configure a barcodescanner for AS400

[ibuza]

Hi @all,

is anybody experienced in implementing a handheld barcode scanner into
an AS/400 system?

IBUZA

[Brian B. Christensen]

Post by ibuza
is anybody experienced in implementing a handheld barcode scanner into
an AS/400 system?

Sure. But nothing special normally because the scanner is just
converting the barcode to readable numbers that will be read directly
into a field on the screen.

The only thing that i had to do, was to setup the scanner (wireless)
with some pre-/post amble informations and automatic enter or not
after reading the barcode.

Best regards
Brian

[Warren Block]

Post by ibuza
is anybody experienced in implementing a handheld barcode scanner into
an AS/400 system?

For varying values of handheld, barcode, scanner, and AS/400, yes.

Post by ibuza
is anybody experienced in implementing a handheld barcode scanner into
an AS/400 system?
IBUZA

Our customers use scanners which just implement telnet. I dont think they
even use any special 5250 bits just the std. So there is no way to tell them
apart from a standard screen! This means some users have an option to set
which lets some programs run in more than one mode, fullscreen or handheld.
Some handhelds have more lines than others due to different screensizes &
this information can (or maybe could) also be changed by the user to show
the optimum number of menu options.
They did have an alternative system a few years ago which required all sorts
of jiggery pokery for the printers but I was never involved.

[gb]

There are many different sorts of barcode readers.

The simplest use a "wedge" technology that is inserted between the keyboard
and the terminal. When the use gets to the field that requires the barcode,
he/she reads the barcode and the reader inserts the decoded text into the
keyboard buffer as though the user had keyed it directly. Generally these
are cabled i.e. limited to 1-2 metres!

Next up there is the same "wedge" technology but using a wireless base
similar to a wireless phone in your house. The reader is still tied to a
specific terminal (or PC using emulation) but the user can wander away
(typically up to 25 metres and sometimes through walls). Again, the scanned
code goes straight into a field on the screen.

Next up we have programmable hand-held terminals - generally with screens (6
lines x 20 characters etc). Lots of makes & models. Generally use a PC
processor (486 and the like) and often run DOS 6.1 (yes really) although
some have bespoke OSs. Can be programmed (e.g. C, or some proprietary 4GL -
some with a gui designer). These devices are truly portable and hand held
(but quite chunky) BUT thay need to talk to something - so they are
wireless - so you need a wireless LAN.

They generally talk to "middleware" that has been written to understand the
readers and to supply them with the prompt data and to process the scanned
data - the middle ware than processes the raw scanned data and passes it ro
the back-end i.e. the AS/400 - you than have to write interfaces between the
middleware and your ERP system. Eurgh!

Top of the range is as above, but it also supports 5250 emulation. This is
in effect a wireless, DOS PC running 5250 emulation and does not require any
new programming languages or middleware. It is a hand held 5250 terminal and
you simply write programs using DDS and RPG - but it is a very small screen
that you are designing for.

So, if you have a POS (point of sale) requirement i.e. somebody sitting at a
till or counter, the wired wedge may work ans is dirt cheap to buy and
implement (no coding).

If you want to start wandering around a warehouse picking stock etc, I would
recommend the last option - you have no third parties to rely on and most of
the skills are native AS/400...

OK?

GB

Post by ibuza
is anybody experienced in implementing a handheld barcode scanner into
an AS/400 system?
IBUZA