The Link-OS Environment Frequently Asked Questions

Transcription

1 Frequently Asked Questions 1

2 Table of Contents Link-OS Environment Frequently Asked Questions 1. What is the Link-OS environment? 2. What are the high level benefits associated with the Link-OS environment? 3. Why have we created the Link-OS environment? 4. Is the Link-OS environment part of our Internet of Things (IoT) initiative? 5. Are Link-OS and Zatar the same thing? 6. When will the Link-OS environment be available? 7. Where do I download the Link-OS environment components? 8. What types of services will be a part of the Link-OS Services offering? 9. What is the definition of each Link-OS app/feature? 10. Can Link-OS devices talk to the Cloud and what exactly is the Cloud? 11. How do I know which Link-OS app or feature to use? 12. Will there be future Link-OS releases? 2

3 What is the Link-OS environment? Zebra s new Link-OS environment combines an innovative new operating system, a powerful SDK and software applications that make Zebra printers even easier to integrate, manage and maintain than ever before. Smart devices with new features like Cloud connectivity, on-board Virtualization, and new pairing technology Apps positioned both on-premise and in the cloud delivering robust device management, queue control, ERP integration and advanced development tools. This allows us to embed our technology in popular third party solutions (like AirWatch ) and create our own apps. Partnerships with our Value Added Resellers, Independent Software Vendors, Alliance partners and Independent Hardware Vendors This new environment will be updated over time with new apps/features being added with each new release. What are the high level benefits associated with the Link-OS environment? There are a few core benefits that apply to all Link-OS enabled products and appeal to all users. These core benefits include and are not limited to; Enhanced manageability, with the ability to manage printers via a browser based device management tool Enhanced availability and support for non-zebra command languages, via the new Virtual Devices Lower total cost of ownership, since Link-OS devices can operate in a wide range of systems and applications today and over time. Flexibility allowing users to leverage the entire Link-OS system or select just the apps that they need Consistency in look and feel across all Link-OS products Direct, secure Cloud Connectivity, to support customer public, private or hybrid Cloud initiatives. Why have we created the Link-OS environment? Customer s expectations and business needs are evolving. We re moving from a hardware based model to a mobile, intelligent and cloud based ecosystem. This emerging environment calls for new technologies and solutions. In response, Zebra has created Link-OS, an open environment that pairs smart Zebra devices with powerful software apps. 3

4 Is the Link-OS environment a part of our Internet of Things (IoT) initiative? Link-OS is an element of a bigger and broader Zebra story. A story that is comprised of the Internet of Things, Visible Value Chain, the platform (aka Zatar ) and our printers. The Internet of things (IoT) provides the vision of market technology trends. In order for Zebra to evolve and grow with the market, we need to embrace the IoT and change our business model from hardware based to one that is comprised of smart device business solutions. As corporate IT structure is evolving towards a networked infrastructure, mobile device remote management is becoming a necessity. It s this remote aspect that is changing the current buying and usage model of products from being purchased and used independently to one where these devices are now a part of a networked infrustrure that has to be easy to integrate into the corporate IT world. Following on this new trend, we developed Link-OS. Are Link-OS and Zatar the same thing? For over 30 years Zebra has delivered mission critical products. We believe that smarter products contribute to optimized business process and efficient workflows. This is why we re making our Link-OS printers intelligent, highly manageable and connected to the cloud so they contribute more to overall business efficiency. We re not stopping there let us show you how we can make your other mission critical systems connected, manageable, and visible from any location using our Zatar environment. 4

5 When will the Link-OS environment be available? It s available now! Version 1.0 of the Link-OS environment was released in Q with the following apps/features: Multiplatform SDK AirWatch Connector Print Touch Print Station Cloud Connect Version 1.1, released in Q1-2013, added support for simultaneous operation of the Bluetooth and WLAN radios. Version 2.0, released in Q3-2013, added the Profile Manager app and support for Virtual Devices (our new method of supporting non-zebra command languages). Where do I download the Link-OS environment components? Visit Zebra.com/linkos to find the apps and features that could be downloaded from the Link-OS environment. Link-OS enabled printers will be capable out of the box to download the apps and features you need. In addition, the Software Development Kit (SDK) is available for you to create your own custom apps. What types of services will be a part of the Link-OS Services offering? Starting in Q3-2013, Zebra will start offering Integration and Customization services related to the Link-OS product line. 5

