Posts Tagged ‘Software Features’

Given the wide use of laser marking systems special care is always given to evaluating the hardware, system specifications and performance. What is often overlooked is the software that runs them.

If the hardware is the heart and the limbs of the system, the software is the brain. Simply put “If the brain doesn’t work, the body doesn’t perform”. There is a myriad of laser software features to consider. In this article I’ll try to zero in on some of the most important aspects to consider as well as why one item may be more attractive to you, based on your individual needs or wants.

Firstly, there are two basic kinds of software that drive laser marking systems. One is a print driver/post processor type that functions very similarly to the driver you have on your printer. The other is commonly referred to a “scripting” type where the marking program is developed within the software and launched directly to the marker. There are 3rd party scripting packages such as ProLase and SCAPS but also many laser manufacturers like Kevron and Control Laser develop their own proprietary software which functions with their equipment only. In evaluating software, I like to break it down into three elements; Machine control, user interface and image manipulation.

Machine control is defined as the flexibility to easily adjust lasing parameters such as wattage, speed and frequency, interface with external I/O, interface with programmable axis drivers and the ability to communicate with databases and host networks. Machine control is all about power and productivity.

User interface refers to the GUI (Graphical User Interface) or more clearly the look and feel of the software. This entails the visual interaction between the operator and operating system. The tools included relate specifically to the efficiency of setting up programs and initiating the marking cycle.

Image manipulation is the access to the image to be lased and how that image can be adjusted for optimum output. This can include things like font selection, font sizes, editing barcodes and fine tuning graphics to be run. Image manipulation is the most important part of the final marking quality result.

As we compare the print driver type with the scripting type of packages, the first question that should be asked is “what do you yourself, deem to be the most important features of the software”. In other words what is the key feature that you absolutely, must have? Consider your application. Is the most critical thing the final appearance of the marking or is speed the biggest issue? Do you have a lot of graphics to apply or do the parts in question need to be lased with a great deal of variable information?

Generally speaking the benefits of the print driver type are that often these packages have extensive graphical editing tools embedded. This means you can quickly and easily adjust the image settings for logos, photos and other objects. The editing tools could be similar to those you see in a traditional graphics package like CorelDraw or Adobe and the screen display provides a true depiction of what the actual part will look like. When you are satisfied with the result the final job is sent to the print driver which then communicates with the laser control unit. This compiling and demand on the PC itself does not lend itself as well to high production processes in that the program is working hard to develop the marking file and then force feed it through the print driver. Print driver packages are best suited for high part changeover job shops and marking where the aesthetics are the most important criteria.

The opposite is the scripting type. These usually have the communication attributes in place that make them the better choice for high volume applications. Integrators prefer scripting type packages because of the vast number of tools included that allows them to interface with automation, PLCs and networks. It is very common, for instance, to have the actual data to be marked automatically downloaded from a host computer directly into the laser controller and automatic initiation of the marking sequence to be triggered by a command from a PLC. In some cases there is not even a PC at the machine. The tools for automatic serialization, date coding and barcode development are usually better constructed within scripting type packages. Scripting software can certainly be operated in a standalone fashion however the image manipulation tools are usually not as sophisticated as the print driver packages.

So all this being said laser suppliers are recognizing that their software must be user friendly, flexible and powerful. Consequently there is a crossover happening between the two types. The print drivers are becoming leaner and meaner and the scripting packages are adding more graphics manipulation tools. Where does this leave the potential buyer in his purchasing decision?

The very best advice I can offer is to get a real time demo of the software where the salesperson shows you some “canned” programs but then lets you have some hands on time also. If a salesperson is reluctant to demonstrate the software this should throw up a red flag. Some important questions to ask during the demo include;

Is the software developed by the laser supplier or a 3rd party and who provides the support?
How good is the documentation for the software package?
Can programs be generated offline at a remote location?
Can portions of the program be password protected at different levels?
If programmable axis control is required, how many axes can be programmed and is it limited to certain motors or motor types?
What kind of graphic file formats can be imported?
What barcodes are supports and can they be edited and manipulated?
Are proprietary fonts required or can the software accept standard True Type fonts?
What programs does the post processor recognize if a print driver?
Does the program require a dongle or software key?
Demonstrate program development in “ring mode”?
Does the software allow the lasing parameters to be saved with the job?
What operating systems does the software run within?

There are certainly other factors to consider in your decision, but don’t discount the importance of the software. The goal should always be to get the most out of the laser system and the software and user interface are keys to meeting that all important goal.

(By: Michael J. Rauch)

Author: Michael J Rauch
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Registry repair software is an essential tool for the modern computer user to keep their home computer running smoothly and efficiently. Luckily, there are tons of different registry repair software available on the internet for you to download and use. Unfortunately, not all registry repair software is created equal. While some are superb, others cut corners, gouge your pocketbook, or are even Trojan Horses for malicious software. How can you, the average non-techie home PC user, know what to avoid? This article will answer that question.

