XLLink

Automatic Data Collection (ADC) is an excellent investment to make. Many corporations with successful manufacturing, logistics and warehousing implementations have seen tremendous paybacks.

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But ADC can be difficult to implement. Business application software generally doesn't properly support ADC hardware. Workflows designed to support the clerical input of information from source documents are inappropriate and inefficient for workers actively involved in an operational process. Most companies are understandably reluctant to change their critical business applications to support ADC. For those that are willing to make changes. The costs are frequently prohibitive and the timelines extend right out beyond the horizon.

At Advanced Barcode Systems, we have been supplying integrated ADC solutions to our customers for over twenty years. XL-Link Middleware is our fourth generation solution to the problem of ADC implementation. We'll use it to provide the turnkey ADC you require ... ... and you won't have to re-write your application to make it work!

When we set out to develop XL-Link, we knew from our customers that it had to be industry standard, open, flexible, scaleable, fault tolerant, manageable, and rapidly deployable. We've invested years of experience, millions of dollars, and lines of code beyond number to make sure that XL-link meets all of these criteria.

The result is a truly world-class piece of software which can be deployed rapidly and economically to provide anything from departmental to enterprise-Level ADC solutions.

XL-link can be used to empower your business applications with the best ADC technology, whether you are running the latest in Enterprise Resource Planning systems, or corporately developed legacy software - or anything in between. Once we have plugged XL-link into one or more of your corporate systems, implemented the proper workflow for your application, and installed the appropriate ADC hardware, you will begin to collect transaction data effortlessly, instantaneously and accurately.

We know that once you have decided to implement ADC, you will want it as soon as possible. XL-link's powerful connectivity toolkit and its Rapid Development Environment allow us to deliver your solution quickly, with average implementations measured in months, not years.

All companies that either manufacture or distribute a product will require a similar set of business applications. However the way you operate your manufacturing floor, or warehouse, is probably unique to you.

Unless you are prepared to re-engineer your business process to meet a vendor's standard software offering, then you need a custom solution. Everyone knows that custom solutions can be expensive to develop, hard to maintain, and take a long time to implement.

With XL-Link Middleware we will deliver the custom solution you need to meet your operational requirements, but it won't take a long time to implement, be hard to maintain or expensive. The reason for this is that we have carefully designed XL-Link Middleware to let us deliver exactly what you need without writing device or system-dependent code.

XL-Link Middleware is a robust 32 bit C++ application. It is fully configurable and manageable through its integrated GUI interface. It is designed for standard Microsoft NT Server or Workstation operating systems, and off-the- shelf PC Server hardware.

Each XL-Link Middleware system consists of one or more Data Connection (s) to the customer's Business Application or Applications, one or more Device Connection(s) to the ADC hardware required for the customer's application, and an XL-Link Application to perform the specific tasks required by the customer.

Data and Device Connections are configured using the built-in point and click Graphic User Interface (GUI). XL-Link Applications are coded in conventional languages like "C", using standard data and device connection models, regardless of the actual systems connected to, or ADC hardware selected.

XL-Link DATA CONNECTIONS

Once a Data Connection has been configured using point and click, it becomes available to the XL-Link Application, via industry standard SQL (Standard Query Language) commands.

Data connections can be on-line to the external data source, or scheduled downloads and uploads to and from a local XL-Link database can be used.

Multiple, simultaneous, data connections of any type or combination of types are supported.

Available data connection transport mechanisms include: ODBC database links, various file Transport protocols for text- based information documents (IDOCs), Email, and EDI.

Device Management supports a wide range of ADC terminal, fixed scanner, and printing equipment, as well as state switching and sensing interfaces. All devices can be supported simultaneously in any combination.

Terminal devices can be Radio Frequency devices using narrow band, 900 MHz or 2.4 GHz, or hard-wired using ethernet, industrial networking, or serial data communications.

Device Management presents the XL-Link Application with the same standardized "Virtual Device Interface," regardless of the actual ADC hardware selected.

XL-Link Applications extend your present business application to support the ADC function. This could be as simple as rewriting an existing input screen to make it fit onto a 40-character display, or as complex as adding Quality Assurance, Electronic Kanban or Wave Picking.

