Guest Blogger-Gary Hagood, Seagull Scientific, Channel Sales Manager-Eastern US Efficiently Managing Barcode Label Templates and Printing - when it all started back in the early 1980's the only method for printing barcode labels was to use the actual printer language. This required hard coding the files within the application software for one printer, one line, one label, at a time.Developers would study the printer code manual, and manually program a label. After many hours the codewould look something like the illustrations below, this is also known as Embedded Code. It's estimated that 10 - 15 years ago over 90% of the barcode labels printedwere completed by using printer language or embedded code. Today's estimate is close to 50% - 60% and declining. The evolution of Windows based software such as Seagull Scientific's "BarTender" utilizing a graphical user interface for design and printing of barcode label templates is mostly responsible for the decline. Software tools such as BarTender drastically reduces the expense for development, reduce implantation time, offer extreme flexibility and increase the efficiencies of dedicated resources.Other reasons for the decline of embedded code.................End-user is handcuffed to one printer brand typicallySetup and testing of printers with new or edited label templates are costly and time consumingOften the resource to the source files are no longer availableNo access to unsupported fonts, variable font sizes and barcodesNo support for changing of graphics So what does BarTender offer that would justify a move away from using embedded code? Ease of label template design regardless of how simple or complex. It would take hours to develop and test the label format in the sample below using embedded code. BarTender would be able to design this label template in much less time plus the ability to add, edit, move or change fields on the label are accomplished in minutes. BarTender GUI Interface for label design!The ease of design and editing is only a small part of the overall features and benefits BarTender offers. When using any of the over 3,000 Windows Printer Drivers developed by Seagull Scientific with label templates developed with BarTender can be used for printing by simply adding a specific printer driver.When using embedded code all printer languages must be known if using various printr brands, code must be compiled and sent to the printer for testing. Using BarTender it's just "click" and "print".The Seagull Scientific Print Drivers take full advantage of the printer's intelligence which enables faster print speeds resulting in the highest quality printing and reliability! Embedded code doesn't offer this important feature!Other advantages BarTender offers over embedded code are the Companion Products, these are included with the Automation and Enterprise Editions. These companion applications for the complete management of printers, label templates, past and present print jobs, user permissions and advanced integration options of which embedded code doesn't offer! Printer Maestro - Centralized management of printers and queues. History Explorer - Navigate & view past print jobs. Reprint Console - Reprint lost or damaged labels. Print Station - "One-Click" printing interface. Batch Maker - Allows easy combination of labels into "batches". Librarian - For secure storage and revision control of label templates. Security Center - User and Application Permissions management. Commander - Advanced Integration with Oracle, SAP and other ERP Systems. Regardless if you're considering moving away from embedded code or considering an overall solution for printing of barcode or RFID labels BarTender is the perfect solution for maximizing resources and reducing implementation costs in today's business environment! BarTender's ROI is significant and continuous! To receive a brochure showing all BarTender offerings, please click on the BarTender box. Gary Hagood is Eastern US Channel Sales Manager for Seagull Scientific. Gary has 20 years experience in AIDC with Intermec, Videojet, Motorola, ID Technology in Direct and Channel Sales. His product experience is with mobile computing, ink jet and thermal printing systems.
