#Finale inventory scanner setting

[skufdaddyswansea]

Okay, I have a few more scattered thoughts in regards to Curly that either didnt fit or I just think are kinda weaker points. (and also there were a couple things i had to go back and get more screenshots for. ...again....)

Also I feel like I should add a disclaimer: I feel like I'm starting to sound like Curly's #1 Hater but I'm really not. I like him a lot! I honestly like all the characters, even if it's in.... different ways. Sometimes you like a character because they're likeable and fun, sometimes you like a character because they're interesting and deep.

(And sometimes you like a character because you want to put them in the microwave.)

Moving on.

At some point this scene really got stuck in my head. It seems pretty innocuous at first, but it actually says a lot.

Technically Daisuke is the one who screwed up here, but the fact that he was even able to mess with the vent long enough to set off the foam is on Swansea. This is his area, Daisuke's his intern (like it or not), he needs to be keeping an eye on him.

Curly can see that! And firmly but respectfully bring attention to it! He can in fact be a good leader, when he chooses to be.

So it's also interesting that this scene is followed by Jimmy's psych eval. While dealing with Jimmy so Anya doesn't have to may have been a good move, his method subtly enables Jimmy's dismissal of Anya and her work's value.

Now I want to pivot and talk about the code scanner a bit.

During Curly sections, it's always in our inventory, and as Jimmy we pick it up in the cockpit where he's... extracted from, so I feel like it's safe to say that Curly is usually carrying it on his person.

And yet.

This is another one of those things that doesnt really seem like a big deal. The Pony Express is pretty buckwild about the kinds of shit it keeps locked up with the code scanner.

But there is one glaring problem here.

Granted, this one is more of a stretch. I can't say confidently that anyone else on the crew had easy access to the code scanner. In fact, given their annoyance with everything being locked up I'd say it's pretty unlikely. It's just something that's been buzzing around in my head, but after writing it out it feels pretty weak.

But it does feel worth mentioning that if anyone other than Curly would have access to both the code scanner and the Pony Express Protection Kit (TM), it would have been Jimmy. Not to mention that if anything were to, say, incapacitate Curly, Jimmy takes over and gains control of the code scanner. Which is exactly what Anya was afraid of.

And he is pretty quick to grab it, isn't he.

Which leads me to my next point.

I touched on this a bit in my last post, but I want to elaborate on this exchange specifically. I think it's pretty revealing.

At this point, Curly thinks Anya is suicidal. He tells her she could have come to him. That he would have done anything to help her. That he should have considered that she doesn't undergo the psych evaluations, he should have thought of that, so that way he could have known.

But he did know. She told him.

Even still, when he saw Anya in this state, the only reason he could imagine for her distress was the company going under.

As long as Anya kept quiet and carried on as normal, he really didn't think it was that big of a deal.

You can see this again when he finally talks to Jimmy about it. It's simply a "difficult situation." But nothing they can't get through together.

Not to mention, Curly twice glosses over Anya's fear that Jimmy will try to kill her. Her second attempt to communicate this is followed quickly by the scene in which Jimmy attempts to kill the entire crew.

Okay, one last thing I want to touch on here. It's about the way Curly (and by extension Jimmy) use the phrase, "We can fix this." And its variations. Again, I brought it up pretty briefly before, but there's always more to say about it.

Now, Jimmy uses this phrase (or more frequently, "I can fix this.") to an almost comical degree ("Almost the entire crew is dead, but I'm going to fix this. With my gun! :)"). But they both use it it in pretty much the same way.

For others, it's an empty promise. "I'm on your side." "I'm looking out for you." "I'll protect you."

For themselves, it's a denial of reality, a self-soothing mantra they use to desperately clutch at the reins of a situation that has long since spiralled out of their control. Everything will be back to normal soon. I just have to fix it.

thanks KC Green

[marketingaid]

How to Use a POS Machine: A Step-by-Step Guide for Business Owners

A point of sale (POS) machine is an essential tool for businesses, enabling seamless transactions and helping manage inventory, sales, and customer data. Whether you're running a retail shop, a restaurant, or any other business, knowing how to use a POS machine effectively can streamline your operations and improve the overall customer experience. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the basic steps of using a POS machine, from setup to completing sales transactions.

Setting Up Your POS Machine

Before you start processing transactions, you need to ensure that your POS machine is set up properly. This typically involves connecting the hardware, such as the POS terminal, barcode scanner, receipt printer, and cash drawer. Many modern POS systems come with integrated devices, making the setup process simpler. Next, you’ll need to install or configure the software, input product details (like prices, barcodes, and inventory levels), and connect to payment processors. Once everything is set up, your POS system will be ready to handle sales and manage your business operations.

Processing Sales with a POS Machine

Once your POS system is ready, using it to process a sale is simple. Begin by scanning the items the customer is purchasing using the barcode scanner or by manually entering them into the system. Review the transaction to ensure everything is correct, including quantities, prices, and applicable discounts. When it's time for payment, the system will prompt you for the payment method, which can include cash, credit/debit card, or mobile payment options. The POS machine processes the payment securely, and once it's completed, the system will generate a receipt for the customer.

Printing Receipts and Tracking Sales

After processing the payment, your POS machine will generate a receipt that can be printed and handed to the customer. Many modern POS systems also offer the option to send digital receipts via email or text. Additionally, the system automatically updates your inventory, tracks sales, and creates detailed reports that help you keep track of your business performance. This data is invaluable for managing stock levels, analyzing sales trends, and making informed business decisions.

Closing Your POS System at the End of the Day

At the end of each day, you'll need to close out your POS machine. This involves printing a sales report, which shows a breakdown of all transactions, including cash and card payments, taxes, and any discounts applied. If your business handles cash, count the cash in the drawer and verify that it matches the sales report. Finally, ensure your POS system backs up data and shuts down properly to protect your information and prepare for the next business day.

Conclusion

Learning how to use a POS machine is key to running a successful business. By following these steps, you'll be able to process transactions quickly, track inventory effectively, and gather valuable insights into your sales and customer behavior. Whether you're a small business owner or manage a larger operation, mastering your POS system will help improve efficiency, streamline your operations, and enhance the customer experience.

[casemanagementasset]

How to Implement a Successful Asset Inventory Management System

Efficient asset inventory management is critical for businesses of all sizes. It ensures that companies keep track of their assets, reducing unnecessary costs and improving operational efficiency. A well-implemented system can provide valuable insights into asset lifecycles, usage, and maintenance needs. In this guide, we’ll outline the steps to implementing a successful asset inventory management system.

1. Assess Your Current System

Before implementing a new system, it's essential to evaluate your existing asset inventory management process. Review how assets are tracked, their condition, and how efficiently they are managed. Identify gaps and areas for improvement—whether it’s manual tracking, lack of real-time updates, or inefficient data management.

Key Questions to Ask:

What tools are currently used for tracking assets?

How often are asset inventories updated?

What challenges arise in maintaining accurate records?

A thorough assessment will provide insights into what your new system needs to improve on, making the transition smoother.

2. Define Your Goals and Objectives

Set clear goals for your asset inventory management system. Do you want to reduce operational costs, improve accuracy, or enhance visibility into asset status? Understanding your specific needs will help you choose the right solution and guide the overall implementation process.

Sample Goals:

Real-time asset tracking and reporting

Minimized asset loss and mismanagement

Improved maintenance scheduling and asset lifecycle tracking

Align these goals with your broader business objectives, ensuring the system contributes to overall growth and efficiency.

3. Choose the Right Software

Selecting the right asset management software is crucial. Consider a solution that matches your business size, asset volume, and industry requirements. A cloud-based system can provide flexibility, allowing real-time updates and remote access to asset data.

Features to Look For:

Barcode or RFID integration for easy scanning

Real-time tracking and updates

Customizable reporting and analytics

Integration with existing systems (e.g., ERP, accounting software)

Take advantage of free trials or demos to evaluate how the software fits into your business processes before making a final decision.

4. Create a Centralized Asset Database

Once you have the software in place, the next step is creating a centralized asset database. This involves consolidating all asset information into a single system, ensuring that data is consistent, accurate, and up-to-date.

Key Information to Include:

Asset type and category

Location

Purchase date, cost, and warranty information

Maintenance schedule and history

Asset lifecycle stage (e.g., active, disposed)

A centralized system reduces redundancy, streamlines asset tracking, and provides a clear view of each asset’s status.

5. Implement Barcode or RFID Technology

Automation is key to a successful asset inventory management system. Incorporating barcode or RFID technology simplifies asset tracking and reduces human error. Barcodes can be scanned using mobile devices or handheld scanners, allowing for quick updates during audits or transfers.