XL-Link uses NT's "multi-threading" technology to provide each user terminal with its own copy of the application. This means that the application can be written simply to support one terminal at a time, even though XL-Link Middleware can be configured to support hundreds of simultaneous users.

The combined use of multi-threading with an efficient compiled language like standard C, provid.2s optimal performance and rapid response times that keep your people productive.

Many Middleware solutions are architected for specific business applications and ADC hardware. XL-Link Middleware was conceived as an open, universally capable solution. It comes equipped with a comprehensive toolkit of Data and Device Connections, and has been designed to enable us to add additional corrections as may be required. Because we change your Data and Device Connections, without impacting XL-Link Applications, your investment in XL-Link Middleware is protected for the long term. Our customers are able to change Business Applications, add new terminal hardware, or replace old hardware, easily and at minimal expense.

FLEXIBLE: XL-Link Middleware easily supports a library of diverse and separate Applications, which can be assigned on a terminal-by-terminal basis. For example, one XL-Link Middleware system can simultaneously support an industrial network of wired terminals handling Work In Progress and a Radio Frequency Network running Warehouse Management. Many customers choose to implement with one small application and then over time add additional applications and terminals.

SCALEABLE: Start with a minimally configured single processor PC Server, or move up to the largest multiprocessor box available. If that's not enough, then implement a solution using multiple PC servers and integrate them into one manageable solution using XL-Link Middleware. There is no practical limit to the size of system that can be implemented.

FAULT TOLERANT: Multiple levels of Fault Tolerance are supported, ranging from simple disk mirroring through redundant servers, and complete application fall-back for standalone operation in the event the host link or links fail Choose the level you are comfortable with: we can provide it.

MANAGEABLE: XL-Link Middleware can be managed locally or from a remote workstation using an integrated point and click Graphic User Interface. All Data and Device Connections can be managed, monitored or logged.

RAPIDLY DEPLOYABLE: We've engineered XL-Link Middleware to be completely compatible with Microsoft's Visual Studio, Visual C++ rapid development environment. We use industry standard SOL to manage data, and we communicate with ADC devices via one simple "C" function call, using a standard virtual device interface. This means that experienced "C" programmers can use tools they are familiar with and quickly become productive in the XL-Link environment. Each XL-Link Application need only be written to support one user, to minimize complexity. An excellent development environ ment, familiar tools, and single user simplicity all combine to shorten development and implementation leadtimes.

PRINTERS OF OUTSTANDING CLARITY & QUALITY

We offer many kinds of industrial-strength printers, all with low cost of ownership, so you of the top name can produce your own barcoded labels fast and economically. They deliver the ultimate in print brands in Automatic technology and printed image quality. First-time read rates are guaranteed, whatever symbology you are working with.

INDUSTRIAL ETHERNET TERMINALS

Rugged design, bright display and four hours of uninterruptible power supply in the absence of line power ... these are just some of the features of the terminals we offer. They are truly industrial strength with full LAN and WAN connectivity. Terminals like these and software such as XL-Link Middleware will guarantee you the most efficient data communications possible.

5TH-GENERATION RF TECHNOLOGY

Rugged terminals utilize spread-spectrum technology with frequency hopping, for the best all-round coverage in the most demanding applications. There's full connectivity to the LAN and WAN, and you can centrally manage everything with one host for the entire system and only one network controller.

Managements challenge in today's globally competitive environment is to reduce cycle times, improve customer service, and lower supply-chain costs. This can only be achieved with an accurate, real-time view of the entire organization and operations including the warehouse and manufacturing floor.

XL-Link Middleware empowers management by feeding error-free, real-time data into key Business Applications.

At the operational level XL-Link Middleware solutions can create additional efficiency by:
Eliminating hand-written forms
Eliminating “white collar" re-input from forms
Validating all input at source
"Error Proofing" floor level procedures
Providing real-time floor level reporting to operational management.

WHEREVER A TRANSACTION TAKES PLACE ...

