I’ve received a few questions recently about at-home barcode solutions and how to send information from a barcode scanner to an Excel database on a home computer.  For instance, here’s one…

I do not seem to grasp how a bar code reader will scan the bar code label and send it back to Excel. Do you know about this?

This is actually quite simple and all it requires is a keyboard wedge.  I thought it’d be good to go over what a keyboard wedge is, how it works and what it can do for you.

Keyboard wedges can be either hardware or software wedges.  A hardware keyboard wedge is a device that “wedges” between the keyboard and computer unit and helps translate data read by another device into keyboard data.  When you use a keyboard wedge with a barcode scanner, it will convert all barcode characters to keyboard key strokes and send it to the database in use.  The computer actually thinks that any data scanned is being typed in on the keyboard.

A software keyboard wedge offers the same benefits, but in a different way.  A software keyboard wedge connects directly to the COM port and not to the keyboard.  Data from the barcode scanner is sent to the COM port and is rerouted to the keyboard buffer.  Once again, the computer believes the information is coming directly from the keyboard.

Many barcode scanners, like the Intermec SR60 pictured above, come equipped with multiple interface options including a keyboard wedge.  The keyboard wedge is a low-cost answer for those wishing to implement a simple barcode solution and it’s also perfect for in-home use with PC’s.  For more complicated barcode solutions it’s always a good idea to talk to a systems integrator.  If you have any questions about hardware, software or pricing, you can use the tab at the top of the page to contact a systems integrator who sponsors barcode.com.

In a past Question of the Week I explained how you can Search for Barcode Information Using GEPIR, but what do you do if it’s the other way around?  How do you find a UPC with only a description of the product? I’ve had a few people send in this question and thought this type of search might be of use to other readers.  UPC Database not only offers a search of UPC’s to find product information, but also a search by description to find the product UPC.  The question I received today mentioned searching for music cassette UPC’s, so I decided to test the search.  I typed in a band name (in quotes) and sure enough the results displayed cassettes as well as CD’s released by the band.  I heard that Amazon.com is requiring UPC’s or EAN’s on products now, so hopefully this search will come in handy for a lot of you.

I’ve had several questions recently about how to find more information about a product based on its barcode.  Several questions mentioned barcode country codes, so I thought it would be helpful to explain what these codes actually identify and give somes tips on finding more information.  Barcode country codes identify the country in which the manufacturers unique ID was assigned.  These codes don’t necessarily indicate the country where the product was made.  This is important to realize if you’re trying to determine where a product you purchased was manufactured.

GS1 provides an online search for those of you that wish to learn more about a product just based on its barcode.  The Global Electronic Party Information Register (GEPIR) is a database that contains basic information for over 1,000,000 companies in over 100 countries.  GEPIR allows you to search by Barcode (GTIN), Container Code (SSCC), Location Number (GLN), or Company Name.  I think this resource is a great first step for those of you that want to know more about a specific product or simply a mystery barcode.

I received this short and simple question the other day….although there isn’t much to the answer, I’m making it a Question of the Week because I’m going to take a closer look at Code 39 in the next couple of days.

QUESTION:

Is barcode 3 of 9 the same as Code 39?

ANSWER:

Yes, code 3 of 9 is one name for Code 39.  It is also known as barcode 39, 3 of 9 barcode and more.

Keep reading to catch my post A Closer Look at Code 39!

I thought this was a good Question of the Week, for now I’ll provide a simple answer, but I’ll take a closer look at this symbology in the next few days.

QUESTION:  We are a rapidly growing company and recently we have decided to use barcoding on on our boxes to increase import and export efficiency. We will be using the UPC-A style barcode, but we would also like to barcode our case packs. Does the barcode have to be different so that when scanned it specifies that the carton is a master or a case pack? If so what type of barcode will it be?

ANSWER:  You can barcode your case packs with an SCC-14 barcode. This symbology is used for fixed content shipping containers and is also known as Shipping Container Code (SCC) among others. It is a 14 digit number based on UCC/EAN 128.  You can calculate an SCC-14 barcode from your UPC-A number.  I’ll be providing more information about this symbology in a few days, so keep on reading!