Benefits of Barcode/RFID Technology:

Faster, more accurate asset tracking

Real-time visibility into asset locations

Reduced manual data entry errors

Easier asset audits

This technology speeds up processes, improving both efficiency and accuracy.

6. Train Your Team

The success of your asset inventory management system depends on proper training. Ensure that employees across departments understand how to use the new system. Training should cover how to input asset data, scan assets using barcode or RFID devices, and generate reports.

Training Tips:

Provide hands-on workshops for employees

Create user manuals and video tutorials for reference

Assign system admins to provide ongoing support

Continuous training will ensure the system is used effectively, preventing user errors and improving adoption rates.

7. Regular Audits and Updates

Once the system is live, regular audits are essential to maintain accuracy. Conduct scheduled asset audits to ensure that all assets are accounted for and the system’s data remains up-to-date. Make adjustments based on audit results to improve processes.

Audit Tips:

Schedule audits quarterly or semi-annually

Use automated reminders within the system

Track discrepancies and take corrective action

Regular updates and audits will help you spot potential issues before they become costly problems, ensuring smooth asset management over time.

8. Monitor and Optimize

A successful asset inventory management system isn’t static; it requires continuous monitoring and optimization. Track key performance indicators (KPIs) like asset utilization rates, cost reductions, and maintenance efficiency. Use this data to identify areas for improvement.

KPIs to Monitor:

Reduction in asset loss or misplacement

Decrease in maintenance downtime

Improved asset utilization rates

Cost savings from optimized inventory levels

By analyzing the system’s performance, you can make data-driven decisions to enhance its effectiveness and ensure long-term success.

Conclusion

Implementing a successful asset inventory management system requires careful planning, the right tools, and ongoing optimization. By assessing your current processes, selecting appropriate software, and integrating automation technologies like barcode or RFID, you’ll create a system that enhances visibility, reduces costs, and improves asset efficiency. Regular training, audits, and continuous improvement will ensure your system remains effective in the long run.

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[osvftwz]

Inventory Management And The Benefits Of Software To Export Chemicals To India

The list of products a corporation has is called its inventory. In exchange for monetary benefit, corporations anticipate selling a certain set of goods or materials to their clients. As a result, inventory control has to be as organized and effective as feasible to export chemicals to India.

What is inventory management?

The method that helps businesses keep an eye on their inventory is called inventory management. It's employed to ascertain SKU turnover rates, locate items that are available, identify shortages, and make defensible storage selections. Products may be traced from the point of manufacturing to the points of distribution and storage by using inventory management software.

Objectives of inventory management

To make sure that warehouse managers and operators can find a certain product as soon as possible, an inventory management system is implemented. By keeping everything organised, you can expedite order fulfilment and shipment and reply to clients more quickly.

A company's ability to benefit from clear, current stock visibility can determine whether it succeeds or fails. The following benefits will result from arming yourself with up-to-date knowledge on your items' conditions and inventory levels:

greater contentment among users. Order picking can be accelerated by effectively managing inventories. Customers place a great emphasis on timely delivery and obtaining their goods in perfect condition.

more effective preparation. Accurate supply-chain procurement is the outcome of possessing comprehensive data about your accessible stock.

accuracy with regard to purchase orders and client requirements. Refunds and possible clientele loss are eliminated when orders are filled incorrectly.

lower costs. Reverse logistics, stockouts, and delayed order fulfilment all result in higher costs when poorly managed inventories occur.

Inventory management process

Handling inventory can be done manually using an Excel sheet or on paper. Alternatively, you may use software that keeps track of all the information about the things your company sells to automate it.

Logistics operations can benefit from digitalizing inventory organisation in a number of ways. An inventory management programme to export chemicals to India, for instance, may direct operators to the precise position of each product by sending instructions to their scanners. In contrast, handling a lot of data by hand increases the possibility of order fulfilment errors, which can damage a business's reputation.

Inventory management involves a few fundamental stages that are the same whether it is done digitally or by hand:

Purchasing inventory. Buying goods in their finished, sale-ready condition or as raw materials to be utilised in a manufacturing process is what this entails.

Holding. Items are stored until they are needed for the production lines or until an order requires them to be combined and packed. The export chemicals to India may spend very little time in the warehouse in industries with strong demand, like e-commerce.

profitability of inventory. The final goods are given to clients once their stay at your establishment is over. Your inventory starts to generate revenue at this point.

Inventory management software

For overseeing logistics facilities, a warehouse management system (WMS) such as Easy WMS is perfect. This applies to centres run by humans, automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS), or RF devices. This digital technology expedites critical activities like selection and decision-making by tracking inventory management in real time. Through space organisation in the warehouse, it decreases handling activities and increases storage capacity. Depending on your needs, Easy WMS may be enhanced with additional features:

Manufacturing with WMS. Manufacturing may continue as long as materials are supplied to production lines continuously. In order to support product traceability, this programme provides statistics on the consumption of raw materials and completed and semi-finished items.

WMS slotting. Based on the rules and specifications that the logistics manager has pre-established, the system automatically determines the best location for each SKU.

Analytical capability for supply chains. You need to understand the data on warehouse operations in addition to gathering it. Using big data approaches, this Easy WMS feature analyses actions occurring in your facility to find inefficiencies and areas for development.

Driving logistics with an inventory management system

Among inventory management's biggest benefits are organisation, planning, and cost reduction. You may create successful sales tactics by keeping control over your inventory and reducing product obsolescence. Productivity is increased by making the best use of financial resources and by spending less time looking for goods. The successful fulfilment of market demand also depends on prudent material provisioning to export chemicals to India.

Do you want to improve upon your current inventory management system? Make contact. At Onnsynex, we've demonstrated success in streamlining logistics operations for businesses of all sizes by introducing digital solutions. We'll demonstrate to you how your company may profit from our Easy WMS software.

[poshgarmentsltd]

Implementing Barcode Systems in Manufacturing: Supercharge Your Operations

In the fast-paced world of manufacturing, efficiency is king. Every second saved, every error prevented, translates to a healthier bottom line and happier customers. But how do you achieve this elusive state of operational nirvana? Enter the humble barcode: a seemingly simple technology with the power to revolutionize your manufacturing game.

Decoding the Benefits:

Barcodes are more than just those black and white stripes you see on groceries and clothing labels. In a manufacturing setting, they act as digital fingerprints, carrying a wealth of information about a product, from its raw materials to its final destination. Implementing a barcode system unlocks a treasure trove of benefits:

Reduced Errors: Manual data entry is a recipe for mistakes. Barcodes eliminate this human error by capturing information accurately and instantly through scanning.

Improved Inventory Management: Say goodbye to lost parts and misplaced materials. Barcodes track inventory in real-time, providing visibility into stock levels and optimizing ordering processes.

Enhanced Production Tracking: From raw materials entering the factory floor to finished products rolling off the assembly line, barcodes track each stage of production, pinpointing bottlenecks and streamlining workflows.

Boosted Efficiency: Every scan saves time and effort. Barcodes automate tasks, reduce manual processes, and keep your production line humming smoothly.

Elevated Quality Control: Barcodes can be linked to quality control checkpoints, ensuring every product meets your standards before reaching the customer.

Streamlined Data Collection: Forget tedious manual data collection. Barcodes capture data automatically, feeding valuable insights into your production systems.

Choosing the Right Code:

Not all barcodes are created equal. Selecting the right symbiology for your needs is crucial. Here's a quick breakdown of the most common types:

Linear Barcodes: The classic one-dimensional stripes, perfect for basic information like product codes. Think UPC codes on groceries.

2D Barcodes: These data-dense squares can hold significantly more information, ideal for complex tracking and serialization. Think QR codes on airline tickets.

Building Your Barcode Ecosystem:

Implementing a barcode system isn't just about slapping stickers on everything. It requires careful planning and integration:

Identify Needs: Analyze your manufacturing processes and pinpoint areas where barcodes can add the most value.

Select Hardware: Invest in barcode scanners that suit your environment and data needs. Consider handheld, fixed-mount, or even wearable options.

Choose Software: A robust barcode management software is essential. It should integrate seamlessly with your existing systems and provide real-time data analysis.

Label Everything: From raw materials to finished products, ensure every item carries its unique barcode.

Train Your Team: Educate your employees on the new system, ensuring proper scanning techniques and data interpretation.

Beyond the Basics:

Once you've mastered the barcode fundamentals, explore advanced applications:

Work-in-process tracking: Track components as they move through production stages, optimizing resource allocation.

Warehouse management: Automate picking and packing, reducing errors and speeding up order fulfillment.

Quality control integration: Link barcodes to inspection checkpoints for real-time quality monitoring.

Scanning the Future:

Barcode technology is constantly evolving. Stay ahead of the curve by exploring emerging trends like:

Near Field Communication (NFC): Embed chips in barcodes for even richer data interaction.

