TSC Auto ID Technology – Alpha-30L/40L

Best portable technology product

Barcodes are widely used by laboratories to accurately identify and track specimens through the end-to-end test process to delivering reliable results. They reduce the risk of human error in transcribing information and are additionally a perfect vehicle to help laboratories comply with regulations.

They’re also very effective for streamlining workflows like optimising freezer organisation (operates from -20C), or managing inventory of items such as protective equipment, chemicals, drugs, sample collection kits and cultures. And RFID labelling goes one stage further by enhancing data. It can prove extremely valuable in laboratories for asset tagging such items as expensive chemicals, IT equipment and test instruments, or for sterilisation and waste management.

The need for accuracy and efficiency in laboratories has never been greater, and barcodes are an increasingly indispensable tool. 

The type of barcode printer a lab might use will vary according to its needs. One of the fastest, most versatile and reliable on the market, and a very worthy contender for Labmate’s ‘best portable technology product of the year’ award, is the Alpha-30L/40L series mobile barcode label printer from TSC Auto ID. 

It deserves a Labmate Award for Excellence as it can propel any laboratory into the next generation of smart, enhanced technology solutions and it’s always within arm’s reach of the technician, whether they’re in the laboratory or out in the field.

The Alpha is user-friendly and heavy duty and performs diverse labelling tasks, from labels and receipts to RFID tagging. It doesn’t matter what industry the laboratory supports, from food, beverages and medical to animal and environmental, there’s an Alpha printer to suit. 

Both the Alpha-30L and Alpha-40L are IP54 rated for dust and water resistant and have been rigorously tested to withstand 1.0m tumbles and 1.8m drops; protective cases offer further drop protection to 2.5m. The durable, ergonomic design of these portable printers meets MIL-STD-810G military standards for drop and vehicle vibration, which could prove a significant benefit for field technicians.

Furthermore, one model has been designed with clean environments in mind like medical and industrial laboratories, points-of-care and other healthcare settings. It’s the Alpha-30LHC and its robust antimicrobial grey and white casing has a sealed button interface making the whole device easy to clean and disinfect, minimising contamination risks. It also adheres to the IEC 60601-1 Medical Grade standard for safe and reliable power supplies in healthcare settings. 

The printers are lightweight, ranging from 745g with battery for the standard Alpha-30L and Alpha-40L, rising to around 1kg for the RFID version. Their non-slip, rubber casing makes them comfortable to grip, and belt or shoulder straps render them easily portable. A line-up of power adaptors and docking cradles means they’re always charged and ready to go. They can support various media including linerless labels for ‘greener’ printing. They print on demand and have been designed for seamless integration into any industry system.

Here’s the top 10 reasons why the TSC Alpha Series of mobile printers deserves to win ‘Best portable technology product of the year’:

1)    The Alpha-30HLC version has been specifically designed for clean environments, its antimicrobial casing is easy to disinfect and minimises contamination risks.
2)    Alpha devices are flexible and can print various labels and receipts enabling laboratories to complete diverse tasks like tracking samples, managing inventory and tagging valuable assets.
3)    They’re comfortable to carry and lightweight, with belt and shoulder accessories for hands-free mobility.
4)    They’re durable and rugged, withstanding drops of up to 2.5m with a protective case.
5)    They come equipped with TSC Sense Care, which auto-scans and detects unhealthy print dots that could affect barcode quality. It also monitors the smart battery’s health and capacity to avoid downtime and predict when replacements are due.
6)    Alphas offer seamless mobile communication. Dual band Wi-Fi with fast roaming and enterprise-grade security ensures reliable operation, while MFi Bluetooth 5.0 with NFC tap-to-pair set up enables easy connectivity.
7)    The Alpha Series can be remotely managed by whoever is responsible for IT systems . This helps reduce maintenance costs and prevents downtime of these business-critical devices.
8)    Integrated software supports label printing across different platforms. The TSC mobile printing app is available for both iOS and Android users.
9)    The Alpha Series offers a number of charging solutions like several power adaptor options, 1-slot and 4-slot battery chargers, 1-slot and 4-slot docking cradles, 12-24V cigarette light plug.
10)    They are flexible in that they can print on various media including linerless labels, which are fast becoming a more sustainable and cost-effective choice for organisations.