

BarTender On-premises Automation Edition
BarTender Automation Edition is a powerful software solution for label, barcode, and RFID design and printing, developed to transform printing workflows into fully automated processes. It focuses on seamless integration with databases and enterprise applications, enabling labels to be printed directly without requiring manual intervention.
Key Features of the Automation Edition
- Automated Printing with Integration Builder : Define triggers to automatically print labels when new data enters the system. Examples include scanning product barcodes, saving new files into a folder (File Drop), or receiving data via standard web-service APIs.
- Comprehensive Database Connectivity : Pull data onto labels from a wide range of sources such as Microsoft Excel, SQL Server, Oracle, MySQL, as well as CSV and XML files.
- Intelligent Templates : Create conditional label templates that adapt dynamically to incoming data, eliminating the need to design multiple separate files.
- Print Control with Scripts (VB Scripting) : Supports short scripts to handle calculations, validations, or data transformations before printing onto labels.
System Specifications for Installation and Operation
Most requirements are similar to the Enterprise Edition since they share the same core platform. However, resource usage depends on the volume of automated data processing:
- Operating System : Windows 10, Windows 11, or Windows Server 2016, 2019, 2022 (64-bit only)
- Memory (RAM) : Minimum 8 GB (recommended 16 GB for continuous automated print queues)
- Hard Drive Space : Minimum 20 GB (with extra space recommended for automatic print job logging)
- Display Resolution : Minimum 1024 × 768 (recommended 1920 × 1080 for convenient label design)
- Database System : Microsoft SQL Server 2019 Express included in the installation package (or connect to the organization’s existing SQL Server)
- Additional Software : Requires .NET Framework 4.7.2 or later
Special Features of the Automation Edition
The Automation Edition focuses on reducing manual tasks and enabling label printing through integration with other enterprise systems:
- Integration Builder (Smart Connector) : Core functionality for creating automated print triggers without heavy coding, such as:
- File Trigger : Automatically print when a data file (CSV, XML, JSON) is dropped into a designated folder.
- Database Trigger : Automatically print when new records are added or updated in databases (SQL, Oracle, etc.).
- Web Services / TCP/IP : Accept print commands via Web APIs or direct signals from production line machinery.
- Intelligent Templates : Create a single label file that adapts dynamically to incoming data (Conditional Printing), eliminating the need to design hundreds of separate files.
- Visual Process Designer : A graphical interface that simulates automated printing workflows, showing input sources, process steps, and printer destinations. Simplifies error detection and debugging.
- Visual Basic (VB) Scripting : Supports short scripts for data manipulation, transformation, or calculations before printing, such as date formatting, text trimming, or mathematical formulas.
- Data-Sourced Text and Barcode Objects : Combine data from multiple databases into a single barcode or text field, offering flexible and powerful label composition.
- RFID Encoding : Supports designing labels with embedded RFID data, from entry-level to industrial-grade applications.

