Topic Doc: Opticon Handheld Data Collector
RecTrac 3.1
Table of Contents
Document Summary
The Opticon Data Collectors are used to update inventory physical counts in RecTrac (overwriting the current Quantity on Hand for each item imported). The device connects to the host PC using a USB interface. In RecTrac, the Opticon Inventory Import program is used to import the data from the Opticon hand held device using a .txt file.
Notes:
- Vermont Integration Client (VIC) is not needed for this import process.
- Import files from multiple Opticon units can be used. Be aware that the file created from the Opticon will always have the same name, by default (DATA.txt), and that each time you export from the Opticon, the existing file will be overwritten with the new one. Therefore, files must be imported separately. For Example: You have a Pool and a Golf Course. To import Inventory from the Pool and Inventory from Golf Course using separate Opticon scanners, you would create an inventory file for the Pool and import it. You would the create a separate inventory file for the Golf Course and import that.
License - Maintenance Agreement
The Opticon Inventory Import program is free. Use of the interface requires a Vermont Systems license and annual maintenance agreement for RecTrac and the component modules discussed in this document. Prior to implementing any process outlined in this document, please contact the Vermont Systems Sales department at 1-877-883-8757 to verify that you are authorized to use the modules discussed in this document and if not, to obtain a quote and/or approval.
Setup Steps
This document will walk you through the basic steps required to set up your Opticon Data Reader and create an import file for the Opticon Inventory Import program.
If you have additional questions about the Opticon Inventory Import and Net032 setup and processing after reading this document, please contact Vermont Systems Customer Service by phone at 887-883-8757 or generate a Support Case through the Customer portal of the Vermont Systems web site using your Customer ID and password.
Before You Begin
This document is written with the following assumptions. If any of the items listed is NOT true, contact Vermont Systems Support prior to continuing.
- Your organization is running RecTrac 3.1.09.01 or greater.
- You have purchased at least one (1) Opticon Data Reader and have read product materials that were included in the packaging.
- Your POS Inventory Items have been created in RecTrac.
Opticon Data Reader Setup
Set Dip Switches on the Cradle
The dip switches (1–6) on the bottom of the cradle are used to control the communication between the cradle and the serial port on the host workstation.
- Turn the cradle upside down and remove the small cover on the bottom.
- Set the switches as follows.
Dip Switch | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
ON | ON | ON | ON | OFF | OFF |
- This will set the baud rate to 115200. If your port cannot communicate at this rate, then you will need to decrease the baud rate. Refer to the Troubleshooting section for a listing of baud rate options.
Install and Configure Net032 on the Workstation
Installation
Setup must be run on the client workstation from which you will use the Opticon unit.
DO NOT plug in or power up the Opticon cradle until instructed to do so.
The setup script for the Opticon unit is located on your RecTrac Server in <path to>VSI3\RecTrac\Programs\Third Party\Opticon\Net032.
- Copy the \Net032 directory from the RecTrac Server to a temporary location on the workstation on which you will install the Opticon unit. For Example: C:\Temp\.
- In Windows Explorer, create the following directory on the workstation: C:\Opticon.
- Still in Windows Explorer, browse to the location where you copied \Net032. Right-click on "SetupNetO32.exe" and Run as Administrator. The Setup Wizard will launch.
- Accept the defaults.
- At the licensed users prompt, select "All Users."
- Opt to create a Desktop Icon
- Click Finish when prompted.
- Plug the cradle into a power supply and plug the USB jack into an open USB port on your workstation. Windows will complete the setup.
Configuration
- In Windows, go to Start • Device Manager.
- Expand Ports (Com/LPT) and verify the Com port.
- On the workstation's desktop, run the NetO32 icon as Administrator.
- Go to Tools • Options.
- Set the Com Port to the correct value. For Example COM4.
- Set the Baud rate to "115200."
- Set IrDA Device to "None."
Click Image to Enlarge
- On the left-hand panel go to Protocol • Download.
- Click the Windows Explorer icon and change the receiving directory to "C:\Opticon." This is where the data file will be created when data is sent from the Opticon to the workstation.
