[Info-vax] Hand scanners and VMS.

[Jan-Erik Söderholm]

Den 2022-07-25 kl. 04:12, skrev 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
> 

Yes, anyone knowing about PLC's would understand that.

> 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?

We do have that setup, if the workplace needs some additional PLC support

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

Connecting a scanner to a PLC is easy, it is just a standard RS232 port on 
the PLC and to use more or less any scanner. That page over-complicate things.


> 
> 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?

Found nothing about BlackBay. A link? Maybe BlackBerry?

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