B&L was using a central label production facility with a number of high-speed thermal printers. Labels were batch printed, placed in totes, and then physically moved to the appropriate workstation.

Our Middleware application interfaces directly to their AS/400 production system. Each workstation has a PC and a thermal label printer. The operator scans the desired production order number from a form. The order is then "loaded" to the PC for processing. An electronic foot-pedal is connected to the PC and used to print the next required label at that workstation. The software tracks each label - audit, production and rejects in a network environment to meet CFR 21 Part 11 requirements.

Corner Office also designed and produced an electronic foot pedal device to allow operators at a cell to print the next label on a hands-free basis. The foot pedal is connected to the PC's serial port through a small control box. When the foot pedal is pressed, the label printer at the cell prints the next required label.