On Demand Bar Codes Plug And Play Documentation

A Zebra Technologies Europe product story

Edited by the Printingtalk editorial team Nov 1, 2004

Zebra Technologies today announced that its bar-code label printers are now plug-and-play compatible with SAP's business optimisation software.

Zebra Technologies today announced that its bar-code label printers are now plug-and-play compatible with SAP's business optimisation software.

With no need for middleware or integration programming, the facility is claimed to reduce implementation times and cuts thousands of pounds from the cost of printer rollout said Zebra.

The companies have signed an agreement, under which SAP has embedded Zebra's bar code rendering libraries into its SAP Smartforms graphical forms and the report design tool in the Mysap business suite.

Zebra has been in partnership with SAP for five years.

Zebra has been a member of the SAP Software Partner Program since 1999 and the two companies have worked on bar-code integration for the last two years.

The new developments create a way for users to generate bar codes on demand for asset tracking, compliance labelling, document tracking and other business productivity improvements.

At the same time, the new printer driver, which uses Zebra programming language (ZPL), means Zebra thermal label printers can now be driven with unmatched speed and ease of integration said the manufacturer.

Ken Moir, the application assistance group manager at Zebra Technologies, said: "As a result of this integration, SAP solutions will now be plug-and-play compatible with Zebra bar-code label printers.

This will give SAP superior customer responsiveness and ROI to its new and installed customer base.

Integration is set to be a fast and uncomplicated issue, with no need for middleware and there will be no need for consultants or programmes to ensure the systems are correctly installed.

These are all benefits that will save end users money, and, as a consequence, make it easier for resellers to sell the solutions." Moir continued: "Zebra sets itself high standards for innovation and quality, and this announcement confirms our status as the market leader in printing solutions.

Bar-code printing will now become an integral and standardised part of SAP's value proposition, giving users of solutions from SAP and Zebra a comprehensive and easy-to-use label design tool with a simple migration path and no added expense.".