XL-Link Middleware and the appropriate wired . or wireless (RF) ADC equipment can be used to collect and communicate the information you need. Here is a partial list of the applications that have been successfully implemented with XL-Link Middleware:

RECEIVING & PUT AWAY: Eliminate paperwork and manual data entry errors; perform shipment breakdowns to reconcile over and under shipments, and to increase put away efficiency: perform cross-docking and directed putaway; error proof directed putaways to specific locations, or record putaway locations accurately.

INVENTORY MANAGEMENT: Print location bin and inventory labels as required. Record inventory movements and perform cycle counting quickly easily and accurately without paperwork.

ORDER PICKING & SHIPPING: Increase efficiency and accuracy by providing on-line direction and validation. Mix put aways and picks to eliminate "dead-heading". Implement Wave Picking. Integrate with conveyer systems, weigh scales and sizing systems. Print shipping and/or compliance labeling. Manage and control truck loading.

MANUFACTURING EXECUTION SYSTEMS: Print Bar Coded Work Orders. Implement Automatic Work Order Routing. Track Work Order Movement, Completed Operations, Labor, Material Usage, and Scrap. In systems that use "pull" manufacturing, implement Internal or External Kanban replenishment triggering.

TIME & ATTENDANCE: Capture time and attendance data, either at entry points or at the workstation.

TOOL & ASSET TRACKING: Check tools in and out quickly and accurately. Print Asset labels as required. Take asset inventories quickly and easily.

PRODUCTION PRINT & APPLY: Print and apply labels in a production environment, under the master control of your central scheduling system. Alternatlvely, automatlcally identify the product and then print and apply the required label. Provide real-time production reporting. Scan and verify applied labels, divert product without labels or with an unreadable bar code to the reject lane.

REPORTING/INQUIRY: Use real-time data from your XL-Link database to create meaningful new reports, or allow supervisory personnel to formulate queries on-line.

EMAIL/Messaging: Enable Email or two way messaging at all or any ADC terminal devices.

EDI: Use XL-Link Middleware to send and receive EDI information like Advanced Shipping Notices.

ENTIRE ENTERPRISES: XL-Link Middleware was designed from the start as an ADC solution for your entire Enterprise. It has the flexibility you need to meet any current or future ADC challenge your corporation might face.

THE QUESTlON: SHOULD YOU BUY YOUR ADC MIDDLEWARE SOLUTION FROM:
1) An experienced ADC Hardware Vendor?
2) Someone who really understands barcodes?
3) The Vendor with the best Software?
4) An Integrator that can provide a complete solution?
5) A company with excellent Project Management and execution capabilities?
6) A Service Organization that will be there to support you for the long term?

THE ANSWER: YES!

The truth is you will need all of the above capabilities to make your ADC investment pay off the way it should. At Advanced Barcode Systems, we can offer you the convenience of one stop shopping, because we have the depth to answer yes to all of these questions.

We delivered our first bar code hardware to customers back in 1976. Ever since then we've been hard at it, cultivating relationships with the best vendors in the business, and matching the right hardware to customer applications. We know from experience that no one vendor or technology is right for every application. We'll make sure that the ADC hardware used in your system is part of the solution, not part of the problem.

Printing, applying and reading bar coded labels may seem simple, but it's not. We've got experts on staff that understand all the details. They will make sure you get the right adhesive and label stock. We'll help you choose the best symbology and printing technology, and we'll design your labels properly.

We've spent most of this brochure telling you about XL-Link Middleware software, so we need not say anything further about the need for great software..

If you are looking to buy a solution, then using an Integrator like Advanced Barcode Systems makes sense. We'll first take the time to under stand your requirement thoroughly. Then we'll define its functionality in writing, give you the opportunity to thoroughly test the solution before acceptance, and provide a post-acceptance warranty for every component of the system, including the application.

We don't think you want your ADC project to the be an exciting, emotional and turbulent experience. At Advanced Barcode Systems, we're not ashamed to say that our Project Management objective is to be dull and predictable. As a result, we pay fanatical attention to planning, documentation, process, and communications. We do however, think you will be quite excited about our results.

Our commitment to you extends beyond the point of project completion. We'll work with you to create a long-term support plan for your system that will meet both your operational requirements and your budget; and we'll be there when you need us for expansion or changes.