IntermecJuly 27, 2004 08:01 AM US Eastern Timezone
EasyCoder PM4i Printer Joins Intermec's Existing Suite of UHF Generation 2 Upgradeable RFID Readers
EVERETT, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 27, 2004--Intermec Technologies Corp.:
-- Easy upgrades ensure customers have a complete suite of RFID products compliant with emerging EPCglobal UHF Generation 2 standard
-- Purchase PM4i and Medallion Service(R) contract by Sept. 30 to receive a $2,000 RFID upgrade at no charge
Intermec Technologies Corp.'s popular EasyCoder(R) PM4i bar code label printer has joined Intermec's suite of UHF Generation 2 upgradeable RFID equipment. Intermec customers now are able to begin pilots with current Intermec tags, readers and printers that support EPC numbering and read/write technology, with the assurance that their equipment will meet the final EPCglobal Generation 2 RFID standard through simple field upgrades and software downloads. To support adoption of the RFID Generation 2 standard, Intermec PM4i printers purchased between July 1 and September 30, 2004 are eligible for a free upgrade, a $2,000 value, to EPC UHF Generation 2 technology. The offer is open to North American printer customers who select a three-year Intermec Medallion Service(R) agreement with their EasyCoder PM4i printer purchase.
In addition, companies that purchase printers under the free RFID upgrade program will receive a 10 percent discount on any Intermec Smart Label media and a five percent discount on any standard media order placed at the time of upgrade.
The PM4i allows companies to create RFID smart labels without host system reprogramming to drive RFID applications. It can simultaneously print bar codes, human-readable text and graphics as it encodes the RFID label.
"Along with Intermec RFID readers, EasyCoder PM4i bar code printers will continue to provide our customers with significant business value as RFID standards are developed," said Intermec Vice President and General Manager Mike Wills, who leads Intermec's RFID initiatives. "Companies run the risk that pilot equipment being evaluated today may perform quite differently from those that meet final requirements. Intermec's host of RFID UHF Generation 2-upgradeable products reduces that risk."
Major retailers and the U.S. Department of Defense have outlined requirements for suppliers to implement read/write RFID capabilities at the case and pallet level by 2005. While standards conforming to final mandate requirements are still evolving, Intermec has designed the free RFID upgrade program to so printer customers can be assured of compliance with the final standard requirements for EPC UHF Generation 2. The program is designed to allow companies to protect investments by avoiding short-lived equipment purchases.
RFID is a complement to industry's current bar code-based tracking systems, allowing companies to automatically track inventory throughout an entire supply chain. RFID automatic data collection typically does not require line of sight or manual scanning as do most bar code-based systems. For example, information from RFID-tagged cases on a pallet can be read automatically using fixed, mobile or handheld readers rather than requiring individual bar code scanning. EPC UHF Generation 2 RFID technology adds the capability to change and update the information on each tag as it proceeds, providing new levels of up-to-date information for better decision making.
Customers can request an upgrade through March 31, 2005, by visiting www.intermec.com.
About the Intermec PM4i
The EasyCoder PM4i industrial bar code printer offers exceptionally fast throughput and printing, reliability and very high print quality. Using the latest technology, the PM4i features a strong and proven mechanical platform and powerful electronics.
The EasyCoder PM4i printer acts as a "smart client," executing user-defined printer and eliminating the need for a personal computer. It operates additional hardware (e.g. scanners, other printers, conveyors), accesses information from network host and retains the ability to change as needed with the application for additional functionality. When using the EasyLAN(TM) Wireless option for the PM4i, any attached peripheral devices also become part of the wireless infrastructure.
The EasyCoder PM4i includes integrated wired or wireless EasyLAN networking. The EasyLAN Wireless interface uses an integrated standard 802.11b radio, providing 128-bit WEP encryption of information relayed through the network. Intermec's wired and wireless technology ensures secure printing and network infrastructure for all environments.
Up to five interface ports can be used simultaneously. The EasyCoder PM4i includes serial, parallel, USB, internal EasyLAN Ethernet, and EasyLAN Wireless ports. The magnetic QuickMount printhead eliminates hassles and the need to call a service technician. The printhead is replaced quickly and easily with the magnet and u-brackets, ensuring proper alignment. The handy, inexpensive and PC-compatible Compact Flash memory technology provides quick and easy upgrades of firmware, fonts and memory.
About Intermec
Intermec Technologies Corp., a UNOVA Inc. (NYSE:UNA) company, is a leader in global supply chain solutions and in the development, manufacture and integration of wired and wireless automated data collection, Intellitag(R) RFID (radio frequency identification), mobile computing systems, bar code printers and label media. The company s products and services are used by customers in many industries to improve productivity, quality and responsiveness of business operations, from supply chain management and enterprise resource planning to field sales and service. For further information, visit www.intermec.com.
To learn more about how companies can benefit from Intermec's wireless technologies, contact Intermec Technologies Corp., 6001 36th Ave. West, Everett, WA 98203 USA; telephone 800-347-2636; or visit Intermec's web site at www.intermec.com. To learn more about UNOVA, visit www.unova.com
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