IBM strengthens portfolio with RFID products from Zebra

Zebra Technologies has entered into an agreement with IBM Global Technology Services that incorporates Zebra’s leading mobility, bar code labeling and radio frequency identification (RFID) printing/encoding solutions into the IBM Global Technology Services solution portfolio.

‘As an IBM Solutions Partner, we are delighted to pair our extensive printing knowledge with the innovative solutions expertise of IBM’s Global Technology Services team,’ said Rod Rodericks, managing director EMEA, Zebra. ‘Together, we can deliver rugged enterprise applications that improve productivity and reduce costs for customers in many industries including retail, manufacturing, logistics and transportation, government and healthcare.’

This solutions portfolio encompasses a wide range of business technology applications to meet the needs of today’s businesses:

• Through the supply chain and in-store retail applications, IBM and Zebra deliver on-the-spot label and receipt printing with Zebra’s RW series and QL series printers.

• In manufacturing, warehousing, distribution and back office retail operations, IBM and Zebra deliver the Xi series of performance printers to deliver mission-critical and high-volume barcode labeling applications.

• For companies with RFID initiatives, IBM’s Express RFID Services supports Zebra’s R110Xi multi-protocol printer/encoder. IBM Express RFID Services is targeted at small-and medium-sized businesses that need to respond to compliance mandates

‘We believe Zebra RFID products represent a key solution for companies which need rapid implementation of a low-cost, low-risk solution for RFID tagging,’ said John Eberly, IBM business development executive for the Zebra solutions relationship. ‘IBM’s partnering with leading RFID hardware and software vendors such as Zebra helps ensure that the Express RFID Services solution leverages the industry’s best-of-breed products.’ 
‘Zebra works proactively with partners, such as IBM, to offer relevant, cost-effective solutions for the supply chain and beyond,’ said Bob Cornick, vice-president of RFID Solutions for Zebra. ‘Both Zebra and IBM hold leadership positions in RFID technology. Our objective is to help customers see immediate benefits from their RFID implementations.’

The Zebra and IBM global agreement represents another step in the close, decade-long relationship between IBM and Zebra, which focused previously on independent service support for Zebra products in North America.