Does the world need a cloud ready bar code printer...?

With Google Chrome’s Cloud Print, mobile users can now share printers by sending their print jobs to the cloud.  This is a function that is sorely needed in some cases when printing a document, web page, reservation number, etc., that you’ve encountered on a mobile device, is essential.  But, does this need carry over to the bar code printing world...?

Mobile users of all kinds usually need to print at some point.  Those that need to print constantly are still served best by having their own mobile printer, but what about those who only need to print occasionally, or who need to print a label that is too big for a mobile printer, such as a 4 x 6 shipping label...?  The answer for these users is a cloud ready printer.  For example, the CL-S700 from Citizen Systems America Corporation has a WiFi adapter that allows it to be placed in a convenient location within the four walls, and attached to the WLAN.  This is good for the internal cloud, but what about the external cloud...?  Does the world need a cloud ready bar code printer for external mobile printing applications...?  If so, what are the applications and use cases where it would be helpful...?  How about a kiosk applications...?  How about retail...?  How about outdoor or in-transit mobile apps...? The possibilities seem to be endless... 

All of this begs the question: What do you think...?  What are the uses for cloud ready bar code and POS printers...?  Is this something the market is demanding, or will demand...?  I remember the first time I saw an iPad, thinking: “What in the world would I use THAT for...?”  Now, I couldn’t live without it.  Is cloud ready bar code printing something the market doesn’t even know it wants or needs...? 

My purpose in asking more questions in this blog post than I’m answering, is because I truly want to hear the comments from you, the end users and resellers of bar code and other printing solutions.  Your comments are welcomed and encouraged.

Thank you for reading, /TET

Written by: Tracy Edward Tucker | © 2011 copyright reserved

Follow Tracy on Twitter @Barcode_Pro

The Bar Code Pro Journal

Hello fellow IT pros,

Welcome to the Bar Code Pro Journal.  I'm Tracy Tucker, and I've been in the Auto ID industry for over 20 years.  You can follow me on Twitter @Barcode_Pro.  I will be using this space to communicate news, information and opinion about the Auto ID, printing and mobile computing space, as well as technology and business in general.  Look forward to your comments.

T.E. Tucker