Zebra Technologies offers advice for companies looking to satisfy mandates for EPC-compliant RFID labeling
Vernon Hills, IL — November 12, 2004 — As the radio frequency identification (RFID) compliance labeling clock ticks down to the January deadline, Zebra Technologies, a provider of on-demand printing solutions, is offering the following tips for selecting the right printing/encoding solution to satisfy mandates for electronic product code (EPC)-compliant RFID labeling:
Vernon Hills, IL — November 12, 2004 — As the radio frequency identification (RFID) compliance labeling clock ticks down to the January deadline, Zebra Technologies, a provider of on-demand printing solutions, is offering the following tips for selecting the right printing/encoding solution to satisfy mandates for electronic product code (EPC)-compliant RFID labeling:
- 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."
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Label Size Flexibility — Today you may be using large four-inch by six-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.
- "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.
- 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.
- 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.
