At the booth, Zebra (Vernon Hills, IL) demonstrated the "Web View" and "Alert" features of ZebraLink.
Web View, the configuration component of ZebraLink, enables networked users to log on to the print engine’s password-protected Web page to view label formats, fonts and graphics stored in memory, and adjust printer settings such as darkness, media/ribbon sensor values and applicator interface modes. By using any standard Web browser such as Netscape Navigator or Internet Explorer, users can make changes remotely.
For the Alert feature, if the print engine runs out of labels or ribbon, the printer instantly notifies the user by issuing a detailed error message via e-mail to any text-capable, wires or wireless device including pagers, cell phones, PDAs and PCs.
A large electronics company is currently beta-testing PAX3, though Zebra declined to identify them by name.
ZebraLink™ Internet connectivity is available on the new PAX3™ family of OEM print engines, which includes the 170PAX3™ and 110PAX3™. Equipped with 4 MB of RAM and 1.5MB of non-volatile memory, the print engine is capable of handling labels up to 39" long and can store label formats, fonts and graphics. The Internet-enabled print engines will be available at the end of the first quarter of 2001.
