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. In most scanners documentation this is typically referred to as "HID Mode", "Keyboard Emulation", or "Keyboard Mode".
Flex does not currently integrate with scanners on an API level.
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.
If you are using one of our preferred scanners, then the applicable “scan rule” is available below. Otherwise, you will need to create your own scan rule.
Preferred Scanner Setup
Click the link below that corresponds to your scanner. A document will open- either scan the barcode(s) from top-to-bottom on your computer screen or printed out if you are unable to scan your screen. If you encounter any issues feel free to reach out to Flex Support.
1D Preferred Barcode Scanners
2D Preferred Barcode Scanners
2D & RFID Preferred Barcode Scanners
- Zebra RFD8500 - See Configuring an RFID Scanner
Scan each barcode in the order printed on the configuration sheet. After configuring the barcode scanner, you might have to re-pair the scanner to the base station per manufacturer instructions.
If you can't find a configuration sheet for your barcode scanner, you can email the barcode scanner manufacturer and inform them that you need programming rules for the scanner that do the following:
- Send the "Shift+6" or "caret" key (^)
- Send the barcode
- Send the "Enter" key
Scanner Setup
If you are otherwise using a scanner which is not on our list of preferred scanners, then you will have to configure a scan rule yourself. In most cases, the scanner will have an accompanying user manual or “programming guide” which will contain all possible configuration values for the scanner. For simplicity, below we have listed the requirements- use your scanner manual’s index to quickly find the related information.
First- you need to set a value for information placed before the barcode that is scanned. In most cases, this is usually referred to as a prefix.
For the prefix, Flex requires a “caret” or the “^” character, with no quotes. On keyboards in the US (ANSI) this is Shift+6. The unicode value for the caret is U+2038
Next, depending on how your scanner must be configured, you may need to define that next is where you will insert the information the scanner has received from the scan, between the prefix and suffix.
Next you will define what is typically called the suffix. For Flex, we need to make this a press of the “Enter” key or a “Carriage Return”. This is entirely dependent on the scanner you are configuring. For some, this may be called an “Extended Key” and for others, it may simply be in the list of allowed characters and commands in your scanner’s programming guide.
For some scanners, defining the suffix is the last step in configuration, while for others, you must enter or scan additional values to instruct the scanner that the rule has been entered.