#Barcode readers/printer

[countrywinggroupofcompanies]

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How Does Moisture Content Affect Coffee Roasters? At each stage of the coffee supply chain, the moisture content of a green bean must diminish – or the bean might become moldy, defective, and less valuable than before. Ensuring a bean dries correctly is essential in order to optimize its quality potential and minimize the chance of problems.Roasters, near the end of the supply chain, have two…

[primepos]

 The Honeywell 1250: A Game-Changer for Barcode Scanning

In today’s fast-paced retail and industrial environments, barcode scanning technology is critical for enhancing efficiency and accuracy. One of the latest innovations in the market, the Honeywell 1250 Barcode Scanner, is making waves with its advanced features and reliability. Whether you're managing inventory, processing sales, or tracking assets, this scanner is designed to streamline operations and boost productivity.

Key Features of the Honeywell 1250 Barcode Scanner

The Honeywell 1250 Barcode Scanner is packed with features that make it a top choice for businesses looking to improve their barcode scanning capabilities. Here are some of the standout features:

Versatile Scanning Capabilities: The Honeywell 1250 excels in scanning a wide range of barcodes, including 1D and 2D barcodes, making it ideal for diverse applications across various industries.

Enhanced Durability: Built to withstand tough environments, the 1250 is rugged and resistant to drops, dust, and water, ensuring it performs reliably in demanding conditions.

Ergonomic Design: The scanner’s lightweight and ergonomic design reduce hand fatigue, making it comfortable to use for extended periods.

Fast Scanning Speed: With high-speed scanning capabilities, the Honeywell 1250 significantly reduces wait times and improves overall efficiency in your workflow.

Advanced Imaging Technology: The built-in imaging technology ensures accurate and reliable scans even for damaged or poorly printed barcodes.

Why Choose the Honeywell 1250 Barcode Scanner?

The Honeywell 1250 Barcode Scanner is a game-changer for businesses in various sectors, including retail, logistics, and healthcare. Its adaptability to scan both 1D and 2D barcodes, combined with its robust features, makes it the ideal tool for businesses looking to optimize their operations. Whether you need to speed up checkout processes, manage inventory, or improve asset tracking, the Honeywell 1250 offers the perfect solution.

Partnering with PrimePOS: Your Trusted Dealer for the Honeywell 1250

When purchasing the Honeywell 1250 Barcode Scanner, it’s important to work with a reliable and experienced dealer. PrimePOS is your go-to source for top-quality barcode scanners, including the Honeywell 1250. As a trusted dealer, PrimePOS provides expert advice, excellent customer service, and competitive pricing.

Here’s why PrimePOS is the right choice for your barcode scanning needs:

Expert Guidance: The team at PrimePOS understands the unique needs of each business and can help you select the best barcode scanner solution.

Competitive Pricing: With PrimePOS, you get the best value for your investment. Their competitive pricing ensures you can afford top-tier technology without breaking the bank.

Ongoing Support: PrimePOS offers excellent after-sales support, ensuring your equipment remains in top condition and performs as expected.

Wide Selection: In addition to the Honeywell 1250, PrimePOS carries a wide range of barcode scanning solutions tailored to your specific needs.

Conclusion

The Honeywell 1250 Barcode Scanner is indeed a game-changer in the world of barcode scanning. Its combination of speed, accuracy, durability, and versatility makes it an excellent investment for businesses looking to stay ahead of the curve. Partnering with a trusted dealer like PrimePOS ensures you receive the best product and service to help streamline your operations and improve efficiency. Don't wait – invest in the Honeywell 1250 and see the difference it can make for your business today!

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Premium Stainless Steel Food Scales, Professional Food Weighing Scales with LCD Display, Kitchen with Digital Display; Measures in: Grams, kilograms, Pounds; Maximum Weighing Capacity: 10 kg.

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[scalesweighing]

20kg Mechanical Baby Scale Infant Weighing Scales in Uganda

Professional Infant Scale (removable tray)

The infant digital scale is gently curved to prevent infants from rolling off during weighing, and features excellent precision to accurately track babies' growth. It is compatible with infant length measurement devices, and features a removable tray for easy cleaning.

Infant Scale (removable tray) A baby scale is used to weigh newborns and very young children too young to stand. … Measuring the changing weight of an infant in the first few months of life cleaning Vibration-free weighing: vibrations are filtered out so that a stable weight is obtained, ideal for restless babies Backlit LCD display

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[techcedencemarketing]

Revolutionize Your Business with RFID and Barcode Solutions | Techcedence

In today's competitive business landscape, staying ahead requires embracing innovative technologies that drive efficiency and enhance operations. As a leading RFID and Barcode Solution Provider in the USA, Techcedence is at the forefront of revolutionizing businesses across industries. With our expertise and cutting-edge solutions, we empower organizations to unlock new levels of productivity, accuracy, and visibility.

RFID and Barcode technologies have become indispensable tools for modern businesses, offering real-time tracking, automation, and data insights that streamline operations and drive growth. At Techcedence, we specialize in providing tailored solutions that cater to the unique needs of each client. Whether you're in retail, manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, or any other industry, our RFID and Barcode solutions are designed to optimize your workflows and deliver tangible results.

