Baslogue ®

SETTING UP THE BARCODE SCANNER

You do not have to use a barcode scanner in order to use this software.  All program features can be used via the use of a keyboard and mouse.  However, in a high-volume environment where many people may wish to checkout items at the same time, a barcode scanner can significantly speed up the checkout process.  A barcode scanner also makes the process of returning items much simpler.

Baslogue® is designed to work with a range of barcode scanners.  We do not prescribe particular makes or models.  Instead we describe below the features that a barcode scanner must have, and guide you through the process of determining whether your particular scanner is configured correctly for use.

Tests Number 2 and 3 below require you to have Baslogue® installed on your computer.  You may download and install the software in evaluation mode.  You do not have to purchase the product before performing these tests.  In fact, we highly recommend that you carry out these tests before purchasing the software, to ensure compatibility with your chosen scanner.  Please perform each of these tests, in the following order:


TEST NUMBER 1

The most common type of barcode scanner acts as a "keyboard wedge".  What this means is that your computer thinks that the scanner is actually a keyboard, and receives character input from the scanner just like it was a keyboard. 

To work correctly with Baslogue®, the scanner should return the barcode value, followed by a "carriage return" character.  This is the default setting for most scanners.  To confirm whether your scanner is currently configured to do this, do the following:


TEST NUMBER 2

This test ensures that your scanner can read the standard "3 of 9" barcode format (sometimes also called "Code 39" format) that is used within this software.  If you are going to be using barcodes that already exist on your items, then you should also test scanning those barcodes as well.  The following steps test the "3 of 9" format only.
 
TEST NUMBER 3


There are two variations of Cheat Sheet printouts within Baslogue® that can be used - one using the Code 128 barcode format, and the other using the Code 39 Full ASCII format.  The default is to use Code 128.  If for some reason your scanner will not work on Code 128, try using the Code 39 format.  Perform the appropriate test below for your chosen barcode format.  The format to use can be selected from the Modify Report Layouts dialog. 


TEST FOR CODE 128 BARCODES

This test will check whether your scanner is configured to recognise the Code 128 barcode format.  If your scanner fails this test try using the Code 39 format (see test below).  If you cannot get either test to work, you will still be to use the scanner to scan items within Baslogue® but you will have to use the keyboard shortcuts noted on the Cheat Sheet instead of scanning the barcodes.


TEST FOR CODE 39 FULL ASCII BARCODES

This test will check whether your scanner is configured to recognise the Code 39 Full ASCII barcode format.  If you cannot get this test to work, you will still be to use the scanner to scan items within Baslogue® but you will have to use the keyboard shortcuts noted on the Cheat Sheet instead of scanning the barcodes.
 
 

Related Topics

 
 

Return to the welcome page or Go to the Baslogue Home Page

Copyright © 2009 Petrie Software Pty Ltd  (A.C.N. 110 519 723)