Newsletters

What’s scarier than a warehouse that needs 20,000 shelf labels installed? Trying to manage them without the right technology partner. That’s just one of the things we’re covering in the latest BetweenTheBars newsletter from EMP. This month, we take a look at what makes EMP different. From our people-first culture to the practical decisions on when to build software versus buy it. We also highlight a customer solution bringing vibrant, on-demand color label printing in-house by the customer using an Epson America Inc. printer, share some Zebra Technologies printer troubleshooting “cheat codes,” and dive into what goes into selecting the right RFID labels for an application. Plus, we go behind the scenes of a nearly 20,000-label warehouse project, from designing and printing the labels to organizing and installing them, including a clever “totem” approach that makes rack locations easier to scan from ground level.

Q4 is coming. Is your operation ready or are you about to get blindsided? The busiest part of the year is approaching, and the difference between keeping up and falling behind can come down to the technology behind your operation. In our latest Between The Bars, we recap our Technologies Open House and the hands-on look at RFID, mobile power, automation, and robotics EMP has to offer. We also take a look at a customer solutions story that simplified golf pro shop inventory, explore wearable RFID and barcode technology with Zebra Technologies' WS50, and discuss how autonomous robots can help with repetitive parts delivery and material movement. We also share practical tips for BarTender by Seagull Software and SQL Servers, along with a look at what EMP has in common with COSTCO. All this and more in our September issue of Between The Bars!

As Summer begins winding down, we’re back at it again with another Newsletter. We take a practical look at how we're using AI to improve development, streamline solutions, and create more value for customers; WITHOUT chasing the hype. We also explore why successful RFID deployments require far more than simply installing hardware, highlighting how engineering, testing, and real-world experience make the difference. This edition features a pharmaceutical RFID site survey that uncovered a smarter RFID and LiDAR solution, shares our "cheat code" for faster, more efficient RFID label printing. And finally we showcase EMP Care: Our onsite printer service designed to minimize downtime. All this and more in our August edition of Between the Bars!

In this month's Between The Bars we explore what it means to be the "MacGyver" of the automatic identification industry. For those born after 2000, that means solving complex challenges with practical, cost-effective solutions instead of unnecessary complexity. We also share why, as an employee-owned company, our focus is on finding the right solution for our customers rather than meeting sales quotas. No really, it's true. We also cover a healthcare manufacturer's seamless transition from barcode to RFID during a facility move, explains why RFID and barcodes work best together, and highlight how we're using Seagull's BarTender Track and Trace within our own operation to validate the same RFID solutions we recommend to customers. It's another look at how hands-on experience, creative engineering, and customer-first thinking continue to drive everything we do. All this and more in our latest July Newsletter!

In this month's #betweenthebars, we're pushing hard into smarter automation by expanding labeling solutions, refining RFID middleware, and building systems that actually hold up on the shop floor. From a story about replacing a failing legacy labeler with a more reliable CTM-based build, to semi-automatic print-and-apply setups that bridge the gap between manual work and full automation. We’re also digging into how passive RFID and RTLS are starting to converge in practical, cost-effective ways, and how tools like BarTender can turn everyday label data into real production insight. And on the high-volume side, we’re showing how systems built around Zebra Technologies keep e-commerce operations running smoothly. All this and more in our latest newsletter!

As Indianapolis gears up for Indy 500 race month, we’re keeping pace at EMP with this month’s Between the Bars we're covering industry price increases driven by tariffs and DRAM shortages and how businesses can prepare for supply disruptions ahead. We also highlight a custom semi-automatic print-and-apply solution we engineered to ensure every device in a deployment received the correct label in the exact right position. By combining smart scanning, custom 3D fixtures, and semi-automatic automation, we transformed a delicate, error-prone process into a high-confidence, repeatable workflow. We also showcase our new standalone fanfold label box designed to keep labeling operations clean, organized, and efficient.

In this month’s "Between the Bars", we explore how products are gaining a “digital voice” with smarter labeling technologies enabling items to identify themselves, track their history, and transform business operations. Dave Mattingly also takes a practical look at AI, cutting through the constant chatter and hype to focus on where it truly delivers value today. On the solutions side, we highlight a redesign of our printer stand and fanfold label setup that eliminates messy workflows and creates efficient, hands-off labeling stations. Evidently these seem seem to be getting lots of attention with customers. And finally, you’ll find tips on protecting your devices from common power and security issues. All this and more in another issue of EMP's Between the Bars!

In this month’s newsletter, we're demonstrating how we use the same RFID hardware, software, and integration services we provide to customers to manage our own inventory. Learn how practical RFID pilots turn promise into proven results, see how a three-camera match-code system ensures error-free pharmaceutical production, discover how switching label software with Seagull's BarTender can be seamless, and explore Zebra Technologies' latest all-in-one Android RFID handheld. All this and more in March!

We highlight how smart, strategic automation is transforming workflows. Our Opinion piece explores low-code development, a practice EMP has been leveraging for over a decade. We also dive into Zebra Technologies' Enterprise Home Screen and Enterprise Browser, showing how these tools turn Android devices into secure, customized data collection machines. And finally, we showcase a custom 9-unit printer stand we designed to maximize space while still allowing efficient printer service and media changes.

Kicking off the new year with fresh tech, smarter workflows, and lessons learned. In our first newsletter of 2026, we take a look at Zebra Technologies' newest lineup: rugged Android devices, stationary computers, and RFID tools designed to simplify operations and last longer than consumer hardware. We're also highlighting a recent win converting a complex labeling environment to Seagull's BarTender — moving from outdated processes to a scalable, automated web-based system. Finally, we tackle a brewing question: "With USB-C everywhere… do you really still need device cradles?". All this and more in our January 2026 Newsletter!

As we wrap up another year, we’re excited to share our annual “Best Of” newsletter! With 2025 coming to a close, we’ve gathered a roundup of this year’s standout content. From customer solution stories, to industry insights, to the most-watched videos on the EMP YouTube channel. Thank you for following along and engaging with our content throughout the year. We’re looking forward to bringing you even more useful insights, stories, and solutions in 2026!

In this month's 'Between the Bars' we’re celebrating one year as an employee-owned company—a change that’s driving new ideas and stronger customer results. We’re talking about the power of on-site visits to customers, how custom software upgrades keep manufacturers ahead, and why your printer settings might be secretly changing. Plus, check out the Zebra Technologies' ATR7000 for smarter RFID tracking. All this and more for November 2025!