REDPRAIRIE AND PRINTRONIX PARTNER TO OFFER RFID SUPPLY CHAIN SOLUTIONS TO EUROPEAN COMPANIES

Printronix, the leading manufacturer of integrated enterprise printing solutions today announced a joint partnership with RedPrairie, a global leader in supply chain technology to provide radio frequency identification (RFID) hardware and expertise to European companies. This combined offering integrates RedPrairie's Warehouse Management System (WMS) along with Printronix' EPC-compatible printers to facilitate an end-to-end RFID solution.

RedPrairie joins Printronix' RFID Smart Partner Programme as a Full RFID Integrator, authorised to resell and provide support to end-users for all Printronix RFID products and thermal printing solutions. In becoming a Printronix partner, RedPrairie will use its RFID expertise to install and integrate Printronix RFID Smart Label printers along with its own middleware applications.

There are many companies who do not have the time or resources to implement new systems or upgrade existing ones in time to meet the mandates set down by Wal-Mart, the Department of Defence and major European retailers such as Tesco. For these companies, RedPrairie offers its RFID Igniter and RFID Accelerator middleware applications that can be easily integrated with any existing Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) or distribution system to enable end-users to implement RFID technology.

"In order to provide complete RFID solutions for our clients, we have formed partnerships with leading hardware vendors to give customers access to cutting-edge, upgradeable technology to exploit the potential of RFID today," said RedPrairie's company leader, John Jazwiec. "By becoming a certified Printronix RFID partner, we can integrate RFID printing solutions with our RFID solutions and enable businesses to deploy comprehensive RFID solutions in their supply chains."

"Printronix' RFID Smart Label printers are a practical, cost-effective first step for companies to take advantage of the business benefits that can be achieved by implementing RFID technology. RFID adoption is set to soar in Europe, with recent research showing that 89% of retailers will be using the technology by 2006, so this partnership will help RedPrairie and Printronix to capitalise on the European demand for RFID," said Claus Hinge, vice president, sales and marketing, Printronix EMEA.