StampaTech InvisiCode The next step in interactive print.
INTRODUCTION In the last 40 years, barcodes have become mission-critical enablers of the retail industry, supporting faster checkout times, more accurate pricing, and reliable inventory control. However traditional barcodes have obvious limitations for positionment, ugly graphics & use considerable package spacing. There are lost revenues from barcode swapping fraud, and difficulty scanning soiled, wrinkled, damaged, or otherwise obscured traditional barcodes. Delays in checkout lines and frustration on the part of both cashiers and customers. Despite these limitations the barcode has had profound positive effects on the processes and economics of the retail industry. 2
EVOLUTION OF A TRUSTED SYSTEM However its time to move on. The latest development in the StampaTech interactive print system is an innovative solution to the traditional Barcode\EAN\GTIN, 2D & Matrix codes. The StampaTech InvisiCode system contains the same data and much more, distributing the information invisibly across the entire packaging and all of its surfaces, without the need for special inks, microchips or markers. It does not require a special print process and coexists with traditional packaging and labels exactly as it already does with the existing StampaTech system. This innovation is a new application of the Company s well- established Interactive print technology. Significant improvements in scanning traditional barcodes on consumer product packages and labels. Significant cashier labour cost savings in high-volume retail environments with minimal impact to the existing infrastructure and processes of retailers and can coexist on packages with traditional barcodes during transitional deployment. 3
TREMENDOUS ROI Very high ROI offering the chance to amortises costs in incredibly short time spans. No need for package orientation. Scanning times at the checkout are significantly reduced even by more than 40% translating in incredible savings in time and man hours at the checkout. Our Model estimates that the total Annual Labour Cost Savings taking a group of 120+ global high- volume retailers can translate into more than eu500 million for a single item per minute (IPM) improvement in scanning rate at checkout. For a retailer with eu10 billion in annual sales, assuming full deployment and harvesting of benefits, could realise a 5-year ROI of over 1200%. Yet with minimal impact on existing processes and resources in retail. Increase in throughput of items at the checkout, will translate into savings of up to eu1,000,000 for Items per Minute (IPM) for large groups. Offering significant improvements and cost savings over traditional barcode,with minimal impact on packaging and print processes. 4
MANY ADVANTAGES Not only are the financial returns of paramount interest but also, many other factors come into play. Examples are Better and cleaner use of space on packaging without misreads Fraud prevention from barcode swapping. Product Authentication and payback via the purchase/checkout procedure. Improved customer service and satisfaction with less frustration at checkouts. Reduced logistical costs with faster and more accurate inventory tracking capabilities. Reduced injuries to cashier staff who previously needed to manipulate heavy items in order to orientate barcodes. Tremendous potential for Marketing such as up and cross selling, social sharing integration with loyalty programs, product quality and logistics management and much more. 5
THE PACKAGING AND PRINTING CONSIDERATIONS Technology to revolutionise retail. Same procedure as standard StampaTech. However packaging is more complicated to encode than other media. Different materials & substates in printing processes necessitates considerable expertise. The StampaTech Professional Services team has such expertise, with more than 100 years of combined expertise in print and with detailed expertise in the encoding of printed media involving a wide variety of designs, materials, and printing processes. Use of StampaTech Professional Services not only assures support world-wide but will ensure high quality encoding to deliver the intended benefits throughout the lifecycle of products. StampaTech has partnered with some of the most important companies within the Industry including the worlds largest barcode scanner manufacturer to produce a robust support system for printing and packaging organisations to assist with the integration of the new technology. 6
SUPPORT & ASSISTANCE Over time, we expect to provide encoding tools and training to certified third parties to build a network of qualified service providers. StampaTech Professional Services provides these encoding and quality validation services during the pre-press phase of package production for both new and existing package designs. For new packages, StampaTech can provide the package owners design team with detailed specifications and best practice example or reference during package design. We can also offer press checks to verify coding and arrange professional courses. For existing package designs, StampaTech Professional Services will work with the brand s design team to acquire final print-ready files of the packaging artwork, based on our expertise in print and packaging materials. Files that typically come from the printer or pre-press department involved in producing the package, that may include print-ready files and colour corrected images and accurate spot colours that enable the StampaTech Professional Services to encode StampaTech Barcodes effectively. These files are generally created in applications such as Adobe Illustrator and InDesign and supplied with all Photoshop links included. 7
THE PROCEDURE For both new and existing designs, StampaTech Professional Services verifies robustness and accuracy of encoded GTIN-14 data. StampaTech Professional Services encodes the StampaTech barcode into the package design to maximise readability while preserving the integrity of the design and evaluating the materials used. A proof of the encoded file is generated and printed to enable an extensive suite of tests using robotics, commercially available POS imaging scanners, and mobile devices enabled with StampaTech Barcode-reading software. Once the package has been approved and has successfully passed validation testing, StampaTech certifies the package as reliable and ready for printing and distribution into the supply chain. Encoding a package can require up to 10 hours of Professional Services time depending on the design complexity and substrate material of the package. The initial setup fee for encoding is estimated at a fixed charge per StampaTech Barcode. Redesigns of a package will require an additional fee, with an annual renewal fee for each StampaTech Barcode. Both the initial setup fee and annual renewal fee are subject to change. 8
SERVICE & MARKETS With our partners we have engineered a significant improvement in the means of identifying and processing consumer packaged goods (CPG) at checkout, which obviates the limitations of traditional barcodes. Markets will primarily be. Primary Market: Supermarkets Hypermarkets Brands Secondary Market: Cash & Carry/Warehouse Discount Drugstore/Pharmacy Tertiary Market: Manufacture control Stock and warehouse control Logistics Track & Trace and counterfeit control 9
CONCLUSION For the Packaging & Printing Industry: A radical evolution in barcode technology. Packaging and printing companies need to prepare for the changes in technology and in particular the measures which need to be applied to satisfy the new demands by retail and brands. Adopting the StampaTech Barcode system offers members within the packaging and print industry tremendous potential for leverage and preparation is vital. Retail and brands are set to make tremendous operational savings potentially saving high-volume retailers billions of Euros annually through the reduction of cashier labour costs alone and will be prepared to invest in the technology and suppliers who are trained in this. Transition to StampaTech will be low impact. 10
CONCLUSION For the Retail Industry: Upgrading of existing scanners to image-based scanners provides an opportunity for retailers to incorporate StampaTech Barcodes into their processes without additional IT investments and brands can have cleaner packaging. Our Model s ROI Calculator demonstrates that such retailers can recoup their investments in adopting the StampaTech Barcode in less than one year. A costing model is available if required. For Manufacturing & Logistics Tremendous potential to adopt the system in manufacturing quality control. Track and Trace will be potentiated in the logistics chain & also in manufacturing. Easier authentication and grey import controls & marketing elements can be seamlessly incorporated into what were up until recently merely simple item identification systems. Through the StampaTech system it will be possible to check goods origins or geographical positions with a simple smartphone. 11
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