As an RFID Solution Provider in the USA, Techcedence offers a comprehensive range of services, from RFID tag selection and system integration to implementation and support. Our RFID solutions enable businesses to track assets, manage inventory, and streamline processes with unparalleled accuracy and efficiency. Whether you need to monitor inventory levels in real-time, track the movement of goods throughout the supply chain, or improve asset visibility within your facility, our RFID solutions provide the visibility and control you need to stay ahead of the competition.

Similarly, as a Barcode Solution Provider in the USA, Techcedence delivers best-in-class barcode solutions that simplify data capture, streamline workflows, and improve operational efficiency. From barcode label design and printing to barcode scanner integration and software development, we offer end-to-end barcode solutions that meet your business needs. Whether you're looking to automate inventory management, track shipments, or improve order accuracy, our barcode solutions empower you to achieve your goals with ease.

In conclusion, revolutionize your business with Techcedence's RFID and Barcode Solutions. As a trusted RFID and Barcode Solution Provider in the USA, we are committed to helping businesses optimize their operations, drive efficiency, and achieve success. Contact us today to learn more about how our innovative solutions can transform your business and propel you towards greater heights of productivity and profitability.

[teleme01]

Revolutionizing Retail: The Impact of Advanced Inventory Management Systems on Future Businesses

In the fast-evolving landscape of retail, businesses are increasingly turning to advanced inventory management systems to stay competitive and enhance overall efficiency. This article explores the transformative power of inventory management systems, with a focus on RFID-based and barcode-based solutions, and their pivotal role in shaping the future of retail.

1. The Evolution of Inventory Management Systems:

   As technology advances, traditional inventory management methods are giving way to more sophisticated systems. The shift from manual tracking to automated solutions has become a cornerstone for retailers looking to streamline their operations.

2. RFID-Based Inventory Management Systems:

   RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification) technology has emerged as a game-changer in inventory management. This system uses radio waves to identify and track items, providing real-time visibility into inventory levels. The article delves into the benefits of RFID, such as improved accuracy, faster inventory counts, and enhanced security.

3. Barcode-Based Inventory Management Systems:

   Barcode technology remains a stalwart in inventory management, offering a cost-effective and reliable solution. This section explores how barcode systems work, their ease of implementation, and their ability to simplify tasks like product tracking, restocking, and order fulfillment.

4. Integration for Seamless Operations:

   The future of retail lies in the integration of different technologies. Discuss how businesses are combining RFID and barcode systems with other advanced technologies, such as IoT (Internet of Things) and data analytics, to create comprehensive and intelligent inventory management ecosystems.

5. Enhanced Accuracy and Efficiency:

   Highlight the accuracy and efficiency gains achieved through advanced inventory management systems. Discuss how businesses can reduce errors, minimize stockouts, and optimize inventory levels, leading to improved customer satisfaction and increased profitability.

6. Real-Time Data and Analytics:

   Explore the significance of real-time data in retail operations. Inventory management systems provide valuable insights through analytics, enabling businesses to make informed decisions, forecast demand more accurately, and adapt swiftly to market changes.

7. Challenges and Solutions:

   Acknowledge the challenges associated with implementing advanced inventory management systems, such as initial costs, integration complexities, and staff training. Provide insights into how businesses can overcome these hurdles to reap long-term benefits.

8. The Future Landscape:

   Conclude by painting a picture of the retail landscape in the future. Discuss how continuous advancements in technology will further refine inventory management systems, making them even more integral to the success of businesses in an increasingly competitive market.

9. Conclusion:

   Summarize the key points and emphasize that embracing advanced inventory management systems is not just a trend but a strategic necessity for retailers looking to thrive in the future.

By incorporating RFID-based and barcode-based inventory management systems, businesses can position themselves at the forefront of innovation, ensuring they are well-equipped to navigate the dynamic and ever-changing retail landscape.

10. FAQs 

1. Q: What distinguishes RFID-based inventory management systems from barcode-based solutions?

   A: RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification) systems use radio waves for real-time item tracking, providing enhanced accuracy and faster inventory counts. Barcodes, on the other hand, rely on visual scanning and are cost-effective for tasks like product tracking and order fulfillment. The article explores the benefits and distinctions between these two technologies.

2. Q: How do advanced inventory management systems contribute to enhanced accuracy and efficiency in retail operations?

   A: Advanced inventory management systems, including RFID and barcode solutions, significantly reduce errors, minimize stockouts, and optimize inventory levels. The article highlights how these systems streamline operations, leading to improved customer satisfaction and increased profitability for businesses.

3. Q: Can you elaborate on the integration of RFID and barcode systems with other technologies in retail?

   A: The future of retail lies in the integration of technologies like RFID and barcodes with IoT (Internet of Things) and data analytics. This section discusses how businesses are creating comprehensive inventory management ecosystems, leveraging multiple technologies to enhance efficiency and decision-making processes.

4. Q: What challenges do businesses face when implementing advanced inventory management systems, and how can they overcome these hurdles?

   A: Challenges associated with implementing advanced systems include initial costs, integration complexities, and staff training. The article addresses these challenges and provides insights into overcoming them, emphasizing the long-term benefits businesses can reap by embracing advanced inventory management solutions.

