When it is time to check your equipment to your customer, the process may be done from the equipment list, which may be accessed from the Job Book, the Hire Book or the Warehouse Book. There are several ways to check out the equipment depending on your particular needs.
The information HireTrack requires is an exact quantity of how many of a type went out and was checked back. Barcodes may be scanned if you wish to know the exact unit that was sent to the customer, but it is not required. A mixture of item barcodes and typecodes may also be used to speed the check out/in process.
Barcode Scanners:
There are 2 basic styles of barcode readers; Those that scan a barcode and instantly update HireTrack, and data collectors that store all of the barcodes internally, and are downloaded to the computer and then imported into HireTrack.
Real time readers:
Real time barcode readers read a barcode, and then immediately send the information to the computer. This reader is typically connected on a serial port (USB or 9 pin) on the computer. However, some barcode readers may plug into the keyboard port on your computer and then your keyboard is then plugged into the same connector. These are called "keyboard wedge" barcode readers. Serial readers may require some configuration such as configuring a com port on your computer. Once configured, you will need to configure HireTrack to know which com port the signal will be arriving, which in most cases is Com Port 1. This is done by selecting Launch in the menu and then choose serial setup. Keyboard wedge readers typically require no configuration, and the scanning of a barcode is entered as if you had typed the barcode. Check your owner's manual for your reader to learn how to configure baud rates, and the placement of carriage returns at the end of a scan.
Data Collectors
Data Collector Barcode Scanners are scanners that are not part of your computer network and store the information locally on the device. The unit is then connected to the computer and the information is then downloaded to your computer where it is then imported into HireTrack and the equipment is then checked out or in. Any data collector can be used, however the recommended unit is the Symbol MC-50 Barcode Reader. These units operate on the Windows Mobile® Operating System(WMOS), and Navigator System has developed software for the WMOS, which will store the barcode scans for several equipment lists. When the information is downloaded and imported into HireTrack, all the equipment lists will be checked out.
Note: Users must be diligent about downloading their data to insure proper scanning, as no problem scans such as an incorrect or unknown barcodes will be apparent until the unit is downloaded.
