Prisym labeling software sparkles for F. Hinds

The UK’s leading independent jewelers relies on Prisym for a ‘one-stop shop’ solution to their labeling and ticketing requirements.

With 108 shops, 1,000 staff and over 7,500 stock items, the need for an accurate, foolproof and reliable labeling, ticketing and stock control system is vital to the smooth running of F. Hinds jewelers, one of the most recognizable names on the high street.

In business since 1856, one of the secrets of their success is the way the company has embraced modern technology and the Prisym labeling software and printer ‘package’ is the latest example of this philosophy.

‘We needed to make all-round improvements and introduce greater efficiencies into our ticketing system,’ explained Steve Mellows, business supplies manager for F. Hinds. ‘Our unique combination tickets/labels have become quite complex and do not just contain the barcode and product description. Their design means that one label contains not only our internal stock processing information but also the actual ticket that attaches to the item and a price carrier in all our shop windows.’

Their existing ticketing machines were coming to the end of their useful life, so  F. Hinds began the search for a ‘one-stop shop’ solution to include software, label/ticket stock, printers and, most importantly, full service support.

Key requirements that were instrumental in Prisym gaining the business:

• Modular software that could be easily used, modified and would integrate their internal inventory control requirements with their shop ticketing needs  – especially as F. Hinds wanted to initiate and hence reduce the amount of data inputting from their purchasing department.

• Improvements to the look of the label by using a heavier weight label stock and a glossier finish – they claim that Prisym were the only company able to provide 150gsm material as standard!

• The need to provide fan-fold labels rather than reel-fed labels – making them easier to post, especially in the light of the Royal Mail’s new pricing policy. Again, easily provided by Prisym.

• The recommendation of three Sato GT424e and one Zebra Z4Nplus thermal printers gave the right combination for all their labels, both in terms of print quality/definition and accuracy – especially for their dumb-bell labels, used primarily to ticket rings, where 600dpi was vital.

• An overall service package that would support F. Hinds’ total ticketing department.

‘The real clincher though, as far as we were concerned, was Prisym Datawatch, a unique bridging program that provides a link between our purchase order system and labeling design. This totally integrates our needs and minimizes data inputting. I estimate that processing time for label production has been cut to a twentieth of what it was,’ said Steve Mellows.

‘Speed of change is vital, especially when, for example, the gold price may be highly volatile or there are legislative and tax revisions. Prisym allows us to get revised labels out to our 100-plus shops very quickly – something we were not able to do in the past.’

‘Overall, we now have complete control over our design of labels and our software thanks to Prisym,’ concluded Steve Mellows. ‘It is highly flexible, error-free, easy-to-use and allows us to quickly react to market forces in order to stay ahead of our competitors.’  

The Prisym team has 20 years experience in delivering high quality labeling and auto-identification solutions to a wide range of industries. A global leader in barcode, labeling, RFID and print solutions, the company boasts a comprehensive range of software and consumables; from intuitive label design and print to automated track and trace systems.