Re: Handheld bar code scanners -- MIDRANGE-L

Hi Jeff,

We've been using the Telxon PTC-960sl scanners for about a decade now. At this point, they're pretty much out of date, and we really should be looking for a newer alternative -- but haven't had a chance, yet.

They are wireless (Wifi, 802.11b) scanners. They connect to our network via standard TCP/IP (over wifi) using the same network we use for laptops, et al.

They have a 5250 emulator, and a 5250 keyboard. They're set up to automatically connect to the '400 using 5250 and display a screen. The screen resolution in tn5250 is only 20x16, (IIRC) and that means that only a portion of the screen is visible at any given time. There are keys that let you scroll around the screen, if need be -- but we write custom menus and display files that only use a 20x16 portion of the screen, so the user never needs to scroll, since that would be a PITA.

Anyway.. when they scan something, it just goes into a DDS defined display file, which can be read by any HLL on i5/OS (we use RPG) and that RPG program can do whatever it wants to do with the data. It's definitely a two-way process -- in other words, you can output to the screen as well :) But, use due caution. A lot of the times, the users are pointing the scanner at something and pulling the trigger, and aren't really looking at the screen. So it's easy for a message to be missed.

In your "short term" scenario, you might save the data into a PF, and then later do a batch run from that PF. In your "long term" you might change that to process the data as it's scanned. Just a thought. Obviously, you'd need to have access points in place anywhere you need to scan -- but that might make a good "phase 1" in your warehouse modernization efforts.

Unfortunately, I haven't had a chance to look at specific models for the future, so I can't really answer your hardware questions.

Jeff Crosby wrote:

All,

We have some old Telxon PTC-600 handhelds that we have used for many many many many years to take physical inventory. The 'scans' are held in the Telxon while roaming the warehouse, then transmitted in batches to a receiving PC via phone line. The PC file is FTP'ed to the System i where it is parsed and handled and away we go.

I want to replace this system. The ultimate would be wireless handheld scanners and access points throughout the warehouse, but a full warehouse automation is not in the cards right now. I'm looking for scanners that will still batch the scans, but be able to transmit to the System i directly. And I want to be able to use them for wireless in the warehouse later on when the warehouse is set up for it.

Questions:

1) What are the good scanner brands these days?
2) How are they programmed?
3) We have 2 access points in the office. Couldn't the scanning take place in the warehouse, then, when coming to the office, tell the scanners to transmit?
4) Data transfer can be 2 ways, right?
5) How about the belt attached printers. Are those available that will print labels?

Thanks for any help.