In my previous article, I threw a million—give or take a few—questions your way about what you need to ask yourself and what you are trying to accomplish when selecting barcode label software. In this article, we will explore the label software options a little further.
Narrowing the Label Software
If you only have a couple of label formats to print, or you won’t be printing too often, many of the label printer manufacturers supply an abbreviated version of label design and printing software. Some versions are free, and some have a nominal charge. You may be able to design a label, print a single label, or even perform a batch print. However, the feature set and printer selection would be limited.
We usually recommend using a third-party label design and print program. These are often feature-rich and can perform a multitude of functions. These programs can manipulate data, interface with most anything, and can be used across a wide range of platforms. Let’s walk through some of the options.
L-TronDirect works with leading manufacturers to offer the following labeling software programs:
- LabelView and LabelMatrix by TekLynx
- BarTender by Seagull Scientific
- NiceLabel by NiceWare, Intl.
Which is the best? It truly is a matter of personal preference. Each package offers varying levels of functionality, design, integration, and so on. Some are more intuitive in some facets, and some are a little clunky.
Each of these packages has options for data entry, mapping, and data watching. They can be used as stand-alone systems or fully-integrated to your ERP systems. Also, there are solutions for WEB portals so you can maintain a remote application while others can sign in, enter data, and print on their local printers or on yours. This makes the flow of information accurate and simple. Would you like to print forms with the same package using the same data? No problem. The packages support multiple formats, printers, and data entry points. In any case, you really cannot go wrong with any of the above.
Now that I have totally confused you, check out our site, L-Tron’s Label Software. You can find the latest offerings from our valued partners. Also, give us a call at 800-830-9523 to talk with one of our customer representatives. We will be happy to walk you through your decision making process and find the right labeling solution for you. We also provide custom integration and label design services, so if you still are still a little hesitant, our technical support staff can do the heavy lifting for you.
Stay tuned for my next article in this series. I will be talking about Rapid Application Development tools.
