SATO Incorporates Alien Technology RFID Modules to offer Users a Wider Range of Printers

SATO International Pte Ltd (SI), a holding company for SATO Corporation's overseas sales offices, today announced the launch of printers fitted with an integral RFID module from its US-based partner Alien Technology. Initially, three SATO printers will be fitted with these modules - SATO's high performance CL408e and CL412e, and the print-and-apply enhanced S-series print engine, the M-8485Se.

"The release of these RFID printers is going to provide an optimum solution for a wide range of users. For the distribution industry, for instance, SATO's CL408e and CL412e printers are known for their sturdy build and impressive throughput speed. The M-8485Se, on the other hand, is a robust print engine designed specifically for the production line where its fast printing speed and high print quality equals no other," said Mr. Victor Barczyk, Vice President, Business Development, SATO International.

"The new incorporated Alien Technology modules allow SATO to provide an even greater choice of printers for our customers, especially those who are considering implementing RFID solutions to their business" added Mr. Barczyk.

These new printers can write data onto RFID tags in addition to printing labels and tickets. Defective tags are automatically detected, thereby reducing the possibility of errors down the line. In addition to SATO's European UHF RFID solutions, this RFID module operates at the US frequency of 915MHz (UHF), which conforms to the EPC Class 1 standard. Support for more frequencies is being developed in tune with demand and ratification of standards.

SATO has been actively involved in RFID technology, recently introducing the industry's first, complete multi-protocol EPC-compliant RFID solutions service offerings for customer pilots and beta tests. SATO also fully supports the Uniform Code Council's (UCC) Electronic Product Code (EPC) initiatives and the recent Wal-Mart mandate, requiring their Top 100 suppliers to embed RFID tags at the case and pallet level by 2005. The SATO EPC Class 1-compliant RFID printing solution is now running in the Wal-Mart RFID testing and development lab located in Bentonville, Arkansas.