Printronix SMARTLINE SL4M User manual

XML Direct for Oracle
Quick Setup Guide
Thermal Series Printers

XML Direct for Oracle
Quick Setup Guide
Thermal Series Printers

Trademark Acknowledgments
Oracle is a registered trademark of Oracle Corporation.
Printronix and PSA are registered trademarks, and SL4M and T4M are
trademarks, of Printronix, Inc.
Unibar and BARCODE 2000 XML DIRECT are registered trademarks of
Unibar, Inc.
Portions of this manual used by permission of Unibar, Inc. Copyright 1996-
2005 Unibar Inc.
Portions of this manual used by permission of Oracle Corporation. Copyright
2003-2005 Oracle Corporation.
COPYRIGHT 2005, 2006 PRINTRONIX, INC.
All rights reserved.

1 Introduction ........................................................... 7
About This Manual................................................................................. 7
XML Direct ............................................................................................. 7
2 Oracle Solution ..................................................... 9
3 Troubleshooting .................................................. 15
4 Printing with XML Direct...................................... 17
Using BarCode 2000 XML Direct......................................................... 17
Installation ..................................................................................... 17
A Brief Overview ........................................................................... 18
Getting Started .............................................................................. 19
BARCODE 2000 XML DIRECT Components ............................... 20
Introduction to Label Data Dictionary ............................................ 21
Introduction to Label Design System (LDS) .................................. 29
Download Template Utility............................................................. 43
Print Config ................................................................................... 45
BARCODE 2000 XML DIRECT File Types ................................... 49
Configuration File & Print Destination Table ................................. 50
Unibar Base Directory ................................................................... 53
Setting the Environment String ............................................... 53
UNIX / Linux............................................................................ 53
Windows Systems .................................................................. 54
A Label Compliance Formats ................................. 55
Label Formats...................................................................................... 55
B Contact Information............................................. 65
Printronix Customer Support Center.................................................... 65
Printronix Supplies Department ........................................................... 65
Corporate Offices................................................................................. 66
Table of Contents

Table of Contents

7
1Introduction
About This Manual
This manual explains the use of the XML language with the Printronix®
SL5000r/T5000r and SL4M/T4M XML Direct printers. Use this manual with
your
SL5000r/T5000r or SL4M/T4M User’s Manual for complete printer-
protocol operation.
XML Direct
Printronix XML Direct enabled printers come equipped with an internal XML
Forms Module. This interface software has been certified for use with Oracle
WMS and MSCA applications. This solution allows users to quickly leverage
RFID technology by connecting tagged objects with the business view of an
ERP system.
Here is a high level overview of how XML Direct works in 4 easy steps:
•The user creates the PGL formatted label template. Use XML Direct label
design software provided by Printronix or follow the examples in chapter
2.
•The template is downloaded to the printer's permanent memory.
•The host application sends XML formatted run time data to the printer.
•The run time data is merged with the stored template, the RFID tag is
encoded and the label is printed.
Details of each of these steps are as follows:
1. Create the label format. This may be done by any of the following
methods:
(a) Use the XML Direct label design software provided by Printronix.
(b) Use commercially available XML enabled label design software.
(c) Follow the programming example in chapter 2 of this manual to create
an XML enabled PGL template. Chapter 2 also provides directions to
sample template files.

8
Chapter 1 XML Direct
2. Download the format to the printer. This may be done via the following
methods:
(a) Use the Format Download Utility supplied with XML Direct label
design utility. (see Chapter 4, Download Template Utility)
(b) Send the XML enabled template to the printer directly from the
operating system the same way you would any other file. For example,
from a DOS command line prompt on a parallel interface you could type
"copy/b <filename> lpt1:".
3. Host application sends XML formatted run time data to the printer. See
chapter 2 for an overview of configuring Oracle to send XML.
4. Merging run time data with the stored template - this step is performed
automatically by the XML Forms Module that is resident on the printer. If
the above steps are followed, the Printronix XML enabled printer will
encode and print RFID smart labels directly from your SAP system.

