Zebra Technologies introduces advanced RFID Firmware update to RZ Series printers 

Responding to industry demand for enhanced item level tagging options, Zebra Technologies Corporation today announced the availability of an advanced RFID Firmware Update for the RZ400/RZ600 printers. The update to the RZ series printers enhances traditional compliance labeling by offering customers additional printing applications such as item level tagging, package validation, document tracking, product authentication and more.

"Recent reports from ABI Research show that item-level RFID systems are becoming more instrumental in providing competitive advantages by improving inventory visibility," said Carolyn Ricci, senior product manager, Zebra Technologies. "Zebra’s firmware update addresses this important opportunity by enhancing current product offerings to include item-level tagging capabilities designed to meet the operational demands of the workplace today and in the future." The RFID Firmware Update will be shipped with all new RZ400/RZ600 printers.

This improvement to Zebra's existing printers will help manufacturing, warehousing, retail, healthcare and government industries optimize their supply chain as they look at how they can best stretch their budgets over the next fiscal year. "Nowhere is this more apparent than in the Close Loop tracking of items in internal supply chain operations where there is a great need for smaller smart labels and direct-to-print inlays to increase efficiencies and save time and money," said Ricci.

Zebra's RFID Firmware Update accomplishes the following which enable it to provide lower operational costs for customers:

• Provides the ability to print smaller labels

• Allows for direct-to-inlay printing

• Increases printer throughput for faster, on-demand printing applications

• Reduces media material costs

• Reduces label waste as more labels can be printed per roll