BarTender 12 introduces Hybrid Labeling for greater scalability and real-time collaboration

BarTender 12 has arrived – introducing Hybrid Labeling by uniting on-premises and cloud labeling to simplify production and streamline collaboration across distributed teams and remote sites. 

Explore the newest features and enhancements to see how BarTender 12 empowers teams to label without limits. 

Introducing Hybrid Labeling: Greater scalability and real-time collaboration 

Many organizations often face a difficult choice for their labeling: cloud or on-premises, often compromising their operational needs. On-premises deployments provide tight control and low-latency, high-volume printing, while cloud deployments make it easy to scale users, printers, and automations across global sites with minimal IT infrastructure. 

Now you no longer have to choose. Hybrid Labeling combines the strengths of both deployments, scaling labeling through the cloud while maintaining on-premises control where it matters most. This leads organizations to achieve greater flexibility, resilience, and remote collaboration. 

Simplify and streamline label production with new Hybrid Labeling capabilities 

No matter if you have on-premises or cloud, BarTender 12 delivers new Hybrid Labeling capabilities that simplify label production and streamline workflows. The new cloud-powered capabilities can be accessed by on-premises environments without requiring a separate cloud deployment. 

• Intelligent Forms: Enable distributed teams, remote sites, and external suppliers to label accurately every time from anywhere using dynamic, web-based forms. Unlike a traditional data entry form that can only connect to a single label template, Intelligent Forms can link to multiple templates, so users can input data to print the specific labels they need using the same form – all without opening a file or application. And, with simple drag-and-drop functionality, anyone can build a form without complex coding or scripting.
• BarTender Designer Online: Connect distributed teams and sites across your entire labeling production. The new Designer accelerates label printing and ensures consistency between remote teams through a modern, browser-based UI – accessible from anywhere, anytime. Available only as a Demo Beta for Cloud users. 

Increase printing efficiency and security using simple, cloud-native integrations & connections  

The latest release includes several new features for our Cloud users that accelerate label printing workflows and deliver tighter control over their labeling environment. 

• File Drop Cloud Integration: Printing is just as easy as dropping a file into a folder – no need to connect APIs to external business systems or applications. Now available for the cloud, the file-based integration empowers teams to create simple printing automations that trigger print jobs from simply dropping JSON, CSV, or XML data files into a designated folder. With simple setup, you can automate your printing and track print activity without any IT resources needed.
• Direct Cloud Printing: Connect and print to your Zebra printers in seconds – no drivers or software required. Easily connect Zebra DNA printers via weblink or auto discovery to eliminate complexity, dependency on local infrastructure, and IT burden. Expanded support for other printer brands is coming soon.
• New pre-configured Single Sign-On (SSO) options: Deploy and scale authentication with pre-configured SSO integrations and expanded OIDC support. New Microsoft Entra ID integration joins our existing Ping Identity support, and we now support any OIDC-compliant identity provider, streamlining authentication across your organization.
• BarTender Connector for Amazon Transparency: Streamline the creation of secure, unique Transparency codes using the industry’s only connector for Amazon Transparency. The all-new connector links your Transparency product data with BarTender without any expert-level development and outsourced printing needed. Easily create and print labels on-demand at any quantity. Please note that this feature is only available as an add-on service. 

All of the new BarTender 12 features listed above, including the new Hybrid Labeling capabilities, are available for Cloud Automation, as well as the all-new Cloud Enterprise Plan. The new premium tier for Cloud users delivers stronger labeling control, offering one pre-built ERP print connector at no additional cost. Learn more about BarTender’s deployment options and plans here. 

Explore more updates from BarTender 12 

BarTender 12 includes additional enhancements that simplify print-time controls, improve printing usability, and expand our pre-built label template library. 

• Manipulate horizontal and vertical offsets at print-time for precise label placement – no printer setting changes required.
• Meet the latest VDA regulatory requirements with new and updated automotive label templates, eliminating the need to update or replace existing templates.
• Easily manage your print fleet with improved Printer Maestro usability and performance.
• Gain greater visibility of your labeling activities through expanded print history logging when printing to offline printers through an API.
• Find the records you need to print quickly with improved print-time record searching and selection.
• Complete daily print runs faster with retained user selections and saved printer assignments in Print Portal and Print Station. 

Get more information on BarTender 12 by reviewing the release notes for BarTender Labeling on-premises and cloud. 

Ready to experience industry-leading labeling for your business? 

Contact us today to learn more about the latest updates coming to BarTender and how BarTender can transform your labeling operations.