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As RFID labelling compliance deadlines count down to 2005's deadlines, the on-demand printing solutions company Zebra Technologies has published what it believes to be the ten most valuable tips for companies that still need to select an EPC-compliant RFID printing/encoding solution.
1st: EPC compliance
Before selecting an RFID printer/encoder for passive UHF EPC smart labels, ensure it has been tested by the EPCglobal organisation and confirmed to be EPC compliant.
2nd: Integrated support
Choose a printer that has integrated software support for the programming and verification of RFID tags, or risk facing additional investment in additional programming.
3rd: Technology flexibility:
Select a printer/encoder that supports the full range of RF tag protocols that are already in use. Doing so offers the flexibility to choose the RFID tag that works best in each application.
4th: Protect your investment:
Choose a printer that is field-upgradeable to support future RFID tag standards and air interface protocols. It is a good idea to check if it comes with a free or guaranteed upgrade to the forthcoming Generation 2 standard.
5th: Migrating current applications:
Ensure that the RFID printer/encoder you choose can be incorporated into your existing bar code labelling application, and that the application can support RFID data. Printer/encoders using programming languages (such as ZPL in Zebra's case) can usually be easily modified to encode RFID tags.
6th: The platform:
To help minimise downtime, choose an RFID solution that is based on a field-proven product line, preferably known for low maintenance and high reliability. Putting your RFID investment into an untested system involves a degree of risk.
7th: Label sizes:
While you may currently be using large 4-inch by 6-inch smart labels, it is difficult to predict what future requirements may be required or even enforced. The printer/encoder should be flexible enough to accommodate various pitch levels between the chip inlay and label, as well as a good range of label sizes.
8th: Certified 'smart labels':
Identify what steps have been taken to certify the blank smart labels you're planning to use for quality and compatibility with the intended RFID printer/encoder. Different label brands and types may perform differently and could produce unsatisfactory results.
9th: Verification:
To ensure the reliability and accuracy of your RFID labels, it is best to select a printer/encoder that can automatically void or reject a smart label or inlay that fails to respond properly to reading/encoding instructions. This means that the device must be able to read and verify the label immediately after writing the RFID data, and reject any failures.
10th: XML support:
For easier integration with your ERP and WMS systems, you may be able to harness the flexibility of eXtensible Markup Language (XML) by choosing a printer/encoder that is XML-capable.
Background
Zebra Technologies provides on-demand printing solutions in 90 countries world-wide for a range of applications including thermal bar code printing, smart label printing (RFID/EPC), and card printers. The company claims overall printer sales of some 4 million units to date.
Source: Zebra Technologies
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