5. Q: How does real-time data and analytics play a role in shaping the future of retail operations?

   A: Real-time data and analytics provided by inventory management systems offer valuable insights for informed decision-making. This FAQ elaborates on the significance of these insights in helping businesses accurately forecast demand, adapt swiftly to market changes, and thrive in the dynamic retail landscape.

[aidc-india]

The Effectiveness and Uses of Barcode Technology

Preface Barcode is the one technology that has revolutionized the process of data prisoner and operation. Barcodes are unique patterns of resemblant lines that can store and convey information electronically.

In this composition, we will explore the significance of barcodes, how they work, and their operations in different sectors. We'll also bandy barcode compendiums , barcode marker creators, and barcode marker printers, all of which are essential factors of this technology. What's a Barcode? A barcode is a visual representation of data that can be snappily and directly scrutinized by optic bias. It consists of a series of resemblant lines of varying consistence and distance, with specific patterns and figures decoded within.

Barcodes are used to store information similar as product details, force figures, prices, or any other data that needs to be captured and managed efficiently.

How Do Barcodes Work? Barcodes function by representing alphanumeric characters using a combination of bars and spaces. These patterns are readable by barcode scanners, which use light detectors to descry and interpret the decoded information. When a barcode is scrutinized, the scanner captures the reflected light and converts it into a digital signal that can be reused by a computer or other data collection system.

The Benefits of Barcodes Advanced effectiveness and delicacy Barcodes exclude the need for homemade data entry, which is prone to mortal crimes. With barcodes, data can be captured and reused fleetly, reducing the time and trouble needed for tasks like force operation, product shadowing, and document processing. This not only enhances effectiveness but also minimizes crimes, leading to bettered delicacy and trustability of data. Enhanced Inventory Management Barcodes are inestimable in force operation systems.

By surveying barcodes on products and tracking their movement, businesses can directly cover stock situations, automate reordering processes, and optimize storehouse and force chain operations. This leads to better force control, reduced stockouts, and increased productivity. Streamlined Point- of- trade Processes In the retail assiduity, barcodes have converted the way deals are reused. Scanning barcodes at the point of trade pets up the checkout process, reduces mortal crimes in pricing, and enables effective operation of deals data. With barcode technology, businesses can give faster service to guests and gain precious perceptivity into copping patterns and force development.

Simplified Document Tracking Barcodes aren't limited to physical products; they're also used for tracking documents and lines. By bending barcoded markers to documents, associations can fluently detect and recoup specific lines, icing effective document operation and reducing the threat of loss or loss. Enhanced client Experience Barcodes play a significant part in perfecting the client experience.

They enable quick and accurate identification of products, leading to faster service and reduced staying times. also, barcodes can be used for fidelity programs, reduction tickets, and mobile payments, enhancing client satisfaction and engagement. Barcode compendiums Unlocking Data Barcode compendiums , also known as barcode scanners, are the bias used to capture and crack barcode information. They come in colorful forms, similar as handheld scanners, fixed- mount scanners, and mobile bias with erected- in scanners.

Barcode compendiums use ray or image- grounded technology to checkup and interpret barcodes, making data collection and entry flawless and effective. Barcode Marker creators Creating tailored Markers Barcode marker creators are software tools that allow druggies to produce custom barcode markers.

These tools enable businesses to induce unique barcodes for their products, assign applicable information to each barcode, and customize marker designs according to their branding conditions. Barcode marker creators simplify the process of creating professional- looking markers, icing accurate data prisoner and harmonious brand representation. Barcode Marker Printers Bringing Markers to Life Barcode marker printers are bias specifically designed for publishing barcode markers. These printers use thermal transfer or direct thermal technology to produce high- quality markers with precise barcodes. Barcode marker printers offer options for colorful marker sizes, accoutrements , and publishing judgments , icing comity with different operations and surroundings.

operations of Barcodes Retail Industry In retail, barcodes are used for product identification, price labeling, and force operation. From small businesses to large retailers, barcodes streamline processes, grease accurate stock control, and enable effective deals shadowing.

Healthcare Sector Barcodes are considerably used in healthcare for patient identification, drug shadowing, and medical force operation. By surveying barcodes, healthcare providers can insure accurate administration of specifics, reduce crimes, and enhance patient safety. Logistics and Supply Chain Management Barcodes are vital for tracking goods throughout the force chain.

They enable real- time monitoring of force situations, streamline order fulfillment processes, and ameliorate payload delicacy and traceability. Manufacturing Industry Barcodes play a pivotal part in manufacturing operations, enabling effective shadowing of raw accoutrements , work- in- progress particulars, and finished products. By using barcodes, manufacturers can optimize product processes, minimize crimes, and insure timely delivery of products. Library and Asset Tracking Barcodes simplify library operation and asset shadowing systems. By assigning barcodes to books, means, or outfit, libraries and associations can automate the shadowing process, efficiently detect particulars, and minimize loss or theft.

icing Barcode Quality To insure accurate and dependable data prisoner, it's essential to maintain barcode quality. Factors similar as barcode size, discrepancy, quiet zone, and barcode type impact the readability of barcodes. clinging to barcode norms and conducting regular quality checks can help scanning issues and insure flawless data prisoner. unborn Trends in Barcode Technology The elaboration of barcode technology continues to drive invention in colorful diligence. Some unborn trends include the integration of barcodes with mobile apps, the use of two- dimensional( 2D) barcodes for enhanced data storehouse, and the disquisition of blockchain technology for secure barcode- grounded deals.

