Printronix today unveiled the Smart Label Pilot Printer, a radio frequency identification (RFID) printer that complements the company's previously introduced Smart Label Developer's Kit. The printer further enables the Department of Defense, nation's top retailers and their suppliers to test, implement and deploy RFID solutions within their own supply chains.
Launched in September, Printronix's Smart Label Developer's Kit was designed as the first tool companies should use to help meet the Wal-Mart and Department of Defense RFID directives and the Electronic Product Code (EPC) worldwide specifications being established by the Uniform Code Council (UCC).
Introduced today, the Smart Label Pilot Printer is the advanced tool companies need to move from a development environment into RFID pilot activities. With the Smart Label Pilot Printer, users can deploy multiple printers to expand their testing and process development. Printronix designed it specifically to help customers accelerate their RFID pilots by adding additional smart label printers to their pilot programs.
"With today's release, Printronix continues to support adoption activities by providing RFID pilot teams with the ability to expand and accelerate RFID printing on pallets and cases," said Andy Chapman, chief technology officer and senior vice president, engineering and product marketing, Printronix. "Our approach is to put the development power into the hands of those responsible for readying their companies for RFID adoption - and this strategy has been embraced by our strategic partners and customers alike."
The Smart Label Pilot Printer was designed for users of Printronix's Smart Label Developer's Kit to evolve their RFID pilots effortlessly. When customers are ready to advance their RFID pilots to the encoding of Class 1, EPC labels, the printer eases the transition. Printronix's software migration tools include an EPC tool built into the printer, allowing users to employ any existing label design software to create an EPC RFID tag. The printer also comes with a complete set of programming manuals. Users can following the step-by-step instructions to add EPC commands to their existing PGL or ZPL data streams.
The printer contains everything necessary to expand pilot programs: a T5000e thermal printer, integrated firmware-upgradeable RFID UHF encoder, application and reference notes, technical support, programming manuals and software migration tools that permit the encoding of smart labels.
The Smart Label Pilot Printer also supports the optional Printronix's PrintNet Enterprise. This Web-enabled remote network print management system provides instantaneous visibility to every network printer and allows users to simultaneously configure and efficiently manage an unlimited number of Printronix printers. This edition of PrintNet Enterprise also supports management of the additional RFID encoder capabilities.
"We specifically designed this RFID printer to be flexible enough to support an increasing range of capabilities that complement supply chain environments," said Brad Jarvis, director, product marketing. "With the printer's firmware-upgradeable RFID encoder and antenna optimized for maximum RF performance, the printer is architected to accommodate many new smart label formats and designs as they become standardized."
Printronix provides printing technologies for the industrial marketplace and distribution supply chain. It is the world's best-selling line matrix manufacturer and has earned an outstanding reputation for its high-performance thermal and fanfold laser printers. In addition, Printronix adapts new technologies to create innovative programs, including RFID smart label and wireless mobile printers.