Case study

Enabling Remote Printing for ZPL Printers

Stack

.NET, WebSocket, Azure Table Storage, Windows Service

DURATION

7 months

TEAM SIZE

2 Full-Stack Engineers

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.