T.L. Ashford Eases Setup with Barcode400

January 6, 2009 Alex Woodie

System i barcode specialists T.L. Ashford recently delivered Barcode400 version 3.1, a new release of its barcode label generation utility. The Kentucky company says the new release should speed the product’s setup and its integration with line-of-business applications.

Barcode400 is a mature barcode and RFID generation utility that has been working with the IBM midrange server since the S/34 days. The software works by merging product data originating from the core i OS application onto a barcode template, which is created with a Windows label design component. All major barcode standards and printers–including RFID labels and generators–are supported by the product.

With version 3.1, T.L. Ashford has added a new “integration assistant” component that automatically generates the RPGLE or CLLE program calls that users must insert into their core i OS applications. This should eliminate some of the technical skills required to write the interactive, batch, or trigger programs linking Barcode400 with the ERP or WMS software.

The new release also introduces a new “history maintenance” feature that automatically creates a log of all records printed for a specific label format. The feature’s support for custom views will help users locate and reprint older labels, the company says.

T.L. Ashford has also enhanced the driver for Hewlett-Packard AFP/IPDS printers, a relatively new feature for Barcode400 that was added with version 3.0. The enhanced driver enables the software to print multiple records per page, and also implements additional fonts, the company says.

The new release also makes it easier to download True Type fonts to supported printers. Last but not least, Barcode400 3.1 introduces a way to transfer barcode formats and logos from one System i server to another.

The T.L. Ashford Web site has also been spruced up recently with new features, such as online technical support chat and video demos, designed to help Barcode400 customers solve common dilemmas.

Barcode400 version 3.1 supports IBM i 6.1, and is available now. Licenses range from about $1,500 to about $4,500. For more information, check out the company’s Web site at www.tlashford.com.