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Zebra Technologies
Identifies Top 10 Tips for Selecting an RFID Printer/Encoder
PRNewswire-FirstCall
November 9, 2004
VERNON HILLS, Ill., -- As the RFID
compliance labeling clock ticks down to the January deadline, Zebra
Technologies, a global leader in delivering on-demand printing
solutions for
business and process improvement, offers these tips for selecting the
right
printing/encoding solution to satisfy mandates for EPC-compliant RFID
labeling:
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1. EPC Compliant -- Before selecting an RFID printer/encoder for
passive
UHF EPC smart labels, ensure it has been tested by the EPCglobal
organization to be "EPC compliant."
2. Integrated Support -- Know what you're buying. Choose a printer
that
has integrated software support for the programming and verification
of RFID tags, or you could face hefty invoices for additional
programming.
3. Technology flexibility -- Select printer/encoders that support the
range of RF tag protocols in use today. Doing so offers the
flexibility to choose the RFID tag that works best in each
application.
4. Investment Protection -- Choose a printer that is field-upgradeable
to support future RFID tag standards and air interface protocols. Ask
for a free or guaranteed upgrade to the next "Generation 2" standard.
5. Migrating Current Applications -- Ensure that the RFID
printer/encoder you choose can be incorporated easily into your
existing bar code labeling application, and that the application can
support RFID data. Printer/encoders using programming languages such
as ZPL can be modified to encode RFID tags quickly and with minimal
risk.
6. Proven Platform -- To minimize downtime, choose an RFID solution
that
is based on a field-proven product line, known for low-maintenance
and high reliability. Putting RFID on an untested or error-prone
system could turn your dream of a smooth implementation into a
nightmare.
7. Label Size Flexibility -- Today you may be using large 4-inch by
6-inch smart labels, but what about tomorrow? The printer/encoder you
select should be flexible enough to accommodate various pitch levels
between the chip inlay and label, as well as a wide range of label
sizes.
8. "Certified" Smart Labels -- Before you buy, identify what steps
have
been taken to "certify" blank smart labels for quality and
compatibility with your intended RFID printer/encoder. Labels may
perform differently, and could produce unsatisfactory results, in
some brands of printers/encoders.
9. Verification -- To ensure the reliability and accuracy of your RFID
labels, select a printer/encoder that will automatically void or
reject a smart label or inlay that fails to respond properly to
reading/encoding instructions.
10. XML Support -- For easy integration with your ERP/WMS system, you
may
be able to harness the flexibility of eXtensible Markup Language
(XML). Be sure you specify an XML-capable printer that's optimized
for your software.
For more information on choosing the right RFID printer/encoder for
different applications, or to learn more about Zebra's market-leading
RFID
products, please call +1 800 423 0442 or visit Zebra's RFID Web site
at http://www.rfid.zebra.com.
About Zebra Technologies
Zebra Technologies Corp. (Nasdaq: ZBRA) delivers innovative and
reliable
on-demand printing solutions for business improvement and security
applications in 90 countries around the world. More than 90 percent of
Fortune500 companies use Zebra-brand printers. A broad range of applications
benefit
from Zebra-brand thermal bar code, "smart" label, receipt, and card
printers,
resulting in enhanced security, increased productivity, improved
quality,
lower costs, and better customer service. The company has sold four
million
printers, including RFID printer/encoders and wireless mobile
solutions, and
also offers software, connectivity solutions and printing supplies.
Information about Zebra bar code and RFID products can be found at
http://www.zebra.com.
CONTACT: Tricia Spellman
+1 847 509 3099
tspellman@outlookmarketingsrv.com |
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