BARCODE.CO.UK additions and integrated solutions for; Sage Line 50 / Sage 50 Accounts

A solution that works now and in the future (week in week out, year in year out) - works with any Sage version that you move to - works even if your business procedures change. In a nutshell, we offer continuity - FREE upgrades + FREE changes / software enhancements + UNLIMITED support with extended hours (8AM-6PM, Mon-Sat).

Sage Line 50 Case Studies - Stanze Interiors

Stanze Interiors imports and distributes designer furniture to interior designers; sofas, coffee tables, cushions, lamps, rugs, etc.

Problems

Stanze wanted to speed, smooth and de-stress the process of taking an order from a customer; in their showroom or at exhibitions (with benefits for Stanze and the customer - why make a customer wait while you fumble through catalogues, umpteen pricelists and special offers).

For simplicity, Stanze used Product Codes in Sage that were provided as part numbers by their suppliers. Unfortunately, manufacturers are not known for creating short part numbers. Because the Product Codes contained Alpha-Numeric characters, we decided to print barcodes using the Code 128 type of barcode (which produces the smallest possible barcodes). Stanze also wanted small (35mm wide) labels to attach to their expensive colour printed price tickets and swing tags. Unfortunately their enormous Product Codes produced barcodes over 57mm.

Solution

Everything was provided by BARCODE.CO.UK - portable barcode reader and portable software, thermal label printer, peelable labels, ribbons, Sage additions software for Windows. Stanze opted for the following;

Metrologic ScanPal2 portable terminal with built-in barcode reader and loaded with software developed and tailored by BARCODE.CO.UK
Windows software to process data from the portable terminal Sage Addition software developed and tailored by BARCODE.CO.UK

An Intermec C4 thermal label printer driven by a BARCODE.CO.UK Sage Addition to automate label printing

35mm is enough space for a Code 128 barcode containing a number up to 99999999. By using the Part No field, to store a short number (beginning from 1) products could be labeled with a short identification number. This short number allows a small label (35mm x 25mm) with barcode, description and price to be printed. Stanze also chose labels with peelable adhesive (so they can easily be removed with no mess).

Orders were taken by scanning the short barcode and the Sage Addition software developed and tailored by BARCODE.CO.UK automatically created the order in Sage when the data was downloaded. Sage would print a quote / invoice in the usual way.

Initially, Stanze suggested the portable device should prompt sales staff to enter product details based on items selected - for example, if a sofa was selected, the next prompts would be leather type and foot style. This used the Sage Product Category field to group types of products (e.g. sofas, leather type) and a simple external text file that showed relationships between categories and subcategories. This was then simplified - you don't want to choose leather type 10 times if you are buying matching items - so it was left to the sales person to simply choose a leather type as and when required.

Benefits

Shorter barcodes read more efficiently and are less obtrusive on high value tags.
Smaller labels are cheaper.
A bonus of this method is that a wider choice of rugged and cheap portable terminals (with built-in barcode readers) could be used to scan the 1D barcode (i.e. a more expensive portable terminal with built-in 2D barcode reader is not required).

Why our solution

Stanze realises barcode readers don't last forever and some manufacturers delete models (even if you depend on spare batteries). There is not always a replacement you can simply move to. Our solution offers FREE upgrades to any new portable barcode reader you want to buy. In 5 or 10 years technology will move on (and so will your business), so you may want to upgrade your terminals without worrying about compatibility with your Sage system.

The same rule applies to thermal label printers - in five or ten years time you don't want to go through the whole process of paying for and deciding on a whole new system - just because your old printer has backed in (or needs a new printhead, which get expensive if the printer is no longer available). Our solution offers FREE upgrades to any new thermal printer.

In the first few months of use of the new system, Stanze made changes to allow the system to better suit how they want to work, and how they want the system to work for them. Over the coming years Stanze's business (or their procedures) may change - and they don't want a small change to force them to have to buy a whole new system. Our solution offers FREE changes to their Sage systems.

Some vendors (not all vendors, but not uncommon)	BARCODE.CO.UK
Solutions from some vendors can cost over £10,000+	The difference is, our solutions cost from £349 per year
Even after paying some vendors £10,000+ for a system, if any time in the future you want a tiny change, often the answer is NOT POSSIBLE. Or if the answer is yes, for some reason it costs £500 per hour (and takes 3 months). Even tiny changes could be vital to the progress of your business.	The difference is, changes are FREE and in days not weeks
Even after paying some vendors £10,000+ for a system, if you upgrade Sage to the latest version (to gain access to new features) you suddenly find your system doesn't work. You need to pay £10,000 for another. Sometimes there is a delay before you can upgrade Sage, because there is no upgrade to your £10,000+ system.	All systems stop working if you don't upgrade them - when you upgraded Sage. The difference is, our upgrades are FREE, so you can upgrade to any version of Sage; without fear of a whopping bill. Also, availability of upgrades is guaranteed.
Some vendors build in such heavy reliance on specific equipment - if that equipment becomes unavailable, breaks down - your whole system is in jeopardy. Often they do this to tie you in to their system (or in ignorance). We have seen examples of large businesses searching in vein for out-of-date, used equipment just to keep a system going, and when we asked why they didn't simply upgrade the software - they said they couldn't afford the upgrade - and would prefer to buy discontinued products from ebay.	The difference is, upgrades are FREE so you can upgrade to any new barcode equipment - for any reason.
Some vendors have a very narrow range of equipment to offer - and it is usually over specified - either to make more profit - or to suit more business. Why should you pay if your system only needs a cheap barcode reader, or printer?	There are lots of other differences - we will never over specify equipment just because we would make more profit. We will analyse what you need and offer the cheapest equipment that will do the job now and in the future (based on the products lifespan).
Some vendors completely ignore real world issues like equipment breakdowns. Any equipment, however expensive, can fail - eventually will fail (i.e. need servicing) or need replacing (end of life).	The difference is, our buying power means the lowest prices on any barcode equipment or consumables; portable barcode readers, thermal label printers, sticky labels, ribbons, spare parts, etc. We also offer the widest range - which means, if you have a preference, you can choose. We can also offer the cheapest solution so you can afford spare equipment - so if in the real world the equipment needs repair, your business can carry on as if nothing happened (disaster avoidance).

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