Marty,

Something else for helping track Inventory Items, is the user defined fields. Those fields are also searchable and can be included in reports. So if you need additional information for a particular Inventory Item you can use those field. I use them all of the time. My staff initials their work and other data. I can sort by each field and determine who has done what. Pretty handy.

Judy/blue

Marty,

I'm not sure they are available for loan. I have them buried in the back warehouse and they are fairly certain I will never unbury them

Judy/blue

Judy is right about using the user defined fields.I labeled the first one for a barcode number. I have several hundred new and used remote controls I'm liquidating. I used a program to print barcode labels in numeric ascending order with the number visible right below the barcode. I put the remote controls in plastic bags attached a unique barcode to each of them. I created a inventory item for each of them and used a scanner to input the barcode number into the user defined field. When the item is sold it is very easy for me to find the correct remote. It works well for me.
Larry

Larry,

How exciting!! We have talked about the possibilities of scanning barcodes into AW2K. I am so glad you posted you are actually doing it. That is way too cool!!

What brand of scanner are you using? And do you import the barcode numeral into the User field via a CSV file?

Judy/blue

I too use barcodes but in a slightly different way. If I have a large collection that is going to sell as a unit rather than being broken down it gets a b/c number. It is placed in a box put on the shelf and the box has the barcode on it. If there is a carton of an ecclectic mixture of stuff it too gets barcoded. Anything that is either bulky and goes as one item, or if it is a logical unit it gets a barcode. I do the same thing - print out the numbers on the barcode so they are human readable. However, remember my references to cheapo? Hmmm? well
I use the avery teeny tiny labels (Avery # 5167 and the size is 1/2 x 1 3/4) I have a program done by Avery that prints labels. And wonder of wonders it has a barcode section in it. Sooooooooo that's what I use. I generate the barcode number based on my formula. Print out the label/or labels. Usually three of each. The number that is generated is readable on the barcode and that number goes into the reference ID section of aw2k. I have a pen type reader and just swipe the code when I'm going to pick up something for shipping to verify that I have the right one and it shows on the little printout on the edge of the scanning pen.

The Barcodes really help a lot and it also takes away a LOT of searching through stuff to find what I thought was on that shelf. It works well. As I said in another post everything doesn't get the bar code but a number made from supplier etc.

Garry

Judy:
There is a barcode reader - again it looks like a large pen and it makes the 'puter think it is a keyboard. SO when you swipe a barcode it decodes it and types the numbers where ever you want them in the 'puter - such as the Reference ID number or any of the user defined fields - as long as the cursor is on the line the barcode scanner pen will place the numbers right there. It is so slick

Garry

Garry,

That is slick. And that is what I was after. I do not use barcodes, although with this huge tool supply I am liquidating, I am beginning to think it might have been a better idea.

All our product is labeled using the Stock Inventory Item numbers generated by AW2K. But I am seriously looking at a barcoder for some of these larger stocks we get in. AND if I am so lucky as to get the actual Inventory in an Excel spreadsheet so I can import it, I could add the barcode to the reference id field. Which would be sooooo slick and handy.

Judy/blue

Judy:
Do not each of the hardware items already have a UPC number? The program (free from avery) will generate the UPC code for you and print it on stickers. The pen reader will read the UPC code also.

There also is a web site that will translate a UPC code for you if you are not sure what the code belongs to.

If you use the current UPC code that is on the tool you won't have to generate yet another funky set of numbers.

Garry

Garry,

Yes they do have UPC codes. And actually Dale & I are sitting here at the computer. I showed him how you and Larry are doing yours. And we were just talking about how the UPC code would be much better. The way the staff is doing it right now is becoming a challenge to identify product as some are so close.

Judy

Garry,

And we talked about using the UPC code in the beginning. But in the beginning the entire hardware store was not coming to our facility. Only a small portion. But I ended up with the entire thing, which is fine. I had already started another method. But now, I am going to have to change methods as it is becoming a challenge.

For instance, safety glasses. We have Uvex and Willson. I have every single style and color that Uvex makes. The product number for each color in each style is only 1 digit different. And hand keying it in, the staff is forever transposing numbers. Then no one can find it again. The UPC code would eliminate that problem.

It is funny you all started talking about it. Dale is home this week from traveling and he and I were just talking about changing to using UPC codes.

I think I have the Avery program on my old server at the store. I am just positive it is there.

Judy/blue