- Set the Download files option to "Overwrite."
Click Image to Enlarge
- Click Apply.
- Click OK.
- Click Protocol • Start.
- Leave the program open and running on your desktop.
- Place the Opticon Data Collector in the cradle to charge.
Configure the Opticon Data Collector
Note: Refer to the documentation that came with your Opticon Data Collector for a description of the buttons, LCD menu items, and navigational instruction.
Once the battery is charged, complete the following steps to configure the Opticon's protocol, baud rate, and date/time settings.
Set the Protocol
- Remove the Opticon from the cradle.
- Press the Clear button until you reach the Scan Labels menu.
- Press the Up button until you reach the System menu.
- Press the Enter button.
- Press the Up button until you reach the Communicate menu. Then press the Enter button.
- Press the Up button reach the Protocol menu. Then press the Enter button.
- Press the Up button as needed and then press the Enter button to place a check mark in the "Net0 Protocol box. This will overwrite any other protocols that may have been selected.
- Navigate back to the main menu using the Exit options.
Set the Baud Rate
- Press the Clear button until you reach the Scan Labels menu.
- Press the Up button until you reach the System menu. Then press the Enter button.
- Press the Up button until you reach the Communicate menu. Then press the Enter button.
- Press the Up button until you reach the Baud rate menu. Then press the Enter button.
- Press the Up button until you get to "115200." Then press the Enter button.
- Navigate back to the main menu using the Exit options.
Set the Date and Time
- Press the Clear button until you reach the Scan Labels menu.
- Press the Up button until you reach the System menu. Then press the Enter button.
- Press the Up button until you reach the Date/Time menu. Then press the Enter button.
- Press the Down button. At the Set Date & Time menu, the cursor will be beneath the first digit of the Time. Change the value as needed. Refer to the documentation that came with your Opticon, if needed.
- At the Date field, use the buttons to set the current date using dd/mm/yyyy format.
Note: By default, the Opticon uses dd/mm/yyyy format. When the DATA.txt file is imported into RecTrac, the system will change the date to the date format as determined on your Static Parameters profile.
If you fail to change the date on the Opticon, then the date on on the import file will be invalid.
- After entering the time and date, navigate back to the main menu using the Exit options.
Perform a Test Scan and Save the Net032 Protocols
Perform a Test Scan
- Press the Clear button until you reach the Scan Labels menu.
- Scan a bar code and enter a quantity.
- Repeat as necessary to create a few more test scans.
- Navigate back to the main menu using the Exit options.
- Navigate to the Send Data option.
- Place the Opticon in the cradle and press any button. The data will transfer from the Opticon to your receiving directory.
Save the Net032 Protocols
- In Windows Explorer on the Workstation, browse to C:\Opticon.
- If the transfer was successful, you will see a DATA.txt file. Open it with Notepad and confirm the scanned bar codes and quantities are present. You may have to scroll right to see all the data.
- The import file is a comma-delimited .txt file that contains the UPC number, the count entered, and the date/time stamp. Depending on the Make and Model of your Opticon, the import file may contain additional information. The only fields used by RecTrac are the UPC number and count.
- Return to the Net032 program on your desktop.
- Go to Protocol • Stop.
- Go to File • Save As....
- Select to Save the configuration (nsf file - Icon) to the Desktop. This will create a new NetO32 icon. The new icon will have an arrow image on it. This is the icon that will you will use for the data file transfer going forward.
- Exit the program.
- Delete the original NetO32 icon, as it is no longer needed.
Delete Scanned Items from the Opticon
You will need to delete the scanned data prior to performing the next inventory physical count. Do not delete the information stored on the Opticon until you are 100# sure the items were imported into RecTrac.
- Press the Clear button until you reach the Scan Label menu.
- Press the Up button until you reach the Delete Data menu.
- Press the Enter button.
- Click Save to save your changes.
- Navigate back to the main menu using the Exit options.
Run the Opticon Import in RecTrac
Note: The following steps assume you are importing a single inventory DATA.txt file only. If you are importing multiple DATA.txt files (i.e. import files created from separate Opticon units), then you do not need to stop and restart your Net032 program. You may leave that running between imports.
