Unique Scannable QR Codes are easy to add to existing production set up

FASTechnology Group Receives U.S. Patent

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FOR PROVIDING INDIVIDUAL, UNIQUE, SCANNABLE QR CODES ON EACH PACKAGE

We are pleased to announce that the United States Patent and Trademark Office has awarded our company patent, (No. US 2015-0102100 A1), for our database systems and methods for consumer packaged goods.

Our patent covers a system for handling product packages for use with a QR code-scanning device and includes a package-handling device and a printer that prints unique, individual, scannable QR codes on each package. This system also includes a database that stores data records of package parameters, linked to one, non-sequential URL; an enabler configured to link to the printer to generate the individual QR codes; a loader configured to link to the enabler and the portals to the database for adding package parameters and accessing package information.

 “Receiving the PACKprint patent is an important milestone for our company and the industry,” says Joe Hattrup, President and CEO of FASTechnology Group. “With PACKprint, the drive for personalized customer engagement is now affordable and accessible to all companies, regardless of size or location.”

The variable PACKprint code on your package lets you share information like product trace ability and recalls, coupons, contests and campaigns with your customers.  This is an added value to our packaging machinery and integration expertise.

Contact Ryan McCord directly at 618.692.9797 ext. 427 or by email  ryan.mccord@fastechgroup.com to learn how easy and affordable it is to bring personalized customer engagement to your organization.

 

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Vision Tools Speed Development of IMB Postal Barcode Verifier

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Vision Tools Speed Development of IMB Postal Barcode Verifier

29 October 2010

The new Intelligent Mail Barcode (IMB) has all but replaced the old POSTNET and PLANET barcodes used in United States Postal Service (USPS) automation. FASTechnology Group, already the leading developer and supplier of high-speed selective binding and mailing controllers used to address large mailings, anticipated the need for an inspection system that would validate the quality and conformity of IMBs to help mailers avoid potential additional charges. FASTech used the Cognex In-Sight® 5613 because it provides powerful tools for IMB verification and automation control connectivity that greatly reduced development time. As a result, the FASTverify Postal Verification System is the first system that not only verifies the readability and critical metrics of the bar code but also verifies that it is the right barcode.

FASTech previously offered vision systems for other barcode-based applications. Instead of simply using the same vision systems in the new product, the company decided to evaluate products from the leading vision suppliers. “We determined that we could develop our product in substantially less time using Cognex In-Sight vision systems,” said Mark Breunig, VP Product Development for FASTech. “Cognex offers a full set of built-in IMB verification tools that make it possible to program the vision system to verify IMB compliance with just a few simple commands. Cognex connectivity tools make it easier to integrate Cognex vision systems into existing automation control systems.”

The Read ID code command is used to read the IMB. The value is matched against information provided by the controller to make sure the correct code has been applied and is also used to create the file name used to store the IMB image. Next, the Verify ID command is used to generate the IMB verification metrics. All of the parameters needed to ensure the IMB meets USPS requirements are verified. The vision program compares each of these figures to the USPS IMB specifications and warning parameters and determines if the code passes, passes but exceeds warning limits, or fails. The value of the code is passed to the user interface which checks it against the controller database to ensure that the right code has been printed.

We were able to develop the application in a remarkably short period of time,” Breunig concluded. “The cameras and software that we have used in the past to develop vision applications could have done this job but it would have been more difficult and taken considerably more time. Cognex vision tools helped us quickly bring a product to market that is the first in the IMB verification space to offer a number of important capabilities. Our system is the first to provide the ability to not only verify that the IMB is produced to specifications but also to verify that the right code has been printed on the mailer. The FASTverify Postal Verification System is also one of the first systems with one button calibration and the capability to inspect every single piece of mail produced by today’s high-speed selective binding and co-mailing systems with full image archival capability”

For further information, please contact:

Cognex UK Ltd
Sunningdale House
43 Caldecotte Lake Drive
Caldecotte Lake Business Park
Milton Keynes
Buckinghamshire
MK7 8LF

