This guide walks through the complete setup process for automated label printing with PanatrackerGP, including printer configuration, NiceLabel software installation, and label template customization.

Setting Up Your Label Printer

An Ethernet-enabled printer is highly recommended for use with PanatrackerGP, as it provides the most reliable label printing setup.

Configure a Zebra Printer

Zebra logo

If you are using a Zebra printer, download and install Zebra Setup Utilities. This free software configures your label printer and assigns it a static IP address.

Download Zebra Setup Utilities

Install the Printer Driver

1. Configure the printer with a static IP address. Consult your printer's user guide for instructions. For Zebra printers, use Zebra Setup Utilities.

2. Download the driver for your printer from NiceLabel.

3. Run the installer.

4. Unzip the files.

5. Select the printer you are installing.

6. When prompted for printer options, give the printer a name. Shorter, simpler names are easier to reference from the handhelds.

Printer name configuration — use simple names for easier handheld reference

7. Select Add Port.

Add Port button in printer configuration

8. Fill in the Name, IP, and Port Number fields: - Wired printers — Use port 9100 - Wireless printers — Use port 6101

9. Select Ok, then Next.

10. Click Finish.

    Final installation screen

11. Click Install.

12. Go to Devices and Printers and print a test page for the printer you just added.

Install the Label Printing Software

Many transactions performed on the PanatrackerGP handheld application can automatically generate and print labels. This functionality uses NiceLabel Network software, with the 5 User Suite being the most commonly sold variant.

Installing NiceLabel Network

It is preferred that the installation and initial configuration of NiceLabel Network Suite and the LabelPrinting shared folder are completed by you (the customer) prior to the installation of PanatrackerGP.

NiceLabel Network consists of two parts: the server and the workstation.

Server Installation

First, install the server portion of the labeling software on the server and make all files accessible to the clients. This is typically done by creating a folder named LabelPrinting on the root of a drive and sharing it with everyone. Once this folder is created, install the NiceLabel Network server portion to this folder.

After the server portion is installed, you will be prompted to run the workstation installer on the server. This install will install NiceLabel Pro and NiceWatch, both required for automated label printing.

Choosing the full installation option when prompted will install more applications than is typically needed on the server. Instead, we suggest choosing Custom Installation and only installing NiceLabel Pro and NiceWatch.

Key Components

NiceLabel Pro — The design software used to create and modify your labels. Automatically printed labels utilize label definitions with PanatrackerGP transaction values (Item Code, Item Description, Serial/Lot Number) as predefined placeholder variables.

NiceWatch — A sentinel application programmed with a trigger to watch a specified file directory. When a transaction is submitted in PanatrackerGP, a .job file is created in this assigned directory. NiceWatch opens this file, reads the data, and plugs it into the respective placeholder variables for the label definition file indicated in the header of the .job file.

Download the NiceLabel Pro user guide if you need further assistance.

After installation, the NiceLabel software will be marked as evaluation (demo) versions. You will receive an activation key from Panatrack during the installation of PanatrackerGP. If you would like this key earlier, please let us know.

NiceLabel Network System Requirements

• 32-bit or 64-bit Windows Server 2000, XP, 2003, Vista, Server 2008, 7, 8, 8.1, Server 2012, Server 2012 R2
• Hard disk with 160 to 550 MB of free disk space (depending on the installation options)
• Support for OLE DB database drivers. Recent Windows operating systems have included OLE DB database drivers. If your operating system does not have the database support, the installation wizard will prompt you to install it.
• Administrator rights to the server and each workstation during installation
• Computer acting as a server. Any server operating system that allows file sharing with Windows system (any Windows, UNIX or Netware)
• Each client must have granted full access (read, write, delete) to the System folder on the server Local Area Network (LAN)

About Label Templates

Panatrack provides item label printing templates to support the automated label printing infrastructure. It is best to keep the label simple without a lot of text. The barcode carries the information in a very efficient manner. Let the barcode do the work.

PanatrackerGP label templates are defaulted with the following three variables:

1. Inventory Items — Tracked by Quantity Only (Bulk)

• Dynamics GP Item Number — Barcode format
• Item Description — Text

Bulk label template showing item number barcode and description

2. Inventory Items — Serial Tracked

• Dynamics GP Item Number — Barcode format
• Item Description — Text
• Serial Number — Barcode format

Serial label template showing item number, description, and serial number barcodes

3. Inventory Items — Lot Tracked

• Dynamics GP Item Number — Barcode format
• Item Description — Text
• Lot Number — Barcode format
• Additional variables — Manufacturer date, expire date, and GP lot attributes are recommended if that data is collected

Lot label template with item and lot number barcodes

While other variables are available to add to your label definition, Panatrack recommends keeping your label details simple. Do not add variables that will change throughout the life cycle of that inventory item, such as location assignment.

As part of the standard implementation, Panatrack will make basic setup adjustments to the label template, such as centering adjustments to the label media size selected. If you prefer a more customized label, we are more than happy to write that service into your contract.

Default Templates and Automated Item Label Printing

Currently, all transactions that support label printing within the PanatrackerGP application share the same item label template file. Automated item label printing is supported on Receiving, Add Adjustment, Assembly, Site Transfer, Bin Move, and Create Production Unit (for Manufacturing).