Sunrise 2027 | Part 3: Scanners, Printers & Label Software

Sunrise 2027 is a hardware and software problem as much as it is a data problem. Part 1 set the initiative; Part 2 took the WMS decision. This piece takes the hardware that path forces. If your warehouse team is still carrying scanners that cannot read a DataMatrix symbol, or your printers are generating 2D codes that fail retail quality checks, none of the WMS work matters. Sunrise 2027 forces three connected hardware decisions: 2D imager scanners, thermal label printers, and label printing software that bridges your NetSuite data to the actual printed code. The right combination depends on your operation, your budget, and the WMS path you have chosen.

Whether you chose NetSuite WMS or RF-Smart shapes the hardware shortlist. RF-Smart-led operations often consolidate on RF-Smart-sourced devices for a single vendor stack. NetSuite WMS users typically build best-of-breed across Zebra, Honeywell, and others, then pair with a label printing platform of their choice.

Part 1: What Scanning Hardware Does Sunrise 2027 Require?

Legacy 1D laser scanners use a single linear beam to read the pattern of bars and spaces in a traditional UPC barcode. They are simply unable to read a 2D barcode. A QR code or DataMatrix symbol requires an imager, essentially a small camera, that captures the full two-dimensional grid of the code and decodes it. If your warehouse currently operates 1D laser scanners, upgrading to 2D-capable imagers is not optional for Sunrise 2027 readiness.

The market for 2D-capable warehouse scanning hardware is mature, with several strong vendors offering rugged, enterprise-grade devices. The right choice depends on your warehouse environment, your WMS platform, and whether you prefer to source hardware independently or through your WMS partner.

Zebra Technologies

Zebra is the most widely deployed brand in warehouse scanning environments. Their TC series mobile computers, including the TC2X and TC5X, are Android-based handheld devices with high-performance 2D imagers that read GS1 Digital Link barcodes, QR codes, and DataMatrix symbols accurately and at range. Zebra devices are natively supported by both NetSuite WMS and RF-Smart, and their Mobility DNA software suite gives IT teams centralized device management, remote updates, and device health monitoring. For operations already in the Zebra stack, upgrading to a 2D-capable TC series device is the simplest upgrade path. For IT Directors managing distributed fleets, the device-management layer is often the operational advantage Zebra brings beyond the hardware itself.

Honeywell

Honeywell's warehouse scanning portfolio, including the CT47 and CK65 mobile computers, is a strong alternative to Zebra, especially for operations that prefer Honeywell's ergonomics or have existing relationships with Honeywell service teams. Honeywell 2D imagers perform on par with Zebra in most warehouse environments and are compatible with NetSuite WMS and RF-Smart workflows. Their Operational Intelligence platform provides device analytics and management capabilities similar to Zebra's Mobility DNA.

Datalogic

Datalogic offers a range of rugged mobile computers and handheld scanners, including the Memor and Falcon lines, that fit warehouse environments with moderate scanning volumes. Datalogic devices support 2D barcode reading and integrate with NetSuite-compatible WMS platforms. They are often a lower-priced option for smaller operations or those looking to phase in 2D capability without a full fleet replacement.

Unitech and Other Options

For budget-conscious operations or warehouses with lighter scanning demands, vendors like Unitech, Bluebird, and Newland offer Android-based 2D imager devices at lower price points than the major enterprise brands. These devices can work for Sunrise 2027 readiness in the right environment, though they typically carry less robust device management tooling and shorter enterprise support lifecycles.

Part 2: Choosing Label Printers That Pass at Retail

A 2D barcode printed at poor resolution, incorrect size, or with insufficient quiet zones will fail ISO/IEC 15415 quality verification and generate scan errors at retail, often triggering chargebacks or product rejections. The printing setup must match the quality standards Sunrise 2027 demands. As with scanners, there are multiple strong hardware options.

Zebra Label Printers

Zebra's ZD series thermal printers, including the ZD421 and ZD621, are the most widely deployed label printers in warehouse environments and produce consistent, high-resolution 2D codes at speed. They are natively supported by most label printing software platforms and integrate directly with NetSuite-triggered print workflows. The ZD621 is especially well-suited to high-volume operations that need continuous label production.

Honeywell Label Printers

Honeywell's PC series printers, including the PC42 and PC45, are a strong option for operations already in the Honeywell stack or looking for competitive pricing on thermal label hardware. They support standard label formats and ZPL-compatible commands, making them compatible with most label design and printing software used in NetSuite environments.