Datasheet : BarTender Quick Reference Guide
Datasheet : BarTender Selection Guide
BarTender On-premises Starter
Design and print labels in minutes |  |
- Simple barcode & RFID label design
- Broad printer support
- Available as Workstation
|
| BarTender On-premises Professional
Be more data-driven with pre-configured, dynamic tools |  |
- Simple barcode & RFID label design
- Broad printer support
- Anywhere, anytime printing
- Dynamic, data-driven label templates
- Available as Workstation
|
| BarTender On-premises Automation
Boost productivity with flexible, automated labeling |  |
- Simple barcode & RFID label design
- Broad printer support
- Anywhere, anytime printing
- Dynamic, data-driven label templates
- Flexible integrations REST APIs, File Drop, no-code builders
- On-demand printing forms
|
| BarTender On-premises Enterprise
Streamline teams and enforce accountability |  |
- Simple barcode & RFID label design
- Broad printer support
- Anywhere, anytime printing
- Dynamic, data-driven label templates
- Flexible integrations REST APIs, File Drop, no-code builders
- On-demand printing forms
- Enterprise-level security & permissions
- Complete audit trails & unlimited logging
|
|
BarTender Cloud Essentials
Start printing without additional IT resources |  |
- Anywhere, anytime label design
- Centralized document management
- Data connections to cloud databases & local files
|
| BarTender Cloud Automation
Streamline printing and teams without complexity |  |
- Anywhere, anytime label design
- Centralized document management
- Data connections to cloud databases & local files
- Flexible integrations REST APIs & File Drop
- Dedicated spaces for users & teams
- Direct cloud printing no printer driver needed
|
| BarTender Cloud Enterprise
Strengthen control of global operations |  |
- Anywhere, anytime label design
- Centralized document management
- Data connections to cloud databases & local files
- Flexible integrations REST APIs & File Drop
- Dedicated spaces for users & teams
- Direct cloud printing no printer driver needed
- Print directly from your ERP or business system
|
|
| Compare BarTender On-premises Features |
| Features & Capabilities | Starter | Professional | Automation | Enterprise |
|---|
| GENERAL & LICENSING |
| Unlimited Network Users | 1 User | √ | √ | √ |
| Licensing Type | Up to 3 Printers | Printer-based | Printer-based | Printer-based |
| Workstation Licensing | √ | √ | - | - |
| DESIGN & PRINTING |
| WYSIWYG Barcode & Label Designer | √ | √
| √ | √
|
| Broad Printer Support (11,000+ drivers) | √ | √ | √ | √ |
| 400+ Pre-built Templates & Standards | √ | √ | √ | √ |
| Intelligent Templates (Dynamic Content) | - | √ | √ | √ |
| RFID & Smart Card Encoding | - | √ | √ | √ |
| Driverless Remote & Mobile Printing | - | √ | √ | √ |
| DATABASE & INTEGRATION |
| Database Support (Excel, CSV, SQL, Oracle) | Excel / CSV Only | √ | √ | √ |
| On-Demand Data Entry Forms | - | √ | √ | √ |
| Process Automation (Triggers & File Drop) | - | - | √ | √ |
| REST API & No-code Integration Builders | - | - | √ | √ |
| Integration with ERP / WMS (SAP, Oracle, etc.) | - | - | √ | √ |
| INCLUDED COMPANION APPLICATIONS |
| BarTender Designer & Administration Console | √ | √ | √ | √ |
| Data Builder & Print Station | - | √ | √ | √ |
| Integration Builder & Process Builder | - | - | √ | √ |
| Reprint Console | - | - | √ | √ |
| Librarian (Document & Workflow Management) | - | - | - | √ |
| MANAGEMENT, SECURITY & COMPLIANCE |
| Centralized Document Management | - | - | - | √ |
| Role-based Security & Permissions | - | - | - | √ |
| Complete Audit Trails & Unlimited Logging | - | - | - | √ |
| High Availability & License Server Redundancy | - | - | - | √ |
| Compare BarTender Cloud Features |
| Features & Capabilities | Essentials | Automation | Enterprise |
|---|
| GENERAL & INFRASTRUCTURE |
| Cloud Infrastructure & Maintenance Included | √ | √ | √ |
| No Local IT Infrastructure Required | √ | √ | √ |
| Unlimited Users & Printer Connections | √ | √ | √ |
| LABEL DESIGN & PRINTING |
| Anywhere, Anytime Web-based Label Design | √ | √ | √ |
| Direct Cloud Printing (Driverless Printing) | √ | √ | √ |
| Pre-built Template Library & Standards | √ | √ | √ |
| BarTender Mobile App Support | √ | √ | √ |
| DATA CONNECTIVITY & INTEGRATION |
| Data Connections to Cloud Databases & Local Files | √ | √ | √ |
| Automated Printing via REST APIs & File Drop | - | √ | √ |
| Direct ERP / WMS Business System Integration | - | - | √ |
| Custom Integration Connectors | - | - | √ |
| MANAGEMENT, SECURITY & TEAMS |
| Centralized Document Management | √ | √ | √ |
| Dedicated Spaces for Users & Teams | - | √ | √ |
| Role-based Access & Security Permissions | Basic | √ | √ |
| Global Enterprise Management Controls | - | - | √ |
| Comprehensive Audit Logging & History | Standard Log | √ | √ |
