BarTender Version 9.0 Released

Seagull Scientific BarTender 9 label and RFID software is the biggest release in its more than 10 year development history. This software is now shipping (september 2008).

New features and modules now available in the BarTender Label Management Suite include:

• Printer Maestro application provides super-friendly centralized management of every printer and print queue on any size network.
• Printer Media Usage Tracking and Inventory Control of printer parts.
• New BarTender System Database lets you log more detailed print job information and be better prepared for high-security audits.
• History Explorer provides easy, highly flexible navigation and viewing of past print jobs.
• Reprint Console lets you easily replace lost or damaged labels, even if the original label data is no longer readily available.
• Support for larger networks.
• New Integration features.

Downloads

1. The free, downloadable Trial Edition of BarTender version 9 is available for download here.
2. Download white paper that describes all these new features in more detail.
3. Download product brochure on BarTender 9.0

An Overview of BarTender 9.0

In addition to major enhancements to BarTender, a family of companion applications has been introduced that (together with BarTender) form what we call the "BarTender Label Management Suite."

"Printer Maestro" Delivers True Enterprise Print Management

Front and center in version 9.0 is the "Printer Maestro" application for enterprise print management, which delivers a variety of powerful print management functions that are simply not available using Windows native functionality. For example, it provides users of any Windows program (not just BarTender) with a single application window in which to view the status of all printers and print jobs for all computers on a network.

Printer Media Usage and Parts Inventory Tracking

The Enterprise Print Server edition of Printer Maestro adds printer media usage tracking, providing users on-screen "meters" that show the quantity of labels and ribbon remaining for each printer. The inventory of printer media and printer parts (such as heads, memory, font cartridges, etc.) can also be maintained in the associated Inventory module. E-mail and text message alerts can automatically be transmitted to warn about low media in printers and low inventory in storerooms. Resellers can even set themselves up to be copied, so that they can learn when users may be low on printer supplies and ready for new stock.

Detailed Logging to a Database

Version 9.0 of BarTender also introduces detailed logging of print job information and application messages to a database. To support high-security audits, logged information includes who printed each job, any warnings or errors that may have been generated, what label data was printed, and an optional software-generated image of each label.

Inspect and Audit Past Print Jobs Using History Explorer

Seagulls new History Explorer application makes it easy to search through print job information and messages stored in the BarTender System Database and "drill down" into selected records for a closer look. Inspect print job times, label data, label images, error messages, and a wealth of additional information.

Reprint Lost or Damaged Labels

The Reprint Console application lets you navigate through past print jobs and select any combination of labels for reprinting. History Explorer also offers some label reprint functionality, although not as extensive as Reprint Console.

New Integration Features

Version 9 continues BarTenders long-standing position of leadership in the vital area of integration with other software. 

* New ActiveX Automation capabilities
* New XML Script capabilities
* New Commander capabilities

More New Features, including Support for Larger Networks

For more details on these additional new features, please see the dedicated section in Seagull Scientific Whats New white paper.

* Enterprise support for up to 8,000 printers
* Read label graphics directly from a database field
* Manually load and execute XML Script from inside of BarTender

For Additional Information

Please take a look at the "Whats New in BarTender 9.0" white paper. In addition to a wealth of technical information on BarTender 9.0, it also includes details on Seagull Scientifics updated marketing support.