IRVINE, Calif. — Printronix Inc. (NASDAQ: PTNX), the leading integrated supply-chain printing solutions manufacturer, today introduced the industry’s first free EPCglobal™ Generation 2 (Gen 2) printer firmware upgrade. With this release, Printronix customers using any of its SmartLine, multiprotocol, radio frequency identification (RFID) printing systems gain a cost-free upgrade path to the Gen 2 protocol and a means to immediately begin Gen 2 encoding.
“Today’s firmware release gives our customers an easy upgrade path to begin encoding Gen 2 tags with their existing equipment,” said Andy Chapman, chief technology officer and senior vice president, engineering and product marketing, Printronix. “Customers overwhelmingly selected Printronix for EPC encoding because they knew their RFID infrastructures would be protected against evolving industry protocols and standards.”
Industry Partners Note Firmware Release
Printronix has worked closely with the companies most responsible for the advancement of RFID technology as a supply-chain enabler. In addition, Printronix has aligned with technology and solution providers that support the Gen 2 standard to accelerate technology adoption.
Printronix’s first-to-market release of a Gen 2 firmware upgrade enables users to migrate to Gen 2 silicon and tags as they become commercially available in volume, while continuing to use their current generation protocols.
“Printronix has given our customers a fast-track way to embrace Gen 2 RFID printing,” said Mike Lowry, president, Lowry. “We have already deployed Printronix’s Gen 2 solution for a large CPG customer of ours, and it is allowing us to begin tagging goods with Gen 2 smart labels. With Printronix as a partner, we know our customers can implement RFID printing solutions without the challenges and costs related to changing protocols.”
The firmware release also marks the introduction of Gen 2 tags from Texas Instruments Radio Frequency Identification (TI-RFid) Systems on the Printronix SmartLine platform.
“Together, Printronix and Texas Instruments are advancing the market and implementing Gen 2 technology in retail and manufacturing supply chains,” said Julie England, vice president of Texas Instruments and general manager. “The availability of Printronix printer solutions that encode our tags demonstrates delivery on both companies’ Gen 2 commitment."
Firmware Ready for Immediate Implementation
Printronix developed the Gen 2 firmware to work with its SmartLine RFID printer family, which includes the recently introduced 5r Multi-Technology Platform as well as SL5000e™ MP and SLPA7000eTM MP printers. There is no cost to existing Printronix customers using any of its SmartLine, multiprotocol printers. Customers may obtain the firmware immediately by contacting customer technical support at (714) 368-2686.
About Printronix Inc.
Through its three-decade Leadership By Design strategy, Printronix Inc. (NASDAQ: PTNX) has been the first choice for industrial-marketplace and supply-chain printing technologies. Its line matrix, thermal bar code, laser and radio frequency identification (RFID) printers and software lead market share and innovate the industry. Visit www.printronix.com for company information.
Printronix extends its worldwide leadership in RFID printing with the introduction of the industry’s first free EPCglobal™ Generation 2 printer firmware upgrade. Printronix customers using any of its SmartLine multiprotocol, radio frequency identification (RFID) printing systems gain a cost-free upgrade path to the Gen 2 protocol and a means to immediately begin Gen 2 encoding. The upgrade enables users to migrate to Gen 2 silicon and tags as they become commercially available in volume, while continuing to use their current generation Printronix printer.