9
2Oracle Solution
This section discusses the full implementation of the XML printing solution for
Oracle, including an Oracle specific overview, along with instructions for
installation and configuration on the Oracle system.
Introduction
Oracle Warehouse Management (WMS), Oracle Mobile Supply Chain
Applications (MSCA), and Oracle Inventory are applications in Oracle’s
Logistics products. The Oracle WMS and MSCA applications have integrated
label-printing capabilities using XML. Oracle has created 10 XML label
formats that correspond to common transaction created by WMS and MSCA.
When printing a label, the Oracle application determines the correct label
printer and label format to use based on the data included in the request and
rule configuration. Using the format definition, the label data are extracted and
combined into a standardized XML document that is sent to the label printer.
When Oracle receives a label print request, it searches for a printer
assignment in the following sequence: User, Subinventory, Responsibility,
Application and Site level. If no printers are assigned to Label Types, no
labels can be printed.
The 10 label types available with Oracle WMS and MSCA are defined below:
LABEL TYPE DESCRIPTION
LPN License plate information
LPN Content LPN plus content information
LPN Summary Nested contents summarized
Material Item, quantity, lot, etc.
Serial Material information plus serial number
Location Subinventory & locator information
Shipping Customer & address information
Shipping Content Shipping plus material info
WIP Contents LPN plus discrete job information
Flow Contents LPN plus flow schedule
Oracle supports three modes of label printing integration: Asynchronous
mode, Synchronous PL/SQL mode, and Synchronous TCP/IP mode. Of these
three printing integration mode, the Synchronous TCP/IP mode is the easiest
and most powerful method. In this mode, print requests are sent directly to

10
Chapter 2
printers over a TCP/IP connection opened by Oracle. This mode does not
require any 3rd party software to be loaded in the Oracle database.
In addition to the information provided in this chapter, selected Oracle
documentation has been provided for your reference in the Manuals sub
folder:
Seeded Label Formats - Oracle WMS & MSCA
Labeling in WMS & MSCA
Oracle® Warehouse Management Implementation Guide
Installation
To use the Synchronous TCP/IP mode, the printer must be setup within
Oracle. Printers are setup in the same way they are normally setup within
Oracle except you do not need printer drivers for the label printers. Setting up
printers within Oracle requires the following steps:
1. Create a Label Type (performed only once)
2. Define label print mode (performed only once)
3. Register a printer in Oracle
4. Define printer IP Address
5. Assign printer to Label Types
6. Define label formats
Create a Label Type
To use Oracle’s XML enabled label-printing capabilities, a printer type, named
Label, needs to be defined. This printer type does not have to be associated
to any styles or drivers. Only one printer type, named Label, should be
created. To create a Label Type, do the following:
1. Using the System Administrator Responsibility Role, navigate to Install >
Printer > Types.
2. Create a type called Label and enter a description.
Define Label Print Mode
To ensure that Synchronous TCP/IP mode is used for label printing, we need
to set the WMS label print mode. To specify the label print mode, do the
following:
1. Using the System Administrator Responsibility Role, navigate to Profile >
System.
2. Select the profile option named: WMS: Label Print Mode
3. In the WMS: Label Print Mode option dialog, select Synchronous –
TCP/IP.
4. Save your settings.

11
Register a Printer
To use Oracle’s XML enabled label-printing capabilities, a printer type, named
Label, needs to be defined. This printer type does not have to be associated
to any styles or drivers. Only one printer type, named Label, should be
created. To create a Label Type, do the following:
1. Using the System Administrator Responsibility Role, navigate to Install >
Printer > Register.
2. In the Printer field, enter a unique name for the printer. Note: Oracle will
use this name to reference this printer within the application.
3. In the Printer Type field, select Label by using the Type list box.
4. In the Description field, enter a description of the printer.
Define Printer IP Address
After defining a printer, the IP address and port number of the printer must be
defined before Oracle can connect to the printer. To define the IP address and
port number of the printer, do the following:
1. From the Warehouse Manager role, navigate to Setup > Warehouse
Configuration > Printers and Devices > Define.
2. In the Printer Name field, select the printer name from the list box.
3. In the IP Address field, enter the IP address of the printer. Please see
your network administrator if you don’t know the IP address of the printer.
4. In the Port field, enter the port number 9100.
5. Click the Test button to test the connection settings. You should receive a
message stating that your connection settings are correct. If you don’t
receive the success message, check your entries and make sure that the
database is connected to the printer.
Assigning Printers to Label Types
When a label print request is made, Oracle looks for printer assigned to the
label type. Oracle will use the printer assigned to the label type at the
specified level. To assign printers to label types, do the following:
1. From the Warehouse Manager role, navigate to Setup > Warehouse
Configuration > Printing > Assign Printers to Documents.
2. From the tree view in the left panel, select the label type you which to
assign to a printer (for example LPN).
Note: If a label type is not on the document tree, right-click on the
Document node and select New from the context-sensitive menu.
From the List of Values, select the appropriate label type. This will
add the new label type to the document tree. Once the new label
type is added, select the label type and continue with next step.
3. In the Printer field, on the right panel, select a printer name to be
associated with this label type from the list box.
4. In the Level field, on the right panel, select a level to be assigned to this
label type from the list box.

