Corel Label Generator

Purpose A custom er routinely creates m ultiple copies of adhesive labels for use in the m anufacturing industry. Currently, each label is m anually looked up, inserted, positioned and sized into the output docum ent. This is currently estim ated at costing the custom er in excess of $50,000 per year in labour. Currently, The custom er receives an order which contains several line item s. For each line item several steps m ust be perform ed: 1. In CorelDRAW , open Im port the graphic for the specified part num ber 2. Determ ine what orientation will provide the m ost efficient use of page space 3. Replicate the im age to form a single horizontal row of im ages on the page. 4. Ensure that the horizontal spacing is at least the m inim um required 5. Replicate the row of im ages until the num ber of im ages on the page m atches the num ber specified in the line item 6. Ensure that the vertical spacing is at least the m inim um required 7. Repeat steps 1 through 6 for each line item . M ethod The custom er requires an autom ated system to generate a file in CorelDRAW . This file will be generated from inform ation in a text configuration file. The filenam e of the text configuration file will contain the order num ber. The configuration file will have the following fields: Manufactured Item Part Num ber Quantity

The work flow is now as follows 1. The user will activate the Corel Label Generator by clicking a custom button on the CorelDRAW toolbar. 2. If the initial configuration has not been com pleted a configuration dialogue will be shown which prom pts for input an output paths along with other options such as object spacing and orientation 3. CorelDRAW will autom atically generate the labels ensuring that the spacing, orientation and placem ent on the page for the line item is correct 4. W hen the labels are generated, they will be positioned to m inim ize wastage of m aterials 5. The com pleted file will be saved in CDR or AI (Adobe Illustrator ) form at and placed in the output path. The file nam e will be the sam e as the order num ber specified in the configuration filenam e. Features This utility will elim inate alm ost all m anual processing from the generating of printable labels. 1. Elim inates m anual processing to create printable CorelDRAW or AI form at files containing all labels used in any single order 2. Reads text output files which are autom atically created by The custom er accounting / ordering software. 3. Minim izes m aterials usage by ensuring optim al label placem ent 4. Autom atically sizes the page length to m atch the num ber of labels on a given page as The custom er prints on roll stock rather than page stock 5. Move the com pleted text order file to a com pleted directory to m inim ize confusion as to which orders have been processed 6. Place output graphics in a user selectable path for printing to proprietary hardware 7. Allows autom atic processing of m ultiple order files if this configuration option is enabled.

Results: As a result of a one tim e investm ent in custom software, this com pany will save over a quarter m illion dollars in a five year period.