Barcodes have converted the way data is captured, managed, and employed across diligence. From retail and healthcare to logistics and manufacturing, barcodes have simplified processes, bettered effectiveness, and enhanced delicacy.

Barcode compendiums , barcode marker creators, and barcode marker printers are essential tools that enable flawless data prisoner, customization, and printing. Businesses can ameliorate client service, streamline operations, and make informed opinions with the help of barcode technology. To Know More About Barcode Click On The Link:- https://aidcindia.org/technologies/barcode/?utm_source=Web+Submisssion&utm_medium=tumblr&utm_campaign=W-+S

[thendlr]

[countrywinggroupofcompanies]

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Retail Weighing Scale ACS series Our retail weighing scales are perfectly placed weighing solutions for groceries, butcheries and supermarkets. Our retail scale targets its core competencies on clearly defined areas: backroom, service counter, fresh produce, bakery, checkout, and specialty area. Within these zones, we actively seek the best combination of focused people, intuitive products and…

[lostinagoodbye]

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[scalesweighing]

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[mariacallous]

Scan the online brochures of companies who sell workplace monitoring tech and you’d think the average American worker was a renegade poised to take their employer down at the next opportunity. “Nearly half of US employees admit to time theft!” “Biometric readers for enhanced accuracy!” “Offer staff benefits in a controlled way with Vending Machine Access!”

A new wave of return-to-office mandates has arrived since the New Year, including at JP Morgan Chase, leading advertising agency WPP, and Amazon—not to mention President Trump’s late January directive to the heads of federal agencies to “terminate remote work arrangements and require employees to return to work in-person … on a full-time basis.” Five years on from the pandemic, when the world showed how effectively many roles could be performed remotely or flexibly, what’s caused the sudden change of heart?

“There’s two things happening,” says global industry analyst Josh Bersin, who is based in California. “The economy is actually slowing down, so companies are hiring less. So there is a trend toward productivity in general, and then AI has forced virtually every company to reallocate resources toward AI projects.

“The expectation amongst CEOs is that’s going to eliminate a lot of jobs. A lot of these back-to-work mandates are due to frustration that both of those initiatives are hard to measure or hard to do when we don’t know what people are doing at home.”

The question is, what exactly are we returning to?

Take any consumer tech buzzword of the 21st century and chances are it’s already being widely used across the US to monitor time, attendance and, in some cases, the productivity of workers, in sectors such as manufacturing, retail, and fast food chains: RFID badges, GPS time clock apps, NFC apps, QR code clocking-in, Apple Watch badges, and palm, face, eye, voice, and finger scanners. Biometric scanners have long been sold to companies as a way to avoid hourly workers “buddy punching” for each other at the start and end of shifts—so-called “time theft.” A return-to-office mandate and its enforcement opens the door for similar scenarios for salaried staff.

Track and Trace

The latest, deluxe end point of these time and attendance tchotchkes and apps is something like Austin-headquartered HID’s OmniKey platform. Designed for factories, hospitals, universities and offices, this is essentially an all-encompassing RFID log-in and security system for employees, via smart cards, smartphone wallets, and wearables. These will not only monitor turnstile entrances, exits, and floor access by way of elevators but also parking, the use of meeting rooms, the cafeteria, printers, lockers, and yes, vending machine access.

These technologies, and more sophisticated worker location- and behavior-tracking systems, are expanding from blue-collar jobs to pink-collar industries and even white-collar office settings. Depending on the survey, approximately 70 to 80 percent of large US employers now use some form of employee monitoring, and the likes of PwC have explicitly told workers that managers will be tracking their location to enforce a three-day office week policy.

“Several of these earlier technologies, like RFID sensors and low-tech barcode scanners, have been used in manufacturing, in warehouses, or in other settings for some time,” says Wolfie Christl, a researcher of workplace surveillance for Cracked Labs, a nonprofit based in Vienna, Austria. “We’re moving toward the use of all kinds of sensor data, and this kind of technology is certainly now moving into the offices. However, I think for many of these, it’s questionable whether they really make sense there.”

What’s new, at least to the recent pandemic age of hybrid working, is the extent to which workers can now be tracked inside office buildings. Cracked Labs published a frankly terrifying 25-page case study report in November 2024 showing how systems of wireless networking, motion sensors, and Bluetooth beacons, whether intentionally or as a byproduct of their capabilities, can provide “behavioral monitoring and profiling” in office settings.

The project breaks the tech down into two categories: The first is technology that tracks desk presence and room occupancy, and the second monitors the indoor location, movement, and behavior of the people working inside the building.

To start with desk and room occupancy, Spacewell offers a mix of motion sensors installed under desks, in ceilings, and at doorways in “office spaces” and heat sensors and low-resolution visual sensors to show which desks and rooms are being used. Both real-time and trend data are available to managers via its “live data floorplan,” and the sensors also capture temperature, environmental, light intensity, and humidity data.