12
Chapter 2
5. In the Value field, on the right panel, enter a value for that level.
6. In the Additional Information fields, on the right panel, enter any
additional information if desired.
Note: Once a printer or label type has been assigned, it cannot be deleted
from this form. You can only disable the item.
Defining Label Formats
Label formats must be defined so that Oracle can properly populate the
variable fields in the label. Besides defining the variable field names, the label
format also specifies the data elements to include. To define label formats, do
the following:
1. From the Warehouse Manager role, navigate to Setup > Warehouse
Configuration > Printers and Devices > Define Label Formats.
2. In the Label Type field, enter in the name of an existing label format and
click on the Find button.
3. In the Name field, enter a label format name and make sure it matches
the name given to the label format specified in UniBar.
4. In the Description field, enter a description for the label format.
5. After defining the format name and description, click on the Label Fields
and Variables button to view the label content.
XML Format
In order for Oracle to send out label print request using XML, Oracle and the
label printers must have an agreed upon XML format so that XML contents
are understood. An XML Document Type Definition (DTD) is used to define
the XML tags used in the XML file. Oracle generates XML files according to
this DTD and the printer parse and print the label based on this DTD.
The following is the XML DTD Oracle uses to create the XML. It defines the
elements used in the XML file. This lists the attributes and the next level
elements:
<!ELEMENT labels (label)*>
<!ATTLIST labels _FORMAT CDATA #IMPLIED>
<!ATTLIST labels _JOBNAME CDATA #IMPLIED>
<!ATTLIST labels _QUANTITY CDATA #IMPLIED>
<!ATTLIST labels _DUPLICATES CDATA #IMPLIED>
<!ATTLIST labels _PAGES CDATA #IMPLIED>
<!ATTLIST labels _PRINTERNUMBER CDATA #IMPLIED>
<!ATTLIST labels _PRINTERNAME CDATA #IMPLIED>
<!ELEMENT label (variable)*>
<!ATTLIST label _FORMAT CDATA #IMPLIED>
<!ATTLIST label _JOBNAME CDATA #IMPLIED>
<!ATTLIST label _QUANTITY CDATA #IMPLIED>
<!ATTLIST label _DUPLICATES CDATA #IMPLIED>
<!ATTLIST label _PAGES CDATA #IMPLIED>
<!ATTLIST label _PRINTERNUMBER CDATA #IMPLIED>
<!ATTLIST label _PRINTERNAME CDATA #IMPLIED>

13
<!ELEMENT variable (#PCDATA)>
<!ATTLIST variable name CDATA #IMPLIED>
Sample XML
The following is an example of XML file that is generated according to the
above DTD. The content of the XML files lies between <labels> and
</labels> tags. The content of each label is defined between the <label> and
</label> tags. The printer name and label format are defined in the <labels>
tag. Unless new values are given the <label> tags, the attributes (such as
printer name, label format, and quantity) defined in the <labels> tags will be
used.
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" standalone="no"?>
<!DOCTYPE labels SYSTEM "label.dtd">
<labels _FORMAT ="Seeded Label Default for Material" _QUANTITY="1"
_PRINTERNAME="P1" _JOBNAME="J1">
<label>
<variable name= "Item">4&apos;6&quot; pipe &lt;steel&gt; &amp; end
caps</variable>
<variable name= "Quantity">3</variable>
<variable name= "lot_number">L1000</variable>
<variable name= "Uom">DZ</variable>
<variable name= "Organization">W1</variable>
</label>
<label>
<variable name= "Item">Non-standard pipe</variable>
<variable name= "Quantity">2</variable>
<variable name= "lot_number"></variable>
<variable name= "Uom">Ea</variable>
<variable name= "Organization">W1</variable>
</label>
</labels>

