Barcode Reader

When dispatching and returning equipment, RentalDesk NX can receive barcode scans from any reader connected to the computer via a serial (COM) port or which can 'emulate' connecting to a serial port (for example, most USB barcode readers have this capability built in). In the case of the latter, you may need to refer to your barcode reader's manual to ensure that it is correctly configured. Barcode scanners that connect to a serial port are oftern referred to as 'RS232' scanners.

Settings:

These need to be specified for each machine that you run RentalDesk on.

·	COM port: select the port that you know your scanner is connected to or is emulating a connection to.

·	Baud Rate: typically this value is 9600; however refer to your barcode reader manual and ensure that RentalDesk NX uses the same value as your reader.

·	Parity: typically this value is NONE; however refer to your barcode reader manual and ensure that RentalDesk NX uses the same value as your reader.

·	Data Bits: typically this value is 8; however refer to your barcode reader manual and ensure that RentalDesk NX uses the same value as your reader.

·	Stop Bits: typically this value is 1; however refer to your barcode reader manual and ensure that RentalDesk NX uses the same value as your reader.

Wireless / Portable Scanners

Most serial (RS232) scanners will simply have a longish cable that plugs directly into a computer. However, it you want a bit more flexibility then some wireless options might be availble to you:

1.

RF (Radio Frequency) Barcode Scanners. Typically these will have a base station that plugs into the computer (this is the serial/RS232 connection) and the wireless scanner then communicates with its base station which then forwards the data (scan) to the computer. The better quality the system, the further away from the base station you will be able to be. However, you should be aware that if RentalDesk NX gives any feedback after the scan (e.g. barcode not recognised) which MUST be answered before any further actions can be carried out, then you may be too far away from the machine to notice.

2.

Batch scanners. These portable scanners can store batches of scanned barcodes in their memory, enabling you to walk around the warehouse, scanning as you pull equipment off the shelves. When they are then connected to the computer (remember this connection must be via a serial port) then the data is dumped to the port and RentalDesk NX will deal with each barcode as it comes in. However, you should be aware that all the barcodes being dumped to be only for the currently selected equipment list in RentalDesk; if you mix scans for different equipment lits you will be bombarded with prompts such as, 'This type is not required on this list - do you want to add it?'.

Troubleshooting

It is a common convention with serial port scanners to send the barcode data to the computer with a 'carriage return' terminating characters. This enables applications monitoring the port for incoming data (e.g. RentalDesk NX) to know that a whole barcode has just been captured so that it can then be processed accordingly. If you find the RentalDesk has problems recognising barcodes scanned you may need to refer to the manual for your scanner to ensure that it is correctly configured. For example your scanner may be sending two terminating characters: 'carriage return' and 'line feed'.