Description
Printing labels is an essential task in any warehouse using barcode scanners. For our Mobile WMS and NAV/BC integrations we are supporting two different technologies for the printing functionality.
Printing solutions
Two printing solutions are supported as part of the Mobile WMS
The main differences are: Supported NAV/BC versions, technology / development tools and required subscriptions.
Comparison
| Feature | ||
|---|---|---|
Supported platforms | ||
Business Central Online (SaaS / Cloud) | Yes | Yes |
| Business Central OnPrem | BC20 and later(*) | Yes |
NAV | No | Yes |
| Included labels | ||
| Yes | Yes |
| Labels requires purchase of barcode font | Online: No OnPrem: Yes | No |
Development tools | ||
Modify and add labels like other Business Central reports (VS Code) | Yes | No |
Modify and add labels using InterForm Designer | No | Yes |
| Printers | ||
Any Windows printer | Yes (**) | No |
Selected Zebra label printers | Yes | Yes (Link) |
| Connection | ||
Wi-Fi & LAN | Yes | Yes |
Bluetooth (printing directly from mobile device to printer) | No | Yes |
| Pricing and License | ||
Requires a separate subscription license from Tasklet | No(***) | Yes |
*) Full functionality requires BC20 or later. A limited set of features are available for BC16 to BC19. Version BC15 and earlier are not supported. See Limitations OnPrem for labels included with Report Print below.
**) Printers need to be available on the "Printer Management" page in BC and should be able to print without preview or user interaction from the WebClient.
You can use the Tasklet PrintNode-connector and others to achieve this.
***) Using Tasklet's built-in PrintNode connector is included in the Mobile WMS license, but PrintNode service may have associated fees. You need to create an account at www.printnode.com. PrintNode it's an independent third-party service not affiliated with Tasklet Factory.
Limitations OnPrem for labels included with Report Print
(Business Central Online does not have any limitations regarding included label reports in Report Print)
| Version | Limitation |
|---|---|
| OnPrem BC20 or later | The label reports are included, but they use a 2D Data Matrix barcode font as described by Microsoft here. You will need to purchase and install the IDAutomation2D barcode font from https://www.idautomation.com/barcode-fonts/2d/datamatrix/ You can also use other fonts, but this will require you make new reports or layouts. Different fonts might also require a new barcode encoder. |
| OnPrem BC16 to BC19 | The label reports are not included, but you can make your own reports with barcodes as described by Microsoft here. You will need a barcode font and a barcode encoder. Please notice you will need to make your own barcode encoder for these BC versions. |
| OnPrem BC15 and earlier | Report Print feature is not supported |
Can I use both solutions at the same time?
Yes. The two printing solutions can be used simultaneously, which also aids painless migration from one to the other.
When the "Print" -function is called from the Main menu or an action on the mobile device all available labels from either printing solution are displayed together (i.e the list of reports will be a combination of Mobile Reports and Cloud Print Templates).
Be aware, that printing via a Windows driver (e.g. using a PrintNode connector) can overwrite the printer's own settings. You must therefore ensure the settings in the printer and Windows printer driver are identical. For Zebra label printers, please see details here: https://supportcommunity.zebra.com/s/article/Printer-Settings-Change-When-I-Print-a-Label
Users will not notice which of the two technologies they are using if configured accordingly.