Blockchain integration: Securely track product provenance and build trust with customers.

Must Read Blog: Implementing Barcode Systems in Manufacturing

The Final Scan:

Implementing a barcode system in your manufacturing operation isn't just about technology; it's about a mindset shift. It's about embracing data, automation, and continuous improvement. By harnessing the power of barcodes, you can unlock a new level of efficiency, accuracy, and control, propelling your manufacturing operation towards a brighter future.

Remember, the key to successful barcode implementation lies in thorough planning, choosing the right tools, and empowering your team. So, take the first step, scan the possibilities, and watch your manufacturing magic unfold!

Bonus Tip: For deeper insights and practical guidance, consider attending industry events or consulting with barcode technology experts. They can tailor solutions specifically to your manufacturing needs and help you navigate the exciting world of barcode-driven efficiency.

[gracethomas04]

WWR Week 3

It’s me, hi! Welcome back to week 3 of my Women Who Rock internship. Exciting things are happening as we count down the days until the annual benefit concert - 32 days to be exact. Let’s begin with Thursday, we went over the “script” that will go to any Pittsburgh-based influencers who will be attending the concert. The overall summary of it was an overview of what the company is, who is performing at the benefit, and why it is being put on. The influencers will make a post prior to the event date, along with content throughout the night of the concert. Next up, we went back to our Pink Pumpkin Patch idea and continued discussing the rough details of it such as when it is happening, where are we getting the pumpkins, and . who is going to paint them pink. Moving on from the pumpkin patch, we were given a mini project to do, which was to come up with new ideas for some buttons. I decided to make a Pinterest board to share with everyone. On the board, I added any sort of ideas - such as what’s trending right now, and overall vibes. We ended up with two really awesome ideas, I won’t say exactly what they are since we are still in the developing stages so you’ll just have to take my word on it 🙂. Finally, on Thursday, we sat in on another weekly call with the Magee-Womens Marketing team. A couple of things discussed were about inventory, and how many VIP tickets are available.

On Friday we started by going over the map of where everything will be set up at Stage AE on the day of the show. We also got to package up the bought VIP tickets into envelopes to give to sponsors, businesses, and more. Next, we helped unpack the van from an event the previous day as well as repacking merchandise for a pop-up. Finally, on Friday, we got to pick out a piece of merchandise from the store to take home. This is because we came up with an idea for the TikTok, we are going to do an OOTD (outfit of the day). So next Friday, everyone is going to be wearing a different piece of WWR merch styled however we want. 

Surprise we have another day to recap! On Saturday, I got to work the WWR Pop-up Shop at the Strip District Terminal (I took some pictures that I will add in 🙂). As soon as I got there, I helped set up/decorate the table and hang up the merchandise. When the event started rocking I learned how to use Shopify to check out customers which was actually quite easy and straightforward once we got the credit card scanner working. It was a gorgeous hot day out in Pittsburgh, which made this event so nice to be at. Some other people working at the event were Point Park SAEM alums, and I got to talk and network with people in my field. 

That is all for this week folks, I hope you enjoyed hearing me ramble. See you again next week for more exciting adventures!

[erpinformation]

What is a Universal Product Code (UPC)? - Types, Decoding

You've probably seen those barcodes with all the lines and squares on them, but what are they, and what do they do? They are Universal Product Codes. They track products through the supply chain. They're scanned at each point of sale to ensure that the correct product is being sold.  It is a barcode symbology widely used in the United States and other countries. It consists of 12 digits that uniquely identify a product. You can find this code on most products that you buy in stores. This blog post discusses the definition, symbology, types, advantages, disadvantages, and requirements of UPC. In addition, the post explains the steps to get UPC for your product.

Definition

A Universal Product Code is a unique code assigned to every item sold in the store. The code helps identify the product, store traffic trends, and inventory details. That helps further in maintaining complete ordering information for the business. It provides real-time data to the store or the supermarket to ensure they never run out of stock for fast-moving items. It also makes the billing system easy and swift. UPC-E (includes zero) and UPC-A (does not have zero) are the two main types of Universal Product Codes.

UPC Symbology

It is made up of four parts: - The number system identifies the type of product; - The manufacturer code, which UCC Council assigns to a specific company; - A unique item identifier or SKU, which is posted by the manufacturer for each product they make; and, - A check digit is calculated using a special algorithm to ensure a valid code. The first digit indicates the product type, and the following five digits are a unique code provided to the vendor. Thus, the vendor will have the same code even if the store differs. The following five digits act as the unique reference specified for the product, and the last digit will be the check digit which is generally used to cross-check if it is correct. It is scanned against a scanner that reads the bar code and lets the system know if everything is okay or not.

Steps to Get UPC Code for a Product

Application filling The first step is to get the GS1(Global Standard Organization), also known as the Unifor Code Council company prefix. For that, you have to fill out the online application form and sign up for a prefix capacity plan to get it. It shows the number of universal product codes under your company prefix. Paying Fee You have to pay the fee for the code. A prefix capacity plan can be expensive. So make sure that the plan you have chosen will accommodate the long-term use of your business. Once you pay the fee, GS1 allocates a 6-digit number with the manufacturer identification number. This number becomes the first six digits of the universal product code on your company's products. Internal product number generation After getting your company prefix, you can give your product internal product numbers (5 digits). You have the freedom to choose your digits, but each product should have a unique UPC. Ensure that the exact number is not used for more than one product. This 5-digit  number represents the product itself. Check digit generation After generating your company prefix and internal product code, generate your check digit. It generates after several calculations by adding and multiplying digits in the code based on an algorithm monitored by the global standard organization(GS1). Manually also, you can calculate the check digit. Confirm check digit is correct or not. If the check digit is incorrect, the UPC code will not scan properly. Registration of final barcode Once all three sets of digits, company prefix, internal product code, and check code are generated, register this number with GS1 so that you will tie your product information to the number you have created. The below infographic provides summarized information on UPC barcode generation steps.

UPC Code's Location

They can be found in most products that you buy in stores. The code is usually located somewhere on the product packaging, and you may also print it on the product. They are also found in product manuals, promotional materials, and shipping boxes.

How to Find a Manufacturer's UPC?

Suppose you want to find the Universal Product Code for a specific product. There are several ways to do so. You can visit the manufacturer's website or contact them directly to ask for the code. You can also use a UPC lookup tool to find the code. These tools are widely available online, and they are free to use. When using a lookup tool, you need the product's name or SKU number. You can usually find the SKU number on the product packaging or manual. Once you have entered the information into the lookup tool, it will return the Universal Product Code for that product. UPC Lookup Tools These tools allow you to search for product codes by keyword or browse by category. They also provide information about the product, such as the manufacturer's name, address, photos, and descriptions. Some tools even let you add products to your inventory. One example is GSOne Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) Database.

Types of UPCs

There are a few different types of Universal Product Codes. The most common type is the 12-digit code used to track store products. Codes can also be 6 or 9 digits long. The 6-digit code is used to track products sold in vending machines, and the 9-digit code is used to track online products.

Universal Product Code Generator

A Universal Product Code Generator is a tool that allows you to create Universal Product Codes for your products. This tool is helpful if you want to make your barcodes for tracking purposes or if you want to include them on your product packaging. There are several generators available online. Most of these tools are free to use and easy to use. You need to enter the information about your product, such as the name and SKU number, and the generator will create a valid code for you.

UPC Barcode Specifications

The Universal Product Code Barcode Specifications are guidelines that describe how they should be formatted and used. These specifications are maintained by the Universal Code Council (UCC), a nonprofit organization that oversees the system. The specifications define the following: - The structure and format - The type of information that can be encoded - How it should be scanned and read - They use it in retail environments - They use it in other industries The UPC barcode Specifications are essential for businesses to create or use barcodes. By following the guidelines in these specifications, companies can ensure that their barcodes will be compatible with scanning equipment and that they will be readable in retail stores.

UPC Code Requirements

To create a barcode, you must encode the product's name or SKU number into a barcode format. There are some free online tools that you can use to do this. Once you have created the barcode, you can print it out and attach it to your packaging. Retail scanners scan and read codes, automatically entering the product information into the store's database. This allows businesses to track their inventory and sales without manually entering the information into their database.

Advantages

- They are easy to use and can be scanned by retail scanners. - They speed up the checkout process in stores. - They help businesses track their inventory and sales. - They can be used to create marketing materials such as flyers and product labels. - They are a global standard and are accepted in most countries.

Disadvantages

- Barcodes can be expensive to create and print. - They are not always accepted in all countries. - They can be challenging to create without using a barcode generator tool. - They may not be suitable for all products or businesses. - They require special scanning equipment to read them correctly.