The Swiss-headquartered Locatee, meanwhile, uses existing badge and device data via Wi-Fi and LAN to continuously monitor clocking in and clocking out, time spent by workers at desks and on specific floors, and the number of hours and days spent by employees at the office per week. While the software displays aggregate rather than individual personal employee data to company executives, the Cracked Labs report points out that Locatee offers a segmented team analytics report which “reveals data on small groups.”

As more companies return to the office, the interest in this idea of “optimized” working spaces is growing fast. According to S&S Insider’s early 2025 analysis, the connected office was worth $43 billion in 2023 and will grow to $122.5 billion by 2032. Alongside this, IndustryARC predicts there will be a $4.5 billion employee-monitoring-technology market, mostly in North America, by 2026—the only issue being that the crossover between the two is blurry at best.

At the end of January, Logitech showed off its millimeter-wave radar Spot sensors, which are designed to allow employers to monitor whether rooms are being used and which rooms in the building are used the most. A Logitech rep told The Verge that the peel-and-stick devices, which also monitor VOCs, temperature, and humidity, could theoretically estimate the general placement of people in a meeting room.

As Christl explains, because of the functionality that these types of sensor-based systems offer, there is the very real possibility of a creep from legitimate applications, such as managing energy use, worker health and safety, and ensuring sufficient office resources into more intrusive purposes.

“For me, the main issue is that if companies use highly sensitive data like tracking the location of employees’ devices and smartphones indoors or even use motion detectors indoors,” he says, “then there must be totally reliable safeguards that this data is not being used for any other purposes.”

Big Brother Is Watching

This warning becomes even more pressing where workers’ indoor location, movement, and behavior are concerned. Cisco’s Spaces cloud platform has digitized 11 billion square feet of enterprise locations, producing 24.7 trillion location data points. The Spaces system is used by more than 8,800 businesses worldwide and is deployed by the likes of InterContinental Hotels Group, WeWork, the NHS Foundation, and San Jose State University, according to Cisco’s website.

While it has applications for retailers, restaurants, hotels, and event venues, many of its features are designed to function in office environments, including meeting room management and occupancy monitoring. Spaces is designed as a comprehensive, all-seeing eye into how employees (and customers and visitors, depending on the setting) and their connected devices, equipment, or “assets” move through physical spaces.

Cisco has achieved this by using its existing wireless infrastructure and combining data from Wi-Fi access points with Bluetooth tracking. Spaces offers employers both real-time views and historical data dashboards. The use cases? Everything from meeting-room scheduling and optimizing cleaning schedules to more invasive dashboards on employees’ entry and exit times, the duration of staff workdays, visit durations by floor, and other “behavior metrics.” This includes those related to performance, a feature pitched at manufacturing sites.

Some of these analytics use aggregate data, but Cracked Labs details how Spaces goes beyond this into personal data, with device usernames and identifiers that make it possible to single out individuals. While the ability to protect privacy by using MAC randomization is there, Cisco emphasizes that this makes indoor movement analytics “unreliable” and other applications impossible—leaving companies to make that decision themselves.

Management even has the ability to send employees nudge-style alerts based on their location in the building. An IBM application, based on Cisco’s underlying technology, offers to spot anomalies in occupancy patterns and send notifications to workers or their managers based on what it finds. Cisco’s Spaces can also incorporate video footage from Cisco security cameras and WebEx video conferencing hardware into the overall system of indoor movement monitoring; another example of function creep from security to employee tracking in the workplace.

“Cisco is simply everywhere. As soon as employers start to repurpose data that is being collected from networking or IT infrastructure, this quickly becomes very dangerous, from my perspective.” says Christl. “With this kind of indoor location tracking technology based on its Wi-Fi networks, I think that a vendor as major as Cisco has a responsibility to ensure it doesn’t suggest or market solutions that are really irresponsible to employers.

“I would consider any productivity and performance tracking very problematic when based on this kind of intrusive behavioral data.” WIRED approached Cisco for comment but didn’t receive a response before publication.

Cisco isn't alone in this, though. Similar to Spaces, Juniper’s Mist offers an indoor tracking system that uses both Wi-Fi networks and Bluetooth beacons to locate people, connected devices, and Bluetooth tagged badges on a real-time map, with the option of up to 13 months of historical data on worker behavior.

Juniper’s offering, for workplaces including offices, hospitals, manufacturing sites, and retailers, is so precise that it is able to provide records of employees’ device names, together with the exact enter and exit times and duration of visits between “zones” in offices—including one labeled “break area/kitchen” in a demo. Yikes.

For each of these systems, a range of different applications is functionally possible, and some which raise labor-law concerns. “A worst-case scenario would be that management wants to fire someone and then starts looking into historical records trying to find some misconduct,” says Christl. "If it’s necessary to investigate employees, then there should be a procedure where, for example, a worker representative is looking into the fine-grained behavioral data together with management. This would be another safeguard to prevent misuse.”

Above and Beyond?