Tel: 01908 206 000
Fax: 01908 392 463
Email: sales@cognex.co.uk
Web: www.cognex.com

FASTechnology Group Reports Newspaper Project Activity

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Dave Carlos
FASTechnology Group LLC
330.668.8535
For Immediate Release
Glen Carbon, IL and Lisle, IL
Friday, May 14, 2010

FASTechnology Group Reports Newspaper Project Activity

FASTechnology Group is pleased to announced the following agreements and recent instalations;

The Minneapolis Star Tribune
The Start Tribune will install FASTechnology Group eNews Inserter Control Systems on their two existing
Goss model NP630’s inserters, FASTech‘s eNews systems to be configured with insert control for 30
hoppers, downstream tracking and full stacker control. The eNews systems will replace existing Goss
ICON controllers and will support interface to Star Tirbune’s existing Burt mailroom planning software via
OCI interface.

The San Antonio Express-News
FASTechnology Group is pleased to anounce an agreement to supply The San Antonio Express-News
three (3) eNews inserter control systems. Systems to replace existing OEM control systems on a Muller
SLS1000, Goss 1272, and Model 1372 configured with a Quipp Newstec control system. All three inserters
will be equipped with FASTech’s eNews inserter controls configured with interface to Burt mailroom
planning software via OCI interface as announced earlier by Burt Technologies.

The Dayton Daily News
Dayton Daily News will be upgrading thier existing Goss bundle wrap units with new bundle wrap printers as
supplied by FASTechnology Group, the Ink jet printers and printer control will provide variable data bundle
information driven directly from eNews control systems as installed on four (4) model NP 630 inserters.

For further information please contact:

Dave Carlos
Vice President Sales And Marketing
www.FASTechgroup.com

More about FASTechnology Group
FASTechnology Group is a systems and controls engineering and manufacturing firm. Specific products and services include drive controls,
industrial panel design, manufacturing, and control products for the bindery and mailing industry. The FASTechnology line of Bindery and
Newspaper Controllers along with custom systems support applications ranging from basic to the most complex.

Kodak Taps FASTechnology Group as Value-Added Reseller of VERSAMARK D-Series Printing Systems

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ROCHESTER, N.Y., Sept. 1

A long-standing industry leader in inkjet and custom-made machine control systems for the commercial printing and newspaper industries, FASTechnology Group LLC is now an authorized distributor of KODAK VERSAMARK D-Series Printing Systems in the United States and Canada. Through the agreement, FASTechnology serves as a distribution channel for the KODAK VERSAMARK DS5120, DS5122, DS5222, DS5240, DS5340, DS5640 and DS5650.

“We’re committed to investing in the latest technologies to bring value-added solutions to our customers,” said Dave Carlos, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for FASTechnology Group. “Our agreement with Kodak allows us to do that and more. By combining our front-end controls and Kodak’s VERSAMARK D-Series Systems, we’re able to bring high-quality print solutions to the market and deliver new revenue opportunities with variable data print. This, coupled with our drive, machine and process controls capability, makes FASTechnology Group a one-stop resource for our customers.”

FASTechnology Group is a well-known and respected supplier of powerful and flexible control systems that has been in the commercial printing and newspaper industries for more than 20 years and has made more than 1,000 installations worldwide. As an authorized distributor, FASTechnology Group now makes it easier for customers to integrate Kodak’s continuous inkjet printheads into high-value and high-efficiency printing operations.

KODAK VERSAMARK D-Series Printing Systems are ideal for a full range of monochrome or color imprinting applications, such as barcoding, packaging, hybrid printing, and personalization. Their modularity allows them to be integrated into existing production environments to add value with great flexibility.

