Barcode Maker: Barcode Studio V9.3 released

Just a short notice for Barcode Studio users: V9.3 is available for download, it introduces the following new feature:

• EPS files may now be generated with embedded TIFF preview.

And fixes the following bugs:

• Fixed the problem with auto-resizing PDF files.
• Set the missing resolution settings and reduced the image file sizes (TIFF Export).
• File extension is now always adapted to the chosen image type (Data List Export).
• It is now possible to load files that do not have a file name extension (Mac OS).
• CMYK color settings can now be used directly for EPS generation (Mac OS Color dialog).

Many thanks to the HP SmartStream team for their valuable feedback!

Users of Barcode Studio 9.0 or higher may update to this version free of charge.

Download it here: Barcode Studio V9.3 (Windows), Barcode Studio V9.3 (Mac OS X - Universal Binary for PPC and Intel), Linux (on request)

Read More

Using a Software Wedge with Citrix XenApp

The Requirement:

Recently a customer of TEC-IT reported some troubles when using the software wedge TWedge on a tablet PC (running XP-based Windows Embedded) in combination with Citrix XenApp v11.0.0.x.
The customer was looking for a solution to connect a Bluetooth barcode scanner (from Intermec) with a legacy database application. Scanned data should be transferred to an input field followed by a TAB key. The database application in question is hosted by an ASP and provided to the tablet PC via XenApp from Citrix.

The Problem:

The initial problem was that the scanned barcode data was not reliable transferred to the database application - scanned data was not transferred completely.

The Solution:

The clipboard-functionality of TWedge solved the problem. Instead of simulating single keystrokes based on the scanned data the barcode value is copied into the clipboard and then pasted to the Citrix client. Thereafter a TAB key is simulated. One very important point in this approach is to use some short delays between the single commands. These delays are required to allow Windows and Citrix messaging to work correctly. Here is the OnData() script of TWedge:

CopyToClipboard (DATA);         // copy barcode data into the clipboard
Sleep (50);                     // allow clipboard value to settle
SendKeyStrokes (CTRL, "V");     // paste the clipboard to Citrix
Sleep (50);                     // wait until pasted
SendKeyStrokes ("{TAB}");       // press the TAB key
Sleep (20);                     // wait until TAB was processed

Hope this helps other customers too!

Read More

How to Suppress Duplicate Barcodes or RFID Tags with the Software Wedge?

The Problem:

Maybe you are familiar with this scenario: You are connecting a barcode scanner, an electronic scale or an RFID reader to your computer. When capturing data it turns out that the device is sending identical values multiple times. This happens if the user scans a barcode repeatedly, a scale sends the weight of the item periodically or if a RFID reader reports the value of a RFID tag at regular intervals.

The Solution:

TWedge provides a very flexible and elegant solution to this problem. The software wedge can be customized to suppress multiple, identical values easily: Just save the last data value received from the device and compare it with the current one. Forward the device data to target application only if these values are not identical. Here is the script:

The Software Wedge Script:

OnStart() is the perfect place to initialize the last received data value (sLastData) with a null value. OnStart is executed when device communication is initialized (e.g. the serial port was opened):

// This script is executed whenever communication is started.
// Use it to perform one-time initializations like opening a file or a database connection.
// message informaing the user what this sample is good for
MessageBox("This script demonstrates how to suppress duplicate data packets from a device.\n\nSometimes devices like barcode scanners or RFID controllers are sending the same data packet multiple times. This very useful feature just forwards unique values to the target application.");
sLastData = null;   // initialize with a value which is never received from a device 
nDuplicates = 0;    // set the number of duplicates to 0

OnData() is executed whenever device data is received. Compare the current data value (stored in DATA) with the last one (sLastData). In this example keystrokes are only simulated if these two values are not identical:

// Check if the current device data is identical to the last one
if (DATA != sLastData) 
{
  SendKeyStrokes(DATA);   // not identical: simulate keystrokes
  sLastData = DATA;       // set the last value to the current one
  nDuplicates = 0;        // increment the duplicate counter (for info only)
}
else
{
  nDuplicates++;          // duplicate received, just display an info-message
  NotifyInfo ("Duplicate data received. The value " + DATA + " was suppressed " + nDuplicates + " times");
}

More information as well as the script explained in this post will be available soon on www.tec-it.com.

Read More

TWedge Hotfix

This hotfix solves a problem when saving the settings of the software wedge into a TWI file.

The format of the TWI files was changed. This ensures that the settings can be saved even if special characters (like STX, ETX, EOT, DC1, DC2, ...) are part of the script. TWI files from previous version can be loaded without problems!

Download the hotfix here: Software Wedge for Windows

Read More

Barcode Studio V9.3 RC is available!

A new release (V9.3) of the barcode creator software Barcode Studio will be available to the public in a few days. This release introduces the following enhancements and bug fixes:

• TIFF preview in EPS files
• PDF Export - Fixed the problem with auto-resizing PDF files.
• Data List Export - File extension is now always adapted to the chosen image type.
• Mac OS X - Option All Files in the File Open Dialog
• Mac OS X - CMYK colors can now be adjusted

As usual the release candidates are available exclusively to readers of this blog:

• MAC OS X: Barcode Studio V9.3
  
• Microsoft Windows: Barcode Studio V9.3
• Linux: available on request!

Update: Barcode Studio V9.3 was released on 05-26-2009.

