The Produce Traceability Initiative

An example of a PTI label from the PTI website

PTI requirements and solutions are becoming frequent topics of conversation in the produce industry, but this initiative has yet to be fully adopted due to hesitation regarding cost and the potential complexity attached to meeting the PTI requirements. In this article, I summarize what the Produce Traceability Initiative is, how it is implemented and the benefits of converting to this system of inventory management.

What is the Produce Traceability Initiative, otherwise known as PTI?

The Produce Traceability Initiative is a voluntary effort on the part of those in the produce industry to improve their traceability capabilities. As a result of these improvements, “suspect product” can quickly be removed from the marketplace while limiting the impact of the recall on other suppliers and products. Produce traceability has been a topic of conversation since the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act of 1930 which introduced the foundation for produce traceability. The more recent Bioterrorism Act of 2002 introduced the “one step up and one step back” traceability requirements to the produce industries.

How can PTI be implemented?

Simply put, PTI standardizes data collection and processing across the supply chain. With standardized barcodes (pictured above), packers, repackers, wholesalers, distribution centers, retailers and food service providers can better track and monitor the produce that they handle. The PTI barcode solution creates a coding system that can be read by each company across the supply chain, simplifying communication of information.  These barcodes include a Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) to identify the manufacturer and product contained within the case and a lot number to identify the lot the produce originated from. This information is displayed on the case containing the produce in both human-readable form and machine-readable (see above photograph).

PTI Solutions are implemented at the case level rather than at the individual product level for a number of reasons. By labeling produce by the case, traceability is not only more affordable but more effective and efficient.

What are the benefits of implementing PTI labeling?

• Companies earn the confidence of the government and consumers
• Limits the scope and cost of food recalls
• Investigations become more efficient and less costly
• More consistency in regards to communication of product information across the supply chain
• Speeds up delivery of orders to retailers and distributors
• Can measurably improve operational efficiency
• Protects public health
• Increased customer satisfaction
• Complies with FDA mandates

What would be the most effective way to implement the Produce Traceability Initiative?

The most effective, efficient and affordable way to implement the Produce Traceability Initiative would be to utilize mobile computing and printing technology.  With mobile barcode scanners and printers, workers can print labels at the point of application ensuring accuracy and limiting wasted materials.

Let us help you develop your food traceability solution drawing from our comprehensive catalog of technologies including mobile and stationary computers and printers. Our team is trained to help you create a customized solution that can easily be integrated into your existing infrastructure.

For more information on the Produce Traceability Initiative, visit their official web site.

Related Articles:

• How is ePedigree like PTI?

The Marketing Advantages of QR Codes

QR codes are everywhere, and we mean everywhere (they are even on  ketchup bottle labels when you go out to a restaurant and they are featured in artwork displayed in galleries).  Their presence is undeniable, but the real question is whether or not they are being put to good use.

The most popular way to use a QR code is to point it to a website. Just to throw our opinion out there — it’s just a tiny bit overdone.  Giving your QR code a more meaningful existence could mean more for your company in terms of ROI.

Many companies spend more time and energy creating clever ways to display or create their QR codes but forget the most important part — giving their customers a GOOD reason to scan the code.  The most important aspect of using a QR code is what happens after it is scanned, not the theatrics put into creating the QR code (despite the fact that it may be impressive).  Almost everyone is using QR codes to direct users to a website and as a result, users are becoming less interested in scanning them. A QR code can store so much more information than the average barcode, so why waste that potential?

Let’s face it, who wants to open the QR reader application, wait for the code to scan (which sometimes takes a while if it happens at all), only to finally get transferred to the internet browser to see a website that could have been more easily and immediately accessed if they opened the browser and entered the url instead?

In short, give customers an incentive for taking the time to scan your QR code!

“Scan this code to get a coupon available for immediate use“

“Join our rewards club by scanning this code and get an extra point just for becoming a member!“

“Exclusive videos (or photos) available by scanning this code!“

“Watch a video on how to use [xyz product]“

There should be a reason to scan a QR code, and that reason should be better than being automatically forwarded to a website — as I said before, your customer could have gone to the website on their own  if he or she really wanted to and they didn’t need the QR code to do so — and it should be a way to engage others with your company (or product or services).

Check out some of the cool things people are doing with QR codes for some inspiration:

• Bakon Vodka uses QR codes to give its users badges and create an online community for its customers
• Photographers use QR codes in lieu of signatures to get the credit they deserve (and people can see more photos of that genre or from that particular photo shoot)
• JCPenney created Santa tags which allowed gift givers to record voice messages for those they were sending gifts to (a great way to share your holiday spirit with family or friends that are far away)
• Some companies allow customers to make payments with QR codes on their mobile devices
•  A few bakeries created edible QR codes that send customers to a Facebook fan page or to coupons (the photo above)
• Tell us about some interesting QR code uses you know about in the comments!