KODAK Products are backed by KODAK Service and Support. KODAK Service and Support is made up of more than 3,000 professionals reaching more than 120 countries. It is a leading multi-vendor integrated services provider, delivering consulting, installation, maintenance and support services for the commercial printing, graphic communications, document imaging and data storage industries. KODAK Service and Support professionals are uniquely qualified to provide services that control costs, maximize productivity, and minimize business risk.

About FASTechnology Group

FASTechnology Group is a systems and controls engineering and manufacturing firm. Specific products and services include drive controls, industrial panel design, manufacturing, and targeted products for the bindery, newspaper and mailing industry. The FASTechnology line of Bindery Controllers and custom projects support applications ranging from the basic to the most complex. Other software products include Bindery Management System tools to assist companies with complex mailing and production tasks. www.FASTechgroup.com

About Kodak

As the world’s foremost imaging innovator, Kodak helps consumers, businesses, and creative professionals unleash the power of pictures and printing to enrich their lives.

To learn more, visit http://www.kodak.com and follow our blogs and more at http://www.kodak.com/go/followus.

In the graphic communications market, Kodak offers the broadest portfolio of integrated solutions to help customers grow their business. For more information, visit www.graphics.kodak.com. For downloading photos and videos from Kodak’s image library, visit www.kodak.com/go/gcimages.

FASTechnology Group Completes Acquisition of Enternet LLC

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Dave Carlos
FASTechnology Group LLC
330.668.8535

Bob Schmitt
Q Group
631.234.7670 X:205

For Immediate Release
(Glen Carbon, IL and Lisle, IL)

FASTechnology Group Completes Acquisition of Enternet LLC

FASTechnology Group, a long-standing industry leader in inkjet and custom machine control systems for the printing industry, has completed its previously-announced acquisition of Enternet LLC. Enternet is a well-known and respected supplier of powerful and flexible control systems within the commercial printing and newspaper industries.

For many years, the Enternet suite of inkjet control products has been marketed within the commercial and industrial print marketplace via large OEM channels. Legacy products were branded as the VIP™ family of controls. Resulting from the acquisition, Enternet will be aligned with FASTech’s industry-leading team of engineers and product developers, and, Enternet’s combined suite of product offerings will be available through the FASTech direct-to-customer channel. Mark Breunig, Vice President and General Manager of the Enternet Division added, “The FASTech long-standing business model and direct-to-customer philosophy at FASTech has been a great success but even more important, is that it has been a key benefit to our customers. Our ability to anticipate and respond to our customers’ ongoing needs in a highly volatile marketplace is enhanced by the direct relationships our engineering and service personnel have with our customers.”

Over the past several years Enternet and its lineup of inserter and collator control systems have become the accepted gold-standard within the newspaper packaging control systems marketplace. On a daily basis these mission critical systems help major metropolitan newspapers in managing their inserting process and providing their customers with creative advertising solutions.

Joe Hattrup, President of FASTechnology Group explained, “For many years competing in the same market, we have come to respect Enternet as an innovative supplier. We are confident that the combined resources of both FASTech and Enternet will become a driver of value and innovation for our customers via a synergistic range of product offerings, experience, and entrepreneurial talent unmatched in the industry. We are also eager to build upon Enternet’s strong position in the newspaper inserter and collator controls marketplace.”

Enternet will maintain its primary resources and function as a complete business unit in its current location in Lisle, IL.

For further information please contact:
Joseph A. Hattrup
President

Dave Carlos
Vice President Sales And Marketing

FASTechnology Group LLC
47019 Kettle River Drive
Glen Carbon, IL 62034
(618) 692-9797
(866) FASTech
www.FASTechgroup.com

More about FASTechnology Group
FASTechnology Group is a systems and controls engineering and manufacturing firm. Specific products and services include drive controls, industrial panel design, manufacturing, and targeted products for the bindery and mailing industry. The FASTechnology line of Bindery Controllers and custom projects support applications ranging from the basic to the most complex. Other software products include Bindery Management System tools to assist companies with complex mailing and production tasks.
www.FASTechgroup.com