SAP Users

Label Printing from SAP
There are two main methods for implementing a label printing solution from SAP. TEKLYNX provides both a Server Centric Approach and a Download Method, both having advantages and disadvantages.

Server Centric (SENTINEL) Approach
Implementing SENTINEL to perform all label printing from SAP is our recommended approach. In this scenario, a Windows Server box is running SENTINEL in your server room and is connected to SAP via the network. SAP is set up to send data to SENTINEL through either iDoc or Smart Forms, initiated when a business process requires label printing. SENTINEL will receive the file, parse out the variable data and populate the label template on the fly. Label design templates are made in either LABELVIEW or CODESOFT and are recalled in their native file structures by their respective print engines at print time.

Advantages:

  • Customer does not need to know the intricacies of printer design language.
  • Other applications (Form based tools, other ERP systems, Manufacturing systems, etc) can use SENTINEL simultaneously as the single centric label printing server Enterprise wide.
  • Feedback from printer, errors and such are detected by SENTINEL as it has a real-time 2 way communication with the printer.
  • Messages can be set up to originate from SENTINEL based on errors, printer down, etc.
  • Label design changes are made in one step without the need to output files and upload to SAP.
  • Supports existing printers, new printers and a mix of different languages; choose the printers that meet your business need in different areas.
  • Supports LABEL ARCHIVE for version control and approval processing of label design changes automatically.
  • Supports Data Collection printing though IDEAM – Design data collection applications that print anywhere on your network through SENTINEL.
  • Cost effective 24/7 support of the entire process (except getting the file out of SAP) – Make sure you are able to output a file, then we can support all the way to the printer.
  • Cost effective versus the download method. Varying ROI based on specific solution.

Disadvantages:

  • Requires a Windows box to run SENTINEL.


Download Method
The download method consists of creating a label design on a PC application, outputting the printer language of the template to a file, uploading the file to SAP, performing a search and replace for all of the variables needed (ABAP programming), and then directing that output to a printer through SAP.

Advantages:

  • All printing is handled via SAP.

Disadvantages:

  • Label design changes require the original design to be opened on the PC, changes made and a new file outputted and uploaded to SAP. If variables are added to the label, ABAP changes will be required as well.
  • On your own for support – Your IT staff or SAP or an SAP consultant, as well as one of your AIDC vendors (software or hardware) will be required to support changes and diagnose problems.
  • No feedback from the printer back to SAP. It was sent but did the label print?
  • If you have other label printing applications they will print differently (decentralized labeling solution in the end).
  • Two files on two different systems need to stay coordinated to make changes or support future printer changes.

In the end…you have a choice, please call TEKLYNX before making the final decision. In most cases SENTINEL is a better short- and long-term solution – we’ll give you all of the information you need to make a decision.