14
Chapter 2

15
3Troubleshooting
In order to aid in the initial setup, configuration, and troubleshooting several
pre-tested files have been provided. On the Printronix XML Direct Software
Starter Kit CD, browse to the ORACLE/files folder. The PGL and XML folders
contain sample template file to assist in verifying XML printing capability. The
intent is for the user to download the desired PGL template file to the printer
and then send the corresponding file from the XML folder. Successful
printing/encoding using these files in stand-alone mode should assist in the
integration of XML generated from ORACLE.
Label printing is a complex operation and may be subject to problems. There
may be problems in installing or configuring Oracle or the printer supplied
software. Network and hardware problem may also affect label creation. The
following outline common problems and potential solutions.
1. No XML Data is Generated
Potential Cause: No label type assigned to a business flow. If no label type
were assigned to a business flow you would receive an
error message in the log file.
Potential Cause: No default format for label type. If no default label format
were assigned to a label type you would receive an error
message in the log file:
Solution: Ensure that a default label format exists in the Define Label
Formats window.
2. No Label Is Printed
Potential Cause: No printer assigned to business flow or printer does not
have default or enabled checked. If no printer were
assigned to a business flow, you would receive an error
message in the log file.
Solution: Ensure that the label type that you are trying to print has a
valid printer assigned to it. Ensure that the “Enabled” and
“Default” flags are both checked.
Potential Cause: Printer name in Oracle does not match the printer name
defined in the label software
Solution: Ensure that the printer being used has the same name
(identifier) as the label software.
Potential Cause: XML variable names used in Oracle does not match those
used by the label software.
Solution: Ensure that the variable names for the label format are
defined with the same variable names used by the label
software.

16
Chapter 3
3. Label Missing Data
Potential Cause: Information not available to print.
Solution: Verify the appropriate information is available. For
example, if an item is not serial controlled, the serial label is
not available.
Potential Cause: Field not included in XML
Solution If a variable field, on the label, is not replaced by any data,
check the Define Label Format setup window and verify all
the variables on the label were added to the label format
and the variable names match. If a variable is printed on
the label but not listed in the label format, the XML content
does not have information for that variable.
Potential Cause: Variable names defined in Oracle does not match the
variable names defined in the label software
Solution The variable names included in the Oracle XML message
must match, character for character and in the same case,
the variable names defined on the label format.
4. Synchronous Mode - TCP/IP Socket is not Opened
Potential Cause: Incorrect IP address or port number
Solution: Verify the printer’s IP address and port number entered on
the Define Printer IP setup form. Refer to printer user
documentation for details on how to check the IP address
and port. Use the Test button on the Define Printer IP setup
form to verify that the IP address and port are correct.
Potential Cause: Incorrect print mode
Solution: Verify that the print mode is set to Synchronous - TCP/IP
for the user.
• WMS: Label Print Mode = Synchronous - TCP/IP
• WMS: Label file prefix” not relevant
• WMS: Label output directory not relevant
Potential Cause: Network topology or firewall prevents messages from
getting from database to print server
Solution: The printer may not be accessible from the database,
which is the place from which the TCP/IP socket is actually
being opened. Make sure that the firewall settings to allow
messages to the specific port or with the specific label
content to pass through.

17
4Printing with XML Direct
Using BarCode 2000 XML Direct
This section details the installation of BarCode 2000 XML Direct software and
describes how to use it to create XML-enabled label formats.
Unibar’s
BARCODE 2000 XML DIRECT is a complete bar code label printing
system for multiplatforms, including Windows, Linux, and Unix.
BARCODE
2000 XML DIRECT
includes a Label Designer (LDS), Download Template
Utility (DTU), Label Data Definition (LDD) editor, and a Label Formatter (print
module). They provide the base functions that most users need to print on
demand or batch labels.
The Label Designer is for creating the label templates. The Format
Downloading Utility is for downloading the label template to your XML-
enabled printer. The Label Data Definition editor is an easy way to setup and
define variables used in a label template. The Label Formatter provides data
mapping and printing services.
Installation
On a Windows system, you can simply run the setup program.
On a unix or linux system, the delivery file will usually end in “.
tar.Z ”. You can
use the following commands to uncompress and un-tar the file:
uncompress <file>.tar.Z
tar xvf <file>.tar
If the file ends in “. tar.gz ”, use the command “ gunzip <file>.tar.gz ” in place of
uncompress .
The extract command (
tar xvf ) will extract the contents of the file into the
present directory or a subdirectory of it. This directory is called the install
directory, or the base directory.
BARCODE 2000 XML DIRECT uses the base
directory for storing label templates, image files, configuration files, programs,
etc.
If you perform a typical install, you will have no need to think about the base
directory. If you perform an atypical install and you see a message like
“Error - can’t open <base directory>/BC2000.cfg.”
then you may need to set up an environmental string pointing to the base
directory, so that Barcode 2000 components can find it. If you think you need
to do this, please refer to the Unibar Base Directory section.

