I should be grateful for any info. regarding the above. This is something new for me and I would like to know how to setup and prepare the tags with the codes and also to read it back to the program.

Regards

Anthony

Anthony,

The basics you will need for this are:

1. A barcode font that you can download to your printer or one that might already be built in or plugged in.

2. The schema to correctly format the data underneath the barcode that will make it intelligible to the scanner/decoder.

3. A scanner/decoder that will read the barcode and translate the data into regular text to the application.

Generally you choose a barcode font based on the data that will go into it. The two most popular (AFAIK) are Code 3 of 9 and Code128. Some barcodes only support numbers while others support alpha-numerical characters. Fonts can be downloadable to the printer (i.e. soft fonts) but you have to find a vendor since you generally won't find these packages in software outlets anymore. Elfring fonts is a good source (www.elfring.com). Some printers have barcode fonts built in but this is rare. You can also purchase SIMM chips with built in fonts. HP makes these as well as other vendors.

Once you have chosen you barcode you then have to create the logic that will correctly print the barcode. It's not as simple as switching to the barcode fonts and then printing your text/numbers. Most barcodes have a special starting and ending character and an check-sum digit. Whoever provides you with the barcode font should also have this information as well.

Finally you will need a scanner/decoder that will read the barcode you have picked out. Most scanners these days are designed to read many barcodes with the ability to auto-detect but make sure you investigate this anyway just to be sure. Scanners can come with a serial interface or as a "wedge" which means it will sit between your keyboard and the keyboard port. This is the recommend approach since your application will look at the scanned information the same as if it was keyed in. Otherwise you would have to program your serial port which is not a trivial task.

One more thing, my comments regarding barcodes was primarily oriented towards regular laser and/or inkjet printers. There are special barcode label printers as well which are worthwhile if there will be a substantial amount of label printing.

Feel free to ask more specific questions if you need to.

dbakke@srpcs.com

SRP Computer Solutions

May I add to Don Bakke's reply…

Symbol scanners are very good and industrial strong. They have the "wedge" types, and other types too. Definately, the "wedge" types are the easiest to set up and use.

Now maybe you might need a scanner that is mobile. That would take some doing, because you must program the scanner to hold the information, and then download the information.

I strongly suggest the "wedge" scanners, because they are like as if you typed the information from the keyboard.

The company I use is called Prologix (215) 675-3900. I think they changed their name. If you can not reach them, let me know and I will get the proper information.

Like Don Bakke said… Just ask if you need more information.

Intermec make a wedge barcode reader and a large array of scanners. These I have sued successfully from AREV.

If you need barcodes you can

(a) buy them as labels from a barcode printing service (good for short runs and to check your work during testing)

(b) buy a label printer

(good if you are confident)

© print your own barcodes from AREV using HP Laserjet escape codes

(not as hard as it sounds)

Steve

steve@state-of-the-art.com.au

Steve,

These I have sued successfully from AREV…

Was this a class-action lawsuit? Can I still get in on the settlement? I really do like Intermec scanners and if AREV is supposed to pay up then I want my fair share.

dbakke@srpcs.com

SRP Computer Solutions

Thanks to all of you who responded. Your prompt reply is very much appreciated especially for me since there is not much support around in the South Pacific.

I will digest all these suggestions before I will ask another question.

regards

We use barcodes extensively within our AREV V3.12 package for our

manufacturing clients.

We print barcodes on A4 stationery using HP soft fonts and HP laser

printers as well as via Signet Label Printing machines which have

extremely cryptic codes that require considerable analysis prior to

implementing.

All this printing is in-line as part of our normal processing

procedures whereas many systems require separate manual processing of

barcode printing mechanisms.

Our clients scan literally thousands of transactions per month which

scans trigger multiple table updates at different manufacturing stages.

The matter of scanning is very simple as it replaces data entry and

we strongly recommend the "wedge-type" of scanner that sits in line

with the keyboard.

Internally within plants we use Code 3 of 9 whilst externally with

product labelling we use variants of EAN, Code 3 of 9, Code 128 as

well as iterations of Code 128 depending upon client requirements.

Using barcodes eliminates data entry for unskilled workers and if

you handle things correctly even non-english speaking employees may

feel comfortable using the systems.

One of your challenges in manufacturing environments is the level of

literacy with some operatives of which you must be aware and be able

to properly guide and to instruct those persons with lesser skills

than yourself.

The important thing is to keep screen prompts to a minimum so as to

mitigate operative down-time whilst achieving the information system

requirements for clients.

Happy to review this in more detail.

Regards,

Kevin Gray

Graycorp

(email kevin@graycorp.com.au)

To say nothing of tying to tripe properly…

We do some barcoding within our AREV app. Haven't got to this part yet in our conversion to OI, but are there any special consideration in scanning or printing barcode from within OI?

Any experience or success on this aspect of OI?

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Ray Chan ~ Symmetry Info

Ray,

In terms of scanning there is no difference. In terms of printing there is a slight difference. With AREV you are limited to printer fonts (i.e. internal, SIMM, or soft.) With OI you would install a Windows font (i.e. True Type or ATM.) Obviously you would need to use a printing method that allows you to select different fonts (e.g. OIPI, Reporter.)

The only real challenge we faced was writing the checksum logic for Code128 with the particular font package we choose. In DOS, Code128 came in three different fonts: Code128 Type A, Code128 Type B, and Code128 Type C. In the Windows font, the company merged all three into one Code128 font. This meant they had to map the characters using very high EBCIDIC values which made the checksum logic very complicated. Outside of this little issue (which probably won't exist with another vendor's font) there are no unique challenges when going to OI.

dbakke@srpcs.com

SRP Computer Solutions

Don,

Appreciate the feedback. I shall file this away for future reference .

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Symmetry Info

Ray Chan ~ Symmetry Info

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