Remember: When using import files from multiple Opticon, be aware that the file created from the Opticon will always have the same name, by default (DATA.txt), and that each time you export from an Opticon, the existing DATA.txt file will be overwritten with the new one. Therefore, files must be imported separately. For Example: You have a Pool and a Golf Course. To import Inventory from the Pool and Inventory from Golf Course using separate Opticon scanners, you would create an inventory file for the Pool and import it. You would the create a separate inventory file for the Golf Course and import that.
- Use the Opticon to scan the UPC codes on your Inventory Items.
- Launch your Net032 program on the workstation where you will create the import file.
- In Net032, go to Protocol • Start.
- On the Opticon, navigate to and select Send Data.
- Place the Opticon in the cradle and press any button on it. The unit will create the DATA.txt file in C:\Opticon on your workstation.
- The import file is a comma-delimited .txt file that contains the UPC number, the count of that UPC code, and the date/time stamp. Depending on the Make and Model of your Opticon, the import file may contain additional information. The only fields used by RecTrac are the UPC number and count.
- When the import file has been created, go to Protocol • Stop.
- Exit Net032.
- In RecTrac, open the Opticon Inventory Import program.
- Click the File Explorer icon and browse to and select the import file. By default, the DATA.txt file will be in C:\Opticon. Your setup may vary.
-
Optional Click the Picklist icon to select the Warehouse to which you are updating physical counts of your Inventory Items.
Note: If opting to use a Warehouse, then only those Inventory Items with a matching UPC Code linked to the Warehouse selected will appear in the Records Found in Database DataGrid, and the Physical Count on the Warehouse record will be updated. The Physical Count on the POS Inventory Item, itself, will NOT be updated.
If opting not to use a Warehouse, then the system will display any POS Inventory Item with a matching UPC Code and the Physical Count on the POS Inventory Item, itself, will be updated. When not using a Warehouse, the system also takes into account any UPC prefix codes you may be using on your Location profiles.
- Accept the value in the Post Date field ("today's" date) over overwrite as needed.
- Click Validate. The Records Found in Database DataGrid will populate with all items with a matching UPC Code as discussed above. Any UPC Codes not found in the database will appear in the lower DataGrid.
- Review the Records Found in Database DataGrid. It is color-coded.
- No Highlight - "Exact." The physical count in RecTrac matches the count from the Opticon import file.
- Gold Highlight - "Short." The physical count in RecTrac is higher than the count from the Opticon import file.
- Red Highlight - "Over." The physical count in RecTrac is lower than the count from the Opticon import file.
- Optional If changes are needed, then highlight/select the record in question and click Change You will proceed to the Opticon Record Update screen where you can change the New Quantity on Hand value (i.e. the count as recorded on the Opticon import file).
- Click Post when ready. You will continue to the Opticon Dialog screen, where you can either continue with the Post or reset all "on hand" values to "0." When opting to Continue, the system will update the Physical Count fields for your Inventory Items.
Note: If opting to use a Warehouse, then the system will update the Physical Count on the Warehouse record.
If opting not to use a Warehouse, then the system will update the Physical Count on the POS Inventory Item, itself.
- Optional Make selections in the Report Output andCost Option fields and click Print Variance to print a posting journal.
- Exit the program or repeat these steps as needed to import another DATA.txt file.
- Delete the scan data from your Opticon unit prior to using it again.
Troubleshooting
Com Port
If the download fails, check your workstation's com port. A com port can be reset if you disconnect the USB from the workstation or for other reasons. To verify the Com Port for the USB:
- In Windows, go to Start • Device Manager.
- Expand Ports (Com/LPT) and verify the Com port.
If the Opticon device is NOT listed, then you may need to re-run the Net032 installation. Refer to Install and Configure Net032 on the Workstation above.
Baud Rate
If you are having communication issues between the Opticon and RecTrac, you can slow the Baud rate down. Use the table below to set a different baud rate on the Opticon.
Click Image to Enlarge