MultiPort Radio Operation
Introduction
“MultiPort Radio Operation,” or “MultiPort,” is the ability of Zebra’s Link-OS® printers to support seamless and simultaneous operation of both the 802.11a/b/g/n and Bluetooth® 3.0 interfaces. The feature is supported on the following Link-OS printers, when the printer has the 802.11a/b/g/n radio: QLn™, iMZ™, ZT400™, and ZQ500™ series.
Customer Use Cases & Benefits
Data Collection and On-Demand Printing
The MultiPort Radio enables simplified data collection and on-demand printing by allowing a printer to communicate with both a scanner via Bluetooth and to a computer server via Wi-Fi®. This solution can be used in a number of scenarios, such as price-update labeling.
In the price update scenario, the Bluetooth scanner reads a barcode label on a product and then sends that information to the printer via Bluetooth. The printer can automatically forward the scanned information to an app on a server, which checks with a database to determine if a price update is needed. When a price update event is detected, the server can send a new label to the printer over the Wi-Fi connection. This simplified data collection and on-demand printing solution can operate in an on premise or Cloud connected solutions.
Device Management
Previous to the MultiPort Radio solution, customers using Bluetooth-only printers did not have a way to manage the printer. By leveraging the MultiPort Radio option, the printer can now be managed via network based device management tools, such as Mirror, Profile Manager or AirWatch®.
Flexibility
Customers with Bluetooth applications can avoid the need to switch printer models if their application changes to include communication via the Wi-Fi connection, future proofing the printer for new uses and applications.
Click to read the full Application Note on MultiPort Radio Operation
Daniel Quagliana
Daniel Quagliana is the Global Developer Outreach Manager at Zebra. He works with Zebra’s ISV Partners and Developers to build awareness & educate on Zebra’s portfolio and tools to enable the creation of innovative Enterprise Visibility Solutions. Since the founding of Zebra’s ISV & Developer Program he has helped tens of thousands of developers around the world build thousands of industry leading applications. Previously Mr. Quagliana was a software engineer and the project lead, managing product development for Zebra’s strategic accounts. Prior to joining Zebra in 2007, Mr. Quagliana spent 5 years in the software development field. He received a B.S. degree in computer engineering from Northwestern University and is a credentialed Project Management Professional.
Replies