V9 - Barcoding

SOS Inventory supports barcoding of items. The type of scanning is transactional. SOS does NOT support warehouse-style scanning via network scanners. A hand-held scanner with a laptop or tablet--or a device using the SOS Inventory iOS app--is required for mobile scanning capability. To scan data, simply put your cursor in the Item name field on the transaction, scan the barcode, and it will show up in that field.

Barcodes are supported only on the Plus and Pro plans of SOS Inventory.

To specify the barcode type and sizing for SOS Inventory to use when defining and printing labels, go to the Task bar and select Tools & settings > Configuration > Inventory > Barcode. SOS Inventory accepts Code 39, UPC, ISBN, and QR Code barcode types.

Adding barcode data to item definitions

Each item in SOS Inventory can be defined to include a specific barcode. The system will recognize the item by its name or the barcode when used on transactions.

Scan or type the barcode into the Barcode field on the item's Edit page. SOS converts typed text into a barcode upon saving the item. When the saved item definition is reopened, it appears as shown below:

Using barcodes on transactions

If an item's barcode is scanned or typed in the Item field of a line item, SOS Inventory will convert it to the name of the item.

In the example below, barcode 269GH-202507CB has been entered into the Item field on a purchase order.

Upon tabbing over to another field, SOS converts the barcode number to the item's name, [Sample] 1 L Le Parfait Jar, and imports other relevant data from the item definition into other line item fields. 

For other scannable data, such as serial numbers, lot numbers, or bins on shipments, pick tickets, transfers, adjustments, etc., place the cursor in the blank serial, lot, or bin field. Then scan the code to pull up that particular number. This method keeps you from having to scroll through a long list of ID numbers.

Barcodes can be shown on the PDF of any transaction simply by adding an appropriate merge field to a form template. Two mergefields are available for use with barcodes on form templates. One is «Image:Barcode», which uses the Barcode settings (Tools & settings > Configuration > Inventory > Barcode) to generate the barcode image. The other is «BarcodeText», which you will need to format using the Barcode font. You can get this font from Support.

Printing barcode labels

SOS Inventory provides the capability to print barcode labels for items by using a form template. If you have not created a form template for the type of barcode label you need, you will need to do so before you can print labels. See Form templates to find out how to build one or to use a predefined one from the Template library.

In setting up the barcode label template, the Form type field is most commonly set to Item. Use the Lot form type for a lot-tracked item to produce labels using the lot ID, the Serial item form type for a serial-tracked item to produce labels using the serial number, and the Bin form type for a bin label.

To print barcode labels for items or bins:

1. Locate the appropriate list from which you want to print barcode labels.
   1. Item form type. Use the Items list (Operations > Inventory > Items).
   2. Lot form type. Use the Lots list (Operations > Inventory > Lots).
   3. Serial item form type. Use the Serial inventory list (Operations > Inventory > Serial inventory).
   4. Bin form type. Use the Bins list (Operations > Inventory > Bins).
   5. A transaction form type. Use the appropriate transaction list under the Operations menu.
2. From the data record's Actions menu, select PDF.
3. When the pop-up window appears, choose your desired barcode label template from the Template field’s dropdown list, then select Generate.
4. A PDF of the barcode label will download, which you can then print from a label printer or standard printer, if producing a page of the same label.

Lot barcode labels can also be configured to print directly from an item receipt, shipment, or invoice. In this case, select the form type that corresponds to the type of transaction from which you want to create labels. 

If you need additional assistance with this feature, contact Support.

Scanning barcodes