FAQs

How many types of bar codes are there? There are three types of bar codes. They are 1. Universal Product Code (UPC) 2. International Article Number (IAN) 3. International Standard Book Number (ISBN).What is EANEAN stands for European Article Number, also known as International Article Number. It is an international standard for identifying products and services within the EU and elsewhere.  In 2009, 13-digit Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) replaced EAN. EAN-13 is the most commonly used 13-digit EAN standard. What are the differences between UPC and EAN?The differences are as follows. EAN is used mainly in Europe, while UPC is primarily used in the United States. EAN codes have 13 digits, while UPCs have only 12 digits. Furthermore, EANs are encoded to contain information about the product's country or region of origin. In contrast, UPCs do not include this information because they are only used in the US and Canada.

Conclusion

In this post, you learned what Universal Product Codes are and how businesses can use them. You also learned about their advantages and disadvantages of them. We hope the article provided quality information. Read the full article

[summer-at-peel]

I've only worked a couple days since my last post, because I was out of town on a family vacation last week.

June in Bloom went really well. I helped out with preparing the collage materials for kids to use at our table. I took a few pictures of the collaborative collages they made.

I also helped hand out the free screenprints we were making and talked about our current gallery show to visitors. After getting back to the gallery, we finished cleaning up from the opening reception the night before.

Then, I learned how to scan negatives with the DSLR. It essentially just involves photographing each one, while making sure the exposure is correct. I took a couple different versions of each - one that is true to how the original negative is exposed, and another that is more neutrally exposed. Depending on the desired final product, either can be used when processing them later on. The process for scanning slides is similar, which is something I hope to do later in the summer with some of my own slides.

After returning from vacation the next week, I learned how to update information in the point of sale system. I also started making an inventory of the books we have for sale, which is part of a larger effort to streamline our inventory management and make checkout faster.

I also helped process some scanned negatives for a customer order. (Surprisingly, I remembered the keyboard shortcut for the plugin after briefly hearing it a couple weeks ago.) Then, I cut down the prints of those negatives.

Finally, I set up a photo scanner that I hope to use to digitize some art soon.

[countlessrealities]

Rick meticulously lines up the items they have collected between the two of them. They have the same taser and communicator, as they are handed out to every Citadel guard, no matter their level, but he also has a more hi-tech laser gun to go with them. Despite what some of his fellow guards like thinking, he has worked his way up the ranks of the military through the years.

Aside from that, the rest of his contribution to their inventory are a portable scanner and a small tool kit, holding a few screwdrivers, bolts of different shapes and sizes, a laser scalpel and a bunch of cable.

There's one last object in his supply, one that he's still holding in his hand, clearly reluctant to set it down. He wouldn't have even pulled it out, had he been sure that they wouldn't need it, but everything else they have won't be enough to make something truly useful.

"W-Well, I could easily make a subspace beacon to send out an S.O.S., b-but we both know that no one would bother to come and get us."

It would have been more likely that the signal could be intercepted by scavengers, who would take apart their ship for parts, leaving them fully stranded. It's a rike he refuses to take.

"S-So, I won't even try. B-But...there's something else I can do. J-Just....this isn't mine. I-I know that it sounds very clichéd, b-but I'm honestly holding it for a friend."

With that, he finally puts the device down. It's a metallic cylinder, its outer surface with thin circuits and small lights. While its look doesn't say anything about what it might be or what it might do, one thing is clear. It's not standard issue and it's not exclusively Rick-tech, which pretty much screams "black market" in volumes.

289 had to hold in a snicker when SR started getting pelted with wet leaves from the wing, the event so unexpected it caught the stoic young man rather off guard. Though, the corners of his lips remained cracked up in his version of a smile all the while.

Seeing the logic SR was on, 289 digs through his pockets and straps. Slowly lines up the contents onto the stone floor of the cave for review. More than ready to exit the cramped space - and get past the storm trapping them there. A Rick and a "Morty" with Rick knowledge could more than get themselves out of such a mess easily. Well, should anyway...

One by one he lines his items up:

Blaster from hip holster.

Knife from thigh strap.

Taser (standard issue).

Communicator (also standard issue).

Pack of mint gum (it was tasty and bracing).

Another smaller pocket knife that had a screw driver head that flipped out of the handle the same way the knife did.

And that was all. As dry as 289 was, so was his pocket contents.

[linuxgamenews]

The Voidness takes you into the void with a port

The Voidness SCI-FI psychological horror game for Linux and Mac with Windows PC. Which is the work of the creepy creators from developer Steelkrill Studio. Due to make its way into Steam Early Access next month. Development team Steelkrill Studio, creators of the popular horror games The Backrooms 1998 and Trenches. They are now announcing a new psychological horror survival game. One where it takes in a SCI-FI setting in space, while you play as one of the eight astronauts sent into the void. Of course, this space is also full of gloom and darkness. Due to force you to study it's existence and the only way to see is by scanning the setting with your range finder device. However you are not alone.

The developers also have plans to deliver a Linux build:

Currently working on it [Linux] and having some final finishing touches.

The game is created in Unity 3D, and yes we may see a Linux and mac port very soon. But as stated in the email reply, the developers are also putting their final efforts into the game. In The Voidness, you take the role of a space specialist named Francesca Lee. Due to study the mysterious void on a newly found planet full of gloom and darkness. Things however, are not what they seem to be. Search through your way by scanning the setting with your range scanning device, upgrade, scan, and mind your footsteps. Since every step you take can be deadly inside the void. Use scanning turrets to guide you in the settings, find upgrades, mark landmarks and more. Trend carefully in this singleplayer, as stepping on debris will make them hear you. Same as if you are within their line of sight or if you make any noise. Something is lurking in The Voidness alongside you .. and the only way to see it, is by scanning.

The Voidness - Official Horror Game Reveal Trailer

Features:

LIDAR scanning setting: Scan the setting with your range scanner device to see in the darkness and gloom.

Terrifying enemies that listens: Try to make past terrifying enemies that listen. Since they can only be seen by scanning them.

Puzzle Solving: Find clues, solve puzzles and try to advance to the next objectives in The Voidness.

Microphone Input: When in hiding, the enemy can hear your breathing - through your microphone. Don't breath. Don't panic.

Upgrades and more: Find and upgrade your scanner to scan vertically and horizontally. Or increase size of the scan and much more.

Level-based story: Uncover the story of what happened inside The Voidness.

Survival elements with full inventory system, objectives, clue findings and tools due to help you escape.

Find, uncover and unravel the terrifying backstory of The Voidness within the darkness. Your only way to see is by scanning the setting.

Stamina System: You won't be able to outrun it. It will catch you as it never gets tired.

Saving Levels System: Save your progress by finding save points, and certain auto saves.

Puzzles to unsolve, mysteries to uncover. Use your mind to overcome obstacles that you will find in your way.

Inventory Management: Find supplies, upgrades, health packs, and more items will be vital for your survival.

Hiding System: Hide from the enemies under tables, while trying to stay quiet as they can hear you from your microphone when you are in hiding mode.

Stealth and Planning:

Gut Wrecking Moments: Walking on broken glass can make noises that the enemy may hear, same as moving crates or knocking over objects. all these

things can give away your position. Try to evade them or use them as your advantages.

Stealth System: Try and sneak through the terrifying enemies that can only be seen by scanning them.

Plan Accordingly: Plan your next move as it may be your last. Peak around corners, watch your foosteps, move slowly on glass and use stealth.

The Voidness SCI-FI psychological horror game is due to release on March 17, 2023. Heaing to Linux, Mac, and Windows PC via Early Access. So be sure to Wishlist the game on Steam.

[pannimanagementteam]

Netsuite Rivals: The Final Word Guide

Microsoft is probably certainly one of the bigger names in ERP, with solutions for each small and mid-size enterprise and enormous enterprise. Business Central is their SME cloud answer, based mostly on their legacy NAV system. Currently, it has broad functionality throughout most enterprise areas, with extra sturdy capabilities being added because the product matures. IWI Consulting Group offered us with a great sage x3 demo buyer experience in our implementation of Sage X3. IWI took the time to properly scope out our necessities and instilled business finest practices throughout implementation and training. The end result was that our day-to-day operations has been streamlined round our processes and this has supplied us large value savings.

A bill of supplies, also referred to as a BOM, is the great record of all required components, items, raw materials, and assemblies that you should manufacture a product. A BOM also contains instructions on how to use the required components, as nicely as directions on procuring the materials. A BOM is amongst the most essential paperwork for a custom manufacturer—think of it as a recipe—as it contains all the elements and steps you have to take to manufacture your product. It will help all your departments since it manages paperwork specific to each of the sectors. In the special case of ransomwares assaults, it sometimes possible to recuperate the info by understanding the encryption process.

