Enhanced Applications
The choice of a thermal printer is defined by the application. Often the printer is a dumb terminal at the end of a receiving line of communication. However, with DMXConnect Application Enhancement, that printer becomes an intelligent, dynamic, and interactive component of the system, allowing the printer to replace the terminal that once drove it. Application Enhancement is designed to increase a printer’s capabilities in a particular application. These revolutionary tools are all used in conjunction with other DMXConnect solutions and are designed to create more value in a printer investment.
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MCL Collection
MCL (Macro Command Language) is a rapid application development (RAD) tool suite designed specifically for data collection applications. While MCL has been in existence for several years functioning in the Symbol product line, Datamax is the first thermal printer manufacturer to offer this unique capability. MCLscript, the result of an MCL application development effort, can now be ported to and run on an appropriately configured Datamax printer. The MCL suite consists of the following primary components:
1. The Datamax/MCL Designer
The Designer is a high level graphical scripting tool which allows an individual to develop an MCLscript application without actually writing program code.
2. The Datamax/MCL Simulator
The Simulator allows the developer to test, debug, and fine tune the MCLscript application on the PC before uploading it to the Datamax printer.
3. The Datamax/MCL Loader
The Loader provides a mechanism for transferring the MCLscript and any other associated application files to the memory of the Datamax printer.
4. The Datamax/MCL Client (or runtime)
The Client resides with the firmware in the Datamax printer and executes the MCLscript application.
5. MCL host communications
MCL-Link and MCL-Net are the components that manage the communications between the devices involved in the MCL application. Link is designed for wired connectivity and Net is intended for wireless connectivity.
6. MCL host application bridges
The MCL development team has also provided application “bridges” for a few of the more popular ERP environments. SAP R/3-IDOC Bridge, SAP R/3-RFC/BAPI Bridge, and the BaaN Bridge are all designed to facilitate data exchange between the MCL environment and the respective host data facility.
An MCL-enabled Datamax printer can host the application in an MCL environment. This means that the Datamax printer can accept input data from attached peripheral devices such as barcode scanners, weigh scales, keyboards, etc. without the need for a PC. The application residing in the printer can then also request data from, or send data to, a locally resident lookup file, or even a remote host database. Such an intelligent printer clears the way for enhancing communication capabilities at a particular location while reducing an investment in hardware. Datamax is currently the only thermal printer manufacturer with this broad-reaching MCL solution.
SNMP
Standard TCP/IP allows the use of SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) for rich status and error reporting, providing powerful printer management tools from remote locations. SNMP allows administrators in remote locations to access the printer’s IP address at their location and perform management functions on the printer such as querying the printer for status and altering the printer’s configuration. This tool has been a great help in situations where a global corporation has a number of printers deployed in many locations around the world and wants to minimize administrative costs. If a local user experiences a problem with the printer, the administrator can query the printer to find out what is wrong and provide a solution to the local user, even though the administrator is 2,000 miles away. Click here for Datamax SNMP enabled products.
I-Class Scanner
The Datamax Linear Scanner is an affordable, rugged, and effective alternative to the high cost and complication of a traditional online bar code verifier for your I-Class printer. Today, it is an assumption that your company will have to affix a certain type of label to its outbound shipments. For example, many businesses require compliance labeling. High-profile compliance labeling exists in the automotive, retail, aerospace and defense industries, but even smaller industries are now introducing labeling initiatives because of the cost savings that can be achieved through a seamless supply channel. A smooth process hinges on impeccable print quality and scanning is the perfect way to ensure that, on every label, the bar codes meet requirements.
The Linear Scanner uses charge-coupled device (CCD) technology to ensure that your printed bar codes are readable. As labels pass under the fixed-position head, they are scanned at a rate of up to 700 hundred times per second. The received signals of light are then converted electrically and digitized. This captured information is compared to the appropriate internal algorithm via a 32-bit microprocessor and analyzed to ensure that the symbology has good contrast, correct bar width ratios, and sufficient quiet zone margins to be decodable.
Fully integrated, different operational modes determine the printer's action once an unreadable bar code is detected, allowing you to tailor the system to your needs. These menu-selectable fault-handling options include automatic reprinting and automatic voiding of any label containing an unreadable bar code.
The Datamax Linear Scanner offers fast, hands-free scanning and productive error handling options to ensure that all your printed labels will contain barcodes that are readable, which can translate to improved compliance, efficiency and cost savings for your business.
GPIO
The General Purpose Input Output (GPIO) is a user’s interface to control the start of print (INPUT) and monitor the status (OUTPUT) of a label in the printer. GPIO is used mostly for applicators such as the Datamax A-Class to control when to print a label and to know the status of when a label has completed printing to signal the applicator to pick it up. GPIO is standard on the PE-Series, and is optional on the Datamax I- and W-Class products.
