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CipherLab 8000

The Cipherlab 8000 is a handheld scanner that is used to perform a physical inventory for the ProfitSystem. The high-level flow for a physical using the Cipherlab 8000 scanner is as follows:

  1. Start a new physical inventory in the ProfitSystem.
  2. Scan bar codes using the Retail Inv. program on the Cipherlab 8000 handheld reader.
  3. Upload the scanned bar codes to a text file on the computer.
  4. Import the scanned bar codes into the ProfitSystem.
  5. Finally, update the ProfitSystem inventory.

The complete process is documented in the Physical Inventory Process.

Getting started - Set up the Cipherlab 8000 Scanner

The scanner comes with a charging cradle. The charging cradle has one charging USB cable that connects to a power brick for charging. The data USB cable connects to a USB port on the computer.

Connect the data cable with the large connector to the back of the charging cradle. The connector is keyed and can only be inserted the correct way. Do not connect to the computer yet.

Connect the charging USB cable to the smaller plug in the back of the cradle. The other end of the charging USB cable plugs into a power brick which plugs into the wall.

The handheld scanner comes with the battery uninstalled. Remove the back of the handheld scanner and insert the battery. Make sure the contacts on the battery match the contacts in the back of the handheld scanner.

Place the handheld scanner in the cradle to charge.

Install the Cipherlab 8000 Software

There are two programs that should be installed on the Windows computer for the scanner.

Download https://bblsystems.com/downloads/v2_CP210x_VCP_Windows_v6.7.zip Extract the contents of the zip file to a folder on the PC.

Locate the CP210xVCPInstaller_x64.exe file within the zip file and run it.

Accept the defaults and install the driver.

Once it finishes installing, connect the data USB cable to a USB port on the computer.

In the Windows Device manager (Start->Run devmgmt.msc) you will see a new COM type device.

The actual COM# will vary. Make a note of the COM#.

Download https://bblsystems.com/downloads/Forge_Batch_8_Series_Install_v2.01.zip

Extract the contents of the zip file to a folder on the PC.

Locate the Forge_Batch_8_Series_Install_2010005.exe and run it.

Accept the defaults and install the software.

Collect bar codes using the Cipherlab 8000 scanner

  1. Turn on the handheld scanner by holding the power button in the lower right corner of the keypad #1
  2. On the menu shown on the screen, select "1. Collect using" the up and down arrow keys #7
  3. Press Enter #4 to select the option.
  4. Using the arrow keys #7, select the Retail Inv. program. Press Enter #4 to select it.
  5. It will prompt for bar code. Point the scanner at a bar code and press the large trigger button #5. This will scan the bar code.
  6. It will prompt for a quantity. Enter the quantity and press Enter #4 to save the scan.
  7. Repeat steps 5 and 6.
  8. When you are done scanning, press the ESC #6 key to cancel the scanning process.

Upload bar codes using the Cipherlab 8000 scanner

  1. On the scanner, select the 2. Upload option from the menu.
  2. Place the handheld scanner in the cradle.
  3. In the Window Start menu, locate 8 Series Batch AG program and start it.
  4. Within the Forge AG software, select the Transfer menu, then the Direct-Link Data Transfer option.

  1. On the Data Read page, make sure Cradle-IR is selected, and the COM Port is set to the port # from step 5 above. Also, set the Directory to your Documents folder using the Browse button. The image shows ProgramData, that can be used as well, but it's easier to find the uploaded file if it's in the Documents folder.

  1. Press the Start button.
  2. The scanner will transfer the data to the PC. It will display create a text file in Documents folder and display the results using Notepad.
  3. On the handheld scanner, it will prompt Delete Data:
  4. Choose "2. Last One" and press Enter. This will delete the last set of data uploaded.
  5. You can import the uploaded bar code file into the ProfitSystem using the "Import physical count file" option.

Update firmware on Cipherlab 8000

If the applications won't download to the device, and the message relates to the AGX version, you may need to update to a later firmware (.SHX) on the device.

Download the correct .SHX file for the particular model. As of 12/2023 the run times are located at https://www.cipherlab.com/en/download-c2055/AG-Runtime.html

  1. Press 8 key and Power key to turn the terminal and get into Program Manager.
  2. Please select “Download"
  3. Please choose one empty slot to set download interface parameters.
  4. Connect the terminal to PC via cable or cradle.
  5. Please execute ProgLoad.exe on PC and set interface parameters.
  6. Open (Browse) and select an .SHX file you want to load.
  7. Click OK to load the file.
  8. Once the file is loaded into a slot, select Activate on the menu to make it the active sofware on the device.