Barcode Module

Introduction

Barcode is a machine readable representation of numerical aspects and characters consisted of bars and spaces. Barcodes can be seen often in the packages of products at super markets or at convenience stores. These barcodes are used in managing manufacturing information as well. This is why, Tactic has an enhanced service that can help the users in managing all important barcodes at a single space. Bar code module is one of the most unique features provided by Tactic. The users can easily add barcodes on products and third parties for enhancing their user experiences.

Installation

There is no need of installing this module, as it is already included within Tactic services.

Setup

For using this module the users need to enable it by using an administrator account. The menu options for activating this module are: Home –> Setup – > Module. The users then need to click on Activate. The modules will be activated after completing this step. The settings icon will be visible at the end of the module box, the users can click in that to access setup.

Barcode encoding

In Tactic set up page the users will be able to choose barcode format that the users need to and want to support. The engine that builds graphical output will be available within Tactic as well. After finishing the Barcode encoding the users can choose the features in accordance to their preferences. Two of the features that the users can use the barcodes with are, product management and third party management.

Usage of barcodes

Barcodes can be helpful in maintaining a specific order of products or third parties. The generation of barcodes can be performed by two methods. The first method is generating barcode by using keyboards and the second method is generating barcodes with the assistance of barcode generator. For using the first method the users need to enter the numbers, which are generally visible under the barcodes. For using the second method the users need to use an external device to scan the barcodes effectively.

The engines that are supported by default configuration and Tactic developers are the internal engine that are majorly based on php-barcode. The TCPDF barcode, which is used for barcode generator will be available in TCPDF library. The users can easily install their program genbarcode to enhance the number of supported format within Tactic. New barcode generator engine can also be installed by the users for better use.

Other methods

There are two options of using barcodes that can be used to enhance with the use of barcodes. One of the use of barcode is product management and another one is third-party management.

Auto define barcode numbers

The barcode module needs to be activated for using, suggesting and validating barcode numbers. However, the users can also use define to make automatic number generation work. For an instance, if EAN format is chosen then the value will contain the country number and the company number.

Suppose, if the country number is 200 and the company number is 399 then the starting of the barcode will be numbered as 200399. However, the product number will also be added to the barcode. If the product number is 123456 then the entire barcode will be 200399{123456}. The users need to remind that the checksum digit is not required for EAN13 as it is added automatically.

EAN13 barcode identification works mostly for products, as it refers to the products and its lot or batch or serial number to decrease manual effort. Serial numbers and the barcode numbers can sometimes be autonomous barcode number and those can sometimes be included into an EAN128 code.  About SKU, it is a very generic term that is used to signify that, “The ID enough accurate to manage stock”. 

Usage

After the set-up being complete, the users will be able to see a new field called “Barcode”. Based on the choice of the users the barcode fields will be activated in products module or third party module. The barcode values can be entered in those fields by either using keyboard or by using barcode scanner.

By using keyboards

The users just need to enter the number that is represented in the barcode. This module also provide the user with an opportunity of printing the barcode with the option of print barcode.

By using a barcode scanner

Not always the barcode numbers are visible and typing the numbers can surely consume a good amount of time. This is why using a barcode scanner is much more convenient, which can be found in hardware stores. However, for being compatible with Tactic, the barcode scanners need to have a configuration that support keyboard emulation.

Hence, for understanding, which barcode is going to work properly, the users need to look for some technical terms. These technical terms suggest if the barcode scanner have the technical capabilities of being supported by Tactic or not. The very first term that suggest the technical capabilities are: HID mode, which stands for Human Interface Device. The second term that suggest the capabilities are: Keyboard Wedge or Wedge interface. However, the users can have more information on barcode generation to use Tactic more appropriately. The users can find barcode readers to read different types of barcodes, such as EAN13 or code-39 or code-128.

EAN13 is usually used by the manufactures and sellers, as these are used for defining a specific product. Code-39 is used for tracking serial numbers as it helps in stock maintenance as well. There are only numerical characters in code-39. Code-128 is used for stock tracking as well. The scanners can be tested before directly using them through computer as there are chances of error occurrence.

For using the barcode scanners the users just need to plug in the USB cable of the scanner into the computer. After that the barcode need to be scanned by going through the provided manual. After completing this configuration every scan will be an output just as being incorporated by the keyboard.