Barcode Scanner Recommendation

[billpq]

I could use some advice on selecting a bar code scanner to purchase for the following application:

I want to scan a barcode label, then on the scanner enter a quantity, location code, and then enter a letter code and then have that record imported into a blank Excel worksheet that will get manipulated elsewhere. The same barcode may end up being scanned more than once during the day, and the only record that will matter will be the most recent scan.

The person doing the scanning shouldn't have to know anything about Excel, or importing, converting, etc. Ideally the scanner would be cordless and connect to the PC wirelessly if that isn't too expensive. The data doesn't need to be made available in realtime, but I'd like to be able to easily dump whatever has been scanned at least hourly.

I know this is a pretty simple and common application, so if anyone has any history with scanners and the software that comes with them, I would really appreciate any advice.

Thanks!

 

[Smitty]

Actually I'm working on a barcode project right now with Symbol LS2208 general purpose scanner, and it is wireless. I think they're about $125-ish.

They are programmable (scanners in general) and will easily interface with Excel, and the user doesn't have to know anything. Note that an incoming scan didn't trigger a Change event, but I did get it to work with a Calculate event. Each scan can be tagged with a time stamp too (that's probably a default). Once the scan's in Excel you can use formulas to parse out the information and bounce that against lookup tables.

HTH,

 

[billpq]

Thanks for the reply.

I don't see any type of keyboard on this scanner... how would one enter the quantity, location, etc., after it is scanned?

Also, it says this scanner is wired, not wireless... is wireless an option or different model?

Thanks!

 

[Smitty]

If you look it up on the Motorola website you'll find the user's manual. It explains how to do it. Essentially you program it by reading in barcodes from the setup manual.

First you build your barcoding methodology and find a barcode font for Excel. You'll print your barcodes from there. Then you scan the barcodes you created and the scanner interpolates them based on the variables that you scanned in during setup.

In the case all the scanner does is act as a keyboard emulator. Whatever's been scanned in is then input into Excel one key at a time based on how it's translated the barcode. So if the barcode reads "123ABC" the scanner is going to tell Excel to accept those keys.

As for wired/less I can't speak to that - Iim sure you can find both.