If you want to know more about QR codes, you can read this article on using QR codes.

If you are interested in finding out more about our company and what we do, visit our website to find out more about industrial data solutions.

Related Articles:

• The Basics of Barcoding
• Are QR Codes Already Being Replaced?
• The Road Code

Sato Acquires Argox

Argox was recently acquired by SATO, a barcode printer and labeling/EPC/ RFID products manufacturer. Argox Information Co. Ltd., now a member of SATO Holdings Corporation, will continue to operate as an independent entity, supplying barcode printers, barcode scanners and portable terminals.

Founded in 1996 with a focus on Chinese, Brazilian and Turkish markets, Argox has since expanded to markets in India, South Africa and Russia.  They have established their role as auto-identification solutions providers by designing, manufacturing and providing low cost and entry level thermal printers.

Datamax-O’Neil Launches the New PrintPAD 99EX

The New Datamax-O'Neil Printpad

We had the opportunity to test out the new PrintPAD 99EX from Datamax-O’Neil. In this article, I discuss the features of this new mobile printer and the PrintPAD line and my experience testing the unit. If you have questions, please leave them in the comments and I will be happy to answer them!

The new Datamax-O’Neil 99EX print cradle is the latest addition to the company’s popular PrintPAD line, extending the line’s compatibility to include the Honeywell Dolphin[TM] 99EX mobile computer.[1]  The PrintPADs are a “carry, charge and communicate solution” for mobile workers in route accounting, direct store delivery and other field service applications (indoor and outdoor).

Some of the PrintPADs great features include:

• Charges both the printer and mobile computer simultaneously
• Can be truck-mounted and charged via a cigarette lighter adapter
• Reliable connection between the handheld and printer
• Optional magnetic stripe card reader to accept credit or debit payments
• DEX capabilities for direct store delivery
• Survives multiple 6-foot drops to concrete

I had the opportunity to test out the new PrintPAD (the day of its launch!) and I was impressed with its durability and quick response. At the bottom of the terminal, there is a quick release button to remove the mobile computer from the cradle, and the unit slid out easily when I needed to take it out. The best part was, when the computer was connected to the cradle, it was locked in securely. We were allowed to hold and shake the unit (with significant force) and even tilt it upside and shake it and the computer did not budge.  This is a great feature for mobile workers who move quickly — they don’t have to worry about picking up the unit and dropping the computer.

What is your experience with the Datamax-O’Neil PrintPAD line or other comparable products? We look forward to reading your feedback in the comments.

Interested in finding out more about the Datamax-O’Neil Printer line?

Datamax-O’Neil Printers are equipped to handle stationary, mobile and field applications. You can find out more about the Datamax-O’Neil printer line at our web site

[1] The Datamax-O’Neil PrintPADs are also compatible with Motorola – MC9000-S, MC70 and MC75, and Intermec – CN3, CN3e, CN4 and CN4e.

Related Articles

• Zebra Announces the New QLn220 Mobile Printer
• Things You Need to Know About Thermal Printers
• The SG20 Barcode Scanner from Intermec
• Intermec Announces the new PC23d Desktop Printer
• Utilize the Equity in Your Printer Investment

Social Media for Solutions Partners

We recently attended a web seminar which discussed web opportunities for businesses in our industry and a large part of the discussion was that of “blogging.”  Our company, DataGear, Inc.,  is no stranger to the art of “blogging,” but deciding on which platform to utilize has recently been open to suggestion.

Is it better to host the blog on your web site or a third party such as Blogger or WordPress? Many companies opt to host their blogs on their own web site, but we decided to give ours a home somewhere else. Here.

It can be argued that either way could be better in terms of “discovery” – hosting the blog on your web site gets more visitors and raises the site’s importance, but at the same time, an external blog links back to the primary web site much in the same way the blog existing on the actual web site may do. So which is better?

In the end it all comes down to preference and how much design/moderation control you would like to have over the blog and which venue you think might have better opportunities for exposure.  We chose WordPress because it allows the perfect combination of ease-of-use AND customization.  Plus, you don’t have to be a coding wizard to get something started and their templates are pretty great.

The biggest disadvantage to hosting your blog on an external site (or even giving it its own url!), arguably, is that any SEO or attention that your blog receives does not always translate to traffic on your main web site.  Although I agree in some respects, there are many ways to connect your blog and website without sacrificing one for the other.  Besides, interacting socially is about actively contributing to and participating in different social networks, and blogging networks, like WordPress or Blogger, are social networks, and so, (based on this assertion) hosting your blog somewhere other than your own web site has its advantages.

If you’d like to read more about where you should put your blog, we enjoyed this article on blog hosting.