This topic tells you how to use the method described under Printing Labels to create and print labels with the printer Apollo 2 of the manufacturer CAB GmbH. According to CAB, you can use the same procedure for the printer models Apollo 1, Apollo 3, Apollo 4, and for the fully automatic labelling system "CAB Hermes 4" as well.

1. Create the label: To design the label layout, use the design program Easylabel of the manufacturer Tharo Systems, Inc. This program runs under Windows 3.1, Windows 95, and Windows NT. As printer in Easylabel select CAB Apollo 2.

For technical reasons, you can use the CAB printer from within SAPscript only if you previously stored the label definition in the printer (on memory card) and then transfer from within SAPscript only the field contents of the variable label fields. To be able to use this method, each printer must be equipped with a memory card.

2. Define the R/3 form fields: In Easylabel define all those fields as type FIX (not as database fields) that will later be filled with variable data from the R/3 system. As field contents select sample data that allows you to estimate the space needed for the field contents. To load the label definition onto the memory card of the printer at a later time, each variable field must have a field name in Easylabel. The field names in Easylabel can be up to 10 characters long and alphanumeric. Therefore, you cannot use R/3 field names directly. Instead, use neutral field names such as T1 for the first, T2 for the second text field, B1 for the first barcode field, and so on.
3. Select fonts for the text fields: For text fields, you can use either printer-internal or TrueType fonts. Since the label definition is stored together with the fonts on a memory card in the printer, the font selected does not influence the size of the print file created by R/3.
4. Insert bitmap graphics: Bitmap graphics are also stored on the memory card.
5. Transfer the label definition to the memory card: To transfer the label definition to the memory card installed in the printer, choose Print a batch of formats, load the stored label, and execute the function Download format to memory card. Enter the name of the label, which may be up to eight characters long. This name is used later to identify the label definition.

Set the parameter Quantity to the value Printer prompts for quantity, otherwise the printer will always print one label with the current data and, additionally, one original label.

Besides the label definition downloaded to the printer, Easylabel creates a file of type "[ filename ] .rpl " on the PC. Usually, you find this file in the installation directory of Easylabel on the PC. This RPL file is the basis for the print file to be sent from R/3, which passes values for the variable fields of the label and finally prints the label.

6. Upload the RPL file into SAPscript and insert the variables: Start the SAPscript standard text editor (Utilities ® SAPscript ® Standard text). Create a new standard text. Upload the RPL file using function Text ® Upload. As format select ASCII . Save the file.

For each variable field to which you assigned a field name in Easylabel under 2.), the file contains a line R XX, where XX is the field name (for example, R T1;) . After the semicolon enter the program variable from the print program of the application, whose value you want to print in this field (for example, R T1 ; &VBAK-KUNNR&) . In the editor choose Edit ® Command ® Insert command to insert SAPscript variables (program symbols).

7. Adapt the SAPscript form: To print the label, adapt the SAPscript form you want to use for printing. Choose Utilities ® SAPscript ® Form:

8. Create an output device: Define the CAB printer as Output Device in the SAP System.