Competitive Analysis

Brother P-Touch Labeler QL-1050

Avery Shipping Labels

Brother P-Touch Labeler QL-1050

• The first page of the quick start guide is very helpful. Lists each item that should be in the box, as well as a picture of each item. Before the customer even begins to install or connect anything, he will know whether or not he is missing anything.

• The P-Touch Labeler has an electronic cutter, so after the label prints, a push of a button cuts the label you just printed.

Positives

Brother P-Touch Labeler QL-1050

• The quick start guide is not a packet, or a piece of paper, but it is on a huge paper that is a hassle to read and keep the way you want.

• Software did not recognize printer right away. I had to restart the computer and unplug the printer several times.

• I struggled figuring out how to operate the software because the directions were very unclear.

Negatives

Brother P-Touch Labeler QL-1050

• Registering the product online is a hassle. I had problems with the process because it would not accept the serial number. – serial number=U61665-J6G211147. While registering it said serial number had to start with U61665, and it did, so I was never able to figure out how to register the product.

• I called customer service for help, and not only could they not figure it out, but they told me they would email me with an answer within 24 hours, and after 5 days there is still no response.

Negatives

Brother P-Touch Labeler QL-1050Step By Step Installation

First time users follow directions to hook up their P-Touch QL-1050 then insert CD-ROM to get to this display. It should be very easy to figure out how to install the software from here.

Brother P-Touch Labeler QL-1050

After the installation is complete, the customer opens the program to get to this screen. There is just so much going on in this program, and the directions are basically useless, so it would not be very difficult to get confused when trying to learn the program.

Brother P-Touch Labeler QL-1050It is confusing trying to figure out which label to choose using the program because you can print an address label using the large shipping labels; when you open the program the first time it automatically sets itself to standard shipping label; everything with the labels is just very confusing. In order to become completely comfortable with the program, you have to use it constantly.

Avery Shipping LabelsWhen you insert the software disc, the first step (as shown to the right) is self explanatory, which is always a plus for the customer. The easier the steps, the more popular the product will become, because everyone knows, most people have trouble following the simplest directions.

Avery Shipping Labels

What is great about this software is everything is done one step at a time, starting with a new project.

Avery Shipping Labels

In the next step you just type in the label you want to make in the search box, then match up the product number, and your off.

Avery Shipping Labels

Next, you just simply select the template that fits best for the situation.

Avery Shipping Labels

The next step is to select the method you want to enter the information.

Avery Shipping Labels

Then enter your information

Avery Shipping Labels

Then you can print preview, and finish the project. You’ll instantly have the label you desire.

Overview

• Overall, I found the Avery Shipping Labels to be a much better product because of the software. The software as shown, was very simple, because of the step by step format they used. The only plus that the Brother P-Touch labeler has over the Avery product was the hardware. If Avery had its own printer than hands down it would sell better.