If warehouse-style tracking has the potential for management overkill in office settings, it makes even less sense in service and health care jobs, and American unions are now pushing for more access to data and quotas used in disciplinary action. Elizabeth Anderson, professor of public philosophy at the University of Michigan and the author of Private Government: How Employers Rule Our Lives, describes how black-box algorithm-driven management and monitoring affects not just the day-to-day of nursing staff but also their sense of work and value.

“Surveillance and this idea of time theft, it’s all connected to this idea of wasting time,” she explains. “Essentially all relational work is considered inefficient. In a memory care unit, for example, the system will say how long to give a patient breakfast, how many minutes to get them dressed, and so forth.

“Maybe an Alzheimer’s patient is frightened, so a nurse has to spend some time calming them down, or perhaps they have lost some ability overnight. That’s not one of the discrete physical tasks that can be measured. Most of the job is helping that person cope with declining faculties; it takes time for that, for people to read your emotions and respond appropriately. What you get is massive moral injury with this notion of efficiency.”

This kind of monitoring extends to service workers, including servers in restaurants and cleaning staff, according to a 2023 Cracked Labs’ report into retail and hospitality. Software developed by Oracle is used to, among other applications, rate and rank servers based on speed, sales, timekeeping around breaks, and how many tips they receive. Similar Oracle software that monitors mobile workers such as housekeepers and cleaners in hotels uses a timer for app-based micromanagement—for instance, “you have two minutes for this room, and there are four tasks.”

As Christl explains, this simply doesn’t work in practice. “People have to struggle to combine what they really do with this kind of rigid, digital system. And it’s not easy to standardize work like talking to patients and other kinds of affective work, like how friendly you are as a waiter. This is a major problem. These systems cannot represent the work that is being done accurately.”

But can knowledge work done in offices ever be effectively measured and assessed either? In an episode of his podcast in January, host Ezra Klein battled his own feelings about having many of his best creative ideas at a café down the street from where he lives rather than in The New York Times’ Manhattan offices. Anderson agrees that creativity often has to find its own path.

“Say there’s a webcam tracking your eyes to make sure you’re looking at the screen,” she says. “We know that daydreaming a little can actually help people come up with creative ideas. Just letting your mind wander is incredibly useful for productivity overall, but that requires some time looking around or out the window. The software connected to your camera is saying you’re off-duty—that you’re wasting time. Nobody’s mind can keep concentrated for the whole work day, but you don’t even want that from a productivity point of view.”

Even for roles where it might make more methodological sense to track discrete physical tasks, there can be negative consequences of nonstop monitoring. Anderson points to a scene in Erik Gandini’s 2023 documentary After Work that shows an Amazon delivery driver who is monitored, via camera, for their driving, delivery quotas, and even getting dinged for using Spotify in the van.

“It’s very tightly regulated and super, super intrusive, and it’s all based on distrust as the starting point,” she says. “What these tech bros don’t understand is that if you install surveillance technology, which is all about distrusting the workers, there is a deep feature of human psychology that is reciprocity. If you don’t trust me, I’m not going to trust you. You think an employee who doesn’t trust the boss is going to be working with the same enthusiasm? I don’t think so.”

Trust Issues

The fixes, then, might be in the leadership itself, not more data dashboards. “Our research shows that excessive monitoring in the workplace can damage trust, have a negative impact on morale, and cause stress and anxiety,” says Hayfa Mohdzaini, senior policy and practice adviser for technology at the CIPD, the UK’s professional body for HR, learning, and development. “Employers might achieve better productivity by investing in line manager training and ensuring employees feel supported with reasonable expectations around office attendance and manageable workloads.”

A 2023 Pew Research study found that 56 percent of US workers were opposed to the use of AI to keep track of when employees were at their desks, and 61 percent were against tracking employees’ movements while they work.

This dropped to just 51 percent of workers who were opposed to recording work done on company computers, through the use of a kind of corporate “spyware” often accepted by staff in the private sector. As Josh Bersin puts it, “Yes, the company can read your emails” with platforms such as Teramind, even including “sentiment analysis” of employee messages.

Snooping on files, emails, and digital chats takes on new significance when it comes to government workers, though. New reporting from WIRED, based on conversations with employees at 13 federal agencies, reveals the extent to Elon Musk’s DOGE team’s surveillance: software including Google’s Gemini AI chatbot, a Dynatrace extension, and security tool Splunk have been added to government computers in recent weeks, and some people have felt they can’t speak freely on recorded and transcribed Microsoft Teams calls. Various agencies already use Everfox software and Dtex’s Intercept system, which generates individual risk scores for workers based on websites and files accessed.

Alongside mass layoffs and furloughs over the past four weeks, the so-called Department of Government Efficiency has also, according to CBS News and NPR reports, gone into multiple agencies in February with the theater and bombast of full X-ray security screenings replacing entry badges at Washington, DC, headquarters. That’s alongside managers telling staff that their logging in and out of devices, swiping in and out of workspaces, and all of their digital work chats will be “closely monitored” going forward.

“Maybe they’re trying to make a big deal out of it to scare people right now,” says Bersin. “The federal government is using back-to-work as an excuse to lay off a bunch of people.”

