Barcode Label Printing Software - New TFORMer Version

Barcode label printing and reporting software TFORMer Designer - Service Pack 2 is available! SP2 integrates a huge number of enhancements, feature updates and bug fixes - download the release candidates! 

Label Software TFORMer Designer - English
Label Software TFORMer Designer - German

Update - July 2013

TFORMer was updated in July 2013. For details on the new version please refer to the article New High-Grade Barcode Label Software - TFORMer V7.5 Overview.

Whats New?

New Compliance Label Templates

• Caterpillar® Shipping/Parts Identification Labels
Includes templates for Single Pack Label, Master Pack Label and Mixed Load Label as specified by Caterpillar® (Shipping/Parts Identification Label Standard Practice 20 – Version 3.0).
• MAT Labels
New MAT label templates. These labels are used in the automotive industry and are based on the Siemens VDO label according to SN 525228-2. MAT labels complements existing VDA 4902, Odette and GTL labels.
• 2D-Code Business Cards
New templates for QR-code business cards (meCard, vCard and URL barcodes) were added.

New Features

• New Start Screen
The new start screen offers quick access to often used TFORMer functions.
• New Label Wizard
Creation of new label layouts and selection of label-templates was reworked. TFORMer now differentiates between labels for laser/ink-jet printer or for thermo printers. A search function simplifies locating predefined label templates.
• Serial Numbers
Serial numbers are now supported directly. If required, serials are stored automatically to ensure continuous numbering between TFORMer sessions.
• Computed Fields
Computed fields offer a convenient and centralized method for performing computations.
• TAB support
TAB stops may now be used in text elements.
• Edit Field Contents
Editing field contents was improved. The new dialog provides an easy way to enter field names, expressions or formatted text.
• Print Preview
The print preview now displays the margins of labels automatically. In addition, labels for thermal printers are displayed in their adjusted size.
• Data Sources
Creating data sources was improved. The data source wizard now supports field assignments (source-fields to data-fields) in a better way.
• Date Functions
Date and time computations are now better supported by the following new functions:
• CDateEx()
Converts a string into a date. The conversion format to be used is adjustable.
• IsDate()
Checks if a given string can be converted into a valid date using the specified conversion format.
• AddYears()
Adds or subtracts the specified number of years to/from a date value.
• AddMonths()
Adds or subtracts the specified number of years to/from a date value.
• AddWeeks()
Adds or subtracts the specified number of years to/from a date value.
• AddDays()
Adds or subtracts the specified number of years to/from a date value.
• CDate()
Hint - This function now returns an empty date instead of the current system date if a conversion was not possible.
• Improved Layout Editor
The layout designer now provides better visual feedback for various design tasks.

• Mass Printing - Print Dialog
The maximum page number in the print dialog was increased from 9999 to 999999.
• Bar Codes
Additional bar codes like QR Code 2005 are supported. The bar code printing method via Windows printer drivers is now adjustable. Rare problems with the high-precision method (used by previous TFORMer version) can now be avoided (see Extras->Options->Barcodes).
• ODBC Memo/Text Fields
ODBC Interface now supports Memo and Text Fields. BLOBs are still ignored.
• Picture Components: Image-Type recognition
If the Image-Type can not be determined by using the file extension, the binary data of the image is now analyzed. This allows the usage of HTTP-streams as image sources.
• Setup: Backup of custom templates
Existing templates are now backed up in the folder Templates_Backup during the install. Custom templates are preserved after a reinstall.
• Improved Licensing
TFORMer Designer can now be activated online.

TFORMer SDK (core)

• Improved Error Descriptions
The error messages for problems in conjunction with image-download via http:/https: were improved.
• ZPL Printer
When printing ZPL directly to a printer the printer name is now correctly used.
• Tray-Selection
As documented, the first band printed on a page now specifies the printer tray to be used.

Bug-Fixes

• Printer Selection in Tray-Settings Dialog
Printer selection will now work under Windows 7, Windows Vista and Windows XP.
• JPEG Compression
PDF output now correctly uses the option JPEG-Quality.
• PDF output truncates text
If a text field used several trailing spaces, the output was truncated or missing.
• PDF with Chinese fonts
Better support for localized font names like SimSun or SimHei.
• ODBC Memo/Text/Blob Datafields
Under some circumstances Memo, Text or Blob fields in SQL select statements caused a crash (ODBC driver dependant).
• Image-Printer: Distorted Text
Some fonts caused a distorted output for small font-sizes (e.g. font Calibri pt12)
• Expression Editor
The call-tip in the expression editor now shows correct tips if "(", "," or ")" is used in the expression. Sample: Iif (Find ( Datafield_1, "(" ,0)>0, "Found", "Not Found")
• Other Bug Fixes
Crash with Undo, crash when switching data sources, correct handling of the HTML entity & in formatted text elements, problems with network printers and tray selection, correct handling of duplicate source field names, ...

