Portable Tricoder

Refer to Programming a Tricoder for information concerning the programming of the portable bar code reader.

There are a few steps involved, explained within this topic, to update the computer's inventory with the Reader's count information.

Note:

The following instructions assume that you are using a Worthington Data Solutions' TriCoder to perform your physical inventory.

Do the physical inventory with the reader (assume Tricoder is programmed by BBL).

Phase 1

Disconnect the reader from the computer (if it is connected) and turn it on. Press the F1 key until it asks:

DATA COLLECTION?
KEY [YES/NO]? Press the YES key. It will ask:
PROGRAM NO?
The system is asking you for a program number.
KEY [0-3]?
Press 2.

The Tricoder will prompt for a inventory Style/Sku code.

You are now ready to collect data with the reader. During the physical inventory the reader will be asking for two bits of information. The item code of the inventory and the quantity on hand. You can quickly enter the item number by scanning the wand over the bar code found on the garment tag. Enter the quantity by pressing the appropriate number on the reader's keypad, then pressing Enter on the reader's keypad.

You may have several inventory entries of the same item number. Just move the wand over each one separately (with quantity of 1), or move the wand over the first item and key in the correct quantity. Either way, the computer will update the permanent inventory properly.

Once you have completed the physical inventory data collection, press F1 on the reader's keypad at the reader's Enter Item No. prompt. This action will exit you out of data collection where you can turn the reader off or proceed with transferring the data to the computer.

It is not necessary to complete the physical inventory data collection in one session. You could do it over several days if the store is closed for that period. The reader maintains the data with its batteries until you are ready to upload the data to the computer and delete the data in the reader.

To resume data entry with the reader from where you left off, just turn it on. Press the reader's F1 key until it asks:

DATA COLLECTION?
KEY [YES/NO]?
Press YES on the reader. It will say:
DATA FILE EXISTS
HIT ANY KEY
Press the YES key. You are now ready to resume the count.

Phase 2

Once the physical inventory is collected with the portable reader, plug the reader into the computer. We assume here the reader has previously been installed on your computer.

Phase 3

Go to Main->Housekeeping->Inventory Setup->Physical Inventory->Physical Inventory Entry ( if Program 1 was used).
Go to Main->Housekeeping->Inventory Setup->Physical Inventory->Import Physical Count (if you used Program 2, the newer batch count update program).

You upload the portable reader's inventory information into the computer via the Virtual TriCoder Utilities.

To upload the data, turn on the portable reader and press the F1 key until it asks you: DATA UPLOAD?
KEY [YES/NO]?
Press the YES key. The reader will say:
UPLOADING DATA
PLEASE WAIT

Once the data entry is completed, the portable reader will ask: END OF TRANSMIT
DEL FILE [Y/N]?_

The reader is asking you to delete the data file that was collected with the reader. Press the YES key. The reader will ask:
ARE YOU SURE?
KEY (YES/NO)?_
Press the YES key.

Once the data has been uploaded, proceed to Step 2 of the Physical Inventory topic to run the exception reports.