A database with room to grow
LabelVision includes a powerful built-in database. Based on the Microsoft Jet database engine, LabelVision databases are compatible with Microsoft Access. In fact, you can open an Access database with LabelVision, and vice-versa.

If you have data in another database, don't worry. LabelVision supports Microsoft's Open Database Connectivity (ODBC) standard, used to read and write databases such as Oracle, SQL Server, Sybase and others. Plus, LabelVision can read and write dBase, Paradox and text files. Moreover, like Microsoft Access, LabelVision does not use ODBC to access these databases – they are read and written directly by the Jet database engine.

No matter where your data comes from, LabelVision makes printing with it a breeze. With its data preview mode, you can see your data exactly as it will print — no more guesswork and wasted labels. You can even navigate between records of your database, and watch the data change on-screen, just like a mail merge in Microsoft Word. It's that easy!

Often, you'll just want to print one or two records from the database. Use LabelVision's data filters to accomplish the task. You can define a filter to prompt you for a field; when you print, just type the key field (like a part number), and that record will print. You can even define a point-and-shoot filter, and LabelVision will display a list of records and let you select the ones you want to print.

You can easily define cross references or lookups between multiple database tables, and you can also use Structured Query Language (SQL) to define a data filter.

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Experienced label designers quickly discover that switching back and forth between labeling applications can be time consuming. Likewise, deploying labels and other files in a multi-user production environment can be painful. Projects, a feature included in the LabelVision Integration edition, eliminates this problem.

Now you can organize your labels, databases, menus, application-specific settings and other files into a single Project file. Switching back and forth between applications is as easy as opening another Project file – your workspace and settings are remembered and restored.

Projects also make it a breeze to copy files to another computer. Just click on Deploy, and LabelVision will deploy your Project to another computer or a Zip file. You can also validate to make sure all necessary files are found, before and after deployment.

Projects make designing and printing easier by displaying all files that are part of the Project together in a single window; to open any file, simply double-click it.

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ActiveX Automation (formerly called OLE Automation) is a technology developed by Microsoft that lets programs control each other. The controlling program is called the client, and the program being controlled is called the server.

LabelVision works as both an automation client and server, providing unparalleled integration with other programs.

To understand the power of automation, suppose you want to print a label from your Visual Basic program. Simply put these two lines of code in your Visual Basic program:

Set MyLabel = GetObject("C:\MyLabel.lbx")
MyLabel.PrintOut

It's that simple. Likewise, LabelVision can control other programs from within VBScript macros. You can even assign Macros to be triggered automatically when the label is opened or printed using label Events.

Automation is only available as part of the Integration Edition.

Note: External ActiveX Automation is not compatible with multi-user licensing. External ActiveX Automation means that another program (the automation client) launches LabelVision (the automation server) using the ActiveX Automation interface.

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LabelVision Integration allows you to create custom labeling menus. Menus simplify end-user access to the most complex labeling applications.

Menus can include submenus, keyboard shortcuts and help text. Menu items can print labels, open databases and run other programs.

The Menu Runtime module runs LabelVision menus, and is included in all editions of LabelVision. You can use either the keyboard or mouse to navigate menus.

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Do you need an audit trail of what labels were printed, by what users on what computers? It's available with the click of a button. LabelVision Data Logging offers two types of logging. Global Logging records every time anyone prints a label. Label Logging logs detailed data from each label, and allows you to define which fields from the label are logged.

Both types of logging can be directed to a text file or a database table (including an ODBC database). Also, you can easily set limits on the amount of data stored in the log.

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Record Watch is a great tool for integrating with other programs. When you define a Record Watch data source, LabelVision will monitor that table and automatically print new records as they appear. When it's done, it can either delete the records or write back a field (such as a date or indicator flag) to indicate that the record has been printed.

Record Watch works equally well on LabelVision tables, text files or ODBC data sources. It's only available as part of the Integration Edition.

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LabelVision's auto incrementing fields let you create text or bar code objects that automatically change from one label to the next. This powerful feature can be used for everything from product serial numbers (where the number never repeats itself) to page numbers like "1 of 3", "2 of 3," etc.

Here again, we've got you covered. Your serial numbers can be numeric (0-9), alphabetic (A-Z), alphanumeric (0-9,A-Z) or hexadecimal (0-9,A-F). If that's not enough, you can define your own! For example, suppose you want to print alphabetic serial numbers, but you want to exclude vowels so that no words are formed. Just use a sequence of B-D,F-H,J-N,P-T,V-Z. It's that easy.

Auto incrementing fields can even be stored in the records of a database, allowing each part number in your system to have a different range of serial numbers.

LabelVision takes full advantage of the built-in serialization capability of industrial printers to ensure that your labels print as fast as possible.

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LabelVision can print on any Windows-compatible printer, and can even print in color. It can print multiple labels across and down, and different label designs on the same page.

LabelVision also supports industrial bar code printers. Its print drivers are optimized for speed, taking full advantage of the graphic and font storage built into these printers. You can change the printer settings from within LabelVision, and can even provide label-specific overrides for some settings. Want a particular label to print a little darker than the rest? No problem.

LabelVision lets you test print your labels on a Windows printer, without having to change the printer selection.

Print queuing
LabelVision includes a print manager to schedule and prioritize your print jobs. Hook up any number of printers to your computer, change job priorities, hold and release print jobs, all at the touch of a button.

Even if you only have one printer, using the print queue lets you print in the background, and continue working while LabelVision prints your label. If you print from a database, you can even merge data in the background.

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LabelVision Concurrent Licensing saves you money, by allowing you to purchase only as many licenses as you will use at the same time. Suppose, for example, that you want to have ten different print stations at your company. However, you know that no more than five will be used at any one time. Instead of buying ten copies of the program, simply buy a five-user network version of LabelVision.

As your needs grow, you can add new licenses at any time. Multi-user licenses are available for all editions: you can mix and match to meet your needs. You can, for example, have a three-user Integration license and a five-user Run-Time license in a single network installation.

What's more, the network version of LabelVision simplifies client installation and sharing of data.

All licenses must run on the same network, which must be up and running at all times for LabelVision to function properly. After a step-one installation onto a server PC, you will need to install LabelVision onto each client station.

Note: Multi-user licensing is not compatible with external ActiveX Automation. External ActiveX Automation means that another program (the automation client) launches LabelVision (the automation server) using the ActiveX Automation interface.

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Even if you have simple needs today, there will no doubt come a time when you want to do something unusual. Suppose you want to convert pounds to kilograms? Validate that a typed-in value is within a certain range? Calculate the quantity to print?

LabelVision has you covered. Just use an expression. An expression is like a formula in Excel, and lets you do everything from simple calculations to complicated data manipulation, all from within LabelVision. You can choose from a wealth of built-in functions. If you have the Integration edition, you can even write your own functions using Microsoft's VBScript programming language, included with LabelVision.

Don't make the mistake of locking into a program with no room for expansion. LabelVision gives you plenty of room to grow.

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