[Nhcoll-l] [EXT]Re: Datamax end of life

Wed Jan 27 08:55:02 EST 2021

Dirk,

What I did not mentioned in my response is that we do use inkjet printers for backup as well as quick prints of small quantities of labels. But they too, are subject to discontinuation and changes in market trends.

And as for my use of the word “still”, I think it was meant to mean “no problem so far” (other than the rather finicky initial parameter setup), knowing that these machine are somewhat complex in design.

Cheers,

Jean-Marc

From: Nhcoll-l [mailto:nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu] On Behalf Of Dirk Neumann
Sent: January 27, 2021 4:31 AM
To: Bentley, Andrew Charles <abentley at ku.edu>; nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu
Subject: Re: [Nhcoll-l] [EXT]Re: Datamax end of life

Hi Andy,

my cautioning remarks were not pro/con ribbons or thermal transfer printers; as you say, this printing system (thermal transfer) works pretty well in many collections. The key question in this thread for me was the "end of life" and the necessary changes this implies - either within the same printing system, or in cases were you need to introduce a new system, because it cannot be avoided. One option could be to pre-print just a huge chunk of inventory numbers with the old (established) system and to add these together with the new labels - regardless if these new labels are produced with an entirely new printing system, or within the same system (i.e. identical printing media) but on a different printing device.

The devil is a squirrel - there might be a tiny detail that is different, even when you stay within the same system. And usually there is a strong tendency that such things become obvious always 'afterwards'. Thus it might be worth to consider precautionary steps for the transition, e.g. by taking advantage of currently established - and proofed to be reliable - printing systems and procedures. Such as the combination of Datamax printers + SDR ribbons.

Maybe I misunderstood Jean-Marc's email, but "SDR5+ CSO Resin Ribbon for Zebra), we were and are still very satisfied with the Zebra"
sounded to me like a B while he was used to a A+ from the Datamax Mark II (reading between the lines well, yes, results still good but surely not as good as with the Datamax mark II). We have a lot of labels from the 1980ies were former staff was experimenting with new labels; some of them collapse now simultaneously - because the paper itself crumbles away. Somewhere in the collection. And we have no overview which jars are affected, but of course recognise this 'after' the label has collapsed. It would have been just wonderful if they would have just included the inventory number on the superb old labels they used before.

All the best
Dirk

Am 26.01.2021 um 23:54 schrieb Bentley, Andrew Charles:
Dirk

This printing SYSTEM (thermal transfer) is fairly ubiquitously available and there are a large number of printers and manufacturers that produce compatible printers.  This printing system is used by a large number of communities and commercial entities (airline industry for example) which negates the chances that it will become obsolete any time soon.  It is the media and ribbon combination that is the critical element here.  Again, the SDR ribbon that is chemical resistant is also ubiquitously available from multiple manufacturers.  However, the spun-bound polyester media currently in use by many collections and supplied by Alpha Systems is fairly proprietary and is the limiting factor here.  Alpha Systems has been naturally very cagey about the exact makeup of the media so as to corner the market, but a large number of collections are successfully using this system in their collections and it not outside the realm of possibility that we could find another supplier or suppliers of the media to alleviate this problem if we really tried.

Andy

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Andy Bentley
Ichthyology Collection Manager
University of Kansas
Biodiversity Institute
Dyche Hall
1345 Jayhawk Boulevard
Lawrence, KS, 66045-7561
USA

Tel: (785) 864-3863
Fax: (785) 864-5335
Email: abentley at ku.edu<mailto:abentley at ku.edu>
http://ichthyology.biodiversity.ku.edu<http://ichthyology.biodiversity.ku.edu/>

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From: Nhcoll-l <nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu><mailto:nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu> on behalf of Dirk Neumann <neumann at snsb.de><mailto:neumann at snsb.de>
Reply-To: "neumann at snsb.de"<mailto:neumann at snsb.de> <neumann at snsb.de><mailto:neumann at snsb.de>
Date: Tuesday, January 26, 2021 at 4:02 PM
To: "nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu"<mailto:nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu> <nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu><mailto:nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu>
Subject: Re: [Nhcoll-l] [EXT]Re: Datamax end of life

Hi Jean-Marc and all,

one of the key challenges we all have to face (and to some extent have to endure) is that technological advance is an important economic driving factor. The degree of sophistication usually increases the exclusiveness (and often price) and limits or decreases the number of possible alternatives. Sadly the rate of 'advance' steadily accelerates, and finding alternatives that meet same standards and quality becomes increasingly difficult or - at some point - impossible.

Without becoming too philosophical, they key question seems to be how reliant a collection wants to be on (just) one printing system. Even reliable dinosaurs (like good old HP 600 monochrome printers) will die out, if production of cartridges is discontinued.

Thus it might be worth to use two entirely independent labelling systems (e.g. like in Paris or Brussels), not only to increase independence, but also to be able to verify efficiency and reliability of possible new alternatives in parallel with existing systems. If I remember correctly, that was one of the key recommendations during the Labelling workshop at the SPNHC conference in Leiden back in 2009.

This could include pre-printing of just continuous inventory numbers with currently used reliable labelling/printing systems if severe challenges can be expected, e.g. because printers or consumables are phased out. In this case if ribbons of labels produced with the new printer would detach, the inventory number printed with the old Datamax printer would still be in place.

