Barcode label printing

[Mark Allen <mallen@xxxxxxxx>]

I have a very simple application where we are currently printing bar codes
on 2x4 inch labels.  We print <100 labels a week.  Current solution is for
them to enter label requests on AS/400 then run a AS/400 program to generate
a file.  This file is then downloaded to a PC in Excel format.  Because of
the PC label software requirements they then open the spreadsheet, format
all the columns to autofit the data, select all the rows that actually
contain data then save as a dbf file.  They then open the PC based bar code
program, open the pre defined label format (tied to the dbf file) and print
the labels.  Well, this is too complicated for the good ol Georgia boy wh
runs the application (even with step by step directions including
screenshots) so I usually end up doing it which takes about 10-15 minutes at
most but it's still a nuisance and aggravation and management doesn't like
it.
 
What I am looking for then is a "cheap" AS/400 based solution which would
ideally be a low volume, cheap AS/400 attached (either thru TCP/IP or even
but preferably not Twinax) label printer.  The 2 bar codes that print are
simple 3 of 9 so I should be able to use straight DDS to generate the label
printer file unless printer requires special coding? 
 
Mark Allen
IS Manager
Wilkes Telephone & Electric
11 W. Court Street
Washington, GA 30673
Phone: (706) 678-9565
Fax: (706) 678-1000