6 What is the definition of each of the Link-OS apps/features? Device Management: Profile Manager Using a web-based interface, and running from a centrally installed server, allows Profile Manager to control Link-OS printers throughout your network from one easy to use interface. Loaded with features, Profile Manager brings new flexibility to device management: o Manage printers individually or as a group o Store/send printer configurations ( profiles) o Convert fonts and graphic o Check printer status o Quickly access printer settings o And much more AirWatch Connector A PC based app, created thru a Zebra/AirWatch partnership, installs within your AirWatch environment and to allow you to manage multiple Link-OS devices from the AirWatch interface. A powerful example of our ISV program in action! Mirror This printer based device management feature is supported on the Link-OS printers. Device Integration: Enterprise Connector this powerful, robust and easy to use Oracle integration tool supports Link-OS printers. Cloud Connect - Being a good Cloud Citizen is becoming an expected product attribute. To support this, we ve included Cloud Connect in our Link-OS products. This exciting new feature supports creating new solutions or transitioning existing applications to cloud-based platforms using a standards based, secure connection. New printing, device management or data gathering applications can easily be created leveraging a Link-OS printer communicating directly through a firewall to a centralized server or cloud-based app. Virtual Device Powerful on-printer support for non-zebra command languages. Previously, supporting a non-zebra legacy language required a separate firmware installation. Now, with the Virtual Devices app on-printer support allows users to switch between command languages without having to give up access to Zebra s powerful ZPL language, or the great device management features that Link-OS supports. We will start with support for the O Neil command language and quickly grow to include many others. Each Virtual Device will be posted on Zebra.com for easy access. 6

7 Device Integration continued: Print Touch A Near Field Communication tag (or NFC tag) is embedded in the Link- OS device during manufacturing. This tag knows several things about the device, such as MAC addresses (Bluetooth, wired network, wireless network) and device serial number. The Print Touch tag allows us to leverage that data, so that when a Print Touch enabled Link-OS device and a NFC enabled device are brought together, we can drive a pairing event, trigger the host device to visit a helpful web page or even launch an app on the hand held device. It s a completely new way for Zebra devices and host systems to interact. Look for this Print Touch icon on your Link-OS printers now and in the future. Document Design: ZebraDesigner this family of printer drivers and label design applications have been updated to support the Link-OS printers. Zebra Utilities for ios and Android these apps have been updated to support the Link-OS printers. Print Station - The new Print Station app delivers an easy to use, free solution for printing templates stored either on the printer or an Android device. As a modern alternative to the traditional KDU the Print Station also supports more connectivity methods Bluetooth, Wireless and even USB. Developer Tools: Multiplatform SDK (software development kit) Powerful, cross platform (Android, ios, Windows ) development tools needed to create custom apps, it supports multiple connectivity methods, is easy to integrate with development systems and is available in multiple programming languages such as Java, Objective C and C-Sharp. ZBI Our legacy Zebra Basic Interpreter is an option on the Link-OS printers. Customizable Front Panel our highly flexible front panel has been updated to support more languages for the Link-OS printers. 7

8 Can Link-OS devices talk to the Cloud & what exactly is The Cloud? If you re using Netflix, Gmail or Spotify you re a Cloud user already! Cloud implementations come in a number of forms you ll hear terms like Public Cloud, Private Cloud and Hybrid Cloud. They all share these two things in common: An overall reduction in hard capital costs meaning, companies don t have to buy lots of computers. The ability to treat computing capability as a utility, instead of as fixed asset meaning, companies can buy more or less computing power as they need it. Cloud Computing is huge paradigm shift for IT, one that all devices connected to the network must adapt to. Being a good Cloud Citizen will increasingly become an expected product attribute. That s why we re including Cloud Connect in our Link-OS enabled printers. Here s an example of cloud connectivity in action: Today, Zebra manufactures generic printers in our factories, each printer is created with a unique ID, a serial number. As we adopt cloud connectivity in our products - the difference will be what happens next: Once a generic printer is manufactured, we ll create a cloud based location for it. Then, when a custom configuration is created, that information will be loaded into the devices unique Cloud location. The configuration could contain a custom version of the device s operating system, fonts or pre-made label templates. When the user turns the unit on it reaches out to the Cloud and downloads its new configuration. This system reduces complexity, saves time and ensures that new configurations are available as soon as they are created. 8

9 How do I know which Link-OS app or feature to use? Below are some questions to consider this should help you know which part of the Link-OS environment is right for your application. Questions How are you managing your networked devices? Purchased app or homegrown? What is the impact of printer being down? Who handles getting them back up and running? How are printers first configured out of the box? Manually or in some automated way? What ERP packages & operating systems interact with the Zebra printers? Oracle, SAP, others Windows, Android, ios, Linux, Unix How are you using smartphones or tablets in your business? Carpeted or uncarpeted spaces? In the field? What tasks are they being used for? Are you moving any of your apps to the Cloud (private, public or hybrid)? Timeline, type of apps being converted How are new apps created? Internal or external team. Any projects currently underway or planned? How many of your non-printing devices connect directly to the cloud? Sensors, scales, PLCs, forklifts, etc Related Link-OS / Zatar apps & features Profile Manager AirWatch Connector Mirror Profile Manager Mirror Multiplatform SDK Enterprise Connector Multiplatform SDK Print Station (Android) Cloud Connect/ Zatar Multiplatform SDK Zatar Will there be more Link-OS releases in the future? Yes, there will be additional Link-OS releases with new features and functionality. Plus our portfolio of Link-OS printers will continue to grow. Look for future communications from Zebra to find out the latest or visit 9