Zebra Thermal Printers and Architext Font Software Break New Ground with Cost- Effective, Low Maintenance, and Versatile Prescription Labeling Solution

VERNON HILLS, Ill., Feb. 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Zebra Technologies (Nasdaq: ZBRA), a global leader in delivering on-demand thermal printing solutions for business improvement, today announced its retail pharmacy prescription labeling solutions integrator agreement with San Antonio, Texas-based Architext Inc., a leading provider of custom typefaces, graphics, font modifications, and digitized signatures and logos. As part of Zebra's Systems Integrator (ZSI) program, Architext will combine its PrescriptionSet(TM) software and 12 years of industry knowledge with Zebra's 2800(TM) LP series on-demand thermal bar code printers to provide pharmacies with an efficient, cost-effective, low maintenance, and easy-to-use prescription label printing solution. This package is the first complete thermal label printing solution specifically designed for the retail pharmacy industry.

One of the biggest issues facing the more than 50,000 retail pharmacies in the United States -- in addition to a shortage of pharmacists -- is the rising cost of laser printer maintenance and supplies. Industry reports show that more than $158 million a year alone is spent on combination label and paper ("dual-web") forms currently used for printing the mandatory prescription labels and patient information. Compounding the problem are the additional costs associated with laser printer downtime, maintenance, and repair, resulting from accelerated wear on fuser assemblies, label adhesive buildup and label de-lamination when printing on dual-web forms.

Using Zebra's 2800 series thermal label printers and Architext's PrescriptionSet thermal solution software, pharmacies can reduce laser printer paper costs by up to 60 percent, while increasing print speed and quality. Prescription labels are automatically sent to and printed on a 2800 series printer using lower priced thermal label forms, while the laser printer receives the patient information and prints it on plain paper stock, which is considerably less expensive than costly dual-web forms. Laser printer maintenance and repair costs also are drastically reduced because the problematic dual-web forms are no longer used on the laser printer.

"If a laser printer is down, pharmacists can't print and if they can't print, they can't fill prescriptions, which results in lost time and money," says Jim Young, senior manager of alliance development for Zebra. "Architext's reputation and expertise in the retail pharmaceutical market coupled with Zebra's highly reliable printers deliver a targeted solution that increases efficiency, productivity, and revenue for pharmacies."

Ideal for distribution, healthcare, and retail applications, the 2800 LP series is a compact direct thermal desktop label printer that features enhanced electronics, triple communications interfaces (serial, parallel, USB), rapid 4 ips print speed and throughput, and networking and remote printer management features.

Architext's PrescriptionSet(TM) software enables pharmacists to print a variety of medication graphics, warning messages in several different languages, drug imprints, bar codes, and fixed-pitch fonts.

"We are extremely excited to be partnering with Zebra, a leading provider of thermal printers," says Stewart Newman, director of marketing for Architext. "The benefits and introduction of thermal printers into the retail pharmaceutical industry will have a tremendous positive impact on work flow, reducing the cost of dispensing prescription medication, and prolonging the life of laser printers by distributing the print work where it belongs. As a result, pharmacists can spend more time on patient care and service -- and that's the bottom line."

For more information on Zebra's business improvement solutions please call +1-800.423.0442 or visit Zebra's web site at www.zebra.com .

About Zebra Technologies

Zebra Technologies (Nasdaq: ZBRA) delivers innovative and reliable on- demand printing solutions for business improvement and security applications in 90 countries around the world. More than 90% of Fortune 500 companies use Zebra(R)-brand printers. A broad range of applications benefit from Zebra- brand thermal bar code, "smart" label and receipt printers, and Eltron(R)- brand card printers, resulting in enhanced security, increased productivity, improved quality, lower costs, and better customer service. The company has an installed base of more than two million printers, including RFID printer/encoders and wireless mobile solutions, and also offers software, connectivity solutions, and printing supplies. Information about Zebra bar code products can be found at www.zebra.com . The company's Web site for thermal printing supplies is www.zipzebra.com .

About Architext

Since 1986, Architext has been providing font and graphic solutions for printers and display devices. Our primary charter has been to develop custom typefaces, provide font modifications, and digitize signatures and logos. Our installed base of more than 65 percent of the entire retail pharmacies in U.S. and Canada utilizing our PrescriptionSet(TM) products, DIY's, financial institutions, manufacturing, state and federal organizations and transportation industry, provides numerous "cost saving" solutions through our working knowledge of our clients' print requirements. Contact Architext about our thermal solution for the pharmacy industry and other print solutions at 1-210-490-2240 or view our online product catalog at www.architext.com .