BARCODE SCANNER

[kiLL6]

Hi

We will implementing NAV 5,but our client will using BARCODE SCANNER for their ITEM…My question is if we needed for Third Party Tool(ex. LSR) to use the Scanner? or NAV 5 can handle That with Third party…

hoping for your reply

TY

[ara3n]

Barcode scanner attached to computer work fine in Navision. You print your barcodes from Nav as well.

[Andy_Malkin]

We use Symbol radio frequency scanners, running MCL software. We have a dedicated PC running MCL-Net, which communicates with the scanners via the RF network, and also via ODBC to the Navision SQL database for on-line validation that the scanners request.

We then have a bespoke application written in Navision, which picks up scanned transactions from the dedicated PC (from a flat file), and uploads them to Navision. I would advise against letting the scanners update Navision directly. Control this using lots of error checking, using Navision code.

We used a third party to help us set all this up. It’s a lot of work to set up, but scanners are really useful for the users.

Andy

[kuhen]

Hi Andy

A newbie to NAV, Navision and this forum, I’m currently managing a project on a deploying a Fixed Asset System. Also, the company will soon be migrating its ledgers to NAV 2009 (currently uses Navision). I’m evaluating a number of fixed asset solutions, including NAV 2009’s Fixed Asset granules but the NAV evaluation is stalling a bit.

Issue

Our NAV partner does not have capability to integrate an off the shelf mobile barcode scanner and its software, yet to be bought, with NAV 2009 to track fixed asset lifecycle changes.

You mentioned that you used a third party to help you set all this up. It’s a lot of work to set up, but scanners are really useful for the users.

Question

Who was the 3rd party and how much did they charge?

Thanks

Vela Kuhen

[j.marselo]

first, in your process design, what the scanner will do and what/how you plan to update NAV? this is what you need to plan.
normally barcode is used to represent code or no… what the handheld will read is the code or no. of the item. then, you need a few more coding to allow updating into NAV.
i have made some automation tasks in production floor and warehousing using barcode to update journals in NAV.
but first, you need to describe further on your plan.

[kuhen]

Dear Joe

Thanks for replying. Attached picture illustrates how the two of the projects I’m working on (A Fixed Assets and a Helpdesk deployement) will come together to enable asset management in a more structured and controlled manner. The top of the picture shows the stages in asset life-cycle and the bottom part shows what happens when an asset is taken out for repairs and then gets redeployed. It’s not set in concrete, as we are yet to finalise the policies and procedures, but illustrates how asset management should work. If NAV is used, the green and red arrows are manual updates performed by relevant staff, as the two systems will not be integrated.

Note: Where it says “Asset Scanned” we need a barcode scanner that can scan and update the info.

I hope this answers your question. Please help.

Thanks

Kuhen

[j.marselo]

what you plan to do when ‘engineer sent to location’ and when ‘asset returned’?

it seems to me, you have 2 options, FA Reclass. Journal or Maintenance.
when you use FA Reclass;
you can use dataport to interface the bacode captured data into FA Reclass. table, and you automate the other required entries to other fields, then user can open the FA Recalss. Journal form and post. This is simpler but you don’t see the process.

• or -
  you can copy FA Reclass. Journal form to as new object, and modify it to allow to accept barcode entry from handheld. Still you need to automate required entries to other field, then user can post it.

when you use Maintenance procedure, the basic is the same, but you need to work with Purchase Invoice and Maintenance Registration. you can use dataport to update 2 tables, Purchase Invoice and Maintenance Registration.

[kuhen]

Hi Joe,

Thanks for the reply.

Question: How big of a taks is using " dataports" to reconcile barcoded database with NAV Fixed Asset granules.

If NAV is chosen, we’ll go for all fixed asset granules except insurance. Our NAV partner is estimating many thousands to develop NAV Fixed Asset granule compatability with an off the shelf barcode software and many thousands more if a non-NAV fixed asset solution is chosen.

As our accounting system is NAV 2009, which option is less developement intensive?

1. A non-NAV fixed asset solution (with a SQL DB and integrated barcode software) that needs to interface into NAV 2009’s account database on SQL or
2. A NAV fixed asset solution (with a SQL DB) that needs to interface into just a non-NAV barcode software

Whichever the system we choose will have to improve employee productivty at the right price but price alone is not the deciding factor.

Thanks

Kuhen

[j.marselo]

i cannot say precisely, but you need to talk with your consultant / partner, because the partner will do the work for you.
you need to clear yourself on the 2 parts involving barcode scanning, design and document it. so then when you meet partners, they can work with the simplest and most effective solution.

if you say, it involve thousands, may be what you describe is not the whole scope of requirement. it should be more complex than just scanning matter.

[kuhen]

Hi Joe - Thank you very much for the response. Apologies for my late reply.

One vendor with experience in integrating Navision fixed assets with asset tracking system says this is how our requirements would be met. On paper it works for us. Do you foresee any technical issues within NAV 2009 by following the below steps?

Thanks

Kuhen

1. New Stock

Items are scanned via the barcode scanner and salient information is included at the time of scanning on the scanner itself.

Barcode Scanner is downloaded using a simple desktop utility. The output file is in csv format

A script within Navision picks up the file and adds the new assets to the database (the vendor will work with our NAV partner, requires half a day’s work, on the scripting side)

2. Stock Movement

Items to be delivered to customers are scanned against a customer number barcode.

Barcode Scanner is downloaded using a simple desktop utility.

A script within Navision picks up the file and records the assets new location.

3. Stock Disposal

Items to be disposed are scanned

Barcode Scanner is downloaded using a simple desktop utility.

A script within Navision picks up the file and records the asset disposals (including reasons etc).

4. Asset Verification

Location details recorded on scanner either manually or via location barcode.

All items within the location are scanned

Barcode Scanner is downloaded using a simple desktop utility.

A script within Navision picks up the file and records the asset status (missing, found, relocated, as per database)

[j.marselo]

it’s basic operation. i believe it can work well for your company. also, it takes shorter time to develop the required dataport, or other object ; at least when compared to integrating to another barcode featured software into NAV.

good luck.

[kuhen]

Thanks Joe and Others for your considered responses. I’ll close this thread now.

[:D]