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

Tue Jan 26 17:02:44 EST 2021

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>
>
> _Adresse postale / Postal Address:_
>
> Canadian Museum of Nature        / Musée canadien de la nature
>
> P.O. Box 3443, Sta. D                 / Casier Postal 3443, Succ. D
>
> Ottawa, ON K1P 6P4                  / Ottawa, ON K1P 6P4
>
> 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>; David Boyd 
> <dboyd10 at lsu.edu>; 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://www.honeywellaidc.com/products/discontinued> (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
>
>      A :                A  :               A  :
>
>  }<(((_°>.,.,.,.}<(((_°>.,.,.,.}<)))_°>
>
> 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/>
>
>      A :                A  :                A  :
>
>  }<(((_°>.,.,.,.}<(((_°>.,.,.,.}<)))_°>
>
> V                   V                   V
>
> *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
>
>
> <https://nature.ca/>
>
> *Saving the World with Evidence, Knowledge and Inspiration.*/(click to 
> learn more)/ 
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>
>
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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
Dirk Neumann, Sektion Ichthyologie / DNA-Storage
Münchhausenstr. 21
81247 München

Besuchen Sie unsere Sammlung:
http://www.zsm.mwn.de/sektion/ichthyologie-home/

---------

Dirk Neumann

Tel: +49-89-8107-111
Fax: +49-89-8107-300
neumann(a)snsb.de

postal address:

Bavarian Natural History Collections
The Bavarian State Collection of Zoology
Dirk Neumann, Section Ichthyology / DNA-Storage
Muenchhausenstr. 21
81247 Munich (Germany)

Visit our section at:
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