Brady Command File Interpreter User Manual

Command File Interpreter

Automated Label Printing Made Easy

Braton Groupe Sarl

Copyright 2005

February 23, 2006

PRODUCT WHITE PAPER

This paper provides an explanation of how the Command File
Interpreter add-on utility works with your label design software to
provide a flexible and easy-to-use solution for printing bar code
labels automatically.

It is not uncommon today for a business to have data going in
and out of a multitude of different systems working on several
different platforms – from accounting software to ERP systems to
warehouse management programs, the amount of data
processed is mind-boggling, and seems to be increasing on a
daily basis. Factor in the added necessity to integrate these data
pieces to automatically print the data on bar coded labels, and
you have a seemingly complex application before you.

The Command File Interpreter utility addresses this very need by
providing a flexible and easy-to-use solution for printing labels

automatically.

Command File Interpreter Overview

The Command File Interpreter (CFI) utility is an add-on to your
top-range label design software (version 7 or higher). The CFI
utility allows a "command file" to be sent from another application
and then it automatically prints labels based on the data within
that file.

The command files can be used to transfer information generated
by other systems or other computers, such as a central server or
a mini-computer. For example, a centralized management
application can control the printing of labels using a command
file, or an invoicing program could pass information into a
command file, which would in turn print a label.

The CFI utility meets the need for a flexible automated label
printing solution that is easy to use and works with your existing
data.

• Works with your label design software – a proven
bar code label design solution that provides a high
level of functionality and integration with an easy-to­use interface

• Prints from standard ASCII files, allowing you to
import data from virtually any type of system on any
platform

• Provides comprehensive printer support for more
than 1000 thermal/thermal transfer printers or any
Windows printer

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What is a Command File?

Command files are simple text files that can be created with any
text editor and can be used to print labels automatically. These
command files (with the extension .cmd) are standard ASCII-type
files that can be generated from almost any third-party software

on various platforms, including AS/400.
Each command file contains commands that identify the name of

the label, the printer to use, and the label quantity. Variable data
can be provided in the command file, or it may be provided in a
separate data file.

How Does the Command File Interpreter Work?

The Command File Interpreter is a command file analysis tool
with which labels can be printed automatically.

In "watch mode", the Command File Interpreter will watch a
specified folder for the addition of any .cmd files. Once interpreted
by the Command File Interpreter, the content of these files makes
it possible to load a label to the labeling software, to fill the
variable data fields (variable label forms) and to print a selected
quantity of labels to a specific printer.

Command File Interpreter Setup

Command File Interpreter Setup Window

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