We desperately wanted to revamp our website and implement a buying part to it. From initiation to completion, commercebuild stored us on schedule and on finances. For those issues that were not lined in the price range, commercebuild was up entrance and clear about any incremental costs, so we felt as if there have sage x3 demo been no hidden charges. However, commercebuild's true power is in its after market help. If we run into an issue, one e-mail and we get a response inside an hour, if not, inside minutes. Most of the time, the difficulty itself is resolved within the day.

SAP Business ByDesign is SAP’s first public cloud ERP, designed for mid-market wholesale distribution, manufacturing and professional providers companies. It presents robust performance for manufacturing, provide chain management and project management (for subject providers, repairs, etc.). Eventually your organization will grow otherwise you plan on your company to grow.

Integrates business processes – from purchasing to manufacturing, stock, gross sales, customer service and monetary management – within one cohesive software design. Security with HansaWorld's product was an important part of the original design. HansaWorld supports the essential "End person" imaginative and prescient of safety. User IDs with passwords, modules locked out by person, screens and “fields” on screens restricted by person. The software even allows for certain fields to turn out to be unavailable if a condition is met. PurpleSoft Mobile ERP brings you this control over data throughout the software and as it exists on your server.

Sage X3 empowers you to please your prospects with exceptional service. Full integration with gross sales, stock, purchasing, finance, and manufacturing supplies a 360-degree understanding of customer activity – all inside a single enterprise management resolution. The R/F terminals come outfitted with bar code scanners that get rid of the necessity for manual data entry. You can depend on the accuracy of ACCU-DART because of the real-time validation of precisely what is within the accounting system. The R/F devices automatically replace your accounting and inventory database which suggests there are no extra reconciliation issues or redundant knowledge.

Version 7 handles backward compatibility with model 6 through the Classic mode. Business management solutions from Sage transfer beyond the label. Wish that they had a full set that provided insert cards for “Books for baby” and “Diaper raffle” cards. The Corjl modifying was quite simple sage x3 demo and the instructions of what you'll find a way to and can't edit are straight ahead. By Making a purchase from Pixel Perfection Party LTD you agree to the terms and circumstances within this itemizing description.

Hansaworld recognizes that even small companies want nice performance and PurpleSoft Mobile ERP, we are ready to take care of you however whenever you develop, Standard ERP can take over the heavy lifting help 1 to 1000 Usrs. CRM software automates sales tasks, corresponding to creating quotes and orders, forecasting gross sales, pursuing leads and changing them into alternatives utilizing sales workflows. By using CRM software, your advertising staff can establish the sources of leads, alternatives and closed sales.They can even search out customer info for upcoming campaigns and launch focused e mail advertising campaigns. When prospects place orders on your products or services subsequent to these marketing campaigns, you can observe their orders using an ERP or business administration answer, like Sage 300cloud. We concentrate on helping corporations achieve the following degree of efficiency by way of deployment of the right-fit business management software program solutions.

[marketingaid]

Essential Steps for Operating a Point of Sale (POS) System

Understanding how to operate a Point of Sale (POS) system efficiently is vital for businesses across various sectors. This guide will help you grasp the fundamental steps necessary to use your POS system to its full potential, improving transaction accuracy, speeding up customer service, and managing your inventory more effectively.

1. Familiarize Yourself with the System

Begin by getting to know your POS system's layout and functionalities. Each system varies depending on its intended use—be it retail, hospitality, or another service industry. Identify key functions such as sales processing, returns, inventory management, and reporting.

2. Hardware and Software Setup

Ensure your POS system is set up correctly:

Software Installation: Install the necessary software on your system and make sure it’s updated to the latest version.

Hardware Integration: Set up essential hardware components like scanners, card machines, receipt printers, and cash drawers. Ensure all devices are properly connected and functioning.

3. Inputting Inventory Data

A crucial step in setting up your POS system is to load it with your current inventory:

Product Entries: Enter all product information into the system, including SKUs, pricing, and stock levels.

Updates and Adjustments: Regularly update the inventory as new items arrive or as prices and other details change.

4. Transaction Management

Handling transactions effectively is the core function of any POS system:

Ring Up Sales: Scan items or manually enter them into the system. Ensure the prices and quantities are correct as you go.

Apply Discounts and Promotions: If applicable, add discounts or promotional prices during the checkout process.

Finalize Transactions: Collect payment through the preferred method—cash, credit, or digital payment. Make sure the system records each transaction accurately for inventory and accounting purposes.

5. Managing Returns and Refunds

Efficiently managing returns and refunds enhances customer trust and satisfaction:

Locate the Original Sale: Use the system to find the original transaction, usually with a receipt number or customer’s details.

Process the Return: Follow your POS’s procedure to return the item to inventory and refund the customer through the original payment method or as store credit.

6. Daily and Periodic Reporting

Utilize your POS system’s reporting features to keep track of sales, inventory, and other important metrics:

Sales Reports: Generate daily sales reports to review the day’s transactions and prepare for the next business day.

Inventory Reports: Regularly check inventory reports to manage stock levels and reorder products timely.

7. Routine Maintenance

Keeping your POS system running smoothly involves regular maintenance:

Software Maintenance: Regularly update your POS software to access new features and security enhancements.

Hardware Checks: Perform routine checks and maintenance on all physical components to prevent breakdowns and ensure continuous operation.

Conclusion

Operating a POS system effectively is about more than just processing sales—it's about using the tool to streamline your business operations and improve your bottom line. By familiarizing yourself with the system, maintaining its components, and utilizing its full range of functions, you can turn your POS system into a powerful asset for your business.

[ms-scarletwings]

I am so glad someone asked! See, I got into a little bit of experimenting in the sparse reef with releasing tame wildlife, and here’s a few things I’ve noted about some common ideas for outdoor “base pets/guards” I’ve tried out.

Now I know for one that most captive raised predators are supposed to be at least neutral to the player upon release. Ideally you would want that dolphin sized carnivore outside your hatch to be focused on cleaning up the hostiles around your home instead of grabbing you every time you exited a hatch. In my experience, and this could be the result of bugs that have since been patched, crabsnakes and crabsquids have always been a little unpredictable when it comes to clearing this bar.

I’ve had both instantly attack me upon leaving my inventory, and crabsquids in particular are so tech/light hostile that they make pretty awful additions to the area no matter what, unless you love the occasional base-wide power blackout every time it decides to let off a pulse close enough to the hull. They didn’t even deserve to be in this consideration list. I have a small suspicion as well that crabsnake AI is a little finicky outside of their home range, because they don’t have designated cave shroom patrol routes like the wild ones. Amp eels are in a similar vein to gasopods, technically neutral, but not harmless due to natural defenses. In the eel’s case, an electrical shock, and in the gasopod’s, their acid pod droppings.

And speaking further about the latter, gasopods are broadly pretty useless, at least to me, outside of being nice to listen to. I don’t really invest at all into torpedos, but if you do, I guess free acid pods could be my trash and your treasure.

Sand sharks and bone sharks are on par with each other, being fairly territorial toward other lifeforms but also reliably chill around the player once released. The same, however, absolutely cannot be said for your vehicles. Bone sharks are still attracted to light sources and both still readily take a nibble on your unattended moth/prawn.

Stalkers now, stalkers actually have quite a bit going for them. Just like wild ones, they still love to play around with metal savage and will occasionally drop teeth. Anyone who has played far enough into the game can see why a safe and near-instant source of enameled glass is absolutely fantastic; big however, I actually cannot stand stalkers near my base. They are almost as annoying as crabsquids in their own respect, because they are even more hostile to your technology than anything else on the list. They are a nightmare around scanner rooms because they WILL steal your cameras as toys and run off with them. Not only are they just as aggressive towards smaller vehicles, but they like to test their teeth on your cyclops as well. Sure, they can’t actually put a dent in the hull, but they really like to endanger themselves while you’re piloting it. My tooth farm always stays a healthy distance away from where I park all my things for good reason.

Finally, there was one more con to all of these I didn’t even consider until I accidentally discovered this pro about the Mesmer-

It can take down much larger creatures than itself without enduring a single scratch, and it’s incredibly fun to watch in action.

Like all of the other predators, captive Mesmers are pretty happy to wander around where you release them and occasionally chase after small fish to eat. What I did not consider was that the player is not the only creature they are willing to use that fun gimmick of theirs on. I learned this one time when I released a mes near a base I had set up in the grassy plateau biome. Within a few in-game days, I noticed the former presence of *sand sharks* around my setup had gone practically silent. Curiously, I released a fresh one out of containment to see if it would try to attack the Mesmer still lingering around.

