Barcode System

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

Barcoding support can be enabled in 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 depending on the function and the scanned barcode, an action will take place, e.g., selecting an item, navigating to a software section, reporting 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. Only after MRPeasy has been successfully implemented in some business areas can we start implementing barcoding in those areas.
   • Barcoding helps to perform various actions more quickly.
   • Users must know what those actions are and how to perform them before enlisting 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, tap the Scan barcode button at the top of the app.
  • There may be some technical limitations compared to using a dedicated barcode reader. For example, QR Codes may be more reliable when scanned with a camera.
  • Please download the MRPeasy app from the 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

• Please turn to your local specialists regarding the specific choice of label printers and scanners. 
  • Since MRPeasy is online software, and a barcode reader technically works as a keyboard, a compatible barcode reader should work with MRPeasy.
  • Generally, barcode readers can be connected via USB (for computers) or Bluetooth (for tablets and 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, 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., a 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 an automatic assignment, enter your manufacturer code - a prefix obtained from GS1 comprising your country and company codes.
5. Save the settings.
6. If your products have specific EAN-13 or UPC-A barcodes that you need to assign:
   • Go to the 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 enter the vendor's barcode for the item in the "Barcode UPC-A/EAN-13" field.
   • Now, the system will recognize the items when you scan the vendor-supplied barcode.
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 of all operations barcodes: 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:

• Barcode values generally encode not only 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, the resulting action depends on the type of barcode 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 and moving of items from one location to another. For example:

1. Scan the 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 enabled in 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 "Search for text when I start typing" feature, turn it off. Otherwise, the barcode scanner may not work correctly.
• Barcode values generally encode not only 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. The software does not react when a barcode is scanned.
   One possible reason is that the browser is out of focus. Please click anywhere on the MRPeasy page with the mouse, 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.
   If you are trying to read a barcode on a computer screen, then yes, this is often unsuccessful because PDF viewers merge the small lines unless you zoom in really deeply. 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 print the barcode properly, you could try to:
   - increase the size of the barcode field 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 achieve good scanning results. Try making the barcode bigger. QR codes may provide better results.