Inventory Project w/ Barcode Scanner

[frostbyte]

Hey Technibbler's.

I will be doing inventory soon of all the computers we have onsite. I need to use a barcode scanner to scan the barcode on each computer to collect the serial number.
The serial number needs to be collected in an excel spreadsheet. I also want a label printer to print out this serial number.

I need the process to be one step. Then to the next computer.

Can anyone help me determine the simplest way to do this with the fewest steps possible?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Blues]

So you want to scan the barcoded serial number and print a label from that scan with just the trigger of the barcode scanner is that correct?

 

[VISA MC]

You could probably get creative with macros in Excel. Program your scanner to add a carriage return after the scan. Built a macro to convert that text to a barcode font and print it to a Dymo label writer or something like that.

 

[NviGate Systems]

You will have to configure your scanner to do a carriage return after scanning each barcode, this way you can setup your Excel spreadsheet so you can keep scanning one after another.

Most commercial barcode scanners have printable barcodes that will set various modes on the scanner. If your scanner doesn't support carriage return after scan, it will make the proccess more manual. I've used Honeywell scanners and older ones can be had for cheap on eBay.

I've used scanners with dedicated inventory apps on mobile devices but not in Excel.

 

[mattsnoddy]

You could probably get creative with macros in Excel. Program your scanner to add a carriage return after the scan. Built a macro to convert that text to a barcode font and print it to a Dymo label writer or something like that.

Was going to say this, an Excel macro could do it. A barcode scanner is essentially just a keyboard input to Excel, and after a cell is populated it can be scripted to print to Dymo or Zebra (or even a laser printer with a sheet of labels once the number of labels on the page was hit).

 

[VISA MC]

I've used Honeywell scanners and older ones can be had for cheap on eBay.

We use Motorola / Symbol LS2208 or the LI2208 if you have odd barcodes. The LS should be fine. Also it has the programming sheet in the box to make it do everything you need it to do as far as add carriage return.

 

[frostbyte]

So you want to scan the barcoded serial number and print a label from that scan with just the trigger of the barcode scanner is that correct?

Yes