PanatrackerGP automates label printing for inventory transactions using NiceLabel Automation Manager. When users complete transactions on handheld devices, the portal generates print jobs that Automation Manager processes automatically, printing labels with transaction details to designated printers.

How it Works

1. A PanatrackerGP handheld user submits a transaction requesting a label to be printed.

2. The PanatrackerGP portal creates a .job file containing the item details, the target printer, and the number of labels to print. This file is saved to the directory monitored by Automation Manager.

3. Automation Manager detects the .job file in the monitored directory, reads the data, populates the label definition file with the transaction details, prints the specified number of labels to the designated printer, and deletes the .job file.

Label Printing Components

Label Definitions

Label definitions are predefined label files used for automated label printing. These files contain blank variables that act as placeholders for data populated at print time, such as Item Code, Item Description, and Serial or Lot Numbers. Each label definition file is designed for a specific transaction type and item tracking method.

Transaction-Specific Labels

• Receipts, Moves, Transfers, and Adjustments — Uses tracking-specific label files:
• Lot-tracked items — Inventorylabellot.lbl
• Serial-tracked items — Inventorylabelserial.lbl

• Bulk or quantity-tracked items — Inventorylabelbulk.lbl

• Shipping Box Details — ShippingDetail.lbl

• Order Fulfillment — OrderFulfillBoxes.lbl

Label Print Jobs

Label print jobs are files created by the PanatrackerGP portal when a transaction requesting a label is completed on the handheld. These files have a .job extension. Automation Manager reads these files and prints the data to the specified label definition.

Each job file contains:

• Label definition file — The label template that will be printed
• Transaction data — Values used to fill the blank variables in the label definition
• Target printer — The printer the label will be sent to
• Print quantity — The number of labels to print

Label Printing SQL Views

These database views are installed on your GP company database and determine what data is provided to the .job file. Views are named using the convention PanatrackerGP7_Label[TransactionType]_[ItemTrackingOption]. For example, receiving a serial-tracked item uses the view PanatrackerGP7_LabelReceivingUnit_Serial.

NiceLabel Automation Manager

Automation Manager is part of the NiceLabel Automation Easy software. This sentinel application monitors a folder for label print jobs. When a print job appears, it reads the data, inputs the data into the label template, sends the print command, and deletes the job file.

NiceLabel Automation Builder

Automation Builder is part of the NiceLabel Automation Easy software. This tool is used to modify or create the trigger files used by Automation Manager.

NiceLabel Designer Pro

Designer Pro is sold individually or as part of the NiceLabel PowerForms package. This design software allows users to create and modify the label templates used for automatic label printing.