Zebra’s New QLn Healthcare Series Portable Printers
Zebra has announced updates to its comprehensive healthcare portfolio, including its mobile specimen collection solution. The addition of the QLn Healthcare Solutions Series will expand the capabilities of the QLn220 and QLn320 mobile printers that ensure patient safety and lower the risk of mislabeling specimen samples. The QLn220 Healthcare and QLn320 Healthcare meet the specimen labeling standards of both the National Patient Safety Goals (NPSG) and the Clinical Laboratory Standards Institutes (CLSI).
Misidentification of specimen samples leads to tens of thousands of adverse events annually throughout the healthcare system. To battle this alarming trend, Zebra developed the QLn Healthcare printer to enable clinicians to label samples at the patient’s bedside, reducing the chance of error. The QLn solution also utilizes colored labels to provide assurance that labels are easily identified and managed quickly and properly. The QLn devices meet comprehensive disinfectant standards and provide an enhanced user experience and connectivity capabilities that are needed in today’s healthcare industry.
Thermal Printing Cuts Cost and Adds Value for DSD
An important part of the value of automating direct store delivery (DSD) operations comes from having the ability to give customers delivery receipts, order forms and invoices on the spot. Printing documentation at the time of the visit helps ensure accuracy, reduces paperwork and clerical labor in the back office, and accelerates the cash cycle. In some countries, it is a legal requirement that DSD companies to provide and maintain a printed record of each transaction. The actual value companies can attain by mobile printing depends on the printer itself. For example, the media used in thermal printers typically costs 45 to 50 percent less than multi-part forms used in dot matrix printers, and the total cost of ownership (TCO) for ruggedized mobile printers is 58 percent lower than for non-ruggedized models.
Media cost, reliability, ease of use and compatibility with mobile computers and DSD applications give businesses a lot to think about when selecting a printer to support their operations. The decision is also made challenging because there are more technology and product options than ever. For companies that already use mobile printing in their DSD operations, product choices may have changed considerably since the last replacement cycle. Many first generation DSD automations included a vehicle-mounted dot matrix printer. Today DSD printers can be worn, carried or remain mounted in the vehicle, and thermal print technology is selected for the majority of new and replacement rollouts.
Zebra Mobile Printers Infographic
Mobility has become one of the key concerns for many businesses to improve existing processes and open up new possibilities within their business. In many applications, a printed receipt, proof of delivery or even label needs to be created on the go. Leading the way with a variety of mobile printers, Zebra offers printers for any printing application need.
In this infographic you’ll find several common mobile applications that require some type of on-demand printing and the perfect Zebra solution to match. Whether you are printing from a tablet, smartphone, or rugged mobile computer, Zebra has portable printer to meet your needs.
TSC Expands Portable Printer Line with the New Alpha-4L
TSC has expanded its new Alpha series of portable printers with the recent introduction of the Alpha-4L, a new portable four-inch-wide-format label printer designed for the manufacturing, transportation/logistics, and retail industries.
Higher performance at its class
The Alpha-4L’s performance-enhancing features include a 5800 mAh large-capacity battery for extended operation, expanded memory to accommodate advanced applications and future firmware enhancements, reliable Bluetooth and 802.11b/g/n wireless communications and a large paper capacity
67.3 mm (2.65”) OD to reduce the frequency of changing paper rolls.
Durability
When used with its optional IP54-rated environmental case, the Alpha-4L offers protection against dust, dirt, moisture, temperature extremes and other harsh field conditions. The printer’s rubber over-mold case is designed to keep the unit working normally even after a 1.5 m (5 ft) drop. When using its environmental case, it can withstand a 1.8 m (6 ft) drop test. And with a high-capacity battery and paper roll, the Alpha-4L maximizes productivity, providing efficient service over a full day’s duty cycle.
Introducing The New Zebra EM220II
The growing adoption of smartphones and tablets around the globe is creating an increasing need for enterprise users to communicate and interact with Zebra printers—especially Zebra mobile printers—using the latest mobile technology. In response to this need, Zebra is announcing the next generation EM 220 mobile receipt printer—the EM220II.
The new EM220II supports Bluetooth and Wireless LAN connectivity to Apple, Android and Windows devices using Zebra’s extensive range of printer drivers and Software Development Kits (SDKs). In addition to the recently announced iMZ220 and iMZ320, the EM220II is Zebra’s second mobile printer product line to have the ‘Made for iPod, iPhone, iPad’ (MFi) certification.
Building on the positive attributes of the predecessor EM 220 product, the next generation EM220II provides the same small, pocket-sized convenience but at a more affordable price. This will be Zebra’s smallest, most affordable smartphone- and tablet-compatible printer to date.
