Innovative Bar Code and RFID Printing Solutions for SAP Users

Executive Summary

Producing bar code and RFID output from SAP® applications has traditionally been a challenge. Specialized printers used in industrial environments require different command languages than office printers. IT departments often rely on middleware or printer-specific SAPscript. However, innovative solutions from SAP and Zebra now offer a seamless environment for creating complex bar code and RFID labels for various business applications.

In 2004, SAP simplified bar code printing by including native capability and a true bar code printer driver in its software, available for mySAP™ Business Suite, Smart Forms, and Interactive Forms (co-developed with Adobe Systems), a component of the SAP NetWeaver® application server platform.

Through partnership, SAP embedded the Zebra Programming Language (ZPL®) into its products. This integration allows Zebra® printers to print both bar code and RFID labels directly from SAP applications, eliminating the need for additional software, drivers, print servers, or programming, resulting in a more robust, scalable, and reliable solution.

The document outlines key integration points:

• Comprehensive Integration
• Flexible Options
• Seamless Connectivity

The diagram illustrates the integration architecture, showing SAP WMS/SCM/ERP and the SAP NetWeaver® Application Server (part of mySAP™ Business Suite) connecting to NetWeaver® Mobile. From NetWeaver® Mobile, data flows through two primary paths: Direct Printing (via SAP Smart Forms or Zebra Designer for mySAP™) and Upload Printing (via SAPscript). Both paths lead to Zebra Fixed & Mobile Printers, representing the seamless connectivity and flexible options available.

This white paper overviews SAP bar code and RFID printing solutions offered by Zebra, detailing output methods for common SAP usage scenarios:

• Upload printing methods (SAPscript)
• Zebra's upload solution: ZebraDesigner™ for mySAP™ Business Suite
• Direct Printing from SAP (SAP Smart Forms and Interactive Forms)

Additional topics covered include:

• Using Unicode™-enabled printers for international character printing
• SAP NetWeaver® Mobile support for Zebra wireless printers
• SAP Auto-ID infrastructure support for RFID printers/encoders

Introduction

Without native printer support, generating bar codes from SAP requires software to translate printer commands into device-specific formats. This involves extracting static/variable data, encoding it for label fields and RFID data, and formatting it for the target printer's command language.

Before SAP's advancements, various alternatives existed for SAP customers to output enterprise information in bar code format. Today, approaches for SAP bar code and RFID label printing involve either uploading printer control language to the SAP application or downloading SAP conversion functionality to the print system. The most common methods are:

• Upload method: Designers create labels using third-party software and upload them into SAP via SAPscript programming.
• Direct printing: Smart Forms and Interactive Forms allow users to create label designs within SAP and generate native command outputs to specific printers.

Choosing the best method depends on factors like the number of label formats, frequency of changes, new format requirements, RFID data fields, number of printers (fixed or mobile), and the legacy printer base.

Upload Methods (SAPScript)

The upload method is popular for generating bar code and RFID labels from SAP applications. Designers use third-party label design applications, and the design file is uploaded into the SAP form via SAPscript. Users can then print labels directly from SAP without additional processing.

Key benefits include simplicity and reliability. Printing systems are easy to administer, as no print server hardware maintenance is required after the initial upload. Direct printing also enables fast label output, crucial for supply chain management (SCM), warehouse management system (WMS), and enterprise resource planning (ERP) operations.

For traditional printers, the upload method might require ABAP™ programming. Each label format needs manual modifications to the printer control language (PCL) file to embed SAP variables and SAPscript logic, consuming time and money. Additionally, printers that do not support binary file uploads limit the use of Asian characters, restrict graphics capabilities, and may prevent the use of TrueType™ fonts. The upload method also imposes limitations on text wrapping, justifications, and variable field scaling.

Zebra's Upload Solution: ZebraDesigner™ for mySAP™ Business Suite

Zebra offers ZebraDesigner for mySAP™ Business Suite for bar code label design and output within the SAP environment. This software family simplifies the production of sophisticated labels. Created specifically for Zebra bar code printers, ZebraDesigner provides unique access to advanced Zebra printer features. It is an upload solution that eliminates manual modifications or scripting, allowing designers to create label formats much faster than with SAPscripts.

ZebraDesigner provides tools for a wide range of label designs, from simple to complex, and uploads files to the SAP system via the mySAP Business Suite Windows® client. It automatically generates SAPscript in mySAP Business Suite Internal Text Format (ITF) for SAP compatibility. The SAP system can direct bar code label output to Zebra fixed or mobile printers. A single license covers printing at all enterprise locations.

Learn more at www.zebra.com/sap.

Direct Printing from SAP (SAP Smart Forms and Interactive Forms)

SAP integrated native bar code printing support, including bar code rendering functionality and drivers for Zebra printers, starting with SAP release 4.6c. Users create bar code and RFID labels and forms using the SAP Smart Forms environment. If the destination printer supports ZPL, PostScript, or PCL output, it can print bar codes without additional programming. This also applies to Interactive Forms, SAP's form design tool within SAP NetWeaver, which includes the Adobe Form Designer and integrates with ABAP Workbench and SAP NetWeaver® Developer Studio. Interactive Forms also supports ZPL and bar code design.

The primary advantage of direct printing is simplicity, making the process as easy as printing a Word document. It requires no additional software licenses, servers, or PCs. This approach is economical, leveraging existing Smart Forms licenses. Support for the ZPL bar code printer command language facilitates migration from laser printers to thermal printers, which are more efficient and offer more features.

