limited. However, enabling colour to be part of an end users labelling solution can be very useful, and it always surprises users that we have a solution for adding colour to labels through our printers. Zebra IQ Color labels are a type of label that can be printed in col our using a Zebra thermal printer. We work with the end user to predefine sections of the label during label design that are activated by heat, turning from clear to colour when printed. IQ Color labels can be used to create more visually appealing labels. ZD411 ZD611 When we talk about asset tracking solutions, we of course need to discuss RFID. This is the big trend, and we are seeing big steps by end users to integrate RFID labels and tags into their business processes with real results for their customers and their bottom line. As the technology becomes more mature, we are forecasting big growth in the RFID business, whether this be in retail to speed up checkout or in transport and logistics and package tracking. With regard to environmental factors, we are also working hard to support our end users with labelling solutions that align with eco credentials. We now have the beginnings of a comprehensive port- folio of sustainable supplies, which extends to and includes recy- clable RFID labels. So, in summary, labels are here to stay and are only going to become more intelligent. Axel Schmidt: Thank you very much for taking the time to answer my questions! Get to know the Zebra printers on our microsite! Order the new Zebra printers of the ZD product line from your sales representative! Axel Schmidt: Security is also becoming increasingly important in label printing. What security features do the new Zebra desk- top label printers have to protect against data theft and manip- ulation? David Barnes: When it comes to safeguarding organisations’ and customers’ data, printers today are far more at risk. Unless protected, printers are 68 % more likely to be the source of an external threat or breach and are 118 % more likely to be the source of an internal threat or breach*. With Zebra’s ZD Series printers you can trust them to help keep your sensitive data safe and strengthen your security posture. Through PrintSecure, part of our proprietary PrintDNA software suite, we offer unmatched security features for peace-of-mind protection. PrintSecure offers the tools to configure printers to use secure connections, assess potential vulnerabilities, block unauthorised access and control data exchanges. Axel Schmidt: Which new features of the ZD printers do cus- tomers like the most? Is there a clear favourite model among customers? David Barnes: There is one quite novel feature that always gets a lot of interest and that is the battery accessory. We also have a phenomenal range of mobile printers at Zebra, but as good as those models are, they don’t provide thermal transfer technology, for when you need high-quality, long-lasting labels, high-resolution printing at 300dpi or large rolls of media. So, by simply adding a battery accessory to our ZD desktop range, it’s now possible to make the ZD4 or ZD6 range of Zebra printers portable. We see a lot of interest and sales of this accessory. There is even a dedicated Zebra carry case to complement it, which has special pockets to carry our mobile devices. The »better together« message is certainly one that resonates with customers. Zebra printer emulations are also a great PrintDNA application that proves to be popular – in simple terms, this one really helps when you come to upgrade your printer fleet to smarter Zebra technology. And something else we are getting increased interest in is Managed Print Services (MPS) – at Zebra, we estimate that over 50 % of businesses don’t know what they are spending on thermal printing in total. MPS is about understanding which printers you have, where they are and then managing them. Axel Schmidt: The overall trend is moving towards increased compatibility, mobility, and customisation. Additionally, there is a growing demand for labels with variable data, higher com- plexity, and colour printing. What trends does Zebra see in this regard? Where is the industry heading when it comes to commu- nicating information on goods and products? Will label print ing be replaced by another technology in the near future? David Barnes: I’ll deal with the complexity of label printing in a mo- ment, but let’s start with the number of labels that are being printed. I see that the number of labels required to run our digital, always- on economy is only growing. We just have to look at our personal lives, at ecommerce with click and drop, online shopping or buy online, pick up in store – all of these demand efficient and accurate Asset Tracking Solutions. Our end users demand more from their labels and therefore more from their printers. One of the benefits of the thermal printer is that it doesn’t use any ink or toner, which helps to make printing more cost-effective. Currently the use case for a full colour label is very *According to a 2018 vs. 2016 survey conducted by Spiceworks as noted in the Printer Security: The New IT Imperative Report, Research Shows That the » Humble Printer« Remains a Security Blind Spot www.jarltech.com 27