And to my amazement, rather than directly attack it the way Mesmers will small fish, it turned around and used its hypnotic ability on the sand shark… and it freaking worked. You could literally see the larger predator very slowly closing in on the creature until the Mesmer took a hefty bite and sent it fleeing. A couple loops of this cycle and the thing was dead in good time. I still have to test this out with some other fauna but I can say for sure that local sand sharks can be pretty much wiped out by a single individual. Incredibly effective invasive species lmao. Most of all I’m extremely curious to know if this works on Warpers, so in the future I might be testing out releasing some Kharra infected ones near a precursor base.

And in the name of sprinkling in a bit of personal bias, I just find Mesmers pretty neat to watch once they stop trying to kill you. My favorite one occasionally clips through the base and doesn’t seem to eventually wander off somewhere else the way bonesharks and stalkers tend to. But best of freaking all they leave your freaking stuff alone. Absolutely harmless toward your gear and your submersibles, which is more than even tiger plants (stupid base-flooding weeds) have going for them.

But yeah just my two and half cents on the matter!

Y’all are sleeping on the best base guard dogs in existence on this great big blue marble

[miralrss]

Finale inventory scanner setting

FINALE INVENTORY SCANNER SETTING SERIAL

FINALE INVENTORY SCANNER SETTING UPDATE

FINALE INVENTORY SCANNER SETTING SOFTWARE

Consolidate ALL your inventory into one single view.

FINALE INVENTORY SCANNER SETTING UPDATE

Make kits and bundles that automatically update the individual SKU item with the appropriate stock.

Customize reports to whatever you want to track.

Custom inventory reporting and analysis.

Multi-location inventory tracking by SKU level-known which locations are low or high in an item.

Easily configure work orders for items that contain multiple parts or required assembly before shipping.

Track SKU batches-comes in helpful for perishable, FIFO items.

Focusing on the dimensions of inventory: In stock, committed, available, back-ordered, and on order.

Here’s what you can expect from Lead Commerce: Their goal is for you to never have a negative inventory. They offer a lot of the same benefits as these other inventory management companies, but in a very simplified version. Lead Commerce is another cloud-based inventory management software.

Detailed hierarchical location definitions.

Worry-free warehouse management with multi-location and bin tracking.

FINALE INVENTORY SCANNER SETTING SERIAL

Enhanced traceability allows for easy lifecycle tracking and serial tracking.

Easily categorize your inventory by value, volume, price, etc.

The inventory count feature provides more accurate and recurrent inventory counts.

Easily balance and transfer inventory across your organization.

Visibility and management of inventory across multiple locations.

Automate your preferred stock levels, lead times, and re-order points.

Features of their inventory management system include: Not only will you be able to streamline and combine multiple aspects of your business into one platform, but the inventory management tool alone is worthwhile to improve operations. Their warehouse management tools along with purchase orders, production, and supply chain management all fall under their ERP platform. They are known for being the #1 Cloud ERP, or Enterprise Resource Planning. When it comes to business, Netsuite can be applied and utilized in almost every avenue of business.

Utilize the Fishbowl timeclock for tracking employees’ time.

UPS shipping procedures are embedded within the Fishbowl system.

Tallies costs associated with parts, manufacturing, and labor costs.

Monitor specific parts and have Fishbowl automatically re-order when stock gets low.

Tracking and receiving shipments with ease.

Seamless pick, pack, and ship tracking.

Monitor inventory levels for multiple locations.

Easy integration with Xero, bringing your accounting solutions and inventory into one platform.

Here’s what to expect from Fishbowl Warehouse: The Fishbowl Warehouse integration allows them to keep using QuickBooks but with even more efficiency than ever by streamlining their accounting and inventory solutions into one platform. Many businesses have utilized QuickBooks for years as their main accounting system.

FINALE INVENTORY SCANNER SETTING SOFTWARE

Try before you buy with a free TopShelf Demo.įishbowl Warehouse is the #1 manufacturing and inventory management software for QuickBooks.

Seamless integration with large companies like Netsuite, Magento, Salesforce, and Quickbooks.

Manage lots, bins, and cycle counting all from one easy app.

Print detailed barcodes from your TopShelf mobile device.

Inventory and warehouse management on the go.

From a small device, you get the same real-time results, pick/pack/ship transactions, and warehouse management capabilities as any other software. Being able to do simple actions via any smartphone or mobile device can be a game-changer for many warehouses. TopShelf’s goal is to have inventory with integrity. TopShelf is a cloud-based inventory management system by Scout. There’s a perfect company and software solution out there for every warehouse. For example, you shouldn’t have to pay for something just to try it out. But how do you choose the right one? We’re gonna help you out and go through the top 8 inventory management companies for the coming year.Īs you search take notes of what different companies offer that catches your eye. There are hundreds of inventory management companies that supply well-rounded solutions for your supply chain and inventory management needs. Now more than ever it’s critical to have a proper inventory management system in place.

[niqhtlord01]

Humans are Weird: Soldier without a war. Part I

( Please come see me on my new patreon and support me for early access to stories and personal story requests :D https://www.patreon.com/NiqhtLord Every bit helps)

 “You sure the speks don’t patrol there?”

“If they did do you really think I’d bring this rust bucket along for a job?”

Melp strapped himself into the copilot’s chair and looked over the console readings one last time. All systems were showing minimal operational capacity which normally would have been setting off alarm bells but with how things had been going for him and his captain lately it was the best they could ask for.

Melp was part of the salvage company “Outlying Star”, co-owner in fact with his partner and current captain Galem. When the war against humanity had started the two had thought it was the best idea to make a fortune with all the wrecks floating between star systems from fleet combat and had went all in on a converted freighter to pick through the bones and sell what they could.

At first Melp and Galem had made a killing, bringing in semi functional sub space drives and salvaged fully automated hard shell loaders from human ships. They made enough to fund a fleet of five ships and live the good life back on Valfha without a care in the world; for a little while at least.

Galem thought it was because of the government’s restrictions on salvageable items that had hampered their business but Melp believed it was because they were just too good at it that and had inspired countless others to take up the salvage game. Soon markets, both legal and black, became flooded with salvaged goods and people willing to undercut each other to make a quick buck. Neutron cannon went from 3.5 billion credits in value to just under 300 million credits in the span of six months. As a side effect of the sudden influx of salvage parts the government began taking notice and cracked down hard. Salvagers were called “Scavies” and deemed criminals by the government and the military would all too happily fire on any scavy ship they spotted. Seems they weren’t too happy about people rummaging through the wrecks of ships that once held their friends and the government would turn a blind eye if a scavy ship was destroyed during “Live Fire Exercises”.

Soon the jobs became even riskier and Outlying Star lost three ships after they were caught and destroyed. Another had to be sold for parts and salvage and now the final ship, the Morning Gale, was the last hope for Galem and Melp to make back some money.

“How do you even know this site hasn’t been picked clean already?” Melp asked over his shoulder as Galem entered the cockpit and locked the door behind him. “We could be wasting our time on a fantasy.” Galem shook his head which did little to ease Melp’s concerns.

“I got it from a reliable source that there was a big fight in the Glipi Cluster that we lost to the humans.” Galem began as he took the controls and slowly pulled back on the engine throttle as the ship ascended. “It was so embarrassing that the navy wiped all records of the battle and said the destroyed ships were lost in a freak transition from sub space into a rogue comet cluster.”

“If the data was wiped how does your source know about it?”  Melp quipped as the ship breached upper atmosphere and exited the travel lanes for the jump point.

Galem smirked as he engaged the sub space drive.

“They were there.”

 As the salvage ship exited sub space Melp let out a gasp. He blinked several times and rubbed his eyes yet when he opened them all he could see was a shroud of purple. Galem saw Melp’s confused expression and chuckled.

“It’s the color of the gas filtering through this entire cluster.” He said calmly as he flicked on several scanners and filter units. “Try looking now.”

Melp looked again as the shades of purple faded away and let out a startled gasp. Upon gazing out of the cockpit window he could see why the navy had wanted to cover up this place so badly.

Floating around them were dozens of lifeless wrecks of Mibari warships ranging from light destroyers to several cruisers. Compared to their tiny ship it was as if Melp and Galem had entered the realm of giants. Melp was transfixed by the wrecks and became utterly enthralled when a massive shadow draped across their vessel.

“Is that what I think it is?” Melp spoke sheepishly as his blue hands trembled and changed to a soft orange color. Galem leaned forward in his seat to look out the window and whistled as his eyes caught sight of what had terrified Melp.

“A galaxy class troop carrier.”

The massive ship spun slowly in place like a top that refused to stop spinning, the metal interior exposed in several places from weapons revealing a dark interior of metal supports and long dead hallways. Melp looked towards the front of the ship as the command deck slowly spun into view and he was surprised to see the name of the ship had survived the damage it had taken.

