Case study

Cloud-Bridging Remote Printing Service for ZPL Industrial Printers

The Problem:

Industrial ZPL (Zebra Programming Language) printers are typically confined to local networks and lack the native protocols required for direct integration with cloud-based ERP systems like Microsoft Business Central. This created a major operational bottleneck, as printing tasks required manual intervention or complex local setups, preventing centralized, remote management of label printing across different factory floors.

Our Solution:

To develop a high-performance hybrid microservice architecture that bridges the gap between cloud and local hardware. We implemented a secure Windows Service that acts as a local hub for receiving and executing ZPL commands, paired with an Azure-hosted Cloud Service that facilitates real-time, bi-directional communication between the ERP system and the physical printers.

Technology Stack:

.NET, WebSocket, Azure Table Storage, Windows Service

Key Results & Value:

Seamless ERP Integration: Enabled direct, remote printing from Microsoft Business Central to local hardware without network reconfiguration.
Centralized Printer Management: Provided a single interface to monitor and manage ZPL printers across multiple locations, improving accessibility and control.
Operational Efficiency: Drastically reduced manual printing errors and intervention time, streamlining the entire manufacturing label workflow.
Real-Time Command Execution: Leveraged WebSocket technology to ensure near-instant transmission of print commands, maintaining high-speed production line standards.

Our Client:

Our client, a leading manufacturer, sought to streamline their printing processes by enabling remote printing for Zebra Programming Language (ZPL) printers. These printers, located on the local network, lacked a native network protocol to integrate with their Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system, Microsoft Business Central.

The goal of the project:

The primary objective of the project was to develop a service that could facilitate sending commands to ZPL printers remotely. The client aimed to enhance operational efficiency by centralizing printer management and enabling seamless integration with their ERP system.

Advantages:

Centralized Printer Management: The developed service acted as a hub, allowing the client to manage ZPL printers remotely from a centralized interface.

Streamlined Operations: By enabling remote printing, the client reduced manual intervention and improved printing efficiency across their organization.

Technical Solutions & Stack:

The solution was devised using a microservice architecture, leveraging different components for local and cloud-based functionalities:

Local Service: Developed as a Windows service, this microservice managed printers installed on local computers. It served as the central hub for receiving print commands and executing them on ZPL printers.

Cloud Service: Another microservice hosted in the cloud acted as a communicator between Microsoft Business Central and the local service. It facilitated seamless communication and data exchange between the ERP system and the local printers.

Technology Stack:

The solution was built using .NET framework for backend development, WebSocket protocol for real-time communication, Azure Table Storage for data persistence, and Windows Service for local printer management.

Results:

Enhanced Printing Efficiency: The implementation of remote printing capabilities enabled the client to streamline their printing processes, reducing manual errors and increasing operational efficiency.

Improved Accessibility: With centralized printer management, the client gained the flexibility to control printing tasks from any location, leading to improved accessibility and convenience.