Limitations exist for direct bar code output from SAP. Users require a PostScript, PCL, or ZPL printer. However, PostScript and PCL laser printers are often poorly suited for enterprise bar code label printing due to limitations in print quality, speed, media options, and reliability. Zebra's ZPL thermal printers are available in various sizes and configurations, including compact desktop, rugged industrial, and mobile models. They support diverse connectivity options like Ethernet, 802.11a/b/g wireless, and Bluetooth®. While other manufacturers may offer ZPL emulation, they may not provide the full compatibility, features, and performance of true ZPL-enabled devices.

For more information on SAP Smart Forms bar code support, refer to SAP OSS Notes 430887, 750002, and 750772 at www.service.sap.com. Also, see Zebra's white paper “Using SAP® Smart Forms for Bar Code Label Printing from mySAP™ Business Suite" or Zebra's SAP Smart Forms technical documentation at www.zebra.com/smartforms.

International Printing for mySAP Business Suite—Unicode

Multinational enterprises must consider the languages their label printers must support. Printers use codepages to convert numeric codes into characters via fonts. Most codepages, like ASCII, support fewer than 256 characters, limiting multi-language printing. The Unicode codepage offers over 65,000 characters, sufficient for all major world languages.

While Western European languages are fully supported, Eastern European, Middle-Eastern, and Asian languages require special consideration. Zebra supports major business languages from SAP release 4.6c onwards via Unicode (UTF-8) for both Smart Forms and the SAPscript upload method using ZebraDesigner™ for mySAP™ Business Suite. This functionality is available without requiring SAP 4.7 Enterprise. This allows users to implement the same printer model and SAP forms across all locations, regardless of local languages and dialects, saving administration time and operating expenses.

Mobile and Wireless Printing

Leveraging SAP system investments involves extending information access to non-office workers. Wireless 802.11a/b/g networks are effective for this, and wireless printers enable seamless output wherever needed. Printers connected to an 802.11a/b/g network are identified by an Internet Protocol (IP) address to the SAP application. Users can design labels that print identically on fixed or mobile printers. Zebra's solutions convert SAP data into recognizable command language, regardless of printer type (fixed or wireless), maintaining printer networking, interface, and communication capabilities.

Zebra printers connect to 802.11a/b/g wireless local area networks, providing wireless Ethernet connectivity. Methods used for SAP output on Ethernet networks apply to wireless printers. The wireless printer has an IP address and appears as a network device. SAP sends print jobs and commands wirelessly. Data conversions and formatting remain the same as with physical connections. Printer drivers for specific models also work for wireless versions.

Mobile printers receive SAP print jobs in two ways: network-addressable wireless mobile printers interface like stationary mobile printers. Mobile printers without direct network connection can process jobs from a mobile computer via Bluetooth®.

The SAP NetWeaver® Mobile infrastructure platform delivers SAP's WMS/SCM/ERP transactions to mobile workers on handheld devices via wireless networks. Mobile users can operate in connected or disconnected environments with full data synchronization. SAP's technology fully supports Zebra's mobile printers, enabling workers to print labels on the go.

RFID Printing/Encoding

Zebra was the first to offer RFID printer/encoders that work seamlessly with SAP's Auto-ID Infrastructure, enabling integration with various auto-ID technologies, including RFID smart labels, with SAP enterprise applications. Zebra's XML-enabled RFID printers offer a direct connection with SAP. For each RFID print job, Auto-ID sends an XML task to the printer. The Zebra printer parses the XML data stream for label formatting, quantity, and variable field data, then reads the stored XML label format and applies field data while encoding the RFID tag.

Zebra offers products supporting SAP Auto-ID, including the R110Xi™, R170Xi™, R4Mplus™ EMEA version, and R110PAX™ printer/encoders. The Zebra XML Schema V 1.3-based solution enables SAP's RFID software tag-commissioning feature and is fully tested and certified.

Learn more about Zebra's direct connect to SAP Auto-ID Infrastructure at www.zebra.com/sap. Learn about Zebra RFID at www.zebra.com/rfid.

Conclusion

Making software and printers communicate effectively was a primary challenge for SAP application users. SAP and Zebra collaborated to provide bar code and RFID labeling solutions that use a common language—ZPL. For the highest reliability, efficiency, and scalability, SAP users can choose the upload method (ZebraDesigner for mySAP™ Business Suite) or Smart Forms. Businesses using SAP NetWeaver should also consider Interactive Forms, the latest SAP forms technology.

Companies should assess their label and form printing needs, legacy printer base, and replacement schedule to determine the best method for their operations. Aligning the method with the enterprise environment helps businesses meet their SAP bar code printing requirements reliably, efficiently, and cost-effectively.

Zebra Technologies Corporation (NASDAQ: ZBRA) provides a broad range of innovative technology solutions to identify, track, manage, and optimize critical assets for improved business efficiency. Zebra's core technologies include reliable on-demand printers and state-of-the-art software and hardware solutions. By enhancing sourcing, visibility, security, and accuracy, Zebra helps customers place the right asset in the right place at the right time. Zebra operates in over 100 countries and serves more than 90 percent of Fortune 500 companies worldwide.

For more information about Zebra's solutions, visit www.zebra.com.