Zebra Technologies, a global leader in specialty printing and automatic identification solutions, has launched UHF encoding within its P330i and P430i card printers. UHF RFID encoded cards can help to save time and costs, while heightening security in a host of identification, access control and asset tracking applications. The new encoding option for P330i and P430i complements Zebra’s new UHF cards that enable a read-range of up to 30 per cent further than standard UHF cards.

“Both the P330i and P430i now offer the industry’s most versatile RFID-enabled capabilities in their class for business, hospitality, recreation and a variety of other applications”, said John Timman, EMEA Director of Card Sales at Zebra Technologies.

Zebra’s proprietary UHF antenna is embedded in the card stock, providing a longer read-range of up to 20 feet (6 meters) from the sensor, compared to just 15 feet (4.5 meters) for most standard UHF cards.

This capability has a number of key benefits:

· Enhances vehicle and fleet tracking to provide fast, accurate information about transport time, dwell time, entry and exit times

· Improved people tracking at entrances and exits in high-security premises such as enterprises, data centers, and government and healthcare facilities

· More efficient access control and visitor tracking by ensuring individuals’ locations are known, as well as ensuring access authentication to secure areas

· Work-in-process tracking and tracing, tools, equipment, and reusable assets (such as drums, totes and containers) to save costs on repeated purchase of RFID tags/labels

· Retailers can also easily produce RFID-enabled customer loyalty cards to increase customer recognition and service

The card printers/encoders are rugged, fast and easy to use. The Zebra P430i with the UHF option can print and encode as many as 130 single-sided, full-color cards or 102 dual-sided, full color cards per hour. Both models deliver clear, vibrant color printing and print resolution of 300 dpi.

The P330i and P430i are suitable for transponder types EPC Class 0; EPC Class 1, Gen 1; EPC Class 1, Gen 2; ISO18000-6b and 6-c; and others. Available in two sizes, the card printer/encoders feature 4 MB image memory standard, a 16-character LCD display, and an innovative angled, high-capacity card feeder for faster throughput and fewer rejections. They are designed for use with Zebra-designed cards, and are also compatible with cards provided by other solution providers. Product options include a magnetic encoder, Mifare contactless encoder, contact smart card encoder and built-in 10/100 Ethernet capability.

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Zebra Technologies is a leading global provider of rugged and reliable specialty printing solutions, including on-demand thermal bar code label and receipt printers and supplies, plastic card printers, RFID smart label printer/encoders, certified smart media, and digital photo printers.

With the most recognized brand in the automatic identification industry and the most complete product line, Zebra solutions are used by more than 90 percent of Fortune 500 and global 2000 companies to improve business processes, increase productivity, and strengthen security. More than five million Zebra printers have been sold worldwide.

History

Vernon Hills, Ill.-based Zebra was incorporated in 1969 as Data Specialties Inc., a manufacturer of high-speed electromechanical products. The company changed its focus to specialty on-demand labeling and ticketing systems in 1982, and became Zebra Technologies Corp. in 1986. Zebra became a publicly traded company in 1991, with shares traded on the NASDAQ Stock Market under the symbol ZBRA. To underscore its commitment to quality and reliability, all of Zebra’s design and manufacturing sites are certified to the ISO 9000 international standard for quality management.

Zebra's international distribution and sales network encompasses more than 90 countries. Zebra Technologies Europe Ltd, headquartered in the United Kingdom, provides product and specialty label sales and support to a wide area of operations, including oversight of the sales and support offices in France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Sweden, Spain, and the United Arab Emirates.

Products

Zebra products have earned a reputation for reliability and durability. With an installed base of nearly five million printers, the Zebra brand is the most respected in the industry. The product line offered by Zebra are mentioned below

· High Performance Printers - Rugged and reliable, Zebra's high performance printers operate in peak condition to deliver value in non-stop operations.

· Industrial and Commercial Printers - Economical and durable, Zebra's industrial and commercial printers enhance your productivity and strengthen your bottom line.

· Desktop Printers - For light printing spaces, Zebra desktop printers are a compact, affordable, and easy-to-operate solution.

· Mobile Printers - Zebra's broad range of mobile printers work on-site, on-demand to keep your business on the go. Wireless mobile printing is much easier with this technology.

· RFID Printers/Encoders - RFID printers and encoders help you implement instant, measurable improvements in operating efficiency, accuracy, and supply chain visibility.

· Print Engines - PAX OEM print engines offer specialized solutions, a wide range of mission-critical print engines, even wireless and European capabilities!

· Card Printers - Zebra card printers offer reliable solutions for protecting who you are, what you do, where you can go and even how you buy.

· Networking Products - For centralized management and remote access, Zebra offers the most flexible solutions for advanced connectivity and networking.

· Software - Zebra's plug-and-print, ERP-friendly label design and connectivity software makes bar coding easy. No programming needed for quality labels.

· Supplies - Zebra provides in-stock and custom media solutions, including over 1,000 combinations of high-quality and reliable labels, tags, and ribbons.

· Accessories - Zebra's field- and factory-installable accessories enable you to maximize and customize the performance of your printers.

· Parts and Print heads - Made to Zebra's exacting engineering standards, our replacement parts and print heads are quality components that ensure your printer will provide the reliability and performance you expect.

· Printer Management - Integrating and maintaining remote Zebra printers in a distributed environment is easy with Zebra’s advanced centralized printer management tools.

Zebra is recognized as one of North America’s fastest growing companies by leading industry analysts and national, local and trade business magazines. Zebra was recently named “Supply Chain Innovator” by Supply Chain Systems magazine, and the readers of Consumer Goods Technology magazine recently named Zebra the number one company for RFID customer support. You could log on to the website www.zebra.com