AMT Datasouth Fastmark 600 - Manual (Page 13)

Fastmark 600 Series User's Guide 13
Legacy Data Stream Interpretation
PAL TM Print and Program capable printers uniquely address applications where upgrading to
modern cost effective technology is desired. Often cost-prohibitive software reprogramming to
change a data stream prevents an organization from moving to new printing technologies.
Using a PAL TM Print and Program capable printer solves this problem. In this case a PAL TM
program is written which interprets a data stream normally sent to the legacy device being
replaced. This program is stored on the printer and is automatically executed each time the
printer is powered on. This program is able to produce a new label format based on this legacy
data. Even though the host computer is sending the exact same legacy data to the printer, the
label format can be completely different. For example the new format may include bar codes,
scaled and/or rotated fonts, lines, logo's etc. Even though the legacy device being replaced does
not support these print abilities, the new label format can.
For example, text only outputs such as produced by a dot-matrix printer or card embosser may
now be presented in a more functional format. Information in the data stream can be reformatted
into any size font in any rotation, or even printed as bar code. This example demonstrates how
PAL
TM Print and Program capable printer can replace a legacy print device with no host software
changes required.
Figure 3 – Legacy Data stream Interpretation
Host System
Legacy Data
Stream
Legacy Data
Stream
PAL
Interpreter
Printed
Document
PAL Data Stream
Application
Printer
Flash Memory
PAL Printer