Barcoding and Scanning

We are in the very beginning stages of evaluating the benefits/necessity of barcoding and scanning in our warehouse and in our production areas where applicable. The only barcode/scanning application we use right now is Visual's BTS Labor module.

I would greatly appreciate and value all the input I could get from members of this community who have already implemented this. It would be very helpful to know how you are using it, such as receiving, put away, picking, etc. Also, I would like to know what software interfaces you are using/recommend to do the scanning, such was Visual BTS Material Mgmt. software or a different third party. Do you use wireless scanners, etc.?

Hope I am not asking for too much. Just trying to benefit from the wisdom of those who have expertise in this area.

Thank you!

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Comments

unknown

I originally posted the above request for input on barcode/scanning. However, I did not receive any responses from this. Maybe I asked too many questions or too broad of ones. I am trying this again. Can anyone give me feedback (positive and/or negative) on the following software vendors, qdata/RFPlus or Saberlogic/VeMobile? Also, besides Visual BTS, is anyone using or know of any other software that interacts/interfaces with Visual? It appears the choices are limited! Again, I appreciate any advice/feedback you can give me.

unknown

Just so you know some people are listening, I see your post but don't have barcoding implemented. Sorry.

unknown

Feel free to send me an Email. I went thru this roughly a year ago. I set up the BTS here with my company for physical inventory.

derrick@color-master.com

[Updated on 4/16/2015 10:13 AM]

unknown

We use BTS here too and cannot wait to be rid of it.
1. You need licenses for BTS from Infor.
2. Assuming you have licenses, BTS is a DOS based app (VMBTS.EXE)
3. VMBTS is configured via an associated VMBTS.INI file.
4. There are settings under APPLICATION GLOBAL relating to labor transactions, prorating for operators running multiple scheduler resources (machines, etc) at once, vs 1 to 1 type shops)
So assuming that is all set up, next is
5. How to actually scan barcodes.
You have pretty much only 1 out of box choice: USB or "wedge" type bar code scanners connected to a pc (via keyboard wedge, IBM Tport, even old PS2 wedges exist if your machine has one still)
6. If you want to extend to wifi/bluetooth or other handheld types of scanners (i.e. Symbol/Motorola MC9190_ on Visual 7.x or lower version of BTS you need to purchase a 3rd party TELNET SERVER (I recommend Georgia Softworks UTS product myself: www.georgiasoftworks.com/.../overview.php) in order to "extend" the DOS app for labor or material (both labor and material transaction types are supported within VMBTS natively) onto Symbol, Motorola, and other barcode scanners.
7. If you want it to run on iPad's, Galaxy's or other "tablet operating systems" you cannot at this time. Soon, Visual 8 developed on Centura Developer Environment of 6.2 and higher will be released, and behind that in 8.1 or something they will be redeveloping the BTS into a new web graphical developer tool (also by Gupta/Centura) called "TD Mobile" and with that Richard Lagoy and Frank Maglio said in this video (Sign up to see Visual 8 presentation for free: www.infor.com/.../20150331-erp-experience-visual8)just last week. So if you are a paid maintenance customer - I would just wait my friend.
8. If you need it now - then go the PC to USB handheld scanner. Use Windows 7 or higher and it'll be pure plug n play and vmbts works quite well with it. It is how we track labor (clock in, clock out, number of widgets completed or deviated (bad), check status of current workorders, etc stuff like that.
9. Next to last is a very important piece needed for these to work: Each workstation running vmbts.exe needs an ODBC connection to your production database. I recommend you use a GPO to push it out to stations automagically. Otherwise "shop" machines will require some special set up steps when new pc's are delivered to your floor. On a SERVER a "transaction processor" called VMBTSLBR.EXE must run - and here is where problems arise with this whole BTS technology: If the processor crashes - then the scanned tickets just pile up in a buffer, and never make it to the database so in time, operators cannot clock in or out, until it is reported and IT can fix the transaction processor vmbtslbr. Conversely if you are doing labor AND material in BTS then TWO processors are needed - vmbtslbr.exe for LABOR and vmbtsivt.exe for MATERIAL respectively.
10. For LABOR transactions only - there is one more option and it too supports USB or wedge connections to computers. It is a "native Visual module" so does not use these crash-prone transaction processors. It is called WEDGE and it is not accessible from the vm.exe menu at all! In your executable directory where vm.exe is located, find VMBCLABR.EXE - but this too requires a license of course, and Infor tells me that BTS licenses are interchangable at no cost between DOS bts and WEDGE seats.....just not with the same "license key" as it were. New keys for Wedge....but you have to ask Infor or your channel partner.

So there you go. Crash course in BTS.
In a nuthshell - if you can wait for Visual 8+ ..... I'd wait as the TD Mobile development will revolutionize Visual's barcode capabilities uber-fold. Finally!
If not, make sure your licenses are all straight in App Global....then buy some ~$100 (US) Symbol USB scanners (linear barcode style for Code 39 font type or whatever), set up vmbts.exe via it's INI, set up Application Globals appropriately for your site for labor goodies, correlate settings within and set up vmbtslbr and/or vmbtsivt for labor/material processors so their settings match App Global and run those on a dedicated machine - Infor does not recommend these run on your "visual server" these days - at least not with 6.5.4 or higher versions.

Did I forget anything? Yeah.....probably. There are lots of pieces to this barcode puzzle in Visual unfortunately. You can contact me directly at support(at)ancorp.com if you want to reach me directly and have more questions.

unknown

Been using BTS since 2005, and am friends with the q-data team. Feel free to call me at 631-471-2900 x122. Way to much for me to type.

unknown

Quick notes...

6. If you want to extend to wifi/bluetooth or other handheld types of scanners (i.e. Symbol/Motorola MC9190_ on Visual 7.x or lower version of BTS you need to purchase a 3rd party TELNET SERVER (I recommend Georgia Softworks UTS product myself: www.georgiasoftworks.com/.../overview.php) in order to "extend" the DOS app for labor or material (both labor and material transaction types are supported within VMBTS natively) onto Symbol, Motorola, and other barcode scanners.

- I use the windows telnet services... works perfect and its free ... allows for a max of 4 connections...

unknown

there are pros and cons of both the BTS product and qdata product.
i was on the development team for the BTS product back in 2000. if your a engineer to order company and you want labor and shipping it works well.
If your warehouse to order company and you want pick and pack qdata works really well also

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