SATO Corporation., a global leader in barcode printing, labeling, and EPC/RFID solutions, announced the launch of its latest line of industrial printers, the GTe Series. Available as direct thermal or thermal transfer, the GTe is the premium class of the “e” series, SATO’s speed-enhanced industrial thermal printers. It is SATO’s fourth new printer in three years.
The GTe is the most intelligent printer in its class. Featuring the exclusive SATO Embedded Basic Language (SEMBL), it offers users the flexibility to create and load customized stand-alone programs into the printer. With SEMBL, the GTe can interface with external devices such as a keyboards, barcode scanners, scales, or input/output modules directly, as well as process received data in standalone mode, without any connection to an external PC.
In addition, the GTe also features a print speed of 12 inches per second at 305 dpi and an “automatic detection system” that detects any printhead change. This provides users the option of selecting – and subsequently changing – the print resolution, based on evolving needs and requirements. Printheads are available in 203 dpi, 305 dpi, and 609 dpi.The GTe employs a high-speed 32-bit RISC processor for maximum throughput. And with the 609 dpi printhead installed, smaller size 2-D codes such as Micro PDF417, Maxicode, and Datamatrix are produced with excellent legibility and consistency, ensuring high read-rates. According to Mike Fowler, president, SATO America, “This is a winning model for SATO. The GTe is not just another extension of a printer class; rather, with its advance features and performance, it creates an entirely new printer class. This printer will set the standard for all other industrial printers in the market. With its print speed of 12 inches per second at 305 dpi, options such as user-selectable dpi (achieved by simply changing printheads), and SEMBL, a BASIC interpreter that provides unlimited user customizations, the GTe is truly in a league of its own. Additionally, the printer has been developed with user-friendliness in mind. This is evident in the printer’s unique mechanism, which significantly reduces ribbon wrinkling. These features will greatly benefit our customers.”
Optional interface modules include a serial communication module, parallel communication module, USB connectivity, and Wire/Wireless LAN (802.11b) support. The GTe printers are also equipped with WPC Plus (Web-based Printer Control Plus), SATO’s new tool for controlling thermal transfer barcode printers via any Web-enabled wired or wireless device.
The GTe printers are ideal for a wide range of applications in a variety of markets including manufacturing, logistics, transportation, automotive, retail, government, leisure/entertainment, and healthcare. From shipping and receiving labels to asset identification and tracking, SATO’s new GTe printers are fast, intelligent, and dependable, ideal for today’s demanding labeling applications. The GTe Series will be available March 2005.
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About SATO Corporation
SATO Corporation offers innovative printing products that are reliable, cost-effective, and easy to use, providing customers effective, efficient methods to track their products and assets. SATO has been manufacturing industrial barcode printers for over two decades, delivering rugged dependability and reliable performance. The complete SATO product line includes direct thermal and thermal transfer printers, OEM print engines, printer accessories, label design software, labels, thermal transfer ribbons, and EPC/RFID Solutions.
Founded in 1940, SATO has consistently created a progression of innovation and provision of labor savings solutions to meet society’s needs. In 1962, SATO’s hand labeler was a worldwide best-seller. In 1974, SATO developed the world’s first printer for barcodes and OCR characters, and took the lead when the rising tide of in-store marking swept across the retailing industry. In the new millennium, SATO continues to be a global leader in barcode printing, labeling, and more recently, EPC/RFID solutions across a wide range of vertical markets.
SATO is a publicly listed company headquartered in Japan, and has offices throughout the world, including the United States, Germany, United Kingdom, Poland, Belgium, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and China. SATO reported revenues of US$557.4 million in FY 2004 (ended March 31st, 2004). SATO stock is traded on the first section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange (Nikkei). More information can be found at www.satoamerica.com
