Precision is important in all sectors, however, in field engineering it’s paramount. Accurate labelling underpins safety, ensures compliance, allows for effective asset management, and helps overall operational efficiency.
However, with the inevitable shift from the office to field, traditional labelling methodologies are no longer enough, failing to meet the dynamic, on-site requirements of modern engineering.
How Is On-Demand Labelling for Field Engineers Transforming On-Site Efficiency?
The Office-bound Bottlenecks
The core problem of traditional label printing solutions is in their disconnect. Typically based in the office, desktop printers cannot serve the agile needs of on-site field service.
They rely on main power and cabled network connections to function, which makes them impractical for direct use where work actually happens.
Not just that, by their very nature they are bulky and heavy, so moving them around is simply not an option. As a result of this, technicians face constant workflow inefficiencies, far worse than just inconvenience.
For example, to avoid going back-and-forth, they tend to pre-print the labels they may need. However, since a lot of them are date-dependent, it often leads to waste or, worse, errors. The journeys back to the office to print missing or corrected labels then takes up valuable time, delaying more important tasks.
Other technicians look at using handwritten temporary labels as a solution, but that too is a risky stopgap that increases the likelihood of errors in asset identification.
Such delays and inaccuracies have a significant and direct impact on the whole organisation and the bottom line, through increased downtime, potential rework because of mistakes, compliance jeopardies, and more. Something as simple as a label can, therefore, become a major bottleneck of the company.
Handheld Label Printers as the Solution
The need for effective on-demand labelling in the field is crystal clear, and a handheld label printer may be the answer. It’s a purpose-built solution which directly addresses the shortcomings of traditional printing methods.
It is essentially a portable label printer that’s engineered for use on-situ, it’s lightweight, designed to withstand harsh environments and features a long-lasting battery for full-shift autonomy.
Most importantly, it is fully connected using Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, pairing with smartphones, tablets, desktops and other IoT devices.
Featuring fast printing speed and a comprehensive keyboard, the handheld label printer can have anywhere between 90 and 1300+ label options depending on the model, including all the necessary formats like barcodes and QR codes produced instantly.
This on-demand labelling solution is completely transforming enterprise mobility, bringing precision printing directly to the installation or repair site.
A Fully Integrated Ecosystem
Besides solving existing bottlenecks, the portable label printer brings new advantages to organisations. The biggest game-changer is its ability to integrate into the broader field service digital ecosystem, significantly boosting the ROI.
These devices are not isolated tools that work on their own. They are a part of an IoT-driven workflow, where data flows seamlessly between dedicated labeller apps and software, or even third-party programs.
For instance, if the organisation is currently using a popular ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system, such as Odoo, an integration can be created between the labeller and the system. This means that technicians can pull asset IDs and maintenance schedules directly from the system, even if that information was only typed in this morning.
So, when a technician scans an asset, it immediately populates the right template on their handheld label printer, which was uploaded by the in-office team. They no longer need to call and ask for information or drive back for a different template.
The same goes for any CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management Systems) or FSM (Field Service Management) platforms, or any other software already in use.
The benefits of such integration capabilities are enormous. Not only does it drastically reduce manual entry and common source of errors, it ensures that all data is consistent across all enterprise systems.
Looking Ahead: Innovations in On-Lemand Labelling
The evolution of on-demand labelling is far from over. There are many exciting innovations that promise to further optimize the workflow of field engineers. The rollout of 5G connectivity, for one, will enable even faster and even more reliable data transfers with real-time updates.
Similarly, AR (Augmented Reality) has a lot of potential in this field, with the ability to guide technicians on precise label placement or visualizing digital information linked to the labelled asset.
AI (Artificial Intelligence) and ML (Machine Learning) could potentially be used to predict labelling needs and enable voice-activated label creation, while NFC (Near Field Communication) technology will facilitate “tap-to-print” job initiation, allowing labels themselves to become interactive data points.
The possibilities are endless, and so labelling solutions are undoubtedly going to become even more intelligent and versatile, with the help of the latest tech.
Optimizing Your Field Performance
The shift from office-bound systems to mobile, on-demand labelling solutions is fast and welcome. Adopting the handheld label printer delivers a lot more than simple convenience, it can fully optimize field operations as well as get your organization future-ready.