Just a thought ... as we all know, current 'satisfaction' can develop into a formidable nightmare in short time  ;-)

All the best
Dirk

Am 26.01.2021 um 21:27 schrieb Jean-Marc Gagnon:
David’s question is very relevant, with constantly changing market and the lifespan of a printer model.

Like many, we’ve relied on the Datamax Mark II for our recent labelling needs.
Unfortunately, when we purchased 2 of those printers, one turned out to be a lemon and was never properly serviced by the provider in Canada.
This was probably (I’d like to believe) the exception in the lot, but still an expensive experience.

As a result, when I had the funds to purchase another printer, I went for a Zebra Printer, available from a well-known distributor.
I felt that for the significant difference in price (in Canada), it was worth trying something different:
ZEBRA ZT410 DIRECT THERMAL/THERMAL TRANSFER PRINTER - 600 DPI (H-5150; it is similar to the aforementioned Datamax).
But now, it is replaced by the much more expensive ZEBRA ZT610 600 DPI.

You’ll have to compare price and functionality between these Datamax and Zebra printers
Once we figured out the optimal printing setup and the fact that the rolls of ribbon and label material (from Alpha Systems) need to be wound in the correct direction (ribbon not the same as for Datamax; e.g., Part # 296833 4.33" x 1476' SDR5+ CSO Resin Ribbon for Zebra), we were and are still very satisfied with the Zebra.

So there are options available.

Jean-Marc

Jean-Marc Gagnon, Ph.D.
Curator, Invertebrate Collections / Chief Scientist
Conservateur, Collection des invertébrés / Expert scientifique en chef
Canadian Museum of Nature / Musée canadien de la nature
613 364 4066
613 851-7556 cell
613 364 4027 Fax
jmgagnon at nature.ca<mailto:jmgagnon at nature.ca>

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Canada                                     / Canada

From: Nhcoll-l [mailto:nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu] On Behalf Of Joe Panella
Sent: January 26, 2021 10:32 AM
To: Bentley, Andrew Charles <abentley at ku.edu><mailto:abentley at ku.edu>; David Boyd <dboyd10 at lsu.edu><mailto:dboyd10 at lsu.edu>; nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu<mailto:nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu>
Subject: [EXT]Re: [Nhcoll-l] Datamax end of life

COURRIEL EXTERNE. Ne cliquez sur aucun lien ou pièce jointe à moins que vous ne connaissiez l'expéditeur.
EXTERNAL EMAIL. Do not click any links or attachments unless you know the sender.
I’ve been mentioning this to each of the sites as they call.  I also have a replacement ready.

JP

From: Bentley, Andrew Charles <abentley at ku.edu<mailto:abentley at ku.edu>>
Sent: Tuesday, January 26, 2021 10:29 AM
To: David Boyd <dboyd10 at lsu.edu<mailto:dboyd10 at lsu.edu>>; nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu<mailto:nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu>
Subject: Re: [Nhcoll-l] Datamax end of life

David

I just spoke with a representative from Honeywell and it appears that it is only the I-Class Mark I printer that is scheduled to be discontinued - https://www.honeywellaidc.com/products/discontinued<https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.honeywellaidc.com%2Fproducts%2Fdiscontinued&data=04%7C01%7Cabentley%40ku.edu%7C2021fc88079846fc45c608d8c2462094%7C3c176536afe643f5b96636feabbe3c1a%7C0%7C0%7C637472953748842899%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&sdata=M8PbVzx8Qe4rc7XqH3IDP9xz93M3YA%2BBG9RMHYKrukw%3D&reserved=0> (click on printers and the I-class is about half-way down).  The I-Class Mark II (the updated version) will still continue to be produced and supported.  This is the printer that most folks have currently (at least we do).

So, it appears, crisis averted.  I have copied Joe from Alpha Systems so he is aware.

Andy

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     V                   V                  V
Andy Bentley
Ichthyology Collection Manager
University of Kansas
Biodiversity Institute
Dyche Hall
1345 Jayhawk Boulevard
Lawrence, KS, 66045-7561
USA

Tel: (785) 864-3863
Fax: (785) 864-5335
Email: abentley at ku.edu<mailto:abentley at ku.edu>
http://ichthyology.biodiversity.ku.edu<http://ichthyology.biodiversity.ku.edu/>

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From: Nhcoll-l <nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu<mailto:nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu>> on behalf of David Boyd <dboyd10 at lsu.edu<mailto:dboyd10 at lsu.edu>>
Date: Tuesday, January 26, 2021 at 8:54 AM
To: "nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu<mailto:nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu>" <nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu<mailto:nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu>>
Subject: [Nhcoll-l] Datamax end of life

Greetings, thermal transfer afficionados,

While shopping for a new printer, I was told by a representative at Alpha Systems that Honeywell will discontinue production of the popular I-class Datamax series at the end of this year. Support will continue for 5 years. Has anyone had good or bad experiences they could share with the CAB Squix (recommended by Alpha Systems) or Zebra brand printers?

Thanks,
Dave

David A. Boyd
Collections Manager, Ichthyology and Herpetology
Louisiana State University Museum of Natural Science
119 Foster Hall, Baton Rouge, LA 70803
(352) 317-8276

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Dirk Neumann

Tel: 089 / 8107-111
Fax: 089 / 8107-300
neumann(a)snsb.de

Postanschrift:

Staatliche Naturwissenschaftliche Sammlungen Bayerns
Zoologische Staatssammlung München
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Dirk Neumann

Tel: +49-89-8107-111
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postal address:

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