Some general pre-requisites that are needed in order to use the full functionality.
- 1. User Permissions
- 2. Access the Dispatch module and check in and out equipment via:
- 3. Configuration of Email and PDF Printer
- 4. Inventory Numbers and Barcode Font
1. User Permissions
Access to the Dispatch Module is permission based.
Set the permission of Advanced Users in Object Manager > User > Modify User window > Permission Profile > Edit > Permissions window.
- Dispatch Module: Access: Yes
- Can Edit Dispatch Reports: Yes (Optional)
- Allow Modifying Booking Days After It Is Dispatched
For Web Users set the permission in Object Manager > User > Modify User window > Edit > Web Profile Manager:
- Dispatch Access Through Desktop Client (Not Resources/Clients)
- Dispatch Limited Mode
- This Web Permission and Password setting have been added to establish a workflow where certain Web Users can only scan equipment on existing, prepared Check Outs to get them ready for pickup, and certain Web Users can then set the Ready Check Outs to Dispatched Status using this Password.
A Web User with this Limited Mode enabled will be able to use the Dispatch Module in the farmerswife Desktop Client application to:
- scan existing Objects on existing Check Outs
- print Check Out and Check In Reports
- create New Check Ins
- create New Check Outs - so equipment can be sent from one warehouse to the other
- modify any Custom Fields that have been loaded into the Dispatch previously
- edit the Note field on Dispatches
He won't be able to:
- modify anything on the header of existing Check Out, e.g. Dispatch Name, Pickup Contact, ...
- remove any Objects from existing Check Outs if it is not his own Check Out.
- change the Status of the Dispatch - unless he knows the Limited Mode Password, if it has been set.
- access Dispatch Settings
- access and change Custom Field templates in Checkouts or Check Ins
"Limited User Mode Change Status Password" setting:
This new setting has been added to Toolbox > Settings > Server Setup > Dispatch Module.
Click here to set a password that you can give to certain Web Users to be able to do any Check Out Status Changes. Once set, the password won't be displayed by clicking on it, but it is stored.
Web Users with Dispatch Limited Mode will be able to click on the Status of a Check Out and change it from e.g Ready to Dispatched, however User will be prompted: "Please Enter Password'.
If no Password is defined, the Status field will be blocked for Web Users with Dispatch Limited Mode. Only Web Users with no Dispatch Limited Mode and any Advanced Users with Dispatch Access will be able to change the Check Out Status.
To reset a Password, just click on the "Limited User Mode Change Status Password" in the Toolbox > Settings tab > Dispatch Module and type in a new one.
- Dispatches: Can Access: Yes
- Can View Reports: Yes (Optional)
Web Users can access the Dispatch Module through the Desktop version of farmerswife and check out the pending Dispatches in a Desktop computer rather than on the iOS device.
If Media Management is also licensed, access to the Desktop version can also be given for the Media Library. Rates can be hidden if necessary.
2. Access the Dispatch module and check in and out equipment via:
- The keyboard on a computer.
- A barcode reader connected to the desktop version of farmerswife.
- The iOS’ camera (Barcode scanning with the camera will work from iOS app 5.0.840 again).
- An iOS device connected to the iPhone or iPad that can be separately purchased:
- iScan – Wi-Fi barcode scanner (http://www.mobilogics).
- aScan – Bluetooth barcode scanner (http://www.mobilogics.com.tw/ascan.html). )
3. Configuration of Email and PDF Printer
Please enable Allow Mail and the PDF Printer Settings in the Server Setup > General tab.
Please refer to the following articles:
Email and notification types and PDF Print Server Side Setup.
4. Inventory Numbers and Barcode Font
First download the free 3 of 9 barcode font by copying the link below into your web browser: http://www.squaregear.net/fonts/free3of9.shtml
At the bottom of the window click on ‘Download Free 3 of 9’ and save the zip file on your desktop.
