SPI, the Sub-Saharan distributor for Optio Software, today announced the latter's Optio Advanced Labeling, a solution that enables companies to generate thermal, bar code and radio frequency identification (RFID) labels and print them on demand from Windows desktop computers and mobile devices.
"We're excited about this technology because it will help our customers solve difficult technical challenges with innovative solutions," commented John Riordan, president of Harvest Technology Group in Atlanta. "RFID has the potential to enhance visibility, reduce paperwork and eliminate obsolete, non-value-added processes from supply chains in virtually every industry."
Optio Advanced Labeling generates output from Windows desktop or wireless Pocket PCs, Windows CE and Windows CE.NET mobile devices and supports Maxicode, 2D, Data Matrix and many other bar code standards as well as hundreds of thermal label printers. Advanced Labeling works with Optio e.ComIntegrate, an existing document output management solution.
Research & Markets expects the RFID industry to grow from a $1.95 billion market in 2005 to $3 billion in 2006, and it is projected to reach $26.9 billion in 2015, according to a June 2005 report.
"We developed this product in response to the market's need for a solution that meets today's rapidly evolving labelling standards," added Steve Kaye, Optio senior vice-president of marketing and product management. "Because Advanced Labeling is fully compatible with existing Optio solutions and supports a rich collection of bar code, thermal printer and RFID technologies, customers can use both side by side as part of a gradual, cost-effective transition process. RFID has the promise to introduce dramatic new productivity efficiencies. For example, RFID tags on incoming pallets can automatically track and sort inventory-before the cartons are even opened - saving time, money and labour."
In addition to enabling organisations to accurately and automatically track items, Optio Advanced Labeling provides the capability to:
* Speed receiving process to inventory or production without human intervention.
* Print labels from the shop or warehouse floor.
* Tailor labels to customer and trading partner requirements.
* Track containers across borders and customs from manufacturer to customer.
* Track computers, printers and other valuable equipment for ready access and reduced losses.
* Reduce "lost" shipments.
* Ensure accurate identification of parts.
Optio Advanced Labeling conforms to leading retail, chemical, automotive and other RFID standards, including US Department of Defence, and supports bar code symbologies for 26 EAN.UPC, 29 linear, 13 composite and 10 2D standards. It also supports more than 900 optimised thermal-label printers and any standard office printer, including model-specific drivers for enhanced label printing performance. Label templates are compatible with stock from APLI, Avery, Brady, CILS, Zip Tape and other leading vendors. The system features wizard-driven design tools that let users select from a template or create a custom label.
Harvest Technology Group, founded in 1999 and based in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, provides interoperable, flexible and scalable enterprise content and distributed output management (ECDOM) solutions.
For further information, please contact Chris Anderson at telephone (011) 234 1560; fax (011) 234 1387; e-mail chris@spi.co.za.
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More than 5 000 companies use Optio solutions to achieve unprecedented speed, accuracy, functionality and quality in their inbound and outbound document processes and extend their enterprise resource planning (ERP) and hospital information systems (HIS) applications. Founded in 1981, Optio Software maintains its world headquarters in Alpharetta, Georgia, USA.
SPI
SPI is a company that provides utility software products and services to the open systems segment of the IT industry. It is the sole sub-Saharan Africa distributor for US-based FacetCorp, US-based Innovative Routines, UK-based Open Systems Management, US-based Optio Software and UK-based Xi Software. SPI is also the sales agent for UK-based Metron and develops some of its own software utilities to complement the overseas products that it distributes.
SPI has a wide and varied customer base and includes organisations such as Aspen Pharmacare, Johannesburg Municipality, Johannesburg University, Metropolitan Health Group, Nampak, National Brands, Stellenbosch University, UCT and Unisa.
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