Barcode scanner to use with Access.

[Russ]

I want to buy a barcode scanner and use it with an Access inventory database.
There are too many scanners to choose from.
Can anyone help me to narrow down which barcode scanner and software might
be the most compatible with Access and the easiest to adapt to Access?

 

[Rick Brandt]

I want to buy a barcode scanner and use it with an Access inventory
database. There are too many scanners to choose from.
Can anyone help me to narrow down which barcode scanner and software
might be the most compatible with Access and the easiest to adapt to
Access?

If you get the type that plugs into the keyboard port then scanned barcodes
appear to the computer the same as keystrokes from the keyboard so compatibility
is not an issue. Access will not even know that the input is coming from the
scanner.

 

[Russ]

Thank you, I will do that, and can you tell me more? I noticed barcode
scanners usually come with software -- what can you recommend about the
software? What brand and model of scanner and scanner-software do you have or
recommend?

 

[Rick Brandt]

Thank you, I will do that, and can you tell me more? I noticed
barcode scanners usually come with software -- what can you recommend
about the software? What brand and model of scanner and
scanner-software do you have or recommend?

From what I have seen the "software" would just be drivers and configuration.
For example you can usually configure the scanner to automatically include
either <enter> or <tab> after each scanned word.

 

[David W. Fenton]

I will do that, and can you tell me more? I noticed barcode
scanners usually come with software -- what can you recommend
about the software? What brand and model of scanner and
scanner-software do you have or recommend?

Most scanners I've seen use a "keyboard wedge" installation, which
means you plug them into the keyboard port and then plug the
keyboard into the scanner. This is because most scanners just return
their data as keyboard scan codes. Thus, they don't need any more
drivers than a keyboard does (i.e., only if you want to use
nonstandard/proprietary features). It could be that they provide
software for configuring the scanner, but that's a one-time
operation, as you're usually updating a ROM chip in the scanner.

 

[Russ]

I see. Can you tell me the brands and models of scanners that you have had
the best results with? Also, the scanners I've read about appear to have
their own inventory-database-software; can you tell me the name of a
particular inventory-database-software that you have had success with?

 

[David W. Fenton]

I see. Can you tell me the brands and models of scanners that you
have had the best results with?

Any reputable brand is going to be fine. Just don't buy the
cheapest.

Also, the scanners I've read about appear to have
their own inventory-database-software; can you tell me the name of
a particular inventory-database-software that you have had success
with?

No, I haven't used any of that software -- I make my living writing
software, and have used barcoding as part of client apps.

 

[RVB Systems Group]

I see. Can you tell me the brands and models of scanners that you have had
the best results with? Also, the scanners I've read about appear to have
their own inventory-database-software; can you tell me the name of a
particular inventory-database-software that you have had success with?





- Show quoted text -

RVB Systems Group has created an Access based inventory and asset
tracking system called Track'Em. It includes a USB scanner for $395
or a portable scanner for $895. You can learn more at
http://www.barcode-solutions.com/trackem.html or call me at (919)
362-5211.

Regards,
Bob Brown
RVB Systems Group