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124 changes: 72 additions & 52 deletions content/applications/inventory_and_mrp/barcode/setup/hardware.rst
Original file line number Diff line number Diff line change
Expand Up @@ -4,64 +4,84 @@ Set up your barcode scanner

.. _barcode/setup/hardware:

Getting started with barcode scanning in Odoo is fairly easy. Yet, a
good user experience relies on an appropriate hardware setup. This guide
will help you through the task of choosing and configuring the barcode
scanner.

Find the barcode scanner that suits your needs
==============================================

The 3 recommended type of barcode scanners to work with the Odoo
**Inventory** and **Barcode Scanning** apps are the **USB scanner**, **the bluetooth
scanner** and the **mobile computer scanner**.

.. image:: hardware/hardware02.png
:align: center

- If you scan products at a computer location, the **USB scanner** is the
way to go. Simply plug it in the computer to start scanning. Just
make sure when you buy it that the scanner is compatible with
your keyboard layout or can be configured to be so.

- The **bluetooth scanner** can be paired with a smartphone or a tablet and
is a good choice if you want to be mobile but don't need a big
investment. An approach is to log in Odoo on you smartphone, pair
the bluetooth scanner with the smartphone and work in the
warehouse with the possibility to check your smartphone
from time to time and use the software 'manually'.

- For heavy use, the **mobile computer scanner** is the handiest solution.
It consists of a small computer with a built-in barcode scanner.
This one can turn out to be a very productive solution, however
you need to make sure that is is capable of running Odoo smoothly.
The most recent models using Android + Google Chrome or Windows +
Internet Explorer Mobile should do the job. However, due to the
variety of models and configurations on the market, it is
essential to test it first.

Configure your barcode scanner
==============================
Follow this guide to choose and set up a barcode scanner compatible with Odoo's *Inventory* and
*Barcode* apps.

.. figure:: hardware/barcode-scanner.png
:align: center
:alt: An image of an example barcode scanner.

An image of an example barcode scanner.

Scanner types
=============

Before setting up a barcode scanner, it is important to determine which scanner type best meets the
needs of the business. There are three main types, each with their own benefits and use cases:

- **USB scanners** are connected to a computer, and are suitable for businesses that scan products
at a fixed location, like at the checkout in a grocery store. Ensure the chosen USB scanner is
compatible with the keyboard layout of the computer.

- **Bluetooth scanners** pair with a smartphone or tablet, making them an ideal cost-effective and
portable barcode scanner option. In this scenario, Odoo is installed on the smartphone, allowing
warehouse operators to handle operations, and check stock directly through their mobile devices.

- **Mobile computer scanners** are mobile devices with a built-in barcode scanner. First, ensure the
device can run the Odoo mobile app properly. Recent models that use Android OS with the Google
Chrome browser, or Windows OS with Microsoft Edge, should work. However, testing is crucial due to
the variety of available models and configurations.

.. seealso::
`Compatible hardware with Odoo Inventory <https://www.odoo.com/app/inventory-hardware>`_

Configuration
=============

When setting up the barcode scanner, make sure the following configurations are correct so the
scanner can properly interpret barcodes with Odoo.

Keyboard layout
---------------

.. image:: hardware/hardware01.png
:align: center
When using a USB barcode scanner, match its keyboard layout with the operating system's layout for
proper interpretation of characters. Generally, the scanning mode should be set to accept a USB
keyboard (HID), with the language set based on the keyboard that is in use.

An USB barcode scanner needs to be configured to use the same keyboard
layout as your operating system. Otherwise, your scanner won't translate
characters correctly (replacing a 'A' with a 'Q' for example). Most
scanners are configured by scanning the appropriate barcode in the user
manual.
To configure the keyboard layout for a **Zebra** scanner, scan the keyboard wedge barcode for the
desired language in the scanner's user manual.

.. figure:: hardware/keyboard-barcode.png
:alt: Example of a user manual for keyboard layout.

Examples of keyboard language settings in the Zebra scanner user manual.

Automatic carriage return
-------------------------

By default, Odoo has a 50 milliseconds delay between each successive
scan (it helps avoid accidental double scanning). If you want to
suppress this delay, you can configure your scanner to insert a carriage
return at the end of each barcode. This is usually the default
configuration and can be explicitly configured by scanning a specific
barcode in the user manual ('CR suffix ON', 'Apply Enter for suffix',
etc.).
Odoo has a default 50-millisecond delay between scans to prevent accidental double scanning. To
synchronize with the barcode scanner, set it to include a *carriage return* (:dfn:`character like
the "Enter" key on a keyboard`) after each scan. Odoo interprets the carriage return as the end of
the barcode input; so Odoo accepts the scan, and waits for the next one.

Typically, on the scanner, a carriage return is included by default. Ensure it is set by scanning a
specific barcode in the user manual, like `CR suffix ON` or `Apply Enter for suffix`.

Zebra scanner
-------------

When using Zebra scanners, ensure the following keystroke configurations are set to prevent errors.

Begin on the Zebra scanner's home screen, and select the :guilabel:`DataWedge` app (the icon for the
app is a light blue barcode). On the :guilabel:`DataWedge Profiles` page, select the profile option
to access the Zebra scanner's settings.

Scroll down to the :guilabel:`Keyboard Output` option, and ensure the :guilabel:`Enable/disable
keystroke output` option is :guilabel:`Enabled`.

.. image:: hardware/enable-keystroke.png
:align: center
:alt: Show keystroke option in the Zebra scanner's DataWedge app.

Now, go back to the :guilabel:`Profile` options page, and select :guilabel:`Key event options`.
Here, ensure the :guilabel:`Send Characters as Events` option is checked.
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