ZBI 2.0 & ZBI-Developer
{Name}
{Job title}
The right asset. In the right place. At the right time.
Agenda
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What is ZBI?
What can I do with ZBI?
How do I get ZBI?
ZBI Primary Features
How do I create ZBI programs?
• ZBI-Developer
What is Zebra BASIC Interpreter (ZBI)?
 ZBI is an optional programming environment to enhance
the printer capabilities.
• Create/Store/Run programs in the printer.
 A ZBI program allows the printers to process and format
input from a variety of sources.
• Databases, scanners, scales.
 ZBI extends the application possibilities of the printer.
ZPL & ZBI
 The default printer state is ZPL.
• The printer expects ZPL in order to produce a label.
 The ZBI environment must be initiated.
• Create/Store/Run programs in the environment.
• A ZBI program can manipulate a data stream other than ZPL
to produce a label.
~JI or AUTOEXEC
ZPL
ZBI
Default State
~JQ or ZPL
Data Processing
 ZBI works with ZPL.
Zebra Printer
Printer Ports
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ZBI
Process
ZPL
ZPL
Process
Printer Output
Simple Application Example
Printer
12.5 LBS
ZPL
10 CLOSE ALL
20 OPEN #1: NAME "SER"
30 OPEN #2: NAME "ZPL"
40 INPUT #1: A$
12.5
LBS
No label output
Printer
50 PRINT #2: "^XA~TA000~JSN^LT0^MNW^MTD^PON^PMN^LH0,0^JMA^PR6,6~SD15^JUS^LRN^CI0^XZ"
ZBI
60 PRINT #2: "^XA^MMT^LL0609^PW812^LS0^FT102,132^A0N,96,93^FH\^FDZebra
Company^FS"
Program
70 PRINT #2: "^FO35,194^GB734,0,8^FS^FT182,293^A0N,56,55^FH\^FDWeight:
^FS"
80 PRINT #2: "^FT393,293^A0N,56,55^FH\^FD" & A$ & "^FS^BY4,3,160^FT149,512^BCN,,Y,N"
90 PRINT #2: "^FD" & A$ & "^FS^PQ1,0,1,Y^XZ"
100 GOTO 40
What can I do with ZBI?
 ZBI has many applications …
• Stand-alone printing. Eliminate the need for a PC or network.
• Create & display custom LCD prompts to guide users through
operations.
• Connect peripherals directly to the printer.
• Interpret and manipulate data streams other than ZPL.
• Interface with database applications.
• Process data input/output from the printers applicator port.
• Data logging.
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How do I get ZBI?
 ZBI is an option.
• Requires minimum firmware level.
– V60.16.0Z, V53.16.0Z, V56.16.5Z, V61.16.5Z, V54.16.1Z,
V66.17.4Z
– Older printers with limited memory may not support this firmware
level.
 Printers are “ZBI-Ready”
• ZBI must be enabled using the Key Manager.
 Kits available to enable 1 printer, 5 printers or 25 printers.
How do I get ZBI?
 Order Keys On-Line
• www.zebrasoftware.com
– Buy keys
– Download the Key Manager
• Credit card based ordering system
Supported Printers
 Printer Models Supporting ZBI 2.0 (Mar 2010)
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S4M
105SL
Z4Mplus/Z6Mplus
ZM400/ZM600
PAX4
XiIIIPlus, Xi4
GX/GK Series
HC100
R110Xi/R170Xi/R110PAX4
KR403
Identifying a ZBI 2.0 enabled printer
 ZBI 2.0 enabled printers
• Do not have a “Z” in the version number
• Displays ZBI-Enabled info on the config label
• Can show which program is running
• Will display the ZBI Start/Stop LCD feature
Key Manager & File Downloader
 File Downloader
• Supports Serial, Parallel, USB & TCP communication ports
• Automatic discovery of USB & Network printers
• Download files to multiple printers
 Key Manager
 Enable ZBI on one or many printers
• Activate/Deactivate ZBI 2.0 keys via the Internet
• Move keys between different PC’s
• View remaining ZBI 2.0 keys
Key Manager
ZBI 2.0 Primary Features
The right asset. In the right place. At the right time.
Front Panel Control
 User control
• List ZBI programs from the front panel menu.
• Start/Stop programs from the front panel menu.
 ZBI Control
• Create & display custom text on the LCD
– Warning messages, instructions, prompts.
– Enhances ease of use & productivity.
• Take control of front panel button functions.
– Reprogram each buttons function to suite you application.
Applicator Port Control
 ZBI 2.0 Gives Users Control of the Applicator Port
• Increased input options allows users more flexible print
triggers.
• PAX4 and Xi4
Database Applications & Encryption
 Database Applications
• Access & retrieve data from databases to include on the label.
• Update databases with transcations that occur on the printer.
 Store data on the printer using CSV and text files.
• CSV and text file storage supported in ZBI 2.1 and later.
 Advanced Program Encryption
• Encryption protect the resellers investment
• ZBI 2.0 programs can be hidden and persistent
• Easily manage ZBI programs using ZBI Developer.
ZBI Developer
The right asset. In the right place. At the right time.
What is ZBI-Developer?
 Integrated Development Environment (IDE), designed to
assist in the creation, testing and distribution of ZBI
programs.
ZBI-Developer
 Multiple View Perspectives
• ZBI Perspective
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Write ZBI programs
Manage project files
Encrypt/Distribute programs & files to one or many printers
Problems view – automatically shows program warnings & errors
• Debug Perspective
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Run & debug programs on physical or virtual printer
Set breakpoints & step through the program line by line.
View variable values
View data is it flows through the ports used in the program
ZBI-Developer – Perspective Views
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ZBI-Developer - ZBI Perspective
 Pop-Up Help
• Displays command syntax and example.
ZBI-Developer - ZBI Perspective
 Problems View
• Displays program warnings and errors
ZBI-Developer - ZBI Perspective
 Printer View
• Manage physical & virtual printers
• Discover printers on the network
ZBI-Developer - ZBI Perspective
 Navigator View
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Import files into the project
Compare program versions
Create Autoexec files
Optionally encrypt programs to protect
proprietary data
• Easily deploy programs to one or many
printers
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ZBI-Developer - Debug Perspective
 Status of current program
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State – running or stopped
Current program name
Memory usage
Current line number execution
ZBI-Developer - Debug Perspective
 Debug view
• Control the program execution (stop, start, pause, step)
 Variable view
• View variable values
 Breakpoint view
• Set and toggle breakpoints
 Ports view
• Displays data as it flows through ports used in the program
 Printer Status
• Displays status and information about the current program
being debugged.
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ZBI-Developer – Debugging Example
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Pricing & Ordering
The right asset. In the right place. At the right time.
Assistance
 Email
• zbi-experts@zebra.com for technical & sales questions
 Development Services
• Zebra’s Development Services group can provide custom
programming.
 Website
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Programming guide
Example programs demonstrating common functions.
Key manager
ZBI Developer
ZBI 2.0 & ZBI-Developer
The right asset. In the right place. At the right time.