Barcode System

The Barcode system functionality enables barcode reader support for MRPeasy, generation and printing barcodes from MRPeasy, and performing special functions after scanning a barcode.

The barcoding support can be enabled at Settings -> System settings -> Enterprise functions -> Barcodes.

When this functionality is enabled, then:

• It is possible to generate various barcodes.
• It is possible to scan barcodes, and according to the function and the scanned barcode, an action will take place: e.g. selection of an item, navigation to a software section, reporting of actions, etc.

Jump to:

1. Demo video: Barcode system.
2. Setting up:
   1. Implementing the Barcode System in your business. 
   2. Supported barcode scanners, and label printers.
   3. Enable and configure the Barcode System in MRPeasy.
3. Usage:
   1. Print barcodes.
   2. Actions performed by scanning.
   3. Notes.
   4. Troubleshooting.

Implementing the Barcode System

1. Start using MRPeasy without the Barcode System.
2. When MRPeasy has successfully been taken into use in some area of the business, only then start with implementing barcoding in that area.
   • Barcoding helps to perform various actions more quickly.
   • Users must know what those actions are and how to perform those, before enlisting the help of barcoding.
3. Read the documentation to learn about what features are available.
4. Start experimenting and initial usage:
   • Print barcodes with your regular printer.
   • Perform actions using your phone camera as a scanner using the MRPeasy iOS/Android app.
5. When experimenting is successful, and you want dedicated hardware (scanners, label printers, etc.), turn to your local barcoding hardware specialists.

Supported barcode readers and printers

• The MRPeasy iOS and Android apps allow the device's camera to be used as a barcode scanner.
  • To open the scanner, click the Scan barcode button on the top bar of the app.
  • There may be some technical limitations compared to using a dedicated barcode reader. E.g. QR-codes may be more reliable when using a camera for scanning.
  • Please download the MRPeasy app from Apple or Google app store:
    • https://itunes.apple.com/app/mrpeasy-manufacturing-software/id1179387308
    • https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mrpeasy.android

• Regarding the specific choice of label printers and scanners, please turn to your local specialists. 
  • Since MRPeasy is online software, and a barcode reader technically works as a keyboard, a barcode reader that is compatible with your device should work with MRPeasy.
  • Generally, the barcode readers can be connected via USB (for computers) or via Bluetooth (tablets, smartphones).
  • As MRPeasy generates PDFs, the label printer should be able to print PDFs.

Enabling and configuring the Barcode System

Demo video: Enabling barcodes.

For setting up barcodes in MRPeasy:

1. Go to Settings -> System settings -> Enterprise functions
2. Enable the functionality Barcodes: Yes.
3. Select the type of barcode:
   • EAN-13, 1D barcode which will be used for your products if your products have a Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) from GS1.
     • CODE128 will be used on other types of labels and documents.
   • UPC-A, 1D barcode which will be used for your products if your products have a Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) from GS1.
     • CODE128 will be used on other types of labels and documents.
   • CODE128, a universal 1D barcode.
   • QR, a universal 2D barcode. More reliable if e.g. cellphone's or tablet's camera is used for scanning. 
4. If you selected EAN-13 or UPC-A barcodes:
   • Select how barcodes are assigned to stock items:
     • Manually, by you.
     • Automatically, by MRPeasy.
   • If you selected automatic assignment, enter your manufacturer code - a prefix obtained from GS1 that consists of your country code and company code.
5. Save the settings.
6. If your products have specific EAN-13 or UPC-A barcodes that you need to assign:
   • Go to Stock -> Items -> Item details page, and add the barcode to the field "Barcode UPC-A/EAN-13".
   • Or upload these with the import items from CSV functionality.
7. Regardless of your barcode type, if your vendors have EAN-13 or UPC-A barcodes:
   • You can use the vendor's barcodes if you fill in the item field "Barcode UPC-A/EAN-13" with the vendor's barcode of the item.
   • Now the system will recognize the items if you scan the barcode supplied by the vendor.
8. Now you can:
   • Print barcodes on labels and documents.
   • Generate a page of 1D barcodes for each item.
   • Perform actions by scanning the barcodes.

