Overview
Barcodes are basically images that represent product information, or Universal Product Codes (UPCs), which can be recognized by computer systems to quickly identify a product as it is being sold, etc.
Barcode scanners are the devices that are able to “read” a barcode and communicate that information to a computer software application.
When properly configured, barcode scanners also provide a faster and more reliable way of entering data into the program. SEOM is able to utilize barcode scanners in several areas of the program. Here are some examples:
- Receiving Inventory from Vendors
- Confirming products as they are packed (Pack & Ship screen)
- Scanning products purchased in a brick and mortar store, or Point of Sale (POS)
To work with SEOM, a barcode scanner must be able to:
- Connect directly to your workstation and emulate “keyboard input”
- Allow the user to program the device to add a “prefix” and “suffix” to each record as it is scanned
- Allow the user to disable the Carriage Return (CR) and Line Feed (LF) functions
Stone Edge Technologies Inc. has tested and certified the Metrologic Voyager series of barcode scanners for use with SEOM, which are available for purchase on our Web site. While other manufacturers devices may also work with the program, they have not been tested by Stone Edge Technologies Inc..
Before attempting to use a barcode scanner with SEOM, please read the manufacturer’s documentation regarding the internal programming of the device, and make the necessary changes. Also review the default settings of SEOM‘s system parametersrelated to barcodes and make any necessary changes. Refer to the Barcode parameter group in the Set System Parameters screen.
Locations in the Program that Support the Use of a Barcode Scanner
| Screen (Form) |
Usage |
| Enter Barcodes | Select an item from the list, then scan its barcode to add it to item’s inventory record (the Barcode field). |
| View Inventory | Scan a item’s barcode. The program will ask if it was your own barcode, the manufacturer’s barcode or the supplier’s barcode for the current product. It will then store the Barcode information in the appropriate field. |
| Edit Inventory | Scanned code is inserted into the Barcode field. |
| View Orders | Scan the barcode of a Sales Receipt(Invoice) or Packing Slip. The program looks for and displays the order which matches the scanned barcode.
To include barcodes on your order invoices, set system parameter ShowBarcodesOnInvoices to TRUE. To include barcodes on your order packing slips, set system parameter ShowBarcodesOnPackingSlips to TRUE. |
| Pack & Ship | Scan the barcode printed on the Sales Receipt (Invoice) or Packing Slip of an order to load its information into the Pack & Ship form.
Scan the barcode of an item to mark it as “packed”. To include barcodes on your order invoices, set system parameter ShowBarcodesOnInvoices to TRUE. To include barcodes on your order packing slips, set system parameter ShowBarcodesOnPackingSlips to TRUE. |
| Pack Orders | First, scan the barcode on a Sales Receipt (Invoice) or Packing Slip of an order.Then scan each item as it is packed. If you scan an item that does not belong in the current order, the program will display an error message.
When you are finished packing the order, scan the barcode again to close the order. If any items have not been scanned, the program displays an error message. To include barcodes on your order invoices, set system parameter ShowBarcodesOnInvoices to TRUE. To include barcodes on your order packing slips, set system parameter ShowBarcodesOnPackingSlips to TRUE. Review system parameters PackingSkipSecondScan and PackingAllPackedSound. |
| POS (Point of Sale) | Used like a supermarket scanner. Scan an item’s barcode to add it to the current order. |
| Purchase Orders | Scan an item’s barcode to receive it against the current SEOM purchase order. |
| QuickShip | Scan the barcode printed on the Sales Receipt (Invoice) or Packing Slip of an order to load its information into the QuickShip form. To include barcodes on your order invoices, set system parameter ShowBarcodesOnInvoices to TRUE.To include barcodes on your order packing slips, set system parameter ShowBarcodesOnPackingSlips to TRUE. |
| Inventory Scanner (Scan Non-PO Items) |
Use to receive items that were not ordered on a SEOM-generated Purchase Order. Scan items to add them to your inventory. |
Entering Barcodes into SEOM
There are several methods by which barcode information can be entered into SEOM.
