Zebra Delivers EPC Gen 2 RFID Printing/Encoding With Industry's First Free, Downloadable Firmware Upgrade
Zebra Technologies, a leading manufacturer of radio frequency identification (RFID) printer/encoders, today announced a free EPCglobal Gen 2 firmware upgrade for its RFID smart label printer/encoders.
Zebra customers can download and install the firmware to conveniently expand RFID support to include Gen 2 smart label printing/encoding. No hardware replacement or service call is required. Zebra is the first company to provide publicly downloadable firmware to support Gen 2 RFID, while still supporting previous protocols.
The free firmware upgrade is available for Zebra's RXi series printer/encoders, the soon to be announced RPAX4 series print engines and European R4Mplus printer/encoders. These models are configured to update RFID protocols via firmware, not hardware, so there is no need to replace the reader module to add support for new protocols.
Because Gen 2 functionality can be added to Zebra printer/encoders without sacrificing the use of other UHF technologies, including EPC Class 1 and Class 0, companies who utilize Zebra RFID printer/encoders can be assured that the product will support their current and future business needs.
"Zebra's firmware solution provides outstanding convenience for users. We've removed concerns about transitioning to Gen 2, and eliminated the time and expense often associated with upgrading to new protocols," said Bob Cornick, vice president and general manager of RFID for Zebra. "Zebra's multi-protocol printer/encoders protect our customers' RFID investments by making it practical to adopt the powerful Gen 2 standard, while leveraging their legacy equipment."
Gen 2 is a flexible standard that conforms to different frequency, emission, power output and other radio regulations in place around the world. Zebra UHF printer/encoder products have been approved for use in 35 countries, with additional approvals pending. Zebra's firmware supports all Gen 2 features and is qualified for use on currently available tag types. Zebra will continue to develop additional RFID no-cost and readily available firmware upgrades, to accommodate emerging protocols and additional tag types.
About Zebra Technologies
Zebra Technologies Corp. (Nasdaq: ZBRA) delivers innovative and reliable on-demand printing solutions for business improvement and security applications in 100 countries around the world. More than 90 percent of Fortune 500 companies use Zebra-brand printers. A broad range of applications benefit from Zebra-brand thermal bar code, ‘smart' label, receipt, and card printers, resulting in enhanced security, increased productivity, improved quality, lower costs, and better customer service.
The company has sold more than four million printers, including RFID printer/encoders and wireless mobile solutions, and also offers software, connectivity solutions and printing supplies. Information about Zebra bar code and RFID products can be found at www.zebra.com.