Its Now Easier Than Ever To Print To Mobile Thermal Printers From Handheld Computers

As more and more companies use handheld computers in the field

, such as those from Motorola (formerly Symbol) and Intermec, the need to print receipts and barcode labels has increased significantly. Fortunately, the technology used to print to stationary barcode printers in non-field applications has been used as the foundation for mobile printing in the field.

Historically, the approach to printing from a mobile device to a stationary thermal barcode printer such as a Zebra 110Xi4 industrial label printer or to a portable thermal printer like the Zebra RW420 label printer utilized the wireless infrastructure within a building. For instance, workers would typically enter operations on their handheld which would be then sent over the Wi-Fi network to a server; this server would then send print instructions to a thermal barcode printer. Often, the barcode printer would be a stationary label printer which the server determined was closest to the user or that may have been assigned to that worker. Alternatively, the worker would be using a portable label printer that was assigned to him and the server would send the print instructions to the designated mobile printer.

With field applications however, the wireless infrastructure is no longer available so the overall print approach is different. Two of the most common platforms (operating systems) found in mobile computers are the BlackBerry Smartphone and the Microsoft Windows operating system. To help companies accelerate the deployment of mobile printers, printer manufacturers such as Zebra have built SDKS to make implementation easier. More specifically, Zebra has recently introduced Zebras ZebraLink Smartphone Utility which enables workers to print from their BlackBerry smart phones to their Zebra mobile or stationary printers. A similar SDK for Windows Mobile devices and terminals is also available

For some mobile printing applications, carrying multiple devices to enable printing may no longer be necessary as workers will be able to leverage their flexible smart phones and terminal platforms. An excellent way to get started is the free ZebraLink Smartphone Utility which can be downloaded directly to either a Windows Mobile device or BlackBerry SmartPhones from www.zebra.com/sdk. This utility allows companies to start printing receipts or labels with minimal startup time by utilizing barcode labels designed with the PC-based ZebraDesigner label design software. Barcode labels designed with this free software can then be stored either on the phone or on the printer. As a bonus, the utility also includes a set of embedded demonstration examples that allow customer to immediately experience label printing of simulated asset tags, temporary visitor badges or law-enforcement electronic citations.

Many types of applications will benefit from mobile label printing, including field service, mobile workforce, retail mobile point of sale, and healthcare point of care. The potential is tremendous and the implementation is easier than ever! For additional information on Zebra Barcode Label Printers or Zebra Mobile Printer products, visit my recommended website at AutoSavings.com or contact a Barcode specialist at (714)922-1140.

by: Edmond Shi

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