[Info-vax] Hand scanners and VMS.

[IanD]

On Friday, July 22, 2022 at 8:35:20 AM UTC+10, Jan-Erik Söderholm wrote:
> Hi. 
> 
> We/I currently struggle with somewhat of an issue. 
> 
> Our VMS system has for 30+ years received inout from traditional 
> hand scanners. From the very begining it was those pen-like 
> barcode scannes where you needed to "draw a line" over the barcode 
> to read it. HP made some popular models at the time. Today it is 
> of course modern "camera based" scanners that read anything from 
> usual 1D barcodes to 2D codes like QR. 
> 
> Now, these have always been connected to terminal servers and 
> our VMS system connect to the IP adress and IP port that matches 
> the RS232 port on the terminal server. Long ago this was LAT and 
> we connected a LTA device pointing to the node and service 
> of he RS232 port, but LAT or TCP is totalt transparent to the 
> applications. From the very start (11/730 time frame) it was 
> actually physical TXAnnn serial interfaces, but our application 
> design has stayed the same using the same QIOW calls. But that 
> was before my time... 
> 
> After switching to network based equipment a long time ago, it 
> has been boxes from DECserver 200, DECserver 90 and different 
> kind of Lantronix equipment. 
> 
> Now, the current hardware, "Lantronix WiBox", a two port terminal 
> server with Wifi and everythig, has gone out of market. I have 
> the replacement box "Lantronix SGX 5150" and test scanner 
> "Honeywell Xenon 1950" on my desk. The scanner is currently 
> connected to the USB-C port of the SGX 5150. 
> 
> One additonal issue is that hand scanners using RS232 are getting 
> harder to get with longer delivery times, USB scanners are not so. 
> 
> They have also moved RS232 from two DB9 connectors to two RJ45 jacks 
> so one usually need an additional adapter cable... 
> 
> Now, I have some issues to set this up, but I have a case open with 
> Lantronix support so let's not get into those details. 
> 
> Lat me just ask, isn't there anyone else having a need to scan 
> products in an assembly line for reporting purposes? 
> 
> We just need a scanner hanging on the wall that the user can 
> grip, scan and hang it back. This needs sub-second response 
> time, no logins and "always" beeing available for use. 
> 
> It seems as the market thinks that, if you have a hand scanner, 
> you also absolutely have an PC to connect it to. 
> 
> Now, I'm sure that it will work by having the RS232 optional 
> cable from Honeywell, but that is not as easy to find as the 
> standard USB cable. 
> 
> So, how are others having reporting needs using hand scanners 
> from production lines solving that need? 
> 
> Regards, Jan-Erik.


I'm no expert on scanners but I have read a number of lengthy discussions around PLC's vs Raspberry Pi's in production environments

The consensus is that PLC's are in a world of reliability that Raspberry Pi's cannot even get remotely close to

Depending on the frequency and needed reliability of the hand scanner operation, maybe a hand scanner to a PLC might be what the doctor ordered?

https://www.rtautomation.com/product/scndr/

I have no idea about the environment the hand scanner is operating in, maybe a hardened PC will suffice, but if the environment is harsh, then from what I've read, PLC's are the VMS equivalent to maximizing uptime

When I worked at StarTrack (logistic company) they had a huge setup with scanners on conveyor belts handling 1000's of items per minute but their handheld scanners were I think BlackBay hand scanners?

They are more for delivery persons than on a fixed corded solution, maybe they have a corded option?