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Barcode hardware

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    Barcode hardware

    Hi Gang,
    This is my first posting here. I am truly impressed with the sharing of knowledge and help I've seen here. So far,
    I've managed to find answers to all my questions from previous posting by others.

    Now, I'm about to work on my first barcode application. From reading the postings here, I noticed there are some e very experienced people here in the world of barcode applications.

    The project I'm working on is similar to a membership / time and attendance application. I'm going to hand out personized ID Cards with barcodes on them. Then swipe them as people contact the front desk and log a transaction.

    I found barcode font 39 today for free at:
    http://www.barcodebook.com/Free_Barcode_Fonts/Free_Barcode_FontsA/free_barcode_fontsa.html

    .. and now I'm looking at barcode readers. I have to admit I'm a bit overwhelmed with the choices. Could someone please recommend a quality desktop or keyboard barcode reader, based on his or her experience?

    Thanks and best regards,
    Jeff Wells

    #2
    RE: Barcode hardware

    Hi Jeff
    Welcome aboard! I use barcoding with some of our applications, but I do it through ODBC links to the .dbf, mainly for inventory control. In the next 2 weeks we are installing a total RF system plant wide. The RF uses MCL link which does a nice job reading the .dbf and returning info to the scanner. I have not attempted much to work directly from a scanner to A5, utilizing A5's field rules, etc. But will be testing out some things when the RF is installed. We don't use swipe readers, but it has been asked about. I will be watching the response to your post with great interest. Again.. welcome!

    Mick

    Comment


      #3
      RE: Barcode hardware

      Hi Jeff,

      I too am more than mildly interested in barcoding. I read your entry,
      but the URL goes off of the page and I can't scroll over to copy all of
      it as I would like to dnld that same barcode. I was given a copy of
      Wasp, I don't know whether it will do the job or not. I more than
      likely have all of the same questions about readers, printing the
      labels as well as generating the code.

      We're gonna gave some fun,
      efs

      Comment


        #4
        RE: Barcode hardware

        Hi Ed
        I was able to get the .zippy file. It's attached.

        Mick

        Comment


          #5
          RE: Barcode hardware

          Hi Mick,

          Thanks a ton, I'll compare it to Wasp. I am going to zip Wasp up and
          put it on here for you to evaluate also.

          Rots O' Ruck,
          efs

          Comment


            #6
            RE: Barcode hardware

            Jeff

            Are you looking for a infared / laser hand held scanner or a magnetic swiper?
            Also what are you printing your cards on?

            Duane

            Comment


              #7
              RE: Barcode hardware

              Hi Duane,

              This particular application is for a golf pro shop, where it will be
              used for invoices and inventory control, I think it will need to be a
              portable reader because of the cumbersome sizes of the products.
              Thank you for asking,
              efs

              Comment


                #8
                RE: Barcode hardware

                I just loaded Wasp and found that it is a "DEMO", and it is too big to
                zip and attach or even email. It would be of little use to you anyhow since it is a demo.
                efs

                Comment


                  #9
                  RE: Barcode hardware

                  Hi Ed
                  Depending on the size of the place, a Symbol P470 is a great little RF scanner with about a 100 foot radius from the base. A5 can create any label using a laser printer. The scanner and software is a bit pricey..around $1500 as you will most likely need the MCL designer software. If you your interested in the how to's of it contact me and I can go into more detail on inventory via scanning and A5.

                  Mick

                  Comment


                    #10
                    RE: Barcode hardware

                    Hi Mick,

                    That sounds great, I'll be back with you if I get the contract. Right now it is up for grabs.
                    efs

                    Comment


                      #11
                      RE: Barcode hardware

                      LOL, I guest I forgot to mention that my Boss is just coming out of the dark ages and grasping what a computer can do in his office. I doubt if I can get him to invest $1500. But I have a good chance of getting him to invest a few hundred.

                      Those handscanners with the desktop mounting cradles look interesting. But I was wondering the pros and cons of those verses a pen type. And then serial port verses inline keyboard types.

                      As I mentioned, I can talk him into spending a few hundred, but I know there is not much a chance of getting him pay for two .. should I pick the wrong type first.

                      thanks
                      -jeff

                      Comment


                        #12
                        RE: Barcode hardware

                        Hi,

                        This is probably from the department of redundancy department, but remember to enclose your barcodes with asterisks. In other words, if your item to be barcoded is Jay Talbott, your item in the barcode will need to be *Jay Talbott* and if it is a value, you will need to covert it to a string and add the asterisks before and after.

                        Hope this helps.


                        Jay Talbott
                        Jay Talbott
                        Lexington, KY

                        Comment


                          #13
                          RE: Barcode hardware

                          Those handscanners with the desktop mounting cradles look interesting. But I was wondering the pros and cons of those verses a pen type. And then serial port verses inline keyboard types.

                          Comment


                            #14
                            RE: Barcode hardware

                            Jeff,

                            We are a fairly large SOcial Services Agency with two file rooms full of cases. We decided to use barcodes and touch screens to allow our file room clerks to spend more time retrieving files instead of keying information. We started out with wasp keyboard wedge type barcode readers. They were OK, but the scanner needed to be almost placed against the code to read it. We have since changed to Metrologic Voyager laser scanners. They have a higher degree of accuracy and are certainly more durable. Our employees all have ID badges with a barcode of their employee # on the back. The cards are created using the Instant-ID package which inclodes an Eltron plastic card printer. It can produce a very nice card and place the barcode on the back side.
                            Our employee badges are used for time and attendance using a Kronos timekeeping system. The Kronos system exports swipe information into our Alpha software personnel system which, in turn, feeds data to the County Payroll system via communications lines.

                            In the file rooms, cases as well as badges are scanned. So far, the Metrologic scanners are performing well. We are now designing an inventory system for our supply room. We will, once again, use the scanners to track inventory and users.

                            Tom Henkel

                            Comment


                              #15
                              RE: Barcode hardware

                              Thank you Tom, that is very interesting.

                              efs

                              Comment

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