Introduction
Barcode scanners can be integrated with PerfectGym POSWeb in either Keyboard emulation mode or COM port emulation mode. The latter is much more convenient for both parties.
Before you start
Before installation always obtain information what kind of scanner a client wishes to have integrated in POS. Thanks to that, you will be able to properly prepare yourself i.e. download manuals, configuration software, drivers etc. Also ask client if drivers had already been installed.
List of configuration software:
1. 123Scan - Zebra scanners
2. Alladin - various Datalogic scanners
3. EZConfig, Metroset - various Honeywell scanners
If you can not connect a scanner with one of the above utilities, most likely you will need to configure it using configuration barcodes available in manuals for each type of scanner separately.
Instruction
1. Check if the scanner responds to card or product scans.
- Does it emit a beep when a card or product is scanned?
- Is the laser functioning properly (e.g., does it light up)?
2. Disconnect the device and reconnect it. Wait a few moments before reconnecting to allow the device to reset.
3. Go to Device Manager, if the device is shown with exclamation mark icon , update its drivers by right-clicking -> update drivers.
4. Open Device Manager and check how the scanner is currently connected - it can be found in either Keyboard or Ports (COM & LPT) section. If you can not see it, ask staff to disconnect it from the computer for several seconds and connect it back in. Look at Device Manager list for changes - if a specific device disappeared and appeared again, it means this is the one you are looking for. If the scanner is not shown in the device manager, it means that it is broken
5. If the scanner is in Keyboard emulation mode, you need to add a prefix ~ and end of line [enter] for POSWeb to capture scanned barcode.
a) once you have set up prefix and suffix, stop DeviceIntegrator service, open Notepad and ask staff to scan any barcode. If the scan appears in Notepad with ~ and [enter] you can set it up in POS.
b) if the device is shown as HID Keyboard device, make sure it is also set up as Keyboard scanner in POS settings.
c) check if the Keyboard scanner configuration in POS looks like below:
- BarcodeComRreader - Keyboard scaner
- Keyboard card reader propagates barcode scansK checkbox is ticked
- Keyboard scanner Prefix - Oem3
- Kayboard scanner Sufix - 13
- Keyboard Scanner Lenght Decoded - 0
6. If the scanner is in COM Port emulation mode, there is no need to set up prefix.
a) in order to test it, stop DeviceIntegrator service, open Putty and define the port of the scanner and click Open. Ask staff to scan a barcode. If the scan appears correctly, you can set it up in POS. If the scan shows "strange" signs, most likely you will need to modify baud rate.
b) If te device is shown as COM port, make sure the POS set up looks like below:
- BarcodeComReader - Voyager
- Barcode Use Fixed Port - checkbox is ticked
- Barcode COM Port Number - 1
- Barcode COM baud rate - 9,600
7. For more detailed information open the log BarcodeReader.log located in C:\ProgramData\Creadhoc\PerfectGym\Logs\DeviceIntegrator\YYYY-MM-DD
Hints
Despite the fact we have a list of compatible barcode scanners in the following article, if a client has a different model, it does not necessarily mean it will not work. Most likely it will so it is worth a try - emulate Keyboard or COM port using available tools or configuration codes and set it up in POS accordingly. If success, you can add specific model to the article. Notable omission from the article above is e.g. HF680 HONEYWELL that scans 1D and 2D barcodes (QR).
Barcode scanners in Keyboard emulation mode will not scan 2D (QR) barcodes. This is possible only with COM Port emulation.