Barcodes make entering data faster and more secure as there is less room for data entry errors. Barcodes are used particularly for item id's and serial numbers.
Here are some of the places to consider using barcode readers:
- Entering serial numbers to receipts, dispatches and work orders
- Entering products to direct sales
- Entering commands to the work cell screen. (This requires the extension for Barcodes in production.)
Barcode readers (Scanners)
To use barcodes, you need a barcode reader. We support barcode readers that read directly to the computers keyboard. We do not support "storage readers" that scan and save data for later download. Typically use a USB port barcode scanner, or a wireless scanner using Bluetooth. The barcode reader should appear as a "keyboard". We recommend that you buy a low cost USB reader for your office to get going with barcodes and then buy more expensive readers for production use when you are aware of how barcodes are to be used in your process.
Barcode readers must be programmed to give an "Enter" command at the end of every read. If this is not programmed by default, read the instructions that came with your reader. Readers are typically programmed by scanning codes that come with their user manuals. Test the barcode reader in Excel and Notepad before trying to use it with Manu Online. After each scan in Notepad the cursor should be on a new line.
Troubleshooting scanning problems
- Check that the cursor is flashing ("has focus") in the field that the barcode needs to be entered before scanning. Our system is designed to keep the focus to that field after a successful scan, but it needs to be there at the beginning.
- Most barcode readers are programmed to "beep" when a scan is successful. This can normally be disabled or enabled as necessary on the reader itself. If it is enabled and there is no beep, then there is probably not going to be any text coming to the workstation. (The Manu Online direct sales register will also trigger a beep on the computer speaker when a scan is successful.)
- If something is not working on a scan, try scanning into a text editor such as Microsoft Notepad and see if any text is getting entered there.
- Disable any features or apps on the browser that "prefill" fields with data that has been previously entered.
- For work cell data entry, try scanning the "clear" code. This can also be done by typing %CMD CLEAR into the barcode field and then pressing the OK button.
Creating barcodes in Excel
For instance you may wish to create barcode labels for all of your items. In this case download the item list using from either the inventory or item properties transfer reports in the Warehouse manu. Delete all other columns except for the item id. Install the "Free 3 of 9" font on your windows machine (search the internet to get this). Select the cell next to your item code. If for instance your item code is in cell A1, then the formula to enter is:
="*"&A1&"*"The star marks must be at the beginning and end of each 3of9 code for the barcode reader to work. This is part of the code 39 standard. Format the cell as the barcode font and print it. Then test it by scanning into Notepad.
Note that we recommend that you do not use any special character marks in data that is to be barcoded. So avoid " ' % marks etc. While some of these may work, you may need to code your reader for "Extended ASCII" mode for them to be scanned. As you can guess the * mark in data will always cause the scan to fail.
2D barcodes
We can support 2D barcodes such as QR codes on custom reports. Please contact us for details