- Overview
- Scanner Recommendations
- Scanner Considerations to Make
- Printer Recommendations
- Choosing Your Printer
- Printer Considerations to Make
Overview
Flex can work with virtually any modern barcode scanner which can have “scan rules” applied, and can otherwise be connected to a computer or mobile device as an input device, which transmits scans in plain text.
Flex does not currently integrate with scanners on an API level.
Before you purchase your scanner, we recommend also reading: Configuring a Barcode Scanner
For simplicity, best compatibility, and to eliminate the need to create your own scan rules, we strongly suggest choosing from the list of recommendations found in this article, or on our BarcodesInc.com partner page.
Scanner Recommendations
We recommend certain scanner models which we have tested for functionality, and for general compatibility and reliability. Flex provides basic support for scanner configuration- reference the documentation included with your scanner for issues not covered in the Flex Help Center.
For optimal use with Flex it is strongly recommended that you utilize a “scan rule” or “suffix-prefix” rule.
Not doing so will require you to manually click the barcode field and press enter for every scan.
See our BarcodesInc.com partner page for all options and more information
1D Preferred Barcode Scanners
2D Preferred Barcode Scanners
2D & RFID Preferred Barcode Scanners
NOTICE: If your barcode scanner is not one from our preferred list, you will need to program the prefix and the suffix of the scanner with the following rules: Configure prefix: using combination of shift/6 (For US ANSI Keyboard Layouts) or caret (^), then Configure suffix: return or Carriage Return (CR)
For some scanners these resources will be printed in the user guide or programming manual which may or may not have been included with your scanner. For some scanners, you must use a program for your computer to generate the scan rules. Check your scanner manufacturer’s website for more details.Scanner Considerations to Make
We recommend considering where your scanning stations will be placed and what kind of mobility you want when scanning before purchasing equipment. For some customers, a corded scanner works fine. But for others, a cordless scanner is the ideal choice. Paying the extra cost for the cordless scanners is entirely up to you.
Printer Recommendations
See our BarcodesInc.com partner page for all options and more information
Choosing Your Printer
In theory, any modern printer that Zebra currently sells and provides support for will be functional with Flex. Given this, you can compare the different printers Zebra manufactures to see which one will best suit your needs.
We recommend specifically the Zebra ZD, and older GK series printers, as we have found them to be very well suited to this application. Be sure the model you choose is capable of a network connection, either through Ethernet or WiFi.
Furthermore, we recommend a printer that can print both Thermal Transfer and Direct Thermal.
- Direct Thermal is a printing process where the “ink” is already in the label itself and is revealed by having heat applied to it- We recommend polypropylene labels for Direct Thermal.
- Thermal Transfer is a process where the “ink” is on a separate roll from the label, and is applied by heat. We recommend resin ink ribbons, and polyester labels for Thermal Transfer.
Check local label printing suppliers near you to see what’s most easily available and cost effective for you!
Printer Considerations to Make
There are some important considerations to make when you are planning to set up a label printer with Flex.
- Assume one label size per-printer
- While you can assign multiple label sizes to a single printer, you must change out the labels themselves to print different sizes, a process which can be time consuming. Having one printer per label size saves you this time and the potential mistakes of sending the wrong size for what labels are currently installed.
- Consider Label Size
- Consider the size of the majority of the equipment that you would like to place a label on, and consider what size label would best fit the equipment, along with any additional information you may want to include on the label, such as your organization’s contact information, logo, or additional information about the equipment itself.
- The default label templates provided are for 2”x0.5” and 2”x1” labels. (WxH)
- Technical Requirements
- Setting up a label printer with flex requires administrator level access to your organization’s network. Determine if your organization has a self-managed router or one managed by an IT company, and what is required in order for you to make settings changes.
- Flex also recommends having a Static Public IP Address.
To determine if you have this or not, simply contact your organization’s
Internet Service Provider.