Your Feedback Please!

Feedback and feature requests are welcome: http://www.tec-it.com

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Microsoft Really Really Really Wants You to Use Their Tags. Really.

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IDAutomation USB Barcode Scanner Kits

by Nate Schubert

IDAutomation is very pleased to announce a special, limited time offer for the IDAutomation USB Barcode Scanner with DataBar and PDF417. These barcode readers are extremely affordable as compared to others of their class, and can even read barcodes from LCD screens with relative ease.

IDAutomation is now offering the Gray IDAutomation USB Barcode Scanners with Stands for the low price of $99, while supplies last. Normally, a scanner and stand would cost $146 but as part of this special offer, the stand is included free as part of this kit.

If you're looking for a dependable barcode scanner at an especially affordable price, check out the IDAutomation USB Barcode Scanner with DataBar in Light Gray with Stand. Place your order by 2pm eastern and it will ship same-day!

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Business Solutions Magazine Articles

Yesterday I submitted several of our valued partner's contact info to Business Solutions magazine for a September 2010 publication article about interesting barcode printer installations. We look forward to the article.

Here is a list of other articles in Business Solutions magazine that cover TSC:

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The Healthcare Bar Coding Opportunity

August 14, 2009

http://www.bsminfo.com/article.mvc/The-Healthcare-Bar-Coding-Opportunity-0001

The Healthcare Bar Coding Opportunity article is an interesting interview with Jim Scheid and Mark Snow at Mid-America Business Systems. Jim and Mark have done a remarkable job delivering patient identification systems to hospitals throughout the U.S. and Canada. Their Patient ID Xpress solution relies on TSC printers and our very powerful programming language.

Over the years TSC has worked very closely with Mid-America to enhance our language capabilities. Check out the sidebar article "Private Label Your Printer Solutions" for more details.

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Q&A: Convert Bar Code Printing Opportunities Into Cash

http://bsminfo.com/article.mvc/QA-Convert-Bar-Code-Printing-Opportunities-In-0001

Experts reveal which markets you should be targeting in 2009 to increase bar code printing sales.
Business Solutions, May 2009

Written by: Mike Monocello

If you’re just trying to make a living selling hardware, it’s a tough market. You have to get involved in being a consultant. You need to bring total solutions to the table, which include software, setup, service, and media sales. Our best dealers are those programming solutions. They’re writing software with customers and, in many cases, creating stand-alone applications that tie a keyboard, scanner, and printer together. It’s good for companies because such solutions remove the need for a PC. It’s a profitable strategy for VARs because they can sell the printers for list price or above due to the added value.

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The Vertical Market Gamble

January 16, 2008

http://bsminfo.com/article.mvc/The-Vertical-Market-Gamble-0001

The Vertical Market Gamble interviews our hard-working partner at Paragon Print Systems, Bob Hess. In the interview Bob talks about the various markets the pursue including government, law enforcement, and other niche markets.

The sidebar to the article discusses using TSC's industrial printers to create a stand-alone printing solution at a roofing manufacturer. Paragon worked with TSC to write a program that allows employees to scan a bar code which triggers the printing of a label in the correct format. At the end of an employee's shift, another bar code is scanned which directs the printer to generate a productivity report including the number of products shipped. Finally, Paragon included a function where employees can scan a bar code that resets the productivity report counter for the next shift.

"This project shows the capabilities and power of TSC printers," says Hess. "Creating software to run on a stand-alone printer — removing PCs from a solution — can dramatically reduce costs and redundancy."

