Question Bar Code system and Access

[Joe8915]

We are doing some brain storming here. Has anyone have any success with using a bar code system and Access. I have found out that it is a two party procedure, using word.

Bottom line is any one here, using this sytem now. If so please chime in. I need some direction.

 

[HiTechCoach]

We are doing some brain storming here. Has anyone have any success with using a bar code system and Access. I have found out that it is a two party procedure, using word.

Bottom line is any one here, using this system now. If so please chime in. I need some direction.

Not sure why you need Word to do this.

2D barcodes are really just a font.

A barcode scanner is just an input device. To Access it appears as just keyboard input. No special coding required in Access to accept the scanner data. Put your cursor in a text box control and swipe the bar code.

Check out his example I create that prints a bar code on a report:

Print Barcodes on an Access report

This example is in Access 2000 format. It should work fine with Access 2000 and later.

This example Access database shows how to print the Barcode 39 (also called 3 of 9) on an Access Report.

**Note: The barcode font is stored in a table as a BLOB. It is install and removed automatically for you.

Hope this helps ...

 

[Joe8915]

Coach, thanks for the quick reply. I think you have me on a starting track. Thanks for the example that really helps out. I just didn't know how access recognizes the scanner part. I guess I will have to wait until they buy the scanning equipment. Still not sure how all this comes together.
Are there any special scanners that you recommend, that work well with access?
Once again thanks for chiming in.

 

[Lightwave]

Joe

The "recognition" of the bar codes will be Optical Character Recognition software which is probably quite complicated. This will very probably come with any bar code scanner you get and you'll just see a flat text file coming out the other end.

I'm guessing you can either get a pure bar code scanner or alternatively you can get a straight scanner and put Optical Character Recognisiton Software on top of it. Both probably will have some form of OCR but a bar code scanner it will likely be more embedded in the device (ie you won't be able to do anything but scanning bar codes).

I think you'll find there aren't devices that work better or worse with access but there may well be devices that work better or worse full stop. Your looking for the % of pick up of a device whereby the barcodes scanned produce a clean text file. The number of mistakes in the file are likely to be a reflection of the quality of both the software and the hardware. Importing the information into access should be 100% perfect.

So a measure of how good a device is - is one that doesn't break down and produces clean text files irrespective of what state the barcodes are in. You will probably have multiple options. Ones that produce individual codes immediately or others that put them in batch files for later input.

Background reading required on that.

 

[Joe8915]

Lightwave, thanks for chiming in. That is load of information and many thanks. Are you working with a Bar Code and Access? If so what brand or type? I just don't want them to go out and buy the cheapest or something that won’t work with Access at all
I guess if I can find someone that is actually working with a Bar Code System and see what type is working well together with Access.

 

[Toff]

I wrote a nice barcode scanning database where I work.

I used this font (http://www.free-barcode-font.com/). Install it like a normal font.

I have some very old scanning wands but they work well. Theres some nice wireless scanning devices out now.

To print out the barcodes I use an old Zebra S400 printer. I'm just sending a 2"x4" Access report (which contains the actual barcode plus relevant text) to the Zebra which prints out the sticker to put on our products.

 

[DCrake]

Also consider the way you want to use them. Are they going to be remote scanners or will they be wired to the machine? Hand held portable scanners with batch uploads. What are wanting to barcode and how does it fit into your application?

 

[HiTechCoach]

Adding scanning of bar codes for data entry really easy easy to do for any Windows app including the OS. Whatever software has the focus when you make the scan will get the data looking like keyboard input.

With some apps I would need to accept several bar code into a sub form. Having a barcode scanner where I could program it to send an Enter Key or Tab at the end of the scan really helped.

I have dome some document management systems in VB where every document had a barcode on every page. I used a document scanner that would read in all the pages. I used a custom control that could find and read the barcode on a page. This allowed me to identify the document and page within the document

With all the the scanning apps I have done with VB and Access the key to success was in the quality and speed of the barcode or document scanner.

If you are going to purchase multiple scanners, I would try to get a demo to test. If that is not possible I would purchase just one for testing. Be sure to check the return policy. This way if it does not work you can return it.

 

[Joe8915]

First thanks Toff and Dcake, thanks for chiming in. You guys are really giving more information and for thought as well.
Toff I look at the link that you sent, pretty impressive, I didn’t think it would do something like that. That is actually what I am looking for. Thanks for the Hot Tip. What has me a little confused, you say “Install”, I never install a font, but this is all new to me. I guess I will goggle it to find out how to install a font. Boy did I open a can of worms here. Is there any way you can send me a shell of your database and see how you did this, or maybe there is a sample here.
Dcake, that’s a good question remote or wired. I have no clue. The idea that is behind this is, tracking files out of our file room and they want it tied into the DB. As I am thinking about it, remote would be a hot tip.
I think you guys have me looking at a few options here. Now I just have to find a good scanning bar system. I will keep in touch.
Anything else you guys can think of please let me know.

 

[Joe8915]

Boyd, again thanks for chiming in, we would only be buying one scanner for sure. Al we are trying to do is track files going and coming from out file room. I never thought of speed, but it sounds like that I should look for. So now look for a speed on the document scanner. There is a good thought about testing and the return policy. I can see in my next meeting with the suits aka boss, I will have a lot of questions for them. I must say you guys really giving me a lot of information and what I should look for.

 

[Lightwave]

Lightwave, thanks for chiming in. That is load of information and many thanks. Are you working with a Bar Code and Access? If so what brand or type? I just don't want them to go out and buy the cheapest or something that won’t work with Access at all
I guess if I can find someone that is actually working with a Bar Code System and see what type is working well together with Access.

Joe you are best placed looking to the others contributing to this forum for best information on barcode specific equipment. I have done some work with timing databases for athletics races where the tag is a Solenoid Radio Frequency Identity bracelet attached to each runner which is picked up as they run across special matts (ie antennae). Exactly the same as security tags in shops.

A bit of knowledge on graphics and you'll be designing an Air Traffic Control system next.

Can I just draw your attention to Hitech's point....

With all the the scanning apps I have done with VB and Access the key to success was in the quality and speed of the barcode or document scanner.

This is true of all remote sensing systems. Doesn't matter how good you've designed your system if there is data omitted or corrupted when it goes in chances are it will just produce rubbish on the way out.

It's nerve racking being in the back of a van with 2,000 runners coming at you and realising that the transmitters are shorting out because its November and the scanning equipment is sitting in an inch of water. We frequently have to make manual alterations for missing runners which can be very difficult (read you have to guess)

Can I just say that magazines can sometime be a good starting point for product reviews although barcode scanners reviews might be a select audience.

Out of interest looked this up which has a nice overview of some things I had never considered.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Handheld-...Buying-a-Handheld-Barcode-Scanner!&id=2578027

 

[Joe8915]

First I would like to thank you all for all this wealth of information. I have so much information here to read it will take a few days to sort it out. I know now this has to be well thought out before going forward.

Once again thanks all, I will keep you updated and see how far they are going with this.

Lightwave, what a great link, many thanks.

O yes, you all have a Merry Christmas.

 

[HiTechCoach]

This might also be helpful:

IDAutomation Barcode FAQ & Tutorial

This site has lots of information about using world of ID Automation (bar codes, RF tags, etc).

 

[Joe8915]

This might also be helpful:

IDAutomation Barcode FAQ & Tutorial

This site has lots of information about using world of ID Automation (bar codes, RF tags, etc).

Ok, thanks got it