Surviving and Thriving in Uncertain Times

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Business hates uncertainty. They invest in systems to comply with standards that identify and control variables. This includes standards for upstream materials and components, manufacturing processes, and packaging. Standards also apply to the downstream supply chain and into the hands of the customer. When the business environment is disrupted, things get uncertain. Lots of things. The normal platform for decision-making becomes unstable. Fear cripples planning. How long and how much will costs continue to increase? When—if ever– will things return to normal? Will there be a new normal? What will it look like? Can we survive?

Quality is an Expense–so is Poor Quality

In good times, quality is often considered an expense. It seems smart for expenses to be minimized. But smart and wise are not the same. Disruption changes everything. In hard times, the wise know that quality is essential; it’s a differentiator. Examining expenses is wise, and quality assurance has a cost. Poor quality also has a cost. It is important to consider the bigger picture and examine all costs. Certainly, a company can spend too much on quality. Often, there is more than one way to assure quality, and this is true of barcode quality. Doing it yourself has certain advantages, but can be expensive.

New Problems uncover New Solutions

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A testing service can help identify and control the variables in your barcode printing process. Controls can be confirmed periodically to ensure everything is functioning properly. Initially, there is a period of more frequent testing to bring everything under control. Afterward, the process settles into a retesting interval of weeks or months.
Many of our clients follow a quarterly or even semi-annual schedule. Once the process is under control, the retesting interval can be weeks or months. Some clients are on a quarterly or even a semi-annual schedule.

Testing Service Advantages

You get a lot more from a testing service than just a verification report. Here is a short list of what’s included:
• Results from a high-quality verifier that you did not purchase
• A trained verifier operator not on your payroll and benefits plan
• Up-to-date verifier recalibration that you were not required to get
• Detailed explanation of verifier results, including how to improve lower grades
• A trusted resource you can consult anytime you have a barcode quality or compliance question.

Panic or Pivot?

Challenging times are stressful. But challenging times can also open us to new ways of doing things—new ways that can prove to be better. Don’t panic—pivot.

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