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Bar Code Printing Sales Opportunities: Strong In 2008

February 4, 2008

http://bsminfo.com/article.mvc/Bar-Code-Printing-Sales-Opportunities-Strong-0002

So, bar code printers aren’t as exciting as video surveillance or digital signage, but that doesn’t mean that bar code printers aren’t still providing lucrative sales opportunities for VARs. Vertical markets such as supply chain, retail, and healthcare are still the top markets for bar code printer sales. However, three industry experts (Angela Mansfield-Swanson, director of corporate marketing for Cognitive/Transaction Printer Group; David Lundeen, VP of sales and marketing for TSC America, Inc.; and Jeff Jackman, national sales manager for Toshiba TEC) recently offered their thoughts on new opportunities that VARs may want to consider to boost printer sales.

Maybe you don’t care to get into the medical vertical. Perhaps your specialty is manufacturing. “If that’s the case, why not take a hard look at your vertical specialty to see if you can develop a solution for that market?” asks Lundeen. “For instance, most manufacturing companies move products through a work in process [WIP] cycle. If your customers aren’t using bar code printers and readers to assist in that process, perhaps you can show them how. Our VARs are seeing sales growth for events and promotions customers. In many cases, they use color label printers to produce wrist bands, tickets, or labels.” Other markets such as the quick lube oil change industry have a need for bar code and receipt printers as well. ISVs may also want to consider designing applications to utilize bar code equipment in new markets.

According to Lundeen, it’s not necessary to have a lot of vertical expertise to put together a bar code printer solution. “All you really need is the desire to get into that market,” he says. “Once a VAR understands how the printer works, it’s easy to adapt it to different applications.”

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SMBs Ripe For Desktop Printers

February 1, 2006

Bar coding is not going away anytime soon, especially in the SMB space, so be ready with solutions and services using desktop bar code printers.

Business Solutions, February 2006 Written by: Khristen Chapin

http://bsminfo.com/article.mvc/SMBs-Ripe-For-Desktop-Printers-0001

Increase Your Margins With Additional Services
The prices of desktop bar code printers are falling, but beware of how low prices can hurt you. “Customers are expecting faster, more reliable printers for less money than they would have paid in the past,” says David Lundeen, VP of marketing for printer manufacturer TSC America, Inc. “VARs have to meet these needs while maintaining a comfortable profit margin.” Luckily, good VARs can turn a profit margin by offering services that justify an increased price. SMBs don’t have sophisticated IT departments — if they have them at all — and they’ll rely on VARs to help with choosing, installing, and maintaining printing solutions. You can step in and offer service contracts, software integration, and customization. Keep in mind that your customers can easily check the prices of products online, so be sure you can back up the value-added services you’re providing. “The most common mistake VARs can make is lack of follow-up for after-sales service and support,” says Lundeen. “You need to be a solutions seller, rather than a box mover.”

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TSC Printers

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Printer and Scanner Images

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TSC Auto ID Introduction Video

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QRdvark 1.0 now available in Android Market

Download and install QRdvark from the Android Market.QRdvark is a free QR scanning app. It scans QR symbols and reacts appropriately. QRdvark recognizes all common QR formats including URLs, contacts, SMS, email, and location, as well as standard barcode formats and GS1 identification keys."See it. Scan it. See what happens."

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Google and the QR Barcode

Because we are Google's BFF (and huge G1 phone nerds) we love to see the big G dabble in the barcode arts. Offering a new sort of checkout to Google merchants/Android users, a QR barcode is generated live at online ordering, the buyer scans with their Android phone and completes the payment that way.A little convoluted for my taste (okay, a lot convoluted for my taste), and really nowhere near

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How to Print Barcode Labels with Microsoft Word

Printing labels with Microsoft Word 2007 /Microsoft Word 2010 (or higher) is easy. All you have to do is to select the label template, adjust the recipient list (the database used for the variable label data) and to design the layout.

But if you want to print bar-code labels it may get a little bit trickier. Earlier versions of Microsoft Word (pre 2007) offered bar-code support for POSTNET and FIM codes. But even this limited barcode printing feature was removed by Microsoft.

To overcome this restriction TEC-IT developed a professional but easy-to-use bar-code solution for Microsoft Word. The barcode add-in TBarCode Office integrates into the Word user interface and provides seamless bar-code printing services.

The initial release of this barcode add-in supported simple barcode documents and mail merge with barcodes. The pre-release available for download on this blog offers barcode label printing support in addition. Mail merge documents using the «Next Record» rule can now be printed without problems.

Check it out for yourself  - pre-release download the release! TBarCode Office - Barcode Add-In for Microsoft Word (updated 07/21/2010)

Feedback is highly welcome!

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