TEKLYNX Introduces SENTINEL Print Pack S/4 Print Management Software for LABELVIEW.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

MILWAUKEE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 2, 2004

Provides reliable, flexible and secure print management for enterprise-wide applications...

(Screen capture graphic is available by contacting Sandy McLaughlin at [e-mail].)

TEKLYNX(R) International, the world's leading developer of software products for the AIDC marketplace, is introducing SENTINEL(TM) Print Pack S/4 print management software for its LABELVIEW(TM) label design software. The company previously announced SENTINEL Print Pack S/4 with its CODESOFT(R) label design software in March. The SENTINEL data capture, mapping and distributive printing application is ideal for distributed ERP, MRP II and WMS systems in large organizations that require centralized control of enterprise-wide bar code printing.

SENTINEL Print Pack S/4 is an event driven, high performance print management tool designed to process enterprise-wide label and form printing data, regardless of format. It enables host applications to print to any designated printer anywhere in the enterprise. The new version adds significant process management features that fully leverage the Internet while continuing to support legacy systems.

Using SENTINEL Print Pack S/4, host system data can be merged with LABELVIEW label designs without requiring complex and costly modifications to the host application. SENTINEL Print Pack S/4 enables the host system to send data in a compatible format to a local, networked or Internet-based virtual printer file.

SENTINEL monitors the virtual file using "sentinel watch" to send both static and dynamic data to TEKLYNX' Gold version of LABELVIEW label design software which maps and prints the information in the correct label format. SENTINEL supports any enterprise system, including host applications from SAP, Baan, JD Edwards, Oracle, PeopleSoft and others.

Top-level security/simplicity

SENTINEL Print Pack S/4 helps system administrators keep control of the enterprise data by enabling output (label and form data) to be sent to a designated file, virtual printer or TCP/IP port, or even over a WiFi network, without allowing the printing process to change the source data. This approach keeps enterprise-level control and security separate from the printing process.

SENTINEL Print Pack S/4 maintains control throughout the process. Administrators are able to designate files, locations, printers, data maps, and processing rules. In addition, output, report, e-mail reporting, log file and TCP/IP port listening plug-ins allow developers and administrators to monitor system performance. The multi-threaded print engine and load balancing capabilities facilitate high throughput.

Further, since SENTINEL does not require reprogramming core applications, the technical requirements on IT staffs are greatly reduced. A simple printer driver is all that is required at the host level; the SENTINEL middleware software and LABELVIEW label design software handle the formatting, printer instructions and other tasks. This approach also eliminates the burden of finding compatible bar code printers for legacy systems that cannot accommodate newer printers. LABELVIEW design software works with any Microsoft Windows-compatible printer, as well as hundreds of the most advanced specialty thermal and RFID label printers.

Flexible integration

SENTINEL Print Pack S/4 is designed to work in the most advanced environments and in support of legacy systems. Its flexible approach accommodates virtually any file structure as input to the printing process, including:

ASCII - Both character-delimited tables and column-aligned tables.

Forms - Complex formats that include header and footer 

information, as well as repeating blocks of data, such as

quantities, descriptions, costs and extensions.

Unformatted - Raw data, such as printer code, that is often used

with legacy systems that are programmed to print to a specific

printer.

Direct and Table Assignment - Both direct assignment and table

assignment to dynamically analyze data files to generate printing

for different labels.

Commented David Pettiford, TEKLYNX global product marketing manager, "SENTINEL provides the perfect pathway for customers to eliminate standalone bar code label printing operations while maintaining their current LABELVIEW label templates. Many have put off conversion due to the complexity and cost of tying label printing into their enterprise systems. SENTINEL takes away the risk while providing secure, reliable access to the actual source information that should be driving the labeling process."

SENTINEL Print Pack S/4 is available immediately through TEKLYNX Certified Integrator (TCI) partners under a simple-to-implement and administer per-printer licensing program. TEKLYNX supports over 70 bar code variations on hundreds of thermal printers from over 75 vendors, including Printronix, Datamax, Intermec, Sato and Zebra, as well as any Windows-compatible printer.

About TEKLYNX

TEKLYNX International is the leading software developer of AIDC products including software for label design, host connectivity, and data collection. Its software products feature the widest range of device and driver support in the industry. TEKLYNX is a Microsoft Certified Partner and has connectivity relationships with multiple ERP software providers. Over 400,000 companies in 120 countries rely on its integrated software solutions for supply chain automation, warehouse management, shipping and receiving, inventory control and asset management. The company is headquartered in Milwaukee with operations in the United States, Europe, Japan, China, Singapore, and Canada. More information on TEKLYNX International is available at www.teklynx.com.

AIDC - Automatic Identification and Data Collection

ERP - Enterprise Resource Planning 

MRP II - Material Requirements Planning 

WMS - Warehouse Management System

TCP/IP - Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol

WiFi - Wireless Fidelity

RFID - Radio Frequency Identification 

ASCII - American Standard Code for Information Interchange 

NOTE TO EDITORS: TEKLYNX, CODESOFT, LABELVIEW and SENTINEL are trademarks or registered trademarks of Braton Groupe sarl or its affiliated companies. All other brands and product names are the trademarks of their respective owners.