Barcoding - Where to start?

headley27

My company is using Navision 3.7a and we are looking to introduce barcoding to improve warehouse efficiencies and reduce errors when shipping and receiving. I have a couple questions:

I read about the 'Advanced Distribution Barcoding' granule in an old post. Is this what I should be looking at or should I be looking at 3rd party software.

I assume at this point we will want to:
* Use handheld scanners (wireless or data upload via cradle)
* Use existing barcodes where available (we are a distributor, but do some light manufacturing)
* Add Barcode Labels to bins (small items) and to manufactured product where labels do not already exist.
* Add Barcodes to Reports (i.e. Pick Slips)
* Etc ???

I am moderately proficient at programming Navision (with much credit to this forum). Is implementing barcoding an easy task or is it typically a difficult process?

If a specialist and/or 3rd party software is recommended, what would those recommendations be? We are in the Greater Toronto Area.

Is barcoding with Navision typically an expensive endeavor?

Thank you very much in advance.

aka_USAPA

A barcode is just a font in Navision. The most common font is 3 of 9. For example, if you want to print an Item No. in barcode, you would use "No." in the SourceExpress property of the text box, and "Barcode 3 of 9" in the FontName property. That's basically all there is to it.

As far as your expense, you might have to come up with more details than that. Needless to say, you'll spend some $$$ on your handhelds. The type of connectivity to Navision will also play a role (batch or live). You may need a label printer as well. That's about it on a nutshell.

Savatage

aka_USAPA wrote:

The most common font is 3 of 9. For example, if you want to print an Item No. in barcode, you would use "No." in the SourceExpress property of the text box, and "Barcode 3 of 9" in the FontName property. That's basically all there is to it.
.

Don't forget your stars!!!
SourceExp: '*'+"No."+'*'

There are a few Barcoding solutions in the download area of Mibuso.
Barcode Generator actually creates a BMP of several types of barcodes (depending on your needs) and you import the pic into your report for printing. It's instant & seemless.

headley27

Thanks aka_USAPA.

I'll start looking into that.

Can you or anyone point me in the direction of how I make the handhelds talk to Navision and vice versa? Just generally, I can look into details thereafter.

Is this built into the Navision 'Advanced Distribution Barcoding' granule or will I need other software?

Thanks again.

Savatage

also take a look at
http://www.lanhamassoc.com/ADCSWhse.htm

nunomaia

If you have ADCS granule I recommend to check it also.

headley27

So to make a long story short....We had a lot of trouble with our Microsoft Partner and I will need to find a new one. I have talked briefly with Lanham Associates and am told that they do not sell directly, I will need to contact a reseller.

While I am sourcing a new Microsoft Partner (I have a couple in mind), can anyone shed some light as to approximately what the startup cost would be for a couple of wireless scanners with the ability to receive, put-away, pick and ship product using Navision 3.7? I know that this is a hard question, but just generally speaking, assuming there are no 'gotcha' scenarios, just a simple, easy installation.

Would this be a costly endeavour?

I'm still rather in the dark with this one.

Thanks again.

Stardust77

I have tried some time ago to implement the ADCS from 3.70, but have not succedded. It seems to me that the ADCS for 3.70 is not working properly. I have tried to get some help from this forum, but eventually I gave up and decided to create my own application, which is now in the testing phase.

The approximative cost for two handhold devices, radio transmiter, antenna, and other accessories should be around 4200 Euro.

The total cost (hard + soft + implementation) for a third party software was about 18000 Euro.

I hope this will help.

lockwc

headley27 wrote:

So to make a long story short....We had a lot of trouble with our Microsoft Partner and I will need to find a new one. I have talked briefly with Lanham Associates and am told that they do not sell directly, I will need to contact a reseller.

While I am sourcing a new Microsoft Partner (I have a couple in mind), can anyone shed some light as to approximately what the startup cost would be for a couple of wireless scanners with the ability to receive, put-away, pick and ship product using Navision 3.7? I know that this is a hard question, but just generally speaking, assuming there are no 'gotcha' scenarios, just a simple, easy installation.

Would this be a costly endeavour?

I'm still rather in the dark with this one.

Thanks again.

Have just implemented a bar code solution with wireless scanner. Main costs is the scanner and the program for it to store the data before sending to NAV. Total budget about 20-30K for scanner and application. On NAV, is pretty simple once you get all the scenarios lockdown.

Stardust77

lockwc wrote:

Have just implemented a bar code solution with wireless scanner. Main costs is the scanner and the program for it to store the data before sending to NAV. Total budget about 20-30K for scanner and application. On NAV, is pretty simple once you get all the scenarios lockdown.

:shock: 20-30K for scanner and application? How many scanners?

merlyn

[Lanham has a product called E-Receive that allows you to assign size and weight by bar code at the time of receiving. See http://www.lanhamassoc.com/e-receive.htm for more information.

itequote="headley27"]My company is using Navision 3.7a and we are looking to introduce barcoding to improve warehouse efficiencies and reduce errors when shipping and receiving. I have a couple questions:

I read about the 'Advanced Distribution Barcoding' granule in an old post. Is this what I should be looking at or should I be looking at 3rd party software.

I assume at this point we will want to:
* Use handheld scanners (wireless or data upload via cradle)
* Use existing barcodes where available (we are a distributor, but do some light manufacturing)
* Add Barcode Labels to bins (small items) and to manufactured product where labels do not already exist.
* Add Barcodes to Reports (i.e. Pick Slips)
* Etc ???

I am moderately proficient at programming Navision (with much credit to this forum). Is implementing barcoding an easy task or is it typically a difficult process?

If a specialist and/or 3rd party software is recommended, what would those recommendations be? We are in the Greater Toronto Area.

Is barcoding with Navision typically an expensive endeavor?

Thank you very much in advance.[/quote]