Simple Barcode database
Discussion
I have orders that are printed, and have a bar code of the order number on them.
I have proucts that have individual serial numbers with bar code on them. Up to 3 on one order.
All I want to do is scan the order, then the products, and for it to create a database/spreadsheet/file (don't care) of them so in the future I can look up the order number and see which specific products they had (for warranty purposes mainly).
I have a Win 11 PC running in the dispatch area near by. I have an android phone.
Any pointers - I see you can get android apps, and I see you can get windows apps that use a webcam, or a handheld scanner.
Before I get bogged down in downloading / testing / uninstalling, repeat... any pointers to narrow it down.
I have proucts that have individual serial numbers with bar code on them. Up to 3 on one order.
All I want to do is scan the order, then the products, and for it to create a database/spreadsheet/file (don't care) of them so in the future I can look up the order number and see which specific products they had (for warranty purposes mainly).
I have a Win 11 PC running in the dispatch area near by. I have an android phone.
Any pointers - I see you can get android apps, and I see you can get windows apps that use a webcam, or a handheld scanner.
Before I get bogged down in downloading / testing / uninstalling, repeat... any pointers to narrow it down.
At a very basic level, you could have an Excel spreadsheet with a few columns:
A - order number
B, C, D, E (etc) - serial number of items on order
A simple USB barcode scanner (in a stand for hands-free operation) can scan the barcode, put the scanned string into the cell and then send a carriage return (enter) to move to the next cell (configure Excel to move right rather than down a cell). Then you start scanning serial number barcodes.
Longer term you could have something more elegant / robust, as with lots of rows of data somebody might not pay attention and scan a new order over historic data.
Do you know what format the barcodes are in? There's a few standards across 1D and 2D types so making sure the scanner can handle the ones you have is obviously important.
A - order number
B, C, D, E (etc) - serial number of items on order
A simple USB barcode scanner (in a stand for hands-free operation) can scan the barcode, put the scanned string into the cell and then send a carriage return (enter) to move to the next cell (configure Excel to move right rather than down a cell). Then you start scanning serial number barcodes.
Longer term you could have something more elegant / robust, as with lots of rows of data somebody might not pay attention and scan a new order over historic data.
Do you know what format the barcodes are in? There's a few standards across 1D and 2D types so making sure the scanner can handle the ones you have is obviously important.
Cheers - they are 1D codes
Excel might get a bit messy as, whilst I understand what you are saying, I don't want to have to touch the PC to tell it to go down to the next product (nor have the screen on tbh) - but then I guess Bar code scanners might have multiple buttons? Just want to go Blip Blip Blip then somehow register as "done", ready for the next order.
Needs to be fairly idiot proof and always ready or it won't get used (by me!)
Excel might get a bit messy as, whilst I understand what you are saying, I don't want to have to touch the PC to tell it to go down to the next product (nor have the screen on tbh) - but then I guess Bar code scanners might have multiple buttons? Just want to go Blip Blip Blip then somehow register as "done", ready for the next order.
Needs to be fairly idiot proof and always ready or it won't get used (by me!)
I'd be twitchy with any solution running the PC without the monitor. The barcode scanners do beep to confirm a successful scan but for me, I'd want to glance at the screen after finishing each order. Anyway...
The Zebra scanners I used to work with could be configured to press Enter after each scan. So if you had an order barcode and six items, once on a new row in Excel, you could just scan the seven barcodes back-to-back without any other interaction with the PC.
In my former life I've put fancier things together in Access or VB which could fit your work-flow better. One hurdle is without user input, how would the system know the barcode you are about to scan is an order barcode or serial number (especially with variable numbers of items per order)? Even with a more bespoke system, you'd need to do something (eg click a button) to say "New Order" so the first scan is the order number, then subsequent scans are items. Then rinse & repeat.
I guess you could put some intelligence in a simple bespoke application to know that barcodes in a certain format / range are always order numbers and anything else is a serial number to remove the need to press "New Order".
Another PHer might have a better idea than me for this.
The Zebra scanners I used to work with could be configured to press Enter after each scan. So if you had an order barcode and six items, once on a new row in Excel, you could just scan the seven barcodes back-to-back without any other interaction with the PC.
In my former life I've put fancier things together in Access or VB which could fit your work-flow better. One hurdle is without user input, how would the system know the barcode you are about to scan is an order barcode or serial number (especially with variable numbers of items per order)? Even with a more bespoke system, you'd need to do something (eg click a button) to say "New Order" so the first scan is the order number, then subsequent scans are items. Then rinse & repeat.
I guess you could put some intelligence in a simple bespoke application to know that barcodes in a certain format / range are always order numbers and anything else is a serial number to remove the need to press "New Order".
Another PHer might have a better idea than me for this.
I've found the answer for me I reckon. There are scanners (wireless, wifi, BLE) on Amazon that have internal storage. My sales order codes are wildly different from my product serials, so all I need is a constant list of records, each time I see a sales code, the serials below are its products, and then the next sales code indicates next order. That's all I need - so historically I can look up a sales code and then see the serial numbers below.
It can use the internal storage, or a self saving text file on the PC. No need for anything more elaborate!
It can use the internal storage, or a self saving text file on the PC. No need for anything more elaborate!
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