The Impact Print Operator's "Old Reliable" Choice

The Venerable IBM 6262 Line Printer 

Replacement Options on IBM 6262 Line Printer

Customers have slowly and begrudgingly retired the long-loved IBM 6262 Line Printer.  It was a favorite unit cherished for its reliable toughness, ease-of-use for operators, and the excellent print quality of its fully formed characters.

The IBM 6262 swing gate mechanism allowed operators to load forms and large ribbons quickly and easily. The four form-feed tractors were adjustable with a single knob and permitted routine processing of pre-printed, pre-numbered forms.

The 6262 Print Band Printer came in lines per minute (LPM) speeds of 1200, 1400, and 2200 LPM. With the several IBM computer divisions and customer preferences, the IBM 6262 Impact Line Printer offered a plethora of attachment options – IBM mainframe channel, i-Series - AS/400 – S/34/36/38 heritage Twinax, IBM 3270 and follow-on controller units coax, IBM PC parallel/serial, and Dataproducts parallel.

MODELS BY ATTACHMENT

The model naming convention of "6262-xyy" told the story of how it was attached and how fast it would produce output. The "x" was a character for the attachment, and "yy" was the line speed times 100.

Even though there are no new replacement parts, and even though the long-used printer is being repaired with long-used repair parts scavenged from other donor units, IBM 6262 Band Printers continue to perform in some production environments today. 

Model; LPM with the 48-character-set print band

CHANNEL = 0

6262-012; 1200

6262-014; 1400

6262-022; 2200

　

PC PARALLEL / SERIAL = A

6262-A12; 1200

6262-A14; 1400

6262-A22; 2200

　

COAX = D

6262-D12; 1200

6262-D14; 1400

6262-D22; 2200

　

DATAPRODUCTS PARALLEL = P

6262-P12; 1200

6262-P14; 1400

6262-P22; 2200

　

TWINAX = T

6262-T12; 1200

6262-T14; 1400

6262-T22; 2200

For more information, contact Warren Neeley at WNeeley@PCIprinters.com.

Eliminate manual data entry of written data with Capture and ICR from PlanetPress

Our friends and good folks at Objectif Lune have developed a nice addition to the great product PlanetPress Capture. Users can not only write on documents and electronically kick off the next steps in workflow, but also now the system will process the hand written numbers, dates and codes and prepare and perform the data entry for the next step of proofing.


With a data entry process, it's a good practice to have two steps - Entry and Verification - First the raw bulk entry procedure is accomplished, and then second the verification of the data entry. Best practices should have the verification performed by someone different from the entry person for the highest degree of accuracy.

From the new documentation: "The newest addition to optimize processes is Intelligent Character Recognition (ICR). Special ICR fields can be added to transactional forms to capture handwritten text. For example, this features allows handwritten quantities, dates, time, part-numbers, postal codes, meter readings, and addresses, to be input in systems while skipping manual data entry tasks. Best practices for implementation of this feature will ensure the best results possible. Documentation will be available."

ICR makes it possible to improve the process around corrections on delivery notes, bills of lading and order forms resulting in accurate invoices and up to date systems. ICR does not replace human verification, but it does replace the basic need for human data entry.

With human data entry, a person will rely a lot on detection of hitting a wrong key while typing. Data entry and verification cannot be done reliably by the same person. By nature, this results in lower quality data entry than if entry and verification are done by separate persons. But, an additional resource for verification adds cost to the process, making it a choice between cost of resource and cost of error.

Exactly this is where a major benefit of ICR arises. ICR is an interpretation of handwriting, allowing for subjectivity, thus some errors – just like with manual data entry. However, to alleviate the errors, now only the verification and correction step has to be performed. This reduces cost of resources and cost of errors.
  For more information, check with Warren Neeley with PCI Solutions at Printer Connection: 866-430-6202,  WNeeley@PCIprinters.com, http://www.chooseglmgroup.com/Pages/PlanetPressCapture.aspx

Why Choose #2 Printronix over a #1 Zebra Thermal?

PCI sells the Printronix line of thermals.  During the IBM Printing Systems days, I heard a point in an IBM presentation that stated that this printer - the combination of the identical twins PRX.T5000 and IBM.4400/6700 units - was number two in sales volume for top-end tough and high volume industrial thermal printers. 

Zebra has held the #1 position in sales for some time.  Customers with installed Zebra printers require compatibility to even consider a switch.  Printronix has been fully compatible for years with the Zebra and ZPL language.

So why change?  Number Two needs to show why its product would be an improvement over the current leader.  What are the Printronix operational efficiencies as compared to the Zebra line?  Printronix has done a very nice job in a video demonstration of just over eight minutes. 

View the Video.

Are you thinking about a refresh of your installed Zebra thermal printers?  Have questions?  If you would like to evaluate a new Printronix T5000 printer for yourself, let us know.  Contact Warren Neeley at WNeeley@pciprinters.com or call 866-430-6202.

Printronix Moves to Claim InfoPrint Industrial

Freshly back from the last rites and burial of the InfoPrint organization, Printronix made the announcement that for the last two decades, Printronix had been the sole OEM supplier of over 100,000 InfoPrint line printers and thermal printers.

In the Printronix press release, the company offers maintenance support and spare parts for the IBM and InfoPrint 6400, 6500, 4400 and 6700 printers.

From the announcement:
"Printronix provides a complete solution for InfoPrint Solutions customers, including a full line of printers, consumables and service offerings through the existing InfoPrint Channel Partner network which fully ensures uninterrupted customer support. InfoPrint end users can tap into the full product range offered by Printronix and its Channel Partners, who are trained and have the full backing of the Printronix global technical support team to ensure top tier customer support. "

In regards to Printer Connection, PCI is a Top Printronix (Platinum, one of <20) partner and was a Top InfoPrint partner (Premier, one of 10) until their tragic end.

A style of printer not sold or mentioned by Printronix is the 'Industrial Serial Matrix' printers known in IBM/InfoPrint customers as the 4247 and the previous 4230 and 4232. PCI is also a distributing partner (one of 4) for the Tally 4347 printer. This printer serves as a replacement and upgrade from the old 4247 and the new "Paint Shaker 4247-Z03". PCI can source the former InfoPrint 4247 as its OEM builder Compuprint is also coming out from behind the curtain. PCI strongly recommends evaluating the Tally 4347-i10 against the 4247-Z03 unit for any use on any printer stands other than a granite counter, as the Z03 can make many printer stands actually walk across the floor from the shaking.

Regarding maintenance service - the IBM and InfoPrint service was always and only offered as a 24x7 package, regardless of the customer's need or budget. The service norm in the industry is now 9x5 next business day and often with a spare printer as mission critical backup. PCI continues to offer and provide service and spares on all the InfoPrint and Printronix lines described in this Printronix action. For IBM/InfoPrint printers, service can be delivered by either PCI, Printronix, or a resale from PCI of Ricoh's continuing RPPS/contractor service arrangement for industrial printers.

For any information and discussion of future pricing and availability of service, parts and printers, contact Warren Neeley at 817-939-5614 or wneeley@pciprinters.com.