DOGE staff have reportedly even added keylogger software to government computers to track everything employees type, with staff concerned that anyone using keywords related to progressive thinking or "disloyalty” to Trump could be targeted—not to mention the security risks it introduces for those working on sensitive projects. As one worker told NPR, it feels “Soviet-style” and “Orwellian” with “nonstop monitoring.” Anderson describes the overall DOGE playbook as a series of “deeply intrusive invasions of privacy.”

Alternate Realities

But what protections are out there for employees? Certain states, such as New York and Illinois, do offer strong privacy protections against, for example, unnecessary biometric tracking in the private sector, and California’s Consumer Privacy Act covers workers as well as consumers. Overall, though, the lack of federal-level labor law in this area makes the US something of an alternate reality to what is legal in the UK and Europe.

The Electronic Communications Privacy Act in the US allows employee monitoring for legitimate business reasons and with the worker’s consent. In Europe, Algorithm Watch has made country analyses for workplace surveillance in the UK, Italy, Sweden, and Poland. To take one high-profile example of the stark difference: In early 2024, Serco was ordered by the UK's privacy watchdog, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), to stop using face recognition and fingerprint scanning systems, designed by Shopworks, to track the time and attendance of 2,000 staff across 38 leisure centers around the country. This new guidance led to more companies reviewing or cutting the technology altogether, including Virgin Active, which pulled similar biometric employee monitoring systems from 30-plus sites.

Despite a lack of comprehensive privacy rights in the US, though, worker protest, union organizing, and media coverage can provide a firewall against some office surveillance schemes. Unions such as the Service Employees International Union are pushing for laws to protect workers from black-box algorithms dictating the pace of output.

In December, Boeing scrapped a pilot of employee monitoring at offices in Missouri and Washington, which was based on a system of infrared motion sensors and VuSensor cameras installed in ceilings, made by Ohio-based Avuity. The U-turn came after a Boeing employee leaked an internal PowerPoint presentation on the occupancy- and headcount-tracking technology to The Seattle Times. In a matter of weeks, Boeing confirmed that managers would remove all the sensors that had been installed to date.

Under-desk sensors, in particular, have received high-profile backlash, perhaps because they are such an obvious piece of surveillance hardware rather than simply software designed to record work done on company machines. In the fall of 2022, students at Northeastern University hacked and removed under-desk sensors produced by EnOcean, offering “presence detection” and “people counting,” that had been installed in the school’s Interdisciplinary Science & Engineering Complex. The university provost eventually informed students that the department had planned to use the sensors with the Spaceti platform to optimize desk usage.

OccupEye (now owned by FM: Systems), another type of under-desk heat and motion sensor, received a similar reaction from staff at Barclays Bank and The Telegraph newspaper in London, with employees protesting and, in some cases, physically removing the devices that tracked the time they spent away from their desks.

Despite the fallout, Barclays later faced a $1.1 billion fine from the ICO when it was found to have deployed Sapience’s employee monitoring software in its offices, with the ability to single out and track individual employees. Perhaps unsurprisingly in the current climate, that same software company now offers “lightweight device-level technology” to monitor return-to-office policy compliance, with a dashboard breaking employee location down by office versus remote for specific departments and teams.

According to Elizabeth Anderson’s latest book Hijacked, while workplace surveillance culture and the obsession with measuring employee efficiency might feel relatively new, it can actually be traced back to the invention of the “work ethic” by the Puritans in the 16th and 17th centuries.

“They thought you should be working super hard; you shouldn’t be idling around when you should be in work,” she says. “You can see some elements there that can be developed into a pretty hostile stance toward workers. The Puritans were obsessed with not wasting time. It was about gaining assurance of salvation through your behavior. With the Industrial Revolution, the ‘no wasting time’ became a profit-maximizing strategy. Now you’re at work 24/7 because they can get you on email.”

Some key components of the original work ethic, though, have been skewed or lost over time. The Puritans also had strict constraints on what duties employers had toward their workers: paying a living wage and providing safe and healthy working conditions.

“You couldn’t just rule them tyrannically, or so they said. You had to treat them as your fellow Christians, with dignity and respect. In many ways the original work ethic was an ethic which uplifted workers.”

[mknerd]

“Retail Evil: A Resident Evil Story” (Fanfic)

Note: My friend, @yourgentlegirlfriend, is the queen of writing Leon in a hot and delightful manner and I certainly will not compete with that. 🤣 Instead, I want to throw our good man into a world even crazier than post-apocalyptic Raccoon City: the world of retail. In this unusual story, we follow Leon through a typical day in the life of the average retail worker. Enjoy this wacky concept and let me know if you want more! 😂🙏🏽

This is not how I imagined my first day…

Rush hour was well underway. Customers poured through the door trying to get hands on anything on sale that day. It never mattered if they had practical uses for it; to them, if it was cheap, they may as well buy it.

Leon had been with the company for about a week, but today was his first real day on the floor after going through orientation and computer training. He quickly paced to an available register and logged on to the sales program.

“I can assist the next guest!” Leon exclaimed as he gestured someone from the crowd to walk to his register.

