Integrated software for barcode scanning

The office supplies cupboard, the nuts and bolts rack, the drawer of o-rings, the cleaning products cupboard, boxes of fuses, cable ties, swivels… The same actions are required for re-ordering all these kinds of product group. A description or item number and an order quantity is noted with pen and paper.

If there are any left in stock, then a description or item reference can be noted. If there are none left, then hopefully there will be a label at the product location stating the supplier’s item number, description, packaging quantity and so forth. The TradCom scanning application is eminently suitable for ordering this type of product, collectively known as floor stocks. Instead of noting details with a pen and paper, risking errors, the information is gathered by scanning. Re-orders are generated on this basis.

The scanner application at TradCom is an integrated solution. The advantage of this integration is that the correct prices and stock information can be called up at the same time. After all, this information is called up directly from the underlying suppliers’ ERP systems.

A little preparation is needed to enable scanning. The EAN code on the product can be scanned, for example. If there are no products left then this method evidently doesn’t work.

To prevent this, it’s essential to go through a number of steps (registered TradCom users can download the list of steps). The first step is to find out what is or should currently be in your floor stocks and provide those products with a TradCom barcode, which is different from the one on the product or packaging. In some cases, there is not even a product bar code available or the product is not suitable for bar-coding.

All kinds of barcode label can be created via TradCom. A number of standard templates are available. Using predefined templates, description, order unit, minimum order quantity and supplier’s item number are called up from the TradCom electronic catalogues. Customer-specific information such as rack location and required minimum and maximum quantities can also be included on the basis of an Excel file.

TradCom offers two scanner types. Your choice will depend primarily on the application required. The scanned data is processed with the TradCom ScannerApp PC software. The scanners are part of the integrated solution, with the PC software processing the scanned data.

It is not the ability to scan a barcode that is the limiting factor, but being able to interpret the data. After all, each barcode is a series of characters converted into a code of stripes. The PC software recognises the scanner, starts up TradCom (automatically) and processes the scanned information into an order proposal. As a registered user with the right authorities, you can process this order proposal into an order. No writing down numbers or descriptions any longer, always the correct prices, direct insight into whether the products are in stock at your supplier...

This solution is not limited to items in the TradCom catalogues. The stock control module also enables customer-specific information to be uploaded to be used to create barcode labels. These could be for spare parts for machinery, chipboard or even sweets. The order slip for these items can be printed out or sent by e-mail as a PDF document. The scanner solution can be expanded with a stock control system based on barcode scanning. Pre-programmed scenarios on the OPL9728 scanner allow you to control the structured issue and receipt of warehouse items. A stock-taking scenario gives you the option of paper-free stock-taking.

You can find detailed information on the TradCom scanners in the TradCom ScannerApp Manual.