I’m a sucker for time-saving gadgets. Even gadgets I would personally never have need for.
Here’s one described in InformationWeek magazine. It’s a wearable printer-scanner, designed by HP for UPS. In essence, what it lets the UPS staffer do is scan the UPS package and then spray sorting information ON the package, all from the same machine. And it’s actually worn on the user’s arm.
Before the development of the machine, sorters had to carry packages to a fixed scanner connected to a large thermal printer. The device will not only save time but save paper. Given the volume that UPS handles, this could mean thousands of tons of paper per year.
I love gadgets like these, because I believe that anything that helps save time, money, or resources, is a good thing. I spend a lot of time with my clients trying to identify business processes that could be improved. Sometimes gadgets fit that bill.
One of my favorite stories is from many years ago, when I helped an office manager switch from using a sheet of labels run through a regular laser printer for just one or two mailing labels, to a single-label machine. She was beside herself when she made the change, and even her boss noticed how much happier she was.
Simple gadgets can make a big difference. Do you have a favorite time-saving gadget?