Zebra offers mobile printers with Bluetooth, 802.11b radios to help smooth transition to wireless real-time operations
Vernon Hills, IL — April 11, 2006 — Zebra Technologies has introduced a mobile printer with dual radios, intended to help make companies' migration to wireless real-time operations smoother and more affordable.
In the past many users of 802.11b wireless local area networks (WLANs) have used cables to serve as a back-up solution if the network went down or if an associate walked out of range of the network.
Now, with the introduction of dual-radio support in its mobile printers, Zebra said that users can opt for Bluetooth technology to serve as a back-up connection with their handheld devices.
"This alternate means of local communication can offer a distinct advantage in applications where mobile printing of receipts or labels are critical to operations, such as ... retail price markdowns," Zebra said in announcing the new solution.
"Two radios in one printer ensures mobile printing applications are always up and running, even when the wireless network is unavailable," said Bob Danahy, Zebra's director of global mobile and wireless technology.
Customers with a large installed base of Bluetooth handheld devices also can benefit from this new feature, according to Zebra. These users can now take advantage of WLAN communications in their mobile application without replacing their entire installed base of handheld devices. The printer can communicate with the Bluetooth handheld and act as an intermediary to the network to allow for real-time information capture.
"Many mobile employees are now docking their handheld devices to connect to the network and update pricing or database information at the beginning and end of their work day, and then communicating via Bluetooth or cable to the printer during the shift," said Danahy. "Zebra's new dual radio printer models enable these users to access their applications in real-time and to communicate with the network throughout the shift without replacing their Bluetooth handhelds."
Dual radio mobile printers are equipped with one Bluetooth radio to communicate with handhelds in the field, and an 802.11b radio to communicate with the company's WLAN. Zebra said that this dual radio utilization makes the wireless printing solution more reliable than implementations where damage-prone and costly cables are used as a backup.
Zebra's dual radio option will be available on Zebra's RW 420 and QL Plus series of mobile printers in the United States, Canada and Europe, and will feature a Bluetooth radio and a Symbol Compact Flash 802.11b radio. The lower-power-consuming Bluetooth radio can be used for the majority of tasks, while the greater power-demanding 802.11b can be used for periodic, less frequent updates with the WLAN, according to Zebra.
Additional Articles of Interest
— How do you avoid losing a limb as you're working with new technologies? A supply chain icon offers his take on this conundrum. Read more in "Executive Memo: Stepping into the Deep Water," in the February/March 2006 issue of Supply & Demand Chain Executive.
— To build a competency in supply network design, this consumer products company first had to build confidence. Read more in "Designing the Best Supply Chain Gillette Can Get," in the February/March 2006 issue of Supply & Demand Chain Executive.
Vernon Hills, IL — April 11, 2006 — Zebra Technologies has introduced a mobile printer with dual radios, intended to help make companies' migration to wireless real-time operations smoother and more affordable.
In the past many users of 802.11b wireless local area networks (WLANs) have used cables to serve as a back-up solution if the network went down or if an associate walked out of range of the network.
Now, with the introduction of dual-radio support in its mobile printers, Zebra said that users can opt for Bluetooth technology to serve as a back-up connection with their handheld devices.
"This alternate means of local communication can offer a distinct advantage in applications where mobile printing of receipts or labels are critical to operations, such as ... retail price markdowns," Zebra said in announcing the new solution.
"Two radios in one printer ensures mobile printing applications are always up and running, even when the wireless network is unavailable," said Bob Danahy, Zebra's director of global mobile and wireless technology.
Customers with a large installed base of Bluetooth handheld devices also can benefit from this new feature, according to Zebra. These users can now take advantage of WLAN communications in their mobile application without replacing their entire installed base of handheld devices. The printer can communicate with the Bluetooth handheld and act as an intermediary to the network to allow for real-time information capture.
"Many mobile employees are now docking their handheld devices to connect to the network and update pricing or database information at the beginning and end of their work day, and then communicating via Bluetooth or cable to the printer during the shift," said Danahy. "Zebra's new dual radio printer models enable these users to access their applications in real-time and to communicate with the network throughout the shift without replacing their Bluetooth handhelds."
Dual radio mobile printers are equipped with one Bluetooth radio to communicate with handhelds in the field, and an 802.11b radio to communicate with the company's WLAN. Zebra said that this dual radio utilization makes the wireless printing solution more reliable than implementations where damage-prone and costly cables are used as a backup.
Zebra's dual radio option will be available on Zebra's RW 420 and QL Plus series of mobile printers in the United States, Canada and Europe, and will feature a Bluetooth radio and a Symbol Compact Flash 802.11b radio. The lower-power-consuming Bluetooth radio can be used for the majority of tasks, while the greater power-demanding 802.11b can be used for periodic, less frequent updates with the WLAN, according to Zebra.
Additional Articles of Interest
— How do you avoid losing a limb as you're working with new technologies? A supply chain icon offers his take on this conundrum. Read more in "Executive Memo: Stepping into the Deep Water," in the February/March 2006 issue of Supply & Demand Chain Executive.
— To build a competency in supply network design, this consumer products company first had to build confidence. Read more in "Designing the Best Supply Chain Gillette Can Get," in the February/March 2006 issue of Supply & Demand Chain Executive.
- More articles about Zebra Technologies.