- The program can be configured to automatically create a unique barcode for products as their Inventory records are created. Set system parameter AutoGenerateBarcodes to TRUE. Setting this parameter to TRUE has no effect on inventory records that were previously created. Also review parameter BarcodeDigits.
- Barcode information can also be imported from a text file using the Import Data from Other Sources screen.
- The user can edit individual inventory records and scan the barcode information into the record via the Inventory screen. This method is rather tedious and time-consuming.
- The program also offers the Enter Barcodes screen, where the user can input barcode information for multiple inventory items at a single screen. This is a significant time-saver as compared to the previous option.
Metrologic 9520 USB Barcode Scanners
- To use the Metrologic 9500 Series of barcode scanners, the barcode scanner must be configured to disable Carriage Returns (CR)and Line Feeds (LF).
- The device should also be internally configured so that the prefix is set to 3 tildes (~~~) and a forward slash (/) is set as the suffix. These characters surround the data contained in the scanned barcode so that the application recognizes and processes it correctly.
- The prefix and suffix combination internally programmed in the barcode scanner must match the prefix and suffix combination specified in SEOM system parameters, BarcodePrefix andBarcodeSuffix. These parameters can also be set via the POS Setup screen.
- If problems are experienced with a barcode scanner, open Notepad and scan an item’s barcode to see if the prefix and suffix are set correctly. Many scanning problems are resolved by re-programming the internal settings of the barcode scanner.
Programming the Metrologic Voyager 9520 Barcode Scanner
Metrologic provides a “Single Line Configuration Guide” with the purchase of the 9500 series scanners, to assist with programming the device, or follow the steps below:
- Stone Edge provides a condensed scan sheet that contains all of the necessary programming codes that are required. See Configuring a Metrologic Voyager Barcode Scanner (9520).
- Scan the barcodes starting with the top left-hand column to the bottom of the left-hand column.
- Continue scanning from the top of the right-hand column to the bottom of the right-hand column.
- These codes configure the scanner with a ~~~ prefix and a / suffix, and disable the CR and LF suffixes.
Hint: It helps to folder the paper in half, length-wise, so that the scanner does not inadvertently “read” the code from the wrong column.
Metrologic Voyager 1202g USB Barcode Scanner
- To use the Metrologic 1202g barcode scanner with SEOM, the scanner itself must be configured so that a prefix of 3 tildes (~~~) and a suffix of a forward slash (/) are added. (recommended characters).
- The Carriage Return (CR) and Line Feed (LR) suffixes added when you selected the appropriate Keyboard Interface are nullified when the forward slash is added as a new suffix. No additional action is required.
- The prefix and suffix combination programmed in the barcode scanner must match the prefix and suffix combination specified in the Scanner tab of the Point-of-Sale Setup. Main Menu > Settings > System Functions > Point-of-Sale Setup
- If problems are experienced with a barcode scanner, open Notepad and scan an item’s barcode to see if the prefix and suffix are set correctly. Many scanning problems are resolved by re-programming the internal settings of the barcode scanner.
Programming the Metrologic Voyager 9520 Barcode Scanner
- Refer to Configuring a Metrologic Voyager Barcode Scanner (1202g) for specific instructions..
Other Manufacturer’s Barcode Scanners
- Note that the only barcode scanners tested and verified to work with SEOM are the Metrologic units mentioned in this topic.
- To use any other barcode scanner with SEOM, follow the manufacturer’s documentation so the scanner is configured with a prefix of 3 tildes (~~~) and a suffix of a forward slash (/). (recommended characters).
- The Carriage Return (CR) and Line Feed (LR) must be disabled.
- The prefix and suffix combination programmed in the barcode scanner must match the prefix and suffix combination specified in the Scanner tab of the Point-of-Sale Setup. Main Menu > Settings > System Functions > Point-of-Sale Setup
- If problems are experienced with a barcode scanner, open Notepad and scan an item’s barcode to see if the prefix and suffix are set correctly. Many scanning problems are resolved by re-programming the internal settings of the barcode scanner.
System Parameters Related to Barcode Scanners
- Go to the Set System Parameters screen and select the ‘Barcodes” Parameter Group to review all of the individual parameters, or check out the Knowledge Base page, Barcode Parameter Group.