Star’s Newest Apple Approved Mobile Receipt Printer the SM-T301i
The new Star SM-T301i three-inch rugged portable Bluetooth receipt printer is approved by Apple, Inc. through MFi certification for use with the iPod Touch, iPhone and iPad. With an added magnetic stripe reader, the SM-T301i adds even more functionality and value to the already released SM-T300i model.
In addition to its ability to pair with iOS, Android and other popular mobile platforms, the SM-T301i has an integrated MSR, easy drop in & print paper loading, a reliable and quick print speed of 75mm per second, and an intuitive LCD display. Dust protected and splash-proof resistant (IP54 Certified), the SM-T301i is rugged enough for outside field workers requiring handhelds to seamlessly print from a mobile device to a durable portable printer. The SM-T301i also allows for restaurant servers and clerks working in demanding retail and hospitality environments to print standard three-inch format receipts wherever they need to. Its rugged and splash proof design combined with standard three-inch receipt printing, MSR and a long battery life make the SM-T301i a welcomed option.
The Datamax-O’Neil RL4 Excels in Rugged Testing and Certification
Datamax-O’Neil announced that its RL4 portable printer has achieved standard IEC 60068-2-31, a free-fall drop test comprised of 2,000 repeated drops from 500 mm. The testing was conducted by Bureau Veritas Consumer Products Services, a world-leading concept-to-consumer quality assurance and compliance services provider to manufacturers, distributors and retailers.
The printer sustained minor physical damage, but continued to operate successfully following completion of the testing. The RL4 is the only 4-inch portable label printer to comply with the IEC 60068-2-31 standard. “The RL4’s ability to operate after 2,000 free-fall drops is confirmation that our efforts to design a portable printer that meets the most demanding mobile application requirements was successful and demonstrates our commitment to offer the industry’s most rugged and reliable printers,” said John Murphy, senior product manager for Datamax-O’Neil.
On the heels of passing the drop test, the RL4 also received positive comments in a comprehensive product review with two competitive printers. The review, conducted by Business Solutions magazine paired with VAR Paragon Print Systems, compared the Datamax-O’Neil RL4 with both the Toshiba TEC and Zebra portable printers. The review, which appeared in the May issue of Business Solutions, compared the printers in five categories: setup and configuration, paper loading, battery life, LCD display and build quality. The following are comments the RL4 received in each of those categories:
The New Apple iOS Compatible Star SM-T300i Printer!
To meet rising demand for mobile friendly POS printers, Star Micronics has announced the addition of its SM-T300i to their “i” Series of printers which started with the popular SM-S220i Bluetooth printer. The SM-T300i portable receipt printer is approved by Apple, Inc. through MFi certification for use with the iPod Touch, iPhone, and iPad.
In addition to its ability to pair with iOS, Android and other popular mobile platforms, the SM-T300i has easy drop in & print paper loading, a reliable and quick print speed of 75mm per second, and an intuitive LCD display. Dust protected and splash-proof resistant (IP54 Certified), the SM-T300i is rugged enough for outside field workers requiring handhelds to seamlessly print from a mobile device to a durable portable printer. The SM-T300i also allows for restaurant servers and clerks working in demanding retail and hospitality environments to print standard three inch format receipts wherever they need to. Its rugged and splash proof design combined with standard three inch receipt printing and a long battery life make the SM-T300i a welcomed option.
Datamax-O’Neil Extends the microFlash/PrintPAD Series Printhead Warranty to Two Years
Datamax-O’Neil, which is the only thermal portable receipt printer manufacturer to stand behind its claims of ruggedness and durability by offering a full 2-year warranty on its microFlash and PrintPAD series printers, is now extending the 2-year warranty to the printheads as well. This warranty is four times longer than competing printers. The table below provides the warranty comparisons:
Datamax-O’Neil will extend the original printhead warranty on new microFlash and PrintPAD printers from 1 year to 2 years effective December 1st, 2012 through December 31st, 2013.
Datamax Apex 3 Now Available with USB
The Apex 3 line of printers is one of the most popular mobile printers on the market today due to its fast, reliable printing at a great price. Designed specifically for your mobile workforce, it can meet your mobile printing needs without sacrificing on quality and performance. The Apex 3 is an affordable way to meet the constantly changing requirements connected to field service, transportation, retail and law enforcement applications.
Historically this printer has been only available with an RS232 connection, Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth. With the added USB support to the line you can be sure that this printer will be a great fit for any application.
For more details and pricing on the new USB models, contact us at Barcodes Inc.