An older man with a basket containing only a few items approached Leon and placed it next to the register. Using what he learned from the training videos, the rookie cashier began taking items out one by one, scanning each barcode with the scan gun. Though he still lacked experience, Leon was getting through the basket at a decent pace. With one more item to go, he faced the barcode to his vision and pulled the trigger on the scan gun.

Item not found.

“Uh, sorry, give me just a sec,” Leon nervously spoke as he cleared the error off the screen and scanned the item again.

Item not found.

Leon felt a warmth forming in his face. The sales program could not recognize the barcode being scanned. The customer began to look perplexed.

“Is there a problem?” The customer asked curiously.

“It’s saying that it can’t find the item,” Leon answered.

“Ah, so I guess that means it’s free, right?” The customer chuckled and a satisfied grin stretched across his face.

Leon laughed, but he secretly found it unfunny.

This is bad, Leon thought. It’s getting more and more backed up!

“Is something wrong?” A familiar voice appeared behind him.

Leon darted his attention to the voice. Ada, his coworker and assigned trainer, was behind him and looking at the computer screen.

“Yeah, I can’t get the item to scan,” Leon answered, his voice covered in defeat and embarrassment.

Ada grabbed the scan gun and scanned the barcode.

The item appeared on the screen.

Leon was stunned.

“Alright, sir, was that everything for your purchase?” Ada asked the customer in a nurturing tone.

“That’ll do it, ma’am,” the customer responded as he inserted his bank card into the card reader.

How did she get it to work?! God, I feel so stupid!

Leon snapped back into reality as the sound of paper ejecting from the receipt printer entered his ears. Ada pulled the receipt from the machine and handed it to the customer.

“Here’s your receipt, sir,” Ada said. “Thank you for shopping with us and enjoy the rest of your day!”

“You, too!” The customer waved goodbye and left through the exit of the store.

Too embarrassed to look at her directly, Leon scratched the back of his head and kept his focus on the computer screen.

“H-how did you…” Leon muttered.

“You were accidentally scanning the QR code next to the barcode,” Ada answered as she playfully rubbed her hand on Leon’s shoulder to console him. “Not your fault, it’s a bit of a dick move on the manufacturer for doing that.”

Leon felt a bit at ease to know that he wasn’t completely responsible for the hassle he caused, though he still felt ashamed for not figuring it out sooner.

“Let me know if you need anything, okay, Leon?” Ada requested as she walked away from the register.

“Got it, thank you!” Leon replied, still feeling as though he had egg on his face for letting such an error get the better of him. Still, given that it was his first day on the floor, he reminded himself that he was still a novice. Experience could only be obtained with repetition and learning.

No matter the challenge, Leon was ready to become a better employee.

[queuebuster]

Empowering Your Electronics Shop: A Guide to Choosing the Best POS System

In the fast-paced world of electronics retail, the right Point of Sale (POS) system can be a game-changer, streamlining operations, enhancing customer experiences, and driving overall business success. This guide is designed to assist electronic shop owners in making informed decisions when selecting the best POS system tailored to their specific needs.

Understanding Your Business Requirements: Begin by assessing the unique needs of your electronic shop. Consider factors such as the variety of products you offer, the scale of operations, inventory management needs, and integration requirements with other systems.

Compatibility with Electronic Devices: Given the nature of your business, ensure that the POS system is compatible with electronic devices such as barcode scanners, receipt printers, and card readers. A seamless integration with your existing hardware is crucial for efficiency.

Inventory Management Features: Efficient inventory management is critical in the electronics retail sector. Look for a POS system that offers real-time tracking, low-stock alerts, and the ability to manage product variations and serial numbers effectively.

Scalability for Business Growth: Anticipate the growth of your electronic shop and choose a POS system that is scalable. It should be able to accommodate an expanding product range, increased transactions, and additional users as your business evolves.

Integrated Customer Relationship Management (CRM): Enhance your customer interactions with a POS system that includes CRM features. This enables you to track customer preferences, purchase histories, and loyalty programs, fostering stronger relationships and personalized services.

Security Features: Given the sensitivity of electronic transactions, prioritize security features in your POS system. Look for end-to-end encryption, secure user authentication, and compliance with industry standards to protect customer and financial data.

User-Friendly Interface: Opt for a POS system with an intuitive and user-friendly interface. This minimizes training requirements for your staff, reduces the likelihood of errors during transactions, and contributes to a smoother overall operation.

Integration with E-commerce Platforms: If your electronic shop has an online presence, choose a POS system that seamlessly integrates with e-commerce platforms. This ensures consistency in inventory management and enhances the omnichannel shopping experience for your customers.

Support and Training Services: Assess the support and training services offered by the POS system provider. A responsive support team and comprehensive training materials are essential for addressing issues promptly and ensuring your team is proficient in using the system.

Cost Considerations: Evaluate the overall cost of ownership, including initial setup costs, subscription fees, and any additional charges. Consider the long-term value the POS system brings to your electronic shop rather than focusing solely on the upfront investment.

Conclusion:

Choosing the best POS system for your electronic shop is a strategic decision that can significantly impact your business's efficiency and growth. By understanding your unique requirements, prioritizing compatibility with electronic devices, and considering factors such as scalability, security, and integration capabilities, you can make an informed choice that aligns seamlessly with the specific needs of your electronic retail operation.