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Setting up the Scanner for GS1 (Scanner Test)

  • Updated

Note

The Scanner Test module is currently in beta status.

Are you interested in using and testing this feature right now? Contact support@xentral.com so that the module can be enabled for your Xentral instance.

Typical use case: This feature is aimed at users who work with the Goods Receipt (GS1) module and want to record items using an MDE device or handheld scanner. This article describes the required pre-settings for these devices.

Relevance: The Scanner Test module is exclusively relevant for recording delivered items in the menu Warehouse > Goods Receipt (GS1).

Not relevant for: The Scanner Test module is not relevant for goods issue, dispatch center, or picking processes.

MDE devices and handheld scanners are essential and efficient tools in everyday logistics: with their help, you capture barcodes and thus the variety of information encoded in them, to then process them further in Xentral. You most likely already use a handheld scanner on at least one computer in your warehouse — for example to capture items at the packing station in the Xentral Versandzentrum before they are packed and shipped.

Especially for working with the new Goods Receipt (GS1) module, we recommend using a modern MDE device. The reason? Especially with extensive goods receipts involving numerous items, manually selecting items and entering the corresponding information is not only tedious and time-consuming, but also error-prone.

In this article, you will learn which MDE models we recommend and which settings you need to make in advance to configure your devices correctly and thus work efficiently and without errors with the Goods Receipt (GS1) module.

Important

Please note that despite all our efforts, we cannot provide detailed instructions for every manufacturer or model. Therefore always also check the operating manual of your handheld scanner or MDE device. In this article we present a specific guide for Zebra MDEs, but cannot guarantee the feasibility of the setup in every individual case.

Recommended MDE Devices

For item recording in the Goods Receipt (GS1) module, we recommend the following MDE devices:

  • Zebra TC 21

  • Zebra TC 22

  • Zebra TC 26

Note

It is possible to use models from other manufacturers. In this case, however, make sure that you have the operating manual for your MDE device or handheld scanner and carry out the configuration independently and test it using the Scanner Test module, before working productively with the Goods Receipt (GS1) module.

Settings for Zebra MDE Devices

On the above-mentioned and most common Zebra MDE devices, you must use the DataWedge app directly on the device to create a new profile for detecting GS1 barcodes. Without this profile, the device cannot correctly decode the data encoded in the barcode.

Proceed as follows to create the DataWedge profile for capturing GS1 barcodes.

Tip

Are you using multiple Zebra MDEs in your warehouse? Then you only need to make the settings described below on a single device. Zebra offers the possibility to transfer already created DataWedge profiles to additional devices.

For further information, the official Zebra guide is available. Please proceed carefully here and contact Zebra support if in doubt, to avoid errors.

  1. Pick up your Zebra MDE and open the DataWedge app on the home screen.

  2. Make sure you are in the DataWedge Profiles menu.

    data-wedge-profilliste.png

  3. Open the three-dot menu in the top right and tap on + New Profile.

    data-wedge-neues-profil-erstellen.png

  4. Enter a meaningful name for the profile, e.g. "Barcode GS1". Then tap on OK.

    data-wedge-profilname-eingeben.png

  5. Tap on the profile you just created to open it.

    profil-oeffnen.png

  6. Enable the Profile activated option.

    data-wedge-profil-aktivieren.png

  7. Scroll down until you reach the Barcode Input section.

    barcode-eingabe-menuepunkt.png

  8. Enable the Enable/Disable scanner input setting.

    profil-barcodeeingabe.png

  9. Tap on Configure Scanner Settings.

    barcode-eingabe-scanner-einstellungen.png

  10. Tap on Scan Parameters.

    scannerkonfiguration-scan-parameter.png

  11. Select the Code ID Type - Target option.

    code-id-typ-auswahl.png

  12. Navigate to Barcode Input > Configure Scanner Settings.

    barcode-eingabe-scanner-einstellungen.png
    scannerkonfiguration-decoder.png

  13. Enable the following options under Decoder:

    • Code128

    • Code39

    • EAN8

    • EAN13

    • GS1 DataBar

    • Extended GS1 Barcode

    • GS1 DataMatrix

    • GS1 QRCode

      decoder-auswahl.png

  14. Tap on Back (arrow pointing left) at the bottom left of your device to return to the profile settings.

  15. Navigate to the Keystroke Output > Key Event Options section.

  16. Make the following settings in the Key Event Options section:

    tastenanschlag-ausgabe-schluesselereignistyp.png

    1. Enable the Send characters as events setting.

      zeichen-als-ereignisse-senden.png

    2. Enable the Keystroke output setting in the Advanced Data Formatting section.

  17. Go to the Basic Data Formatting section and enable the Enable, Send data, and Send with ENTER options.

    einfache-datenformatierung-auswahl.png

  18. Navigate to Keystroke Output > Advanced Data Formatting > Rules.

    profil-menuepunkt-erweiterte-datenformatierung.png
    erweiterte-datenformatierung-regeln.png

  19. Open the Rule0 entry.

    regeln-rule0.png

  20. Tap on the corresponding checkbox to activate the rule.

  21. Tap on the three-dot menu in the top right and then on New Action.

  22. Tap on Replace String.

    regel-aktionen-optionen.png

  23. Tap on the Replace String.

  24. Enter the string shown in the screenshot in the top entry.

    zeichenfolge-1.png

  25. Tap on OK.

  26. Tap on Replace String again and additionally enter the string . You should then have the following strings stored:

    zeichenfolge-2.png

Settings for Handheld Scanners

Handheld scanners are data capture devices connected to your computer via USB or Bluetooth. Unlike MDE devices, they do not have their own display. The basic function is the same, however: with the handheld scanner you capture the barcodes of your products. The information encoded in the barcode is then decoded, thus enabling data capture in Xentral.

Below we point out the settings that are necessary for handheld scanners in order to work successfully with the Goods Receipt (GS1) module. You will first find general settings that must basically be carried out for every handheld scanner. Further below we provide an example guide including the barcodes to be scanned for the Netum C750 model.

Generally Required Settings for Handheld Scanners

The following settings should be made on your handheld scanner, regardless of manufacturer or model, so that GS1 barcodes are captured correctly:

  • Enable AIM Identifier

  • Change line break designation to CR

  • Enable ASCII mode

  • Enable GS1-128 Barcodes

Tip

Not sure how to make the above settings? The manual for your handheld scanner will help. In many cases, these manuals contain one barcode per required setting, which you can simply scan.

Setting up the Netum C750

In this chapter you will learn exactly which steps you need to carry out when using the Netum C750 handheld scanner. With this model, you scan a sequence of barcodes to establish the appropriate configuration on the device.

The following table shows you all the required steps and the barcode you need, which you can scan directly from your screen.

Setting

Barcode

Enable AIM Identifier

netum-barcode-1.png

Change line break designation to CR

netum-barcode-2.png

Enable ASCII mode

netum-barcode-3.png

Enable GS1-128 Barcodes

netum-barcode-4.png

Testing the Scanner Configuration

Finally, proceed as follows to test that the configuration of your MDE device or handheld scanner is working correctly.

  1. Open Xentral on your computer.

  2. Open the menu Warehouse > Scanner Test.

  3. Place the cursor in the Scan barcode field.

  4. Pick up your handheld scanner or MDE device and scan the displayed QR code.

    If the configuration of your scanner is correct, several success messages are displayed.

scanner-test-de.png

Note

If you see red messages for individual points, your MDE device or handheld scanner is not yet correctly configured. If you are using a Zebra MDE device, review the instructions in the previous chapter again. If you use other devices, you should consult the respective operating manual.

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