On 10/1/2014 2:52 PM, Mike Copeland wrote:
All,
I have a problem with end users hand-keying information that should be
scanned with a barcode scanner to improve accuracy.
Here's the gist of the issue...
Every piece of inventory has a barcode sticker on it representing a
unique serial #, always 8 characters long.
(My application offers a way to reprint the barcode label in case this
label gets torn, damaged.)
What I need to force, somehow, is that the # represented on the
barcode label MUST be scanned by a simple barcode scan gun connected
to the computer.
As ya'll know, all the scanner does is convert the barcode data into
standard keyboard keystrokes and stuff the data into the keyboard
buffer...really fast. In other words, a very fast, very accurate
typist. But most importantly, the CORRECT # is input (so that the
correct inventory item is recorded as 'processed.')
The problem is that the users hand-key the number at the prompt...and
frequently hand-key it wrong.
So, to try to stop the hand-keying I removed the human-readable text
under the barcode on the label. So now, you either scan it or you
learn to read barcode by eye. One would hope/think that this would
have solved the problem...but no.
Now (by watching security video footage) we find that they are
1. opening Notepad
2. scanning the barcodes, which enters the barcode data in human
readable form, obviously
3. then hand keying the data into my application when they should use
the scanner.
And...errors are being made regularly. And, yes, training, threats,
etc. have been tried.
From the application's viewpoint, the only difference between a
barcode scanner providing input and a human typing on a keyboard is
the speed with which the data is input.
So, my last-ditch idea to force scanning and negate hand-keying is to,
somehow, use a timer on the input. Set the timer to a short time, like
1 second, which is faster than 99% of humankind can type 8 characters.
Start the timer on the first keystroke and when the timer fires again
if the length of the input is less than 8, clear the input...because
they're not scanning.
My question, is this nuts? Is there a better way? Am I barking at the
moon? Begging for problems? Any other Ideas?
Thanks for feedback.
Mike Copeland
Lot to read here, but I tried to read most of it. Did I read that you
tried wireless scanners? I have a point of sale application that
includes a massive parts inventory. They have two wireless scanners and
they can scan orders, do price checks and stock checks while walking
around the entire area. They also use them to take inventory. They
scan everything and it has been working reliably for about 10 years.
I understand the part about stacking the boxes and then doing the
paperwork, but with a wireless scanner the input goes directly into the
application in real time.
HTH
--
Jeff
Jeff Johnson
[email protected]
SanDC, Inc.
(623) 582-0323
SMS (602) 717-5476
Fax 623-869-0675
Visit our forum at www.san-dc.com/forum
Register and join in the discussion
www.san-dc.com
www.cremationtracker.com
www.agentrelationshipmanager.com
_______________________________________________
Post Messages to: [email protected]
Subscription Maintenance: http://mail.leafe.com/mailman/listinfo/profox
OT-free version of this list: http://mail.leafe.com/mailman/listinfo/profoxtech
Searchable Archive: http://leafe.com/archives/search/profox
This message: http://leafe.com/archives/byMID/profox/[email protected]
** All postings, unless explicitly stated otherwise, are the opinions of the
author, and do not constitute legal or medical advice. This statement is added
to the messages for those lawyers who are too stupid to see the obvious.