“The Vault of Ohya…” Melp softly spoke. He reached out with an arm and shook Galem who was smiling like a hatchling on birthing day. “That’s the Vault of Ohya!”

“A piece of her hull to the right collector would be enough to refurbish this little dingy,” Galem said as he playfully smacked the command console, “into one hell of a floating casino.”

The two of them broke down into fits of laughter as if they had just been driven mad by their findings; but it was not of madness that now drove them but the sheer joy of their discovery.

These dozen ships floating lifelessly in the cluster were more than enough to bring the two of them back into the life of luxury they once held and keep them there until their dying days.

Melp was still star gazing at the shattered troop carrier when something else suddenly grabbed his attention.

“What’s that?”

Melp tore his gaze away from the Ohya and saw what Galem was looking at.

A new vessel slowly drifted out of the shadow of the troop carrier and came into view. It was clearly a human vessel of some kind; the lack luster design a clear give away. The body of the ship was missing sections of itself, but rather than appearing as if it had been damaged in the battle it looked more as if the ship had not finished being built. Sections of the body were lacking armor showing a complex network of pipes and corridors. The hull was painted in a soft grey color that stood out sharply among the ever shifting gas cloud surrounding it. Rows of gun ports ran along the sides, their openings revealing nothing of the pitch black interior giving them the appearance of small gaping mouths ready to consume Melp and his ship.  

The more Melp looked at the ship the more he felt something was just wrong with it. Galem must have felt something as well as he pulled up the virtual display and began interacting with it.

“Not sure what that thing is but it’s not listed in the records.” He said as he closed the display and leaned over the controls to get a better view of it. The tingling feeling at the bottom of Melp’s three stomachs was starting to grow stronger as his uneasiness did not subside.

“What does that mean?”

“It means that there’s no record of that ship variant from the entire war with humanity on any recorded file.” He popped open the virtual display again and flicked it over so it was hovering in front of Melp to view while he fiddled with the controls again. “Which means it’s worth a whole lot more than anything here.”

“How do you figure that?” As a response to Melp’s question he waved his arm across the scattered wrecks.

“Out of all the ships here the human ones are all clustered around that one as if they meant to protect it.” Galem said as he began moving the ship closer to the strange human ship.

“They could have bugged out and ran, but instead they all fought and died just to protect that thing; which means something on it must’ve been worth defending.”

Melp knew what Galem had some merit, but he still couldn’t shake the feeling that something was still very wrong; but before he could raise his concerns though a loud shudder ran through the scavenger ship.

“Get your suit on,” Galem said as he exited out of the cockpit, “let’s go find us some treasure.” ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

If the exterior of the ship had uneased Melp, the interior down right terrified him.

No sooner had the airlock door opened the two scavengers leaped back in shock. Standing at the entrance was a humanoid looking figure. Galem screamed and grabbed hold of a nearby cutting tool and swung it at the figure before Melp could even say anything.

A shower of sparks eradiated off the figure’s body as the plasma torch cut into it, all the while Galem was continuing to scream, and cut a decent size hole through the beings torso.

“Shut it!” Melp shouted at Galem, forcing the scared halfwit to calm down some while Melp inched closer and retrieved the still burning plasma torch. The figure had not moved and inch even as the torch had melted away his exterior and as Melp moved closer still he noticed why.

“It’s an automated drone you idiot.”

Melp motioned him forward and the two of them inspected the machine.

It was human shaped but it was entirely of metal and wires, a mindless drone used for menial tasks such as inventory handling or maintenance. It wore a human uniform for some reason which clashed with its blank reflective visor face.

“Why’s it standing here?” Galem asked as he nervously tapped the drone. The touch pushed it off the ground and the dead drone slowly lifted off the ground in the zero-g environment and floated back into the ship, bouncing off the back wall before continuing to silently float away.

“Maybe it’s here to greet us?” Melp chuckled as he activated his mag locks and his feet latched on to the metallic floor. Galem followed suit and the two began entering the derelict ship.

“Can’t be,” Galem began as they reached the airlock secondary doors and began slowly opening them, “these tin cans would run out of power in a day and it’s been years since this tussle went down.”

With several loud grunts as the two strained with the manual release the inner airlock to the human ship finally cracked open. The two entered slowly, not knowing what to expect, and took stock of their surroundings.

They entered a long hallway that seemed to stretch out far into the distance passed the reach of their head lamps. Melp could see side corridors scattered every few dozen feet no doubt leading to other sections of the ship, but likewise they too were pitch black.

Something about Melp’s comment made him pull out his data scroll and do a quick scan. The device beeped rapidly as the scan commenced before ending with a loud “DING” and displaying a waterfall of information.

Melp read the data as the two continued to hover by the airlock entrance.

“It says here that somethings still giving off a power signature here.” Melp commented as he ran he scan again to be sure.

“Give it here,” Galem said as he turned to Melp with his hand outstretched, “you must be reading it-“

When Galem didn’t finish his sentence Melp looked up and saw something akin to a mixture of fear and surprise on his face. He was staring at something over his shoulder so Melp slowly turned in place , his magnetic feet latching heavily to the decking with each step like two magnets smashing together.

When he finally turned around he let out a yelp of surprise and tried to jump back, but his magnetic feet kept him firmly locked to the floor leaving him in an almost comical off balance state.

Standing directly behind him was another of the drones, this one dressed in what appeared to be some sort of security uniform even including an empty weapon holster at his side.

Neither of the scavengers knew how the thing got there as it most certainly hadn’t been standing there a moment ago. Before either of them could respond the drone’s visor lit up and displayed a pixelated face.  The visor was damaged with a deep crack running the length of it making the display flicker in and out on half the screen giving it an eerily ghost like visage.

“The captain,” the drone began as it stepped to one side of the hallway and extended a hand into the darkness, “requests your presence on the bridge.”

[c4pricornc4ts]

The Minors Lunch Club (MLC for short.)

This is a Valentines day one-shot for intruxx <3

Characters: Tommy, Ranboo, Sam, Tubbo

Catagory: Fluff 

Words:2.1k 

For a MCYT writing challenge, join the writer’s block discord here!

----------------------------------------------- It’s a very on-brand thing for Tommy to do- leave getting his friend a gift the day before Valentine’s day. He kept putting it off because he wasn’t sure what to get Ranboo. He has hybrid friends, but Tubbo was easy. He and Sam had taken a break from the hotel to make the boy a small bee necklace that he knew he’d love. 

Endermen were a whole new category. What did enderman hybrids even like? He hadn’t talked to Ranboo much unlike Tubbo. So he was really at a loss for ideas. Are there items that are offensive to give an enderman? He hopes Sam will know. Otherwise, he’s going to have to ask Tubbo and he really doesn’t want to get laughed at. 

Sam doesn’t laugh, even if Tommy knew the question was ridiculous. He wasn’t used to that. 

“What do endermen like?” He’s gathering more wood for the hotel, Sam somewhere behind him. 

“What are you setting up some kind of… enderman trap?” 

He throws his axe down, splitting another log. Trying to keep his focus on his work, embarrassed to admit the truth to Sam. 

“No- I don’t know what to get Ranboo for tomorrow. And I don’t think he’d appreciate me trapping his cousins.” 

“Yeah you’re right, don’t tell him about Philza’s hardcore world then.” Tommy hears Sam shudder, his tail making a slight sound as it puffs out. 

“Didn’t plan on it Big S.” Tommy laughs and cuts through another trunk. 

“Just get him something he likes, we hybrids aren’t that different you know.” 

“That’s the problem! I don’t know what he likes. We barely talk, but Tubbo went and invited the guy to our lunch and now I need to find him something.” He tosses the logs into their wheelbarrow and pushes it towards Sam’s pile to collect his as well. 

“Okay then, get him a grass block or something. Better yet, let him pick. Y’know?” 

“Your ideas are shit, Sam.” He hopes Sam can somehow hear a “thank you” in that insult. Because Tommy just got the best idea ever. “I’ll drop all this off, then I’m off to build something else. I’ll see you tonight yeah?” 

“See you then, good luck with Ranboo. The only way you could mess this up is by giving him water so just- don’t do that.” The creeper hybrid goes back to the rest of the trees as Tommy pulls out his silk touch shovel and gets to work collecting grass blocks and a few other blocks just in case Ranboo likes variety. 

He tucks his new blocks away into his inventory and goes towards the main path of the SMP. 

With how far everything has gone, can he even call this the main path anymore?

He goes into the abandoned Walmart that Tommy for the life of him can’t remember who built it and starts arranging the mostly grass blocks into different piles and sections. Adding a small pile of sand and some smooth stone he mined with a silk touch pick for a little variety. He can’t have a store that only sold one thing, it was bad for the economy. He reasons. 

