TomTom and Zebra integration for mobile printing

By Fleet News

28 February 2014

Printing, barcode and RFID specialist Zebra Technologies has teamed up with TomTom Business Solutions to integrate fleet management data and mobile printing.

Field service companies can now use the Zebra RW series to print receipts, invoices and barcodes and the RP4T to print RFID labels, enriched with GPS location and job information generated by TomTom's Webfleet fleet management platform.

This means companies will be able to provide customers with greater information, as proof of delivery, direct store delivery and invoice receipts will include vehicle position and journey information. The same data will also be available in the back-end, providing clear proof that service level agreements have been met.

The mobile printers become connected devices through a Bluetooth link with TomTom's in-vehicle LINK tracking unit. It communicates with the Webfleet platform and open API, permitting data exchange with any back office software system without incurring additional mobile connectivity charges.

“Zebra’s first ever integration with a fleet management provider will see a wide range of businesses benefit from greater administrative efficiencies," said Chris Ayres, ISV Development Manager, Zebra Technologies.

The Zebra mobile printers are compatible with TomTom’s robust hardware and software APIs. Data is transferred from field to back office using the LINK.connect API and in the opposite direction via the .connect API.

Thomas Schmidt, managing director, TomTom Business Solutions, added: “This integration provides field service companies with a cost-effective connected product, allowing them to offer ever higher standards of customer service.”

“For example, cold chain distributors will be able to print receipts detailing temperatures across an entire journey according to GPS positions, Mobile healthcare operators can print RFID labels for patient blood samples, or taxi drivers can use the integrated technology to print receipts that accurately detail journey information.”