* From the author Matthew Welch: ‘3 of 9 (sometimes called "code 39") [is] a widely used barcode standard that includes capital letters, numbers, and several symbols. […] Most kinds of barcode scanners will recognise 3 of 9 just fine. […]Two versions of 3 of 9 are included. The font called "Free 3 of 9" is the basic 3 of 9 standard. It includes letters and these symbols: $ % + - . and /. The font called "Free 3 of 9 Extended" covers the extended 3 of 9 standard. It includes all the ASCII characters.’
If you are running on Mac OSX 10.5 (Leopard) you will need to install the extended version 3 of 9 standard.
Install Free Barcode Font
To use Barcodes in farmerswife please follow the steps below on every computer with a farmerswife Client installation that has a barcode reader connected or which will be used as a label generator.
- On Windows
Unpack the zip folder onto your desktop then copy and paste the files into the ‘ Font’ folder which is usually accessible from the Start Menu -> Settings -> Control Panel-> Fonts. - On Mac OS X
Unpack the zip file onto your desktop. Then go to the Finder-> Services-> Font Book. In the Font Book click on the plus sign at the bottom of the ‘Font’ column. Select the fonts from the ‘3 of 9’ folder you previously downloaded and unzipped to your desktop.
To select the installed barcode font click on the selector bar below ‘Barcode Font:’ and select the ‘Free 3 of 9’ font from the drop down list. Click ‘OK’ to finish the operation. You’ve successfully installed the barcode font.
Barcode Readers / Scanners
There are several types of barcode scanners that are compatible with farmerswife client application.
By default most barcode readers automatically enter a CR (Carriage Return) suffix after each correct read. Therefore when looking for a barcode scanner it is important that the reader can be set to NOT send the CR after each swipe, since farmerswife just expects number/characters. The input is confirmed by manually by pressing Intro or Return.
Bluetooth barcode scanners in use by clients:
- Inatek - BCST-70 Barcode scanner (https://www.inateck.com/bcst-70-bluetooth-wireless-barcode-scanner-with-35m-range.html)
- Datalogic PowerScan 9500 (http://www.datalogic.com/eng/products/manufacturing-healthcare-transportation-logistics/hand-held-scanners/powerscan-pd9530-pd-602.html)
- Datalogic Gryphon M4430
- Motorola LI4278
https://www.dustin.dk/product/5010780403/li4278-1d-bt-usb-kit-black-cradle-without-power-cord?ssel=false&LGWCODE=5010780403%3b90883%3b5443&gclid=Cj0KCQjw0pfzBRCOARIsANi0g0sd3k489VO19552DmpNwjbrGkZ8d-ZSfrxlcq6Gi_ZpHNV_51vhqCsaAk7JEALw_wcB
Other barcode scanners in use by clients:
- Albasca Barcode Scanner MK-1000 + Stand (https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B00346EF8A/ref=oss_product | http://www.albasca.com/produkte/mk-1000cu.html)
Barcode Reader Check Up
After the installation of the barcode font please follow the steps below to test the connection of the barcode reader and check if the font is properly installed in your system.
First check that a barcode reader is correctly connected to the machine you want to work with. Check also that you have the correct drivers (if any) and that it lights up for the operation.
To perform the test please print this page first, then open a blank text file (Wordpad, MS word,
notepad, text editor) and test if you are able to read the following barcodes. Scan the codes
and check if the numbers that appear in the text file match the numbers displayed next to the
barcode.
If you are not able to read the codes please check the configuration manual of your barcode reader, and check thoroughly that it was properly set up and the use of the CR suffix is disabled. Check also with the manufacturer of the barcode reader if there is no seemingly known reason for non-operation of the hardware.
After you have disabled the use of the CR suffix of the barcode reader, please test that the barcode reader is setup correctly. Perform the test above again and after a few scans you should see a continuous string of characters, e.g. 1351234554321974324
If the test was successful, open a farmerswife and make sure that you are able to enter a
code successfully, as described above. Simply click in a field in farmerswife where you want
the result of the barcode to show and then swipe the barcode.