Wireless Printing Delivers Efficiency And Cost Savings In Retail

Wireless bar code and radio frequency identification (RFID) label printing is widely recognized by major retailers globally as an essential technology for enhancing store operations. The ability to print real-time information in the aisle, on demand, saves time, effort, and money—creating competitive advantages.

The cash register, the bar code, and the self-service kiosk all first proved their value in retail stores before becoming mainstream productivity tools. Now, another technology is delivering retailers new cost savings, operational efficiencies, and opportunities to improve customer service: wireless printing of bar code and RFID tags. The characteristics that set wireless printing apart from traditional cabled printer configurations—a smaller footprint, unlimited placement options, improved aesthetics, lower maintenance costs, and improved safety and productivity— are perhaps more valuable to retailers than any other industry.

"Wireless printers" refers to printers in which a radio frequency (RF) or infrared light (IR) interface connects the printer to the network, a controlling PC, a handheld computer, or both. By selectively replacing shelf-label printers, pricing guns, shipping-label printers, receipt printers, coupon stations, and other label-generating equipment with wireless printers, retailers can reduce printing and labeling expenses while improving customer service and floor staff productivity.