Zebra identifies top 10 tips for choosing an RFID printer/encoder
-- Control Engineering, 11/23/2004
Vernon Hills, IL—Because a deadline to comply with radio frequency identification (RFID) compliance labeling is looming for many companies in January 2005, Zebra Technologies is offering the following tips for selecting the right printing/encoding solution to satisfy mandates for 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 4 x
6 in. 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.
Zebra manufactures on-demand printing solutions for business and process improvement. For more information on choosing the right RFID printer/encoder for different applications, or to learn more about Zebra's RFID products, visit www.rfid.zebra.com.
Control Engineering Daily News Desk
Jim Montague, news
editor
jmontague@reedbusiness.com
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