Wed, 05 Feb 2014 17:59:00 +0000

Contributed by Metalcraft Sales Manager, Bill Phillips.

Here at Metalcraft, we like to think of ourselves as an ID solutions provider. Over the years, our Product Development and Engineering teams have developed products that provide solutions to many difficult and unique applications. As I was thinking about all of the projects we've worked on in previous years, many of these applications came to mind.

Here are just a few examples:

On cemetery markers, you can find our Photo Anodized Metal Bar Code Nameplates, printed with QR codes so visitors can scan it with their smart phone and read obituaries and history about a deceased friend or loved one. These tags can survive an outdoor environment for many, many years.

Road crew members and other event management personnel love the durability of our labels and tags. Our products have graced many stages during rock concerts and other types of events to help keep track of cables, speakers, hard cases, lighting, musical instruments, pyrotechnics and more.

OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) have used our RFID tags to prevent theft of plastic pallets which can yield a high dollar value if taken to recycling/redemption centers. Our RFID tags have also been used to keep track of municipal garbage collection and recycling rewards programs.

For some of our OEMs, our "Order by 5:00 am, pick up your plates by 9:00 am" program just isn't quick enough for their product turnaround, so we will sell or lease our On Demand Laser Systems in order to meet their needs.

In the agricultural industry, our RFID tags have been used to track cotton bales in order to keep track of information pertaining to where the cotton came from, where it is currently located, and even the quality of the cotton which helps our customers determine their pricing.

Kegs of beer and barrels of wine are tracked all over the world with our Bar Code Labels & Nameplates. Wineries and beer distributors are now exploring RFID as a quicker method of tracking these assets.

We've also recently received an inquiry to provide a tag that can survive the harsh environment of being affixed to "Lobster Condos" which can be submerged in salt water for up to six months.

As you can see, Metalcraft has provided countless solutions to a variety of different industries and applications. No matter where you are or what you need, no matter how crazy or wacky your application may be; if you can imagine it, chances are, we can provide a solution.

Metalcraft Testing Procedures

noreply@blogger.com (Julia Deets) — Thu, 30 Jan 2014 15:14:00 +0000

Contributed by Metalcraft's Product Development Engineer, Alex Skora

The crash test dummy is an icon of product testing that was especially popularized by public service announcements encouraging passengers to wear their seat belts. Crash dummies have evolved into sophisticated models of the passengers (humans -- and even dogs) that are used to best analyze automotive design and performance.

In the labeling and RFID industries, product design testing may not be quite so violent, though it can be just as important to our customers. Following are some typical tests we put our products through to ensure we are delivering the best product for your application:

Abrasion tests - the product is attached to a wheel that spins under a rough surface to predict how well an image will withstand scratches and wear.
High temperature tests - products are placed in a controlled oven at a range of temperatures to ensure adhesives, printed images, and base material can stand up to the heat.
Chemical exposure tests - several chemical baths are prepared and the product is submerged for a given time. These chemicals represent a variety of cleaners and other liquids that may often be in contact with labels, tags, and RFID products.
UV exposure tests - outdoor UV testing alongside simulated accelerated UV testing allows for an estimation of outdoor durability and lightfastness.
RFID read distance tests - typically samples will be placed in an anechoic chamber while attached to various substrates.

Customers may also request a more customized test for a tricky application. When it is not possible for us to replicate test conditions, our customers or an external lab may perform independent tests.

In a way that parallels crash tests of vehicles, Metalcraft puts our labels, nameplates and RFID tags through some extreme conditions. These standardized tests are key in reassuring our customers that they are receiving the best product for their specific application.

Quality System Compliance vs. Certification

noreply@blogger.com (Julia Deets) — Mon, 20 Jan 2014 18:20:00 +0000

Contributed by Jim Miller, Metalcraft's VP of Engineering.

Metalcraft has the privilege of working with, literally, thousands of customers across all types of industry functions. This includes manufacturers, schools, hospitals, integrators and so on. With such a broad customer base, we have many requests to see our Quality Certifications and some are specific to certain industries. Metalcraft keeps these requirements in mind as we continually make improvements.

Over the years, we have striven to manufacture our durable nameplates and labels to consistently meet the highest industry standards. To accomplish this, Metalcraft has worked hard to develop robust processes from order entry through shipping to ensure that our quality does not slip. Consistency has remained a focus as a means to that end. These stable processes lend themselves well to documented procedures for a quality system.

