Question Sticky business with wireless barcode scanner

jcbnc

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Hello All,
I have a bit of a challenge with my Access 2010 database. I have a form set up to read barcodes and it works brilliantly with the wireless USB barcode scanner we have. However, my customer does not want a computer out in the machine shop and only wants the workers to interact with the scanner and not the software. Because the scanner range is only 200-300 feet (line of site), I would have to use a wifi scanner to transmit the data to the system. I think I can create a barcode value If statement to open the form, but does anyone know how I could load the batched data into the form and then print them all?

I have looked through hundreds of posts and have not seen anything related to this situation, so any help would be greatly appreciated.

Kind regards,
jcbnc
 
Hi jcbnc,

I think that, to do what you want. you need a mobile computing device with scanner. A basic scanner won't do as you need to be able to store the barcode data on the mobile device and download it to the PC when it's docked (or within range of the PC).

I created a solution for a 2-stage goods-in process using WASP's WDT-2200 but, having just looked on their site, they've discontinued this and are promoting their full blown mobile computing device at £1K+ each!

If you go down the mobile computing device route I guess you have at least 2 options:
- store the barcodes as they are scanned in a file on the device and then download to the Access application when it's docked
- build an application on the mobile device that connects to your data and performs whatever functionality it needs to perform (this relies on good WiFi connectivity throughout the area the mobile device is being used.

Sadly, I don't think there's a simple solution to your requirements (unless anyone else can think of anything better).
 
Thank you for your quick reply Alfisdad. The scanner I have actually has a batch function included (it has start batch and upload batch bar codes) that I have been able to get to work successfully in my form.

The challenge I am having is trying to use a barcode to run the macro that I created to open the form. I created a macro to launch with Auto keys (i.e. F1) but no matter what we tried, we were not able to get the macro to launch when we scanned the "send F1" barcode. Do you have any ideas for that?
 
Must admit I've not had to deal with the scenario you're describing. The solution I referred to required the mobile barcode scanning device to be docked via a serial port on the PC and the Access application communicated with it via this connection. My other experiences with barcode scanners has been as a simple input device where the user has to open a form which only has one enabled (but tiny so the user doesn't see it!) text box where the barcode data goes on performing a scan - processing done by OnChange event.

It would be useful I think if you explained how your form currently operated with this "batch" facility of the scanning device.
 
My customer is a tool and die shop. They receive a router document from their customer with 3 bar codes on it for each part they receive. The guys in the shop will scan a bar code to associate a specific job number for the part along with the other three bar codes. All the bar codes are stored consecutively in the scanner and the form is set to open to the first field that they scan. When the upload batch bar code is scanned, it enters the first scanned data and then tabs to the next field (as part of the coding I have installed in the hand scanner).

Does that help?
 
Will the system have a menu form open and you're wanting to use the barcode scanner to open a form or are there no forms open at all?

My guess is, that for this to work, you need to have a simple form open on the application with a single , enabled, unlocked textbox as you need something that is going to take the input from the scanner (after all, it's really only an input device). You can then have code in the textbox OnChange event which then checks the value of the input from the scanner and if its "Send F1" (or whatever), then open the form.
 
That is the ticket. I had If statement in the AfterUpdate event rather than the OnChange event. It is now opening a form but not the right one so, I have to figure that out. I think this might work...thank you
 
I actually had to change it back to the After Update Event because the On Change event only accepted the first character and the scanner would not scan a one character bar code. But it does work now...thank you for your help.
 

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