Once he was finished he went to Sam’s house to find something to make for dinner. He and the creeper hybrid had a deal, he does dinners and Sam lets him stay in the spare room while the hotel is being built. Though he knows Sam doesn’t actually care if he does it, he just wants Tommy to feel like he’s earning his stay. 

He appreciates it. He’ll never say it out loud but he appreciates all the little things Sam does for him. Maybe he’ll try being nicer to the man tomorrow. 

Probably not. 

He tears into his baked potato after wrapping Sam’s in some tin foil before running up the stairs to his room. Tomorrow he would drag a hopefully excited Ranboo to an abandoned Walmart and make the best second impression ever. 

------------------------------------------------

Once he’s dressed and double-checks he has Tubbo’s gift in his inventory he pulls out his communicator to message Ranboo. Leaning against the front door. 

You whisper to Ranboo: Hey, meet me outside Sam’s house, I want to show you something. :)

Ranboo whispers to you: Alright, I’ll be there by the time you read this message. 

Tommy reads the message again, trying to understand what it meant when he hears a small vwhoop and jumps a bit when he looks up to see a slightly disoriented 6’6” enderman hybrid standing on his front porch surrounded by purple particles. 

“I hate teleporting. But Philza says I need to do it more so here I am.” 

Tommy regains his composure as Ranboo straightens out his suit that Tommy can only assume got ruffled in the process. 

“You know, that whole teleporting thing would’ve been useful back when we were fighting for L’manberg.” Referring to L’manberg so lightly with anyone else would be impossible, but Ranboo’s absence from those days made it easier to joke about with. “What were you doing before you came here anyway?” 

“I don’t remember.” Ranboo looks away, Tommy silently berates himself for asking. He really didn’t want Ranboo to hate him. 

“That’s okay tall man! You’re here now and I’m stupid for asking.” He starts walking towards the Walmart hoping Ranboo would just follow. 

He does. “You’re not stupid, most people would remember. I just have beef with memories y’know?” 

“Beef with memories…? You’re gonna have to tell me about whatever that means later. But for now I gotta show you your gift.” 

“My gift?”

Tommy stops and turns to him. “Your valentine’s day gift! I thought you knew, why else would you just teleport to me no questions asked?” 

“I must’ve-” 

“Forgotten. Right. It’s no big deal, but what I’m about to show you inside of this broken down Walmart is.” He takes Ranboo to the entrance which is just the 2x2 opening not surrounded by broken glass. “Welcome to the enderman store! I made it myself because I am just so cool.” 

Ranboo immediately ducks under the doorway and starts moving the blocks around. “You aren’t very cool but this makes you at least 20% cooler.” 

“Does that mean you like it?” Tommy asks as he goes to stand behind the makeshift counter. 

“Of course I do! It’s like- like a block playground.” Ranboo teleports around the store and Tommy looks down because the sight of him appearing and disappearing was making his head hurt. 

“You pick one yet?” He plants his elbow on the counter and tries to give his friend a good impression of an underpaid cashier. 

“Pick one for what?” 

“As your gift.” He says it like it was the most obvious thing in the world but with the way Ranboo stands confused he supposes it wasn’t. “I mean, the whole store is your gift actually. But you gotta like, pick your favorite block or something.”

“That’s kinda stupid.” 

“Whatever, at least I’m not 6’6”, now pick your favorite grass block so we can go to Tubbo’s and show him how cool I am.” 

“Okay, I like…” He carefully considers the dirt for what? Tommy doesn’t know. Maybe endermen have a block grading system. 

He finally picks one of the many grass blocks in the corner and places it in front of Tommy. 

Tommy uses his communicator as a scanner and pretends to ring up the block. Ranboo just seems even more confused. 

“What? This is a store roleplay. I’m just keeping things realistic.” He pushes the grass block back to Ranboo who takes it and immediately holds it out in front of him. “The cost is teleporting Tommy to Tubbos because he’s lazy and doesn’t want to walk.” 

The taller laughs and Tommy climbs over the counter and clings to Ranboo’s arm bracing for the sudden movement. He closes his eyes and stumbles forward a bit when the hybrid brings them to Tubbo’s in under a second. 

He lets go of Ranboo once he’s sure he won’t trip and goes up to Tubbo’s door, instead of knocking he just let’s himself in. Rather he announces he’s here by shouting, “Big T! We’re here for lunch and I brought a very tall man with me. I think his name is Rainbow, not sure though.”

“Tommy it’s-” Ranboo is interrupted by Tubbo appearing from the kitchen, the fur coat he is usually buried in abandoned for a cheesy heart covered apron. 

“Ranboo! Tommy!” He runs up to them both with excitement, but he quickly tilts his head at the grass block Ranboo had brought in that was no doubt ruining his floor. Tubbo runs back into the kitchen and orders the boys to, “Stay there!” and when he returns he is carrying a planter pot with a little note attached that says, “To: Ranboo, From: Me :)”

“This is perfect, you can fill my gift with… wait did Tommy really give you fuckin dirt?” 

“No! I gave him a whole store of dirt you dickhead!” 

“I liked it.” Ranboo adds, trying to help Tommy’s case. 

“See Tubbo? He loves my gift, you are just a hater.” 

“Whatever.” Tubbo rolls his eyes and turns around, leading the other two into his kitchen. 

They take a seat and Tubbo places a basket of bread in the middle of the small wooden table. Tommy runs his hands under it to where he can feel the carvings of his and Tubbo’s name. They had built the table together, hell they had built most of the furniture in this house together.

Tubbo sits down next to Ranboo and places a jar of honey, no doubt from his own bees on the table.

“You know we should invite Purpled next time, then we can call it the MLC.”

“Call it the what?” 

“Y’know the minor lunch club! All the teenagers in one place, hopefully shit-talking the adults.”

“Tubbo can you-” Ranboo is interrupted by Tubbo, who was focused on what Tommy just said.

“We are not naming anything ‘Lunch Club’ ever, pick another name.”

“What? Why not?” He whined. 

Ranboo reaches over the table to grab the honey, knocking over the vase of flowers in the middle of the table. Tubbo pauses, he’s stood up, preparing to lean over and hit Tommy. 

“Tubbo I’m so sorry I’ll-I’ll clean it up.” Ranboo starts to go grab a towel when Tubbo tackles him and pretends to be mad. Tommy just sighs at the scene and goes to actually grab a towel before the water could ruin the table. 

“It’s valentine’s day and you’re fighting.” 

“It’s play fighting, it's a hybrid thing you wouldn’t get it.” 

Tubbo knew what he was doing, get Tommy mad so he’ll come over there and join them too. 

It works, Tubbo giggling as Tommy pushes him off Ranboo and shakes him gently. 

Tubbo headbutts him gently, careful not to actually hurt him. (It had happened once, Philza was not happy.) 

Tommy wraps his arms around the deer and refuses to stop hugging him, Ranboo takes the opportunity to get up and actually wipe down the table before going back to where Tommy was sitting against the door laughing holding a faux annoyed Tubbo. 

“Let me go Tommyyyy.” Tubbo whines, it’s muffled by the blond’s shirt. 

“No, you were mean to me and now I’m sad.” 

Ranboo sits down next to them and whispers “Clingyinnit.” causing Tubbo to laugh and Tommy to let him go opting to go mess with the enderman instead. 

“I am not clingy!” 

“He says, as he clings to Ranboo. His newest victim.” 

They finally get up, dusting themselves off, and go to exchange the rest of their gifts. Tubbo giving Tommy earrings with two purple disks on them. Tommy hands him the bee necklace and then Ranboo gives both of them a pig spawner. 

They go out and help Sam with the hotel for the rest of the day and when it’s dark outside they say their goodbyes and promise to come back tomorrow to see Tubbo’s new ‘project’ which the two no doubt means more nukes. 

It’s almost midnight by the time Tommy works up the courage to give Sam his gift. Walking up to his bedroom door and knocking gently. Fiddling with the letter he had made. He had no reason to be nervous, it was just a card to thank Sam for everything. He owed the man so much more. 

He had avoided giving Sam the card all day, but there was no turning back now. He supposes he could just run back to his room, pretend to be asleep when Sam goes to ask if he knocked. 

“Tommy?” Sam opens the door, yawning. Tommy had clearly woken him up.

He shoves the card towards the creeper hybrid and looks away as he reads it. 

Tommy can tell when he’s done because Sam murmurs an “Oh, Tommy…” before going to hug the blond. Who happily accepts it. 

“Your gift idea wasn’t shit, he loved it actually.”

“I know, I never have bad ideas.” Tommy can imagine the grin on Sam’s face as he says that and it’s enough to make him laugh softly. For the first time in a long time, Tommy finally takes a deep breath. Holding onto Sam a little tighter than maybe he should. Tommy’s tired of letting go. 

Neither of them ever want to let go.