Existing customers of Barcode Studio V9.0, V9.1 or V9.2 can update to this version free of charge. All license keys are still valid.

Read More

Product Update: .NET Barcode Windows Forms Control

by Nate Schubert

A new update has been released for the .NET Barcode Windows Forms Control, where a new encoding function allows users to add application identifiers by adding the parentheses where needed instead of calling the ASCII characters with apply tilde set to true.

Generate barcode images in Visual Studio .NET with the IDAutomation Forms Control and DLL package. This product is 100% managed code, strong named and signed. Includes source code examples for printing barcodes in C# and VB Dotnet and includes the complete source to an Image Generator application written in VB Dotnet. Supports all popular linear barcode symbologies including Code-128, Code-39, ITF, Code-93, UCC, UPC, EAN, GS1-128, USPS Intelligent Mail, Planet and Postnet. Includes all necessary properties and methods that allow barcode images to be printed, saved to a file or copied to the clipboard. The demo version may be downloaded from www.idautomation.com/formscontrols/ and is fully functional. This package also includes the IDAutomation RFID component which encodes smart tags and labels on RFID printers from .NET Framework applications.

If the Priority Support and Upgrade Subscription has not been purchased or is expired, it may be activated from the appropriate link:

• IDAutomation .NET Linear Barcode Windows Forms Control (IDA40)
  http://idautomation.com/cart/Priority-Support-Upgrade-Subscription-for-NET-Barcode-Linear-Forms-Control-P798.aspx
  
• IDAutomation .NET Linear + 2D Barcode Windows Forms Control (IDA62)
  http://idautomation.com/cart/Priority-Support-Upgrade-Subscription-for-IDAutomation-NET-Linear-2D-Forms-Control-P812.aspx

Read More

Linear Java Barcode Encoder Update

by Nate Schubert

Updates to the Linear Java Barcode Encoder include enhancing the Expanded GS1 Databar symbology encoding.

The Java Barcode Font Encoder Class Library is used to format linear barcode fonts before printing. This product is royalty-free with the purchase of a license to one of IDAutomation's Barcode Fonts. The library also includes source code (for some methods) that may be used to generate barcodes with barcode fonts from a java application.

Read More

Barcode Image Generator Update

by Nate Schubert

A new update has been released for the Barcode Image Generator, where a new encoding function allows users to add application identifiers by adding the parentheses where needed instead of calling the ASCII characters with apply tilde set to true.

This professional grade application is used to easily create and paste 2D PDF417, DataMatrix ECC200, Aztec, QR Code, Maxicode and many popular Linear barcodes into other Windows applications or generate high quality graphic image files that are commonly used with PhotoShop, Quark and Publisher. Command line options are also available for creating barcodes in DOS. New ease of use features include retention of settings and properties of the barcode, the ability to copy images to the clipboard with one click for quick pasting into other applications, and that image file names may be auto generated from the data of the barcode to save time.A fully functional evaluation copy may be downloaded from: http://www.idautomation.com/generator/.

If the Priority Support and Upgrade Subscription has not been purchased or is expired, it may be activated from the appropriate link:

• IDAutomation Linear Barcode Image Generator (IDA64)
  http://idautomation.com/cart/Priority-Support-Upgrade-Subscription-for-Linear-Image-Generator-P814.aspx
  
• IDAutomation Linear + 2D Barcode Image Generator (IDA65)
  http://idautomation.com/cart/Priority-Support-Upgrade-Subscription-for-Linear-2D-Image-Generator-P815.aspx

Read More

Data Acquisition with a System Service

The software wedge TWedge is able to save data from serial or TCP based devices (e.g. barcode scanners, gauges, scales, controllers) directly into any database (ODBC) or file. When operating TWedge as a system service data acquisition can be automated completely and performed in the background without any user interaction.

Starting TWedge as service is done with the help of a Microsoft tool named srvany.exe (part of the Windows Resource Toolkit).

Check out more details here: how to install the Software Wedge TWedge as Windows Service? The primer explains the required Registry settings in detail.

Read More

Generador gratuito de códigos de barras online!

Hola!

Users from Spanish-speaking countries are now able to use the free online barcode generator in their own language. Español is supported - just give it a try: Generador gratuito de códigos de barras online: ¡creación de códigos de barras gratis!

These are the currently supported languages:

• Online Barcode Generator (English)
• Online Barcode-Generator (Deutsch)
• 免费在线生成条码 (Chinese)
• Barkod Programi (Turkish)
• Generatore di codici a barre online (Italian)
• Бесплатный онлайн-генератор штрих-кодов (Russian)
• códigos de barras online (Español, new!)

Read More

ASP.NET Barcode Web Server Control

by Nate Schubert

A new update has been released for the ASP.NET Barcode Web Server Control, where a new encoding function allows users to add application identifiers by adding the parentheses where needed instead of calling the ASCII characters with apply tilde set to true.

The ASP.NET Barcode Web Server Control is a drag-and-drop component that easily adds dynamic barcoding capability to MicrosoftR .NET Web Applications. It is a server-side component that creates JPEG images, therefore all processing takes place on the server and it is compatible with all web browsers. More information about the IDAutomation ASP.NET Barcode Web Server Control, including a download of the evaluation version, is provided at: http://www.idautomation.com/servercontrols/

If the Priority Support and Upgrade Subscription has not been purchased or is expired, it may be activated from the appropriate link:
IDAutomation ASP.NET Linear Barcode Web Server Control