SATO

SATO is a specialist label printing vendor with a strong presence in food, beverage, and consumer goods manufacturing, industries where lot and expiry tracking is already well established. Their CL and CG series printers offer high print quality for GS1-compliant 2D barcodes and are especially relevant for manufacturers in regulated categories who need print quality verification built into the hardware.

Brother and Epson

For lower-volume label printing needs, such as sample labels, office-based compliance labeling, or small-batch production runs, Brother and Epson offer capable, lower-cost thermal and inkjet label printers that can produce GS1-compliant 2D codes when paired with appropriate label design software. These are not warehouse-floor production printers, but they fill a legitimate role in the broader label printing stack.

Part 3: What Label Printing Software Connects NetSuite to the Printer?

Hardware alone does not produce a compliant 2D label. The software layer that designs, generates, and triggers label printing is where your ERP data (lot numbers, expiry dates, GTINs, GS1 Digital Link URLs) gets turned into the physical barcode on the box. For teams already moving lot data in bulk between systems (see our walkthrough on fulfilling orders with lot numbers via CSV import), label printing software is the natural extension of that data flow into the warehouse. There are several capable platforms in this space, each with different integration profiles for NetSuite environments.

RF-Smart Print (formerly SummitIT)

RF-Smart acquired SummitIT, integrating its label printing capabilities directly into the RF-Smart platform. What was once a separate product is now RF-Smart's native label printing solution for NetSuite. It enables print-on-receive, print-on-pick, and print-on-pack workflows triggered directly from within NetSuite transactions, pulling live lot, expiry, and GTIN data from the ERP at the moment of print. For operations that have chosen RF-Smart as their WMS, this built-in print capability is the natural companion: same platform, same vendor, no separate integration required.

Loftware NiceLabel

Loftware NiceLabel, now part of Loftware, is one of the most widely used enterprise label design and management platforms in supply chain environments. It supports GS1 Digital Link barcode generation, connects to NetSuite and other ERPs via standard data integrations, and provides centralized label template management across multiple sites and printers. NiceLabel is a strong choice for manufacturers with complex label needs, multiple warehouse locations, or the need for formal label governance and version control.

BarTender by Seagull Scientific

BarTender is another well-established label design platform with strong GS1 barcode support and broad printer compatibility. It integrates with NetSuite through data connections and supports the full range of 2D barcode formats required for Sunrise 2027 readiness. BarTender's Automation edition enables event-triggered printing from ERP transactions, making it a capable option to NiceLabel for manufacturers comparing enterprise label software.

TEKLYNX

TEKLYNX offers label design and printing software, including LABELVIEW and CODESOFT, that supports GS1 Digital Link and 2D barcode generation. It is a cost-competitive option for mid-market manufacturers who need solid GS1 readiness without the full enterprise price point of NiceLabel or BarTender's higher tiers.

How to Choose Your Sunrise 2027 Hardware Stack

The scanner, printer, and label software decisions for Sunrise 2027 are not independent. They are a connected stack, and the right combination depends on your WMS path, your warehouse complexity, and your existing vendor relationships. Operations running RF-Smart as their WMS often benefit from consolidating on RF-Smart hardware and RF-Smart Print for a single vendor stack. Operations running NetSuite WMS typically build a best-of-breed stack: a scanner brand selected on ergonomics and TCO, a printer brand selected on volume and print quality, and a label software platform selected on integration depth and template governance.

For COOs, the practical question is which combination minimizes warehouse downtime during the transition. Phased upgrades that prioritize 2D scanners first usually beat big-bang replacements.

Supply Chain Advisory: How Techfino Can Help Manufacturers

Techfino's Supply Chain Advisory team, part of Techfino's NetSuite manufacturing practice, helps manufacturers evaluate the full Sunrise 2027 hardware and software stack as a connected decision, not three separate procurements. We assess your current scanning and printing setup, map it against the demands of GS1 Digital Link readiness, and recommend the combination of scanners, printers, and label software that fits your operation, your WMS platform, and your budget. Whether you are upgrading a single warehouse or coordinating a multi-site rollout, the right hardware decisions made early save procurement complexity and integration risk later. Hardware is the half of Sunrise 2027 you can see; the half you can't lives in the data behind every barcode your new scanners will read.

Not sure which combination of scanners, printers, and label software fits your warehouse and your Sunrise 2027 timeline? Schedule a free assessment with Techfino's Supply Chain Advisory team for a structured review of your hardware stack against your operation and your existing NetSuite environment.