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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At this point, they're pretty much out of date, and we really should be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.
midrange.com
