Overview

The following article serves as an overview of the barcoding capabilities and implementation within the IndySoft application. Barcoding can increase productivity by launching events, adding Equipment to Multi-Equipment events, and searching for Equipment. Detail information regarding these features are mentioned later in this article.

Formats and Devices

The software is designed to utilize any barcode reader which emulates keyboard strikes. These types of devices are known as wedge or keyboard wedge type readers. The software does not require a specific barcode reader brand/model as long as it's a keyboard wedge type reader. We have seen success with wireless, USB and inline 5 pin barcode readers designed for use with Windows operating systems. Having a 2D reader will enhance the capabilities and are typically compatible with reading 1D and 2D barcodes.

Formats supported include 1D barcode types like Code 128 and Code 3 of 9. In addition, 2D barcode types are also supported like PDF417, Datamatrix, and QR Codes. 1D barcode types can only contain a single identifier while 2D types can contain single or multiple identifiers. If using with multiple identifiers, additional configuration is required for the software modeling engine to break apart the bar code for automation purposes. Contact Sales for additional information about this service.

Printing of Bar codes

The integrated print template generator can create standard barcodes like Code 128, Code 3 of 9, along with 2D barcodes like Data Matrix, QR Codes, and PDF417. These codes can represent values from database fields or on-the-fly generated text. Most often, barcodes are generated for and on, calibration certificates, device stickers, employee id tags, work orders and recall notices. Any printable document generated from within the software has access to the barcode printing capabilities. See Adding Barcodes to Templates and Reports for additional information.

Partial example of Barcode types:

The following actions can be automated using bar code techniques.

• From the main screen, asset records can be located by barcoding a device containing the primary id of that device.
  
• Any event (check-in, out, calibration, receive, ship, etc) can have an associated barcode and thus, the event can be launched by scanning a Barcode sheet. An example of this would be work to perform for an asset on the work order sheet.
  
• The following fields can be filled in via bar coding (it should be noted that the system attempts to discern a vendor vs an employee or department, etc and auto fills the proper field based on what was scanned:
  
  Equipment Employee Part/Op (tooling only) Vendor
  
  Department Location (Crib) Sub-Location (Bin) Machine
  
  Event Condition Completed State Result (pass/fail) User Fields 1-5
  
  Cert Type Temp Type Work Order # Equip Condition
  
  Event Serial ID Kit ID
  
• Event navigation to Next, Back, Cancel, and Finish can also be accomplished with the scanner.
  
• While not an intentional design, as the bar code device simply acts as a keyboard wedge scanning of any bar code which results in ASCII text can fill any field in the product with the corresponding value where required. This only works if the field currently has focus.
  

There are 3 areas in the software that need to be configured to implement Barcoding.

Step 1

Set the Bar code Termination character. The location of the setting varies depending on the software version you are currently running. Refer below to the instructions for your specific software version.

Version 10 and newer:

From the Home view select Preferences then By User/Location. The Preference link is typically found under the Configuration section to the right of the Home view. The actual location of this Preference link depends on how your Administrator has configured the Home Layout. (create link to Layout builder KB)

From the User/Location Settings window, select the External Devices link. Set the Barcode Termination Character to 'CR'.

Version 9 and older:

From your Windows Start button select All Programs. Select IndySoft Client program Group. Select Workstation Setup within that IndySoft Client group.

With the Workstation Setup window open, select the External Devices link. Set the Barcode Termination Character to 'CR'.

Step 2

Open {Work flow Configuration} and navigate to Step 4 - Barcodes/Display Rules. In the Barcodes area, these options are used to specify which fields (if any) should be searched each time an item is entered into the "quick entry" field of the event. Select what items you want the scanned barcode to search against and in what order.

The software starts checking for valid matches at the top of the list and goes down. Any checked item will be searched for a match in the associated field's list and, if found, the information will automatically be placed into the appropriate field. This can be a great time saver because your cursor doesn't have to be in the appropriate field for bar coding to work. In order to be most efficient, choose the most commonly entered equipment info as close to the top of the dialog as you can and make sure that it is checked. Below are 5 buttons for manipulating the bar codes to check and their order. Note: The Barcode must be an exact match with the field. For example, WF will not return a result, but WF0000 will return the first FUZZY WIDGET, which has ID WF0000.

Sorting Order can be manipulated using the icons to the right of the list. They include:

 Move Up Highlighted item in list.

Move Down Highlighted item in list.

 Group All Checked items in list.

 Check All items in list.

Uncheck All items in list.

Step 3

Open {Work flow Configuration} and navigate to Step 5 - Miscellaneous. In the Menu Options area, select the Barcode Key from the drop down list. Make sure you do not duplicate the value across events.

The Barcode key is used to set up a special code for the current event. This code can be printed out as a barcode and at any time while on the main application or during an event, you can quickly begin the current event by scanning the barcode, no keystrokes required. A {barcode scan sheet} can be generated and scanned when you want to launch a specific event. You can also include barcodes that represent the Back, Next/Finish, and Cancel buttons allowing you to navigate the Event Wizard using the barcode scanner. If generating a scan sheet outside of the software, you must always preface your Key Code with a "$". For example, if the Barcode key code was 12, then your barcode would need to be $12.

Printing a Barcode scan sheet