Besides production we have paid attention to our customers. We invite feedback from all customers and react quickly when we have opportunities for improvement. Each team tracks their own quality record and sets goals to improve each year.

As our teams improve, our systems also improve. We now have systems that place Metalcraft as nearly compliant with ISO9000 standards, which seems to be the most common system with our customer base. We have had approval of many companies from medical to aerospace industries that are satisfied that we can meet their needs. At some point, we will be fully compliant and will need to make the decision to achieve certification or not. A key factor will be the cost of moving from a fully-functioning system to that of a certified system. That expense would have to be added to our products, and we take those decisions very seriously.

Where our journey will end, only time will tell. Presently, we want to assure all of our customers that meeting their expectations is a core value of Metalcraft. We have put systems together to help us meet that goal, and ISO compliance has been a guide for us.

The True Meaning of Asset Tracking

noreply@blogger.com (Julia Deets) — Mon, 13 Jan 2014 15:42:00 +0000

Contributed by RFID Engineer, Clyde Church

Something as simple as asset tracking can easily be misunderstood by engineers, project managers and purchasing departments in a rush to find a solution for a track and trace, asset tracking, identification or access control problem.

The term "asset tracking" encompasses all of these fields and more. Traditionally, many companies or project managers viewed asset tracking as part of the accounting department and went around once a year looking for desks, computers and equipment to verify the existence of an item on the inventory list.

Since the 1960s the term "asset tracking" includes both fixed and mobile assets and covers all assets from finished goods to employees, incoming materials, tools, spare parts and work-in-process. An old saying is that beauty is in the eye of the beholder and so the term "asset" is understood in terms of the customer's view.

At Metalcraft, asset tracking refers to tracking the movement of physical assets, either by scanning bar code tags attached to the assets or by using smart tags, like passive RFID, which broadcast their location.

When bar code technology was developed in the mid-1980s, it dramatically increased the speed and accuracy of the inventory process, and it also reduced the labor cost of conducting an inventory.

The addition of RFID to the bar code label again increased the speed and reduced costs, which meant that the process could be automated for many classes of mobile assets. Thus, a business could track materials entering and leaving the raw material and finished goods warehouses.

RFID has automated many business processes with a quicker return on investment (ROI) because of the automated read process. The availability of new data that was too costly to collect before using bar codes is now far more economical and provides many more layers of business intelligence. Automated tracking is primarily done for high-value assets and real-time knowledge of the current inventory and its movement.

The confusion in the market place about the term "asset tracking" has meant some companies don't contact us because they are in logistics, medical equipment or the chemical industry and they don't interpret asset tracking in its broadest sense. Be assured that Metalcraft provides a wide range of RFID products for thousands of different applications.

NFC Basics

noreply@blogger.com (Julia Deets) — Mon, 30 Dec 2013 16:08:00 +0000

Contributed by our RFID Engineer, Kyle Bermel.

The current buzz word of all in the RFID space is "NFC". NFC stands for Near Field Communication. It is a wireless communication built on the principles of RFID. A big benefit of NFC over other RFID frameworks is an increase in security. The other difference of NFC is the ability to have two-way communications between devices.

As the name states, NFC is used only in the very near proximity of the two devices. The devices I speak of can be a number of things. It could be a conventional RFID label and a reader with an antenna, a cell phone communicating with an NFC-enabled label, or two cell phones communicating with each other.

There are positives and negatives of both NFC and UHF RFID, and these variables depend on the application at hand. UHF RFID drastically increases your read distance for applications in asset tracking and retail. In comparison, a UHF label is less expensive than an NFC label. The downfall with UHF is the price of the hardware needed to set up a UHF system. This is where NFC gains its competitive advantage.

Imagine everyone walking around with a reader. Consumers have readers, employees have readers and even teenagers have readers. The NFC-enabled smart phone has done this for NFC. This fact alone is what has sparked the interest in NFC, and rightfully so. Think of the possibilities with their environment with just the tap of their phone. The possibilities could be endless.

I want to give you a few examples of the possibilities of NFC. NFC could revolutionize the healthcare industry. A nurse can walk into a patient's room and use her phone to tap the wristband they are wearing and know what medications need to be given. From this, the hospital can track who administered the medication and at what time, which in a small way allows you to track the drug itself.

