Printronix Launches 5r Hi-Tech Thermal Transfer Printer

BEIJING, April 12, 2005 - Printronix, Inc. (Nasdaq: PTNX), a leading provider of integrated supply chain printing solutions, today introduced 5r high-tech thermal transfer printers. The 5R printer builds on the success of the high-performance T5000e and SL5000e series, further consolidating its market position as the first EPCglobal UHF multi-protocol wireless radio frequency identification (RFID) printer to hit the market. The device not only allows users to immediately benefit from Printronix's industry-leading advantages in bar code/label printing, but also provides users with the flexibility to upgrade RFID to meet future technical needs. With the launch of this product, Printronix also introduced EPCglobal RFID printing technology to Australia, Singapore and Taiwan, where official frequency ranges have been announced. The SL5000r RFID printer is the EPC-standard RFID printer that is currently the most widely commercialized in the world.

Based on the 166-MHz, 32-bit PowerPC processor 32MB DRAM and 8MB of flash memory, as the first printer to support multiple printer languages, it supports multiple languages ​​including development for Zebra, SATO, Intermec and TEC printers. Users simply select the print language to achieve seamless integration of Printronix printers and application systems. 5r products have many unique new features such as PrintNet Enterprise remote printer management software, integrated closed-loop bar code and RFID data availability, and interchangeable print plug-ins, setting new standards for versatility, reliability, and convenience.

Mr. Robert A. Kleist, president and CEO of Printronix, said: "Principal is the first manufacturer to provide UHF and RFID printers for EPC applications. We actively participate in the development of RFID to meet the requirements of Wal-Mart and the U.S. Department of Defense. The demand has accumulated a wealth of successful experience.In response to customers' needs for bar code printers, we have developed a 5R platform that not only provides superior performance, but also provides excellent flexibility and upgradeability in the event of future changes in standards. RFID is a kind of enterprise conversion technology that can bring about more considerable logistics productivity, 5R equipment provides customers with printing technology protection, customers do not need to purchase specially configured printers or additional upgrade programs in the future. Now, consumers only buy them. The products that are really needed now, these products have upgraded functions."

The SL5000r MP RFID printer series is based on the AWID Reder mode, uses industry-accepted Printronix RFID Smart decoding technology, and is compatible with EPCglobal Gen 2 while providing RFID for a range of applications that comply with EPCglobal 0, 0+, 1 and Philips 1.19 standards solution. By implementing flexible decoding of RFID on a global scale, EPCglobal Gen 2 can be upgraded via firmware for free, and external kits can also adapt to changes in frequency worldwide. These printers are also able to decode and print labels that have become various sizes and standards. The core of the 5R platform RFID Smart decoding technology is the newly developed smart media detection function. If a printer with an RFID tag receives a non-RFID print job, this feature will initiate advanced notifications and remote prompts, and will not print regular bar code jobs on expensive RFID tags to avoid unnecessary loss to customers.

Leading design

Based on Printronix's "Leading Design" strategy, the 5R platform is named after its unique five competitive advantages:

Scalability: Compatible with Zebra, SATO, Intermec, and TEC print languages, standardizing the existing printing environment to meet the changing needs of customers.

Innovation: Printronix continues to innovate solutions in the face of real-world challenges and establishes its position as a technological leader. These innovations include the first UHF RFID smart labeling solution; online barcode data detection technology (ODV) that completely excludes invalid barcodes from entering the supply chain; for wireless printing technology, users can print or decode labels whenever and wherever they are needed; GPIO interface for communication with external devices.

Stability: The standard of the 5R platform is to generate the highest quality barcodes and RFID tags. In the harshest environments, it can still maintain the stability of the printer. Due to the reduced manual intervention accuracy, the cost performance of this series of printers is 29% higher than similar products.

Excellent system: The 5R platform creates the highest standards for printing high-quality barcodes and RFID tags, and provides reliability in the toughest environments to ensure that the printer remains stable, clean, and more, including fewer interruptions in use, more than competing printers 29% high availability.

Adapt to change: 5r is the only device on the market that can provide a clear upgrade path for future printing needs, including RFID, printing solutions, and bar code validation as part of the standard product.

Flexible: The 5r platform is FCC-B and ETSI certified, and will upgrade 5r to an RFID printer when needed.

Easy way to upgrade to RFID

American Air Product Co., Ltd. (NYSE: APD) is the first company to adopt the 5r series of products in its operations. Gene Prokop, the company's global printing division technical staff, said: "We haven't changed or adjusted any applications and it's easy to switch from the Printronix T5000e to the new T5000r. The T5000r gives us very clear ways to upgrade to RFID. And its PowerPC processor has doubled our print processing capacity."

Product and Specifications

The 5r series is now available in the North American and European markets and will be launched in the Asia Pacific region within 60 days. The printer is available in 4, 6, and 8 inches wide, with a standard resolution of 203 or 300 dpi. Its maximum print speed is 10 inches per second and comes with a set of high-performance drivers. Printronix also offers a version of the SL5000r Developer's Kit, which includes certified RFID tags and software to help users develop and build RFID experiments and development efforts.

The new T5000r and SL5000r can completely replace the 5e series and provide seamless upgrades for existing users. Users can continue to order T5000e and SL5000e products in April.