Barcode equipment

[.Flyer]

I'm costing a web application for a client (car parts supplies) that will require barcodes. Anyone got any contacts for barcode readers/printers/labels? Just after rough costings and pitfalls to watch out for.

It looks straightforward; reader acts as a keyboard and dumps the data into a form. Probably need a wireless reader. Doesn't look complicated; is it?

[Plotloss]

PoP

As the form control gets focus, the barcode reader just dumps the number into the field.

Then the operator fills in the rest and submits the whole form.

[pdV6]

Could go for 2D stacked barcodes and do the entire form in one hit, depending on what data you want to encode.

[plasticpig]

.Flyer said:

I'm costing a web application for a client (car parts supplies) that will require barcodes. Anyone got any contacts for barcode readers/printers/labels? Just after rough costings and pitfalls to watch out for. It looks straightforward; reader acts as a keyboard and dumps the data into a form. Probably need a wireless reader. Doesn't look complicated; is it?

It is resonably straight forward. However there are some potential pitfalls. You and they need to think about the following:

Symbology (Barcode Font):

In a car parts business the barcode symbology used and the format should probably comply with AIAG (Automotive Industry Action Group) guidelines.

Labels:
What environment will the labels have to survive?
How sticky does the glue have to be?
What type of surface will the labels be applied to?
What operating temperatures do the labels need to survive?
How indestructible do they need to be?

This defines what label media is used and what ribbon is used and potentialy what printer is used.

Printers:
How many labels do they print in a day?
Does the printer need inbuilt barcode fonts?
Which symbologies does it need to print?
What size of label is required?
Do the labels need to be automatically cut from the roll after printing?

This defines the printer selection.

Scanners:
What symbology is being used?
What scanning distance from the barcode is required?
If non tethered what is the maximum distance required from the PC?
Do you need a logging or non logging scanner?
What rate of errors is acceptable (Laser is superior to CCD)

This defines the scanner selection.

Once you have got answers to these questions I can assist you in getting the right kit.

[.Flyer]

Thanks guys. Didn't know about 2D stacked, but just read up on them. Very interesting.

plasticpig said:

It is resonably straight forward. However there are some potential pitfalls. You and they need to think about the following: Symbology (Barcode Font): In a car parts business the barcode symbology used and the format should probably comply with AIAG (Automotive Industry Action Group) guidelines.

OK, makes sense. This is purely an internal app though for tracking used car parts. The client is a car dismantler.

plasticpig said:

Labels: What environment will the labels have to survive? How sticky does the glue have to be? What type of surface will the labels be applied to? What operating temperatures do the labels need to survive? How indestructible do they need to be? This defines what label media is used and what ribbon is used and potentialy what printer is used.

The parts will be straight off cars, so could be oily and will be of different sizes and shapes.

plasticpig said:

Printers: How many labels do they print in a day? Does the printer need inbuilt barcode fonts? Which symbologies does it need to print? What size of label is required? Do the labels need to be automatically cut from the roll after printing? This defines the printer selection. Scanners: What symbology is being used? What scanning distance from the barcode is required? If non tethered what is the maximum distance required from the PC? Do you need a logging or non logging scanner? What rate of errors is acceptable (Laser is superior to CCD) This defines the scanner selection. Once you have got answers to these questions I can assist you in getting the right kit.

Hmm, lots more to think about there! Hadn't really given it much thought, as it was just going to be an add-on to the app, but clearly I need to. I'll use your questions here to get some answers off the client; thanks for them