Printer Options

The Talkman device hardware and robust software is flexible enough to accommodate a variety of printing needs. The combination of the voice device and wearable printer communicating over a WLAN can be an ideal enhancement to workflows which require immediate printing.

Stationary Printers

As the name implies, these printers are at a fixed location and are typically shared among many users. Honeywell software, working in conjunction with the Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), sometimes called Radio Frequency LAN (RFLAN), can make a request to a server system and initiate printing. Honeywell VoiceLink software may moderate the printing or a Warehouse Management System (WMS) may be used to control this type of host based printing.

Troubleshooting Stationary Printers

Stationary printers may not print for several reasons.

  • Supplies may be low – it’s important to have supplies of paper, labels, ribbons or toner readily available.
  • Power or data communications – may be interrupted, procedures for checking power or cabling should be posted if this is a possible issue with the printer.
  • Server print queue – may be stalled or the server may be down, it is necessary to contact the party responsible for the printer (typically the Information Technology Department) to resolve the issue.

Because printing may be an integral part of a workflow servicing many workers it’s important to have clearly posted troubleshooting/resolution procedure posted or a way to contact someone who can rapidly assist in resolving the printing issue.

Wearable Printers

It may be more convenient or necessary for individual workers to be able to print from their location for the purposes of affixing labels as part of their work operations.

Wearable printers, such as the PB50 from Intermec, can be an ideal choice for this type of operation. These printers typically offer various interface modes including RS-232, WLAN or Bluetooth.

Wireless Bluetooth printers are also available. These are discussed later in this document.

Troubleshooting Wearable Printers

The following issues can occur with wearable printers.

  • Battery wear – just like all mobile devices printer batteries are subject to wear.  If a mobile printer does not function, a good first step is to assure that its battery is in charged.
  • Cord deterioration - repeated bending, pulling and stretching of the cord via normal wear and tear can cause it to fail. If a wired wearable printer is not printing, testing it with a cord that is known to be good may resolve the issue.
  • Paper or ribbon issues – it’s important to have supplies on-hand so that workers can quickly have them replenished.