Unique Business Challenges and General Discussion

[phonelady]

We have MAS 90 release 4.4; we do not have the barcode module

Currently we use Label View software to print barcode labels for our inventory. We have the item number field connected via ODBC to MAS so the product description prints on the label. We also have a field for our PO number, and all the data writes back to a database so we can always tie a serial number to a vendor. (labels are die cut and our s/n is placed on product).  Because we sell new and refurbished equipment, sometimes we print the barcode label as soon as we receive the product and sometimes we do not print a barcode label until we refurbished the product because the part number may change as we discover what release of software a part is during the refurbishing process.  This part of the process works reasonably well, but we only have one barcode printer (Datamax), so it does mean some extra running around the warehouse, and as we grow the business this is becoming a bigger concern.

Our bigger pain point is shipping. While all our inventory has a serial number on it-- our inventory in MAS is not serialized. Currently we scan the pertinent information into an access database. This has become cumbersome because sometimes we scan the manufacturers serial number as well as our s/n and sometimes we don't.

What type of solution should we be looking for? Is there a way to scan the data into MAS without having the Barcode module?  And of course we need to balance functionality and cost.

Thank you for your time!

[DFeller]

You do not need the Barcode module to scan data into MAS and you do not need it to print barcode labels. This is one of the biggest misconceptions of the Barcode module.  You would need the barcode module if you were using handhelds to bring in P/O receipts and other transactions.

You should be able to get a cheap scanner (couple hundred dollars) to scan data into fields in MAS 200.  Wireless scanners are more money, but the basic concept is the same -- it converts barcodes into what you would key in using a keyboard.

Dawn

[BigLouie]

A few thoughts for you.

1. Get another bar code printer - You have indicated you have only one and this results in a lot of extra running around. Why have you not purchased any more?

2. As Dawn pointed out the Bar Code module is greatly mis-understood. You don't need it to scan info. You use it to import files that are exported from hand helds.

3. Why have you not setup items as serialzied if in fact they are?

4. A large portion of our inventory is serialized and we use cordless scanners at each shipping station to scan the serial numbers into shipping data entry. Remember scanners are just a substitute for keyboard entry. They are NOT some type of magic wand where all info is magically sent to data entry. You just scan the serial number instead of manually entering the number. If you have scanners then all you really need to do is convert your inventory to serialized, enter the serial numbers into the system and your good to go.

5. Talk and review with your reseller.

[phonelady]

Thanks for the feedback, I appreciate it.

If we want to scan the serial numbers into MAS during Shipping data entry, but not have serialized inventory (long list of reasons not to do it), is that possible?    We have basic scanners now, clear on that concept.

[BigLouie]

Into what field will you be scanning the serial numbers into? Any field you can manually enter data into you can scan into.