18
Chapter 4 Using BarCode 2000 XML Direct
License Key File
BARCODE 2000 XML DIRECT reads a license key file to determine the
features it should enable. The file is named “unibar.key”. The program looks
for the key file in the directory that is specified for the Unibar base directory.
A Brief Overview
Unibar’s BARCODE 2000 XML DIRECT is a complete bar code label printing
system for multi-platforms, including Windows, Linux, and Unix.
BARCODE
2000 XML DIRECT
includes a Label Designer (LDS), Format Downloading
Utility (FDU), Label Data Definition (LDD) editor, and a Label Formatter (print
module). They provide the base functions that most users need to print on-
demand or batch labels.
The Label Designer is for creating the label templates. The Format
Downloading Utility is for downloading the label template to your XML-
enabled printer. The Label Data Definition editor is an easy way to setup and
define variables used in a label template. The Label Formatter provides data
mapping and printing services.
Quick Start
Quick Start assumes you have successfully installed
BARCODE 2000 XML
DIRECT
. If you follow these instructions, you should have a label designed
and printed in a few minutes.
•Start BARCODE 2000 XML DIRECT . Click on Design Label Format
and select File, New Label.
•In the Label Properties Dialog Box, type FirstLabel (or some other
name) and click or tab through the LDD Name entry (this will create a
new LDD with the name FirstLabel). LDDs are very important but you
can learn about them later.
•The default printer type is a SL5204r. If you want a different type, go
to the Printer Designation portion of the Label Properties Dialog and
select printer model.
•Click on a Insert Object Barcode from dropdown or Tool Bar.
•Click label canvas where you want barcode to appear. You have a
barcode.
•Add a couple text/data fields and a line and box. To modify field, just
double click to bring up field properties box and change attributes.
Add a graphic if you like.
•To print the label, go to Print Destination if your printer port is lpt1,
lpt2, com1, or for Linux/Unix is the default printer, (lp) you are ready to
print your label! Note: If you have a networked printer or some other
port address, you will need to go to the Configuration (Create Printer
Destination on Main Menu.)
•Select Print and your label should print!

Getting Started
19
Moving on:
To add complicated fields such as concatenations or counters and to print
production labels from your application you will need to learn Label Data
Dictionary and Label Formatter features as well as additional Label Designer
functions. Please take some time to practice designing and printing labels that
are more complicated. For an example see the SampleLabel and
SampleDictionary that should be included with your install.
Getting Started
To Begin
Determine which items on your label will be constant (e.g. your company’s
return address) and which are variable (perhaps a product #, P.O. #, or
customer/vendor information). “Text” is a fixed part of the label template and
is not considered data. Data and bar code fields are constant or variable (or
other LDD supported versions) data defined in the dictionary. Once assigned,
the field types can’t be changed, the field must be deleted and a new one
created.
Specify the source of the data to use. If you are selecting certain fields from a
database, get a list of the fields and their maximum sizes. Also be sure that
you know the format of the source file (ASCII: delimited or fixed length).
Know which printer type(s) will be used for the job. Changing the printer after
the fact could cause you to have to rethink the whole label because not all
printers have the same capabilities.
Know the size of the label you will be using.
Know any industry standards for that label regarding placement of certain
information. (Some standard labels have been included for your reference.
You also have the option of changing these to include your own information,
but maintaining the same basic structure for compliance.)
Create Label Templates:
Normally this data is in a data file or is in the program that will “print” the data
for the label. The data strings (records) that
BARCODE 2000 XML DIRECT
processes, which create the labels, must be ASCII fixed or delimited.
Use the Label Designer (LDS) to design your label templates.
Using the information collected as referred to above; you can now create your
label templates. Although this is a separate process from printing production
labels, the data source definitions are critical for printing correct labels.
For each field you add to a label, you select the attributes such as symbology,
density, font, height, rotation, etc. For fields that take variable data, you define
the data in the LDD.
NOTE: The Label Designer has default values to test print barcodes.
Constant label text is text data, is defined in the label, and has no other
source.

20
Chapter 4 Using BarCode 2000 XML Direct
BARCODE 2000 XML DIRECT Components
This section will introduce you to each of the BARCODE 2000 XML DIRECT
components:
•Introduction to Label Data Dictionary (LDD)
•Introduction to Label Design System (LDS)
•Introduction to Download Template Utility (DTU)
•Introduction to Configuration Tool
Easily define your data format using the Label Data Dictionary (LDD)
component
Point, Click, Drag and Drop all the fields on the label