White Paper: The Benefits of Wireless Printing
Wireless printing provides the responsiveness and flexibility that modern manufacturing and supply chain operations demand. These benefits come without performance trade-offs or a premium price. In fact, the total cost of ownership for wireless printing systems can be lower than traditional, wired-network configurations. There are few limitations on where bar codes can go. The compact patterns of lines and spaces can be read on assembly lines, shipping and receiving docks, patient bedsides, retail checkouts, offices—anywhere information is needed. The traditional limitation on bar code systems has been the location where the symbols could be produced. By eliminating the need for a physical network connection, wireless printers remove the final obstacle to creating bar codes in real time where they are needed.
This white paper introduces prospective users to the basics of wireless printing, including applications, benefits, wireless networking technology, connectivity options, and security. For this paper, "wireless printers" refers to printers in which a radio frequency (RF) interface is used to connect the printer to a network. In many mobile printing applications, a wireless interface replaces the cable connection between the computer and mobile printer carried or worn by the operator. This paper deals with wireless networking and does not address mobile, cablereplacement applications except as noted.