The first thing to look out for is software that contains spyware, adware, or other malicious software. Some registry repair software available on the internet, especially the free ones, are actually spyware in disguise. When you install the software (which may or may not even work), it also secretly installs malicious spyware that may steal your identity or wreck your computer.

To avoid this, do a little research on the software before you install it. If the software you’re considering using has a reputation for being associated with spyware or adware, then don’t use it. It may do more harm than good.

The next thing to research and avoid when shopping is software that gives false positives. A false positive is when registry repair software identifies harmless registry entries as problems needing to be repaired or deleted. This is essentially a cheap trick to inflate their numbers, to make their software report finding more registry errors than there actually are. This makes their program look more thorough and effective compared to their competitors. In reality, it doesn’t help your computer at all, and in some cases may actually damage it. It may accidentally delete registry entries that the computer needs to operate.

Before buying registry repair software, research consumer reviews of that particular registry tool. In particular, look for reviews done by knowledgeable professionals, as opposed to amateur reviewers offering only uninformed personal opinions. If, when professional tested, that software reports a high number of false positives, then avoid it and look for different software.

Another thing to look out for is software that requires you to do manual scanning. Registry repair software only works if you use it regularly. When you have to operate your software by hand, it’s easy to forget for weeks on end. Fortunately, it is very easy today for software to have a built-in scheduler.

Built-in schedulers will automatically scan your computer as often as you like at a time of your choosing (like at night when you’re not using your computer). These days, there is no excuse for registry repair software not have an automatic scheduler, and most do. The few that do not, however, should be avoided.

This should give you some basic ideas of what to look for and what to avoid in registry repair software. If you buy registry repair software with a good reputation and automatic scheduled scanning, you can be fairly sure that your computer’s registry is being properly maintained.

Is your computer sick? Does your registry need cleaning? Then take action now. You’ll find the best registry cleaner right here.

Author: Sidney Sanborn
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Before making use of any backup software, it is vital to know what to look out for in any software. The explosive growth of data integrated with the many demanding requirements for the availability of data has put an incredible lumber on many IT operations in different types of businesses. It is therefore of essence for every organization to manage and purchase recovery and backup software products to secure their data and all the IT operations. With a wide range of backup software in the market, this article reveals a number of features to look out for when selecting backup and recovery software products.

When selecting software to backup, go for software that offers a recovery and backup solution combining simple management, quick installation, affordable subscription fee and high-class functionality. Be it free backup software or open source applications; go for software that makes use of standard tools and formats that are easy to comprehend. This frees the user from being forced to go to a given vendor for retrieval of archived data. It is important to know the type of software that is best for data stored in various storage devices such as the optical devices, tape, online storage or disk.

Other important features of backup software which make it extra effective when backing up data include volumes, remote backup, data compression, transaction mechanism and encryption among other software features. Get software that offers great voluming functionalities. This makes it capable of splitting and compressing backup data into various sections allowing for storage on removable media like flash disks and CDs. However, with the onset of durable, small and portable USB drives, there are more secure and easier methods for transportation of backup data offsite.

Go for free backup software solutions offering plug-ins for access to locked, exclusive and files in use. This enables you to have backup for all your files even if they are locked. Backup solutions offering incremental backups plus full backups are recommended as they speed up the backing up process. Backup schedules come in handy in the reduction of backup tools maintenance; this increases the reliability of the software. Cryptography features in software to backup protects your backup from data theft. Software with transaction mechanisms that guarantee the integrity of the backup is recommended.

Remote backup solutions come in handy for the backing up of data to distant sites. Offsite data backup is important to most large institutions such as banks as it guarantees data integrity. When selecting backup software for offsite backing up, ensure it is extremely user friendly. Therefore, the software should showcase a form of simplicity best known by the user and it should additionally be intuitive. With a basic user interface, not cluttered with menu options and simple in nature, no user can resist such backup software. In addition, the software should have great touch integrated with attractive graphics. Choose free backup software that is extremely reliable and fast. The software should also have automated backups running routinely in the background. Software to backup that automatically creates zip files comes in handy especially when transmitting backups to other computers.

Generally, other great features to look out for in backup software include in-built backup templates, automatic and manual backups, accurate file copying mode to preserve the dates and attributes of folders and files. In addition, the software should have a small download, come with n installation wizard, a preconfigured backup set and restore options, auto client updates, email notifications and reminders to keep the user updated of backup results. For workgroup computers, the backup software should be able to backup many computers, store many file revisions and offer support to the exchange server. In a nutshell, it is important to select backup software offering a complete backup solution security features are also very vital for data integrity.

Like anything else you need to buy, backup software is no different. When looking for the type of backup software you need, you need to have the requirements at hand and how much you want to spend. With these in hand you can come up with a list of solutions and then choose the one that best meets your requirements. The same can be applied to free backup software as although no fees are involved, there are so many different solutions that you still need to research the best one for your needs.

Author: Samuel J Brown
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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