Toshiba has built a brand new operating system that brings the agility of cloud-based intelligence to industrial printing. Designed for its next generation of BX printers, A-BRID technology delivers smart connectivity, customisable and efficient label printing, and remote device management
A-BRID is an innovative operating system that gives partners and their end-user customers total control over labelling solutions. Sales Manager David Solomons says that A-BRID platform’s smart connectivity and customisation capabilities are a real game-changer for industrial printing. “One of the biggest value-adds is that the new OS offers seamless integration across disparate systems whether that’s an ERP platform, IBM 400 system, or indeed any other data management system without requiring any programming at the system end. Auto print detection recognises the most popular printer command languages, and there is also a built‑in data converter, meaning there are no barriers to deployment as it’s compatible with customers’ legacy systems,” he said.
Not dissimilar to office printer fleets, what this means is that customers can upgrade their barcode and label printer estate in incremental stages rather than adopt a rip-out and replace model due to software and system incompatibility issues.
As Marketing Manager Becky Viccars explains: “So whatever estate of printers that a customer already has, even if it’s a multi-vendor fleet, they could replace their devices one at a time if they wanted to. With this new technology platform, it is truly plug and play – there’s no requirement to update or change legacy software or platforms to support the new printing technology.”
Innovative IT applications
The new A-BRID OS brings multifunctional printer technology into label printers, enabling innovative IT applications.
“This platform is based on Toshiba’s award-winning e-BRIDGE technology that’s widely used in multifunctional printers across thousands of offices worldwide. We’ve further developed it to fit within the barcode and labelling side of the business. That’s unique to us, because there isn’t any other barcode printer manufacturer that has that heritage in the office multifunctional printer space as well,”
David added. A-BRID also supports native PDF printing. An automatic emulation feature recognises the format straightaway without the need for middleware or dedicated PDF printer. The software will even auto scale and auto rotate every PDF – differentiating between portrait and landscape formats – to provide the perfect label.
An opportunity for MPS providers
MPS providers, familiar with e-BRIDGE technology and cloud-based intelligent print management can capitalise on this new technology to capture new business within the industrial printing market.“Partners are already managing office-based printer fleets for customers in verticals such as manufacturing, transport and logistics, food processing, and retail.
For those not already supplying barcode and label printers, this new technology and printer offering presents an opportunity to open up new conversations,” Becky said.
Future-proof labelling with cloud connectivity
“Cloud connectivity is a major push forward in this category, as is seamless device deployment,” she added. By connecting through the cloud, label printing just like office printing, can be centrally managed, moreover, by providing employees with remote access to printers, labelling can be controlled from any location and any device.
Toshiba has designed A-BRID to be fully compatible with its e-BRIDGE CloudConnect service, which manages counters, logs and deploys firmware automatically, helping companies become more efficient, resourced, compliant and secure. In addition, for companies requiring fleet management software, SOTI Connect is available for A-BRID, and is invaluable for establishing IoT rule deployment across an organisation.
Printer cloning simplifies device deployment
With A-BRID technology, printers can talk to one another, cloning and sharing essential printer data safely and securely. Printer cloning simplifies device deployment and saves time. Partners only need to configure one printer, regardless of the number of devices that need to be installed – there’s no need to manually configure each individual printer.
“We’re excited about the launch of this game-changing new technology. The new BX410T Series (see opposite) is the first in a series of new releases planned over the coming months,” David concluded.
For more information, visit: www.toshibatec.co.uk/workplacesolutions/barcoding-solutions/a-brid
