FM and Barcodes

[greg@work]

Hi all

Sorry if wrong forum was not clear which one to post into for this (mods, please move to correct forum if this one is incorrect).

OK I have an FM 6 database that tracks physical objects that the user now wants to add bar coding for tracking of the physical items and location. The code being used is code 3of9, I have the necessary fonts.

Now I need to know how to get FM to work with barcoding and what equipment etc to use. I have looked at expensive specialised barcode scanners but want to know if there are other options.

Also what is the best way to get data in and out of FM using a bar code scanner, do I need FM Mobile, or can I get it to work direct with desktop FM and the scanner. I really am not sure at all...

I am new to barcode integration with FM but have been using FM for quite a few years and happy that side f things. I guess I am not sure how to get it to work as easy as possible for the end user so any help of any kind will be very much appreciate to assist me getting this working, including any sample DB's or scripts you may have that will assist me.

They would also prefer me to get it working via a web interface (They have FM Server and FM Unlimited). However my first priority is get it to work with FM directly and possibly have one station working with FM and the rest with search only via the web.

To track the item will have a code number (ItemID) of ten alphanumeric characters and they want to have it booked out to a user or client (UserOut) and record the date (DateOut) and time out (TimeOut), then on return book the item back in with the date (DateIn) and time in (TimeIn) and the location (HomeLocation) on the racking.

Cheers

Edited November 14, 2006 by Guest

[cjaeger]

There is no magic behind barcoding and USB Barcode scanners are beginning at $ 50.

They transmit the result as if they were typed directly into a filemaker field. Config options are whether to add a return after each scan or not.

To simulate a barcode scanner, just type in the data into a field, parse the field (lines) into records by scripts or calculations.

To start with, add a button "start barcode" which directs the user to an input field. After scanning (or typing) one or more (return-separated) IDs into that field, the user clicks a 2nd button "process barcode". This works over the web as well.

More advanced scripting can have filemaker create a new record with each scan (trigger a script after input, see EventScript or zippscript plugins), but that is probably not web-compatible.

Edited December 2, 2006 by Guest