NFC is a marketing guru's dream. You can use NFC in stores to allow customers to quickly find promotional information on a product and access it right in stores. With the change to the digital world came a change of how a consumer purchases a product. 74 percent of people research and review products before even stepping into a store. Using NFC, you can give the customer a chance to do this with the tap of a device.

My final example is one I think is the best; imagine walking into a grocery store and having a list of items you need to buy. You skip grabbing a cart to put things in and pull out your cell phone instead. You walk down the aisle and see what you want; once you find it, you simply tap that item with your NFC-enabled smart phone. You continue this process until you have everything checked off your list. You walk to the exit and your groceries are already bagged and paid for and you walk them to your car.

All of these examples may currently seem far-fetched to some, but these are all possibilities with the power of NFC-enabled devices. As with UHF RFID, the time for NFC to gain traction will take a while, but with the rise of cell phones that are NFC-enabled, you will see a rise in the applications and frameworks enabled by NFC.

Bar Code Symbologies: 1D vs. 2D

noreply@blogger.com (Julia Deets) — Mon, 16 Dec 2013 17:51:00 +0000

Bar code certainly simplified identifying, tracking, and controlling of assets, equipment and processes beginning in the early 80’s. In short, bar code was a technology that revolutionized data capture! In the “early days” selecting a bar code symbology was not extremely complex; there were just a few choices.

Code 39 was developed by Intermec in 1974 and became the de facto standard for non-retail bar code applications. It is an alpha numeric symbology plus seven major characters, so a total of 43 characters, and is a versatile symbology that gained tremendous momentum in the 80’s. However, today not only are there linear symbologies, or 1-D (i.e. Code 39, Code 128, Code I2 of 5, etc.), but also 2-D symbologies such as data matrix and QR so is Code 39 still the best choice? I believe the answer is no. Does this mean Code 39 is not a good choice? Not at all; there are just other options which may be better suited for a given application.

For example, if a 1-D symbology is preferred, consider Code 128 which has a full set of ASCII characters available and a built-in check character for data integrity. A check character is simply an algorithm which ensures the data set will not be misread, for example if bars or spaces are damaged. Code 39 doesn’t have a built-in check character. Although one can be added in Code 39, our experience is very few customers understand using a MOD43 check character in conjunction with Code 39. Furthermore, if numeric-only characters are needed, using Subset C (or Code C) of Code 128, numeric pairs can be stacked so a much shorter barcode may be used; thus, a more economical size or one that may have a better fit.

So while Code 39 has been an extremely popular 1-D symbology for the past three decades, Code 128 can offer some great advantages, namely:

• Greater number of characters available (full ASCII set)

• Subset C (or Code C) stacked numeric pairs for a shorter bar code

• Built-in check character for data integrity

In the past several years, two dimensional symbologies have gained popularity due to the amount of data which can be programmed into a small area. For example, with the Dept. of Defense IUID specification of global asset tracking where issuing agency and serial number; or issuing agency, part number and serial number must be concatenated, this may result in a lengthy string of characters. So, a data matrix symbol which also has built in redundancy provides an efficient-sized barcode and makes perfect sense. Keep in mind that imagers marketed today are capable of reading both 1-D and 2-D codes, once again providing the flexibility of using multiple symbologies.

QR (quick response) codes were designed and introduced with the consumer in mind…read a QR code on an item and learn more about the respective item, which is pretty cool. This also provides the consumer with instant information. However, QR codes go beyond POS or retail with smartphone apps (iPhone and Android) you can now track and control assets without having a separate reading device!

In summary, the world of barcode has progressed significantly providing more efficient options, better designed to meet your expectations so don’t automatically think Code 39 is the best or the only choice…consider Code 128 or the 2-D options.

RFID Wristbands: New Product Presents Opportunities for Event Management

noreply@blogger.com (Julia Deets) — Mon, 09 Dec 2013 17:02:00 +0000

If you've ever been to a concert or amusement park before, you know how inconvenient it is to wait in line to get in. Outdated ticketing systems make for long lines and crowds of thousands of people awaiting access. This makes it difficult for event managers to quickly and efficiently manage their crowd entry.

At Metalcraft, we recognize that problem and have developed a solution. Our new RFID Wristbands are perfect for granting access in virtually no time at all! The RFID inlay allows the wristband to be recognized a few feet away, allowing your guests access to or movement around a specific locale with ease.

The construction of the wristband is extremely durable and allows for the material to resist exposure to things like UV light, chlorine water, sunscreen, insect repellent, hand soap and other products normally in contact with wristbands at outdoor events or water parks.

Our digital printing process even allows for crisp details and stunning graphics, so you can print your logo or other company information without the risk of fading or rubbing off.

To learn more about our RFID Wristbands, visit our website at www.idplate.com, or call our customer service representatives at 800-437-5283.

Customer Feedback Provides Product Inspiration

noreply@blogger.com (Julia Deets) — Tue, 03 Dec 2013 16:07:00 +0000

At Metalcraft, our best new product ideas often come from our customers. That feedback can be provided to us in a number of different ways. It can be as simple as receiving survey feedback about a specific issue from various customers.

For example, a customer came to us with an issue they were having with removing the liner from their Metal Bar Code Nameplates. From that feedback, we incorporated a tab into the design of the nameplate to aid in the removal of the adhesive liner. Before you know it, you've got our new Tabbed Metal Bar Code Nameplate!

It could also be a bit more involved like having to design a product for a specific customer and their particular environment and/or application. One example of this would be our Bar Code Cable Label, where we designed the product for a specific customer, and then introduced it to the general public.

Other products we've developed based upon specific customer feedback include our RFID Hang Tags, Polyester Container Bar Code Labels, Stainless Steel Bar Code Nameplates, "EZ-Peel" Removable Bar Code Labels, Universal RFID Asset Tags and many more.

In this respect, we haven't really strayed too far from our company's beginnings. Metalcraft was founded by providing an identification solution to the Bostitch Stapler company over 63 years ago, and we still employ those same innovative principles in everything we do.

The product that solved the identification problem for Bostitch Stapler went on to become the "AUTOGRAPH" Nameplate - a product we still provide to customers today. To the casual observer, we may appear to be simply a nameplate and label manufacturer; however, it goes far beyond that, and anyone who has worked with us knows that we take the time to thoroughly understand our customers' applications and objectives.

We are an identification solutions company; and, as the examples above illustrate, we've shown time and time again how we provide innovative identification solutions to our customers. So in summary - give us your feedback! We'd love to hear from you, and it may just be the inspiration for one of our next new products.

We've Moved!!

noreply@blogger.com (Julia Deets) — Thu, 03 Oct 2013 15:25:00 +0000

The walls are finally up, paint is dry and boxes are unpacked. We are now located in our gorgeous new 46,000 square foot facility on the west side of Mason City, Iowa. One year ago to the day we celebrated this exciting new undertaking with our official groundbreaking ceremony and today we are celebrating our official dedication ceremony.

Our new facility means more efficiency and even better service for you. We're so happy to be in our new building and we want to celebrate that with you – our customers. Without your business and support over the years this wouldn't have been possible. So thank you for this opportunity and we look forward to continuing to provide you with innovative identification solutions for years to come.

New Product: Destructible RFID Windshield Tags

noreply@blogger.com (Julia Deets) — Mon, 15 Jul 2013 14:58:00 +0000

Here at Metalcraft, we pride ourselves on being able to serve our customers and respond to their needs. Our Research and Product Development teams work diligently everyday to come up with new products and features for us to offer our customers. Most recently, we've had more demand for certain RFID products, so you asked and we listened!

We are proud to introduce our newest RFID product - our Destructible RFID Windshield Labels! We've taken our best-selling RFID Windshield Tags and made them even better by using a destructible material which makes the tag virtually impossible to remove from the windshield in one piece. This gives the tag added security benefits which are perfect for access control applications where security is a high priority (i.e. gated communities or parking garages). It also works well for applications with non-transferability such as loyalty programs or car washes.

Just like its non-destructible counterpart, this tag features surface printing which ensures crisp details on even the most complex logos for maximum clarity. Four color processing is also available for limitless design and color options. This product utilizes passive RFID technology and provides a read range of 30+ feet.*

The material for this product is a .002" destructible material which encapsulates an RFID inlay. Standard adhesive is a .002" thick, pressure-sensitive adhesive.

To learn more about our Destructible RFID Windshield Labels, visit www.idplate.com, or call a customer service representative at 800-437-5283.

The Power of the Tag

noreply@blogger.com (Julia Deets) — Thu, 27 Jun 2013 16:33:00 +0000

This year, one of the objectives we had with our new catalog was to really focus on the different kinds of technology we are able to offer to our customers. We wanted to make that clear right away on the cover, which is how we came up with the headline and cover image "The Power of the Tag". But what does that phrase really mean?

The term actually comes from a presentation that our President & CEO, Steve Doerfler, and I have given at the NPMA (National Property Management Association) NES (National Education Seminar). The concept behind this presentation is that if you properly qualify your customer's application in terms of both objective and project parameters, combined with the qualification of the environment the tag will be exposed to and how long it is expected to last, you will end up with a very powerful tool - the tag.

The tag and the information it either contains or represents is very powerful. It can literally be the missing link to a very extensive tracking system, or even be the reason a production line comes to a screeching halt. We've seen customers have their entire shipment held because they didn't have a UID label on it, or even charter a plane to come get that all important tag.

So how do you go about measuring the value or power of a tag? Well, in some cases, the value is measured by efficiency gains in an asset tracking program or the savings from not having to replace items that disappeared after a manual inventory. In other cases, the value or power of a tag is measured by lost productivity or even a lost contract if the tag is missing. These are some examples of practical, real life situations.

Theoretically, however, the power of a tag can be measured by the overall impact that using the right technology (i.e. bar code, human-readable numbers, RFID, etc.), and the right methodology (i.e. pre-printed/pre-programmed or on-site printed products), in conjunction with the right materials (i.e. polyester, aluminum, stainless steel, etc.), all have on achieving the desired outcome. This is truly what we mean by "The Power of the Tag."

Selling RFID Against Barriers You Can't Control

noreply@blogger.com (Julia Deets) — Wed, 29 May 2013 20:06:00 +0000

A contribution from our RFID Specialist, Clyde Church

On a recent sales trip to Toronto, a fellow sales rep and I visited a large industrial plant that was interested in RFID. The plant is one of 17 business units and seven manufacturing groups which service these business units.

When we met with them, we provided samples of our products and answered some very broad RFID questions about tags, readers, materials and software. There seemed to be some reluctance or skepticism about RFID, but we couldn't be absolutely sure of the source of that skepticism.

During a later Q&A, we found out they were happy with their software and bar code tagging system, but were still interested in incorporating RFID. We also discovered that a previous vendor had given them the impression that they needed major modifications to their software system in order to incorporate RFID. This vendor had placed a fear of RFID in their minds because of the time, cost and complexity of integrating new plant operations software, in addition to adopting RFID technology.

Since we were trying to promote our RFID labels instead of software, and they wanted to find a way to use RFID without a major software development project, we searched for a way to accomplish both goals. We suggested keeping the existing software and adding a couple of fields to their database to capture the information from the RFID readers. From there, they can simply incorporate an RFID tag with their existing bar code tag. They would then read their printed bar code label and our RFID tag serial number and associate the two numbers in their database with only a minor software change.

The moral to the story is that there were hidden barriers to adoption of RFID for this customer; however, with proper qualification of the application, these obstacles were by no means insurmountable.

Product Feature: Permanent Paint Mask Labels

noreply@blogger.com (Julia Deets) — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 14:10:00 +0000

Is your company a business that tracks equipment as it moves through the production process? Are you tired of having to reapply a label to your equipment after every paint job? This month, Metalcraft is featuring our Permanent Paint Mask Bar Code Labels which provide a solution for that issue.

A standard bar code label will not hold up to repeat paint applications, but Metalcraft Permanent Paint Mask Bar Code Labels will! These labels are different from regular polyester bar code labels because they feature a special flouropolymer laminate that resists multiple paint applications (approximately 10-12). This laminate, which is very similar to Teflon®, can even withstand grease, graffiti and temperatures up to 250°F.

Once this label is properly applied to the piece of equipment, you can track it all the way through the production process (including your paint applications). After painting, simply pick off the paint and you're left with a clean bar code label that is easy to scan.

Metalcraft's Permanent Paint Mask Bar Code Labels are produced using a subsurface printing process, which reverse prints on the underside of the material. This process allows for protection of the logos, copy and bar code against extreme solvents, caustics, acids and moderate abrasion. It also eliminates the need for a laminate and protects against delamination.

The material for this product is a .002" thick polyester, available in white or silver. Standard adhesive is a .002" thick, pressure-sensitive adhesive which adheres well to uneven surfaces and even slightly oily surfaces.

To learn more about our Permanent Paint Mask Bar Code Labels, visit our website at www.idplate.com, or call a customer service representative at 800-437-5283.

Asset Tracking for Hospitals

noreply@blogger.com (Julia Deets) — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 15:40:00 +0000

A few months ago, in an effort to increase our presence in the education market, we wrote an article about asset-tracking for schools. In keeping with that effort, we've also created a campaign for asset-tracking in hospitals.

Often times, when we hear from our healthcare customers, they are having issues keeping track of equipment and supplies that are necessary for them to give proper care to their patients. Things like intravenous pumps, wheel chairs and supply kits go missing at the drop of a hat, forcing employees to use their valuable time to track down what they need. When things go missing, it can also force the hospital to unnecessarily purchase new items, which causes flawed record-keeping.

At Metalcraft, we have come up with four different products that are perfect for various healthcare environments ranging from mild to harsh. Our Photo Anodized Metal Bar Code Nameplates are perfect for those customers that need something that will stand up to harsh environments. The nameplate copy is photographically reproduced and sealed within the anodic layer, ensuring the copy will be readable for the life of the asset. Available in over 500 different sizes and several thicknesses, you're sure to find something to fit your needs.

Much like our Metal Bar Code Nameplates, our Photo Anodized Foil Bar Code Labels are produced using the same anodizing process which seals the image under a layer of ceramic frit material. The difference between the nameplates and labels is the material thickness. Our Foil Bar Code Labels have a thinner profile, which ensures the same resistance to abrasion and chemicals, but allows more flexibility to conform to various types of surfaces.

Our Craftmark Labels are one of our top-of-the-line roll label products. These labels are printed using our thickest polyester and a .0035" thick adhesive, which helps them out-perform any standard polyester label. All logos and colors are subsurface printed using four-color processing, allowing the copy to be protected against extreme solvents, caustics, acids and moderate abrasion. By subsurface printing, the need for a laminate is eliminated, as well as the possibility of delamination.

The last product we've chosen is our Premium StyleMark Label. These labels are, as noted by their name, the most stylish label in our line of roll label products. But their looks aren't the only thing they've got going for them; their performance is just as great! Our StyleMark labels are made from a textured polycarbonate material with a non-reflective finish. These labels, like most of our roll-label products, are subsurface printed which, when combined with polycarbonate material, makes them extremely resistant to abrasion. These labels can also withstand intermittent temperatures up to 300 degrees F.

Although these four products are the ones we feel are best suited for healthcare applications, keep in mind, they aren't the only products we have available. Anything from our Destructible and Tamper Evident labels to our line of RFID products could work for your specific application. If you're a company in the healthcare business and you're noticing issues with asset tracking in your facility, it is important to implement a proper record-keeping system in order to save time and money. No matter what your needs are, Metalcraft is sure to have a solution for you!

For more information on any of our products, contact a customer service representative at 800-437-5283 for assistance.

ProMat® Trade Show Recap

noreply@blogger.com (Julia Deets) — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 15:45:00 +0000

A few weeks ago, Metalcraft had the opportunity to attend the ProMat® Material Handling trade show from Jan. 21-24. Held at McCormick Place in Chicago, Ill., ProMat® is a large showcase of material handling, supply chain and logistics solutions. The show is designed to offer productivity solutions and information by showcasing the products and services of leading material handling and logistics providers.

Show attendees included manufacturing, distribution and supply chain professionals from the United States, Canada, Mexico and an estimated 100+ countries from around the world. Some of the items on display at this show included, but were not limited to:

1. Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems
2. Personnel/Burden Carriers
3. Palletizing Equipment
4. Voice Recognition Systems
5. RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) Systems
6. Bar Code Printers and Scanners

There were four attendees representing Metalcraft, and we were also able to bring our Benchtop Laser System to have on display along with all of our standard product offerings. We were able to gain an exceptional interest in our barcode technology from the forklift/material handling audience. Many OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) expressed interest in trying to initiate a change in their organization to incorporate barcode technology into their processes. Many of them are currently using a printed plate with serial numbers or other information stamped on it, but are trying to gain corporate approval for system changes.

Overall, Metalcraft had a great experience at the show. We were able to generate a number of different leads by walking the show floor, and we were also able to gain great insight into a market with substantial interest in our products.