Printing barcodes

Jump to:

1. Printing barcodes on labels and documents.
2. 1D barcode generator for items.

Labels and documents

Barcodes can be printed on the following labels and documents:

1. Product/item labels.
   • If QR and CODE128 type barcodes are configured in system settings, they encode the Part number.
2. Stock lot labels.
3. Serial number labels.
4. Storage location labels.
5. Manufacturing Order labels.
6. Manufacturing Order PDFs.
   • Manufacturing Order barcode: On all PDFs.
   • Sub-assembly materials barcode: On wide, medium, and worksheet PDFs.
   • Sub-assembly all operations barcode: On wide and worksheet PDFs.
   • Individual operation barcode: On wide and worksheet PDFs.
7. Material requisition PDFs.
   
   • Manufacturing Order barcode.
   • Sub-assembly materials barcode.

Important notes:

• The values of barcodes generally do not only encode the specific object name, but also internal identifiers, and possibly other data. Data is separated by application identifiers (e.g., see: https://www.gs1.org/standards/barcodes/application-identifiers).
• The labels can be edited with the Label editor.
• The PDFs can be edited with the PDF editor.

1D barcode generator

On each item's details page at Stock -> Items -> Item details, it is possible to generate a page full of 1D barcodes with the "Print barcode" function:

• EAN-13 or UPC-A type barcode will be generated if the corresponding type is selected in the system settings.
• If CODE128 or QR type is selected in the system settings:
  • The barcode number will be taken from the item field "Barcode UPC-A/EAN-13".
  • CODE128 type barcode will be generated

Scanning barcodes

If the barcode is scanned, then the resulting action depends on the type of barcode you scanned and the page you are currently on. There could be several types of barcodes that can be scanned:

1. Item barcode.
2. Stock lot barcode.
3. Storage location barcode.
4. Serial number barcode.
5. Manufacturing order barcodes.
6. Notes.

Resulting actions for scanning item barcodes

Demo video: Item barcodes.

Resulting actions for scanning stock lot barcodes

Demo video: Stock lot barcodes.

Resulting actions for scanning storage location barcodes

Demo video: Storage location barcodes. 

Storage location barcodes enable quick reporting moving of items from one location to another. For example:

1. Scan lot barcode.
2. (Scan old location barcode, optionally.)
3. Scan the new location barcode.
4. Save.

Resulting actions for scanning serial numbers

In order to use serial numbers:

• The serial numbers functionality must be turned on at Settings -> System settings -> Professional functions -> Serial numbers: Yes.

Resulting actions for scanning Manufacturing Order (MO) barcodes

Demo video: Manufacturing order barcodes. 

Notes

• If a barcode was scanned on a page with a table of entries, use the Clear Clear button to clear the filter and show the full list again.
• If your web browser has the function "Search for text when I start typing," it should be turned off. Otherwise, the barcode scanner may not work correctly.
• The values of barcodes generally do not only encode the specific object name, but also internal identifiers, and possibly other data. Data is separated by application identifiers (e.g., see: https://www.gs1.org/standards/barcodes/application-identifiers).

Troubleshooting

1. There is no reaction from the software when a barcode is scanned.
   One of the possible reasons is that the browser is out of focus. Please click with the mouse anyplace inside the page in MRPeasy, and then scan again.
2. The page refreshes after a barcode is scanned.
   This may happen when a Bluetooth scanner wakes up after some time of inactivity. In this case, please scan the same barcode again.
3. Reading a barcode from a computer screen failed.
   In case you are trying to read a barcode from a computer screen - then, yes, this is often unsuccessful, because the PDF viewers merge the small lines unless it is really zoomed in. QR codes may provide better results.
4. The barcode is too dense (the label is small).
   If the printer's resolution is too small to properly print the barcode, you could try to:
   - increase the size of the barcode field size using the label editor;
   - increase the size of the label itself.
   If you cannot increase the label size or change the printer, then QR codes may provide better results.
5. Scanning is unreliable in low light (or with a smartphone).
   Very good lighting conditions and a very good camera are needed to consistently get good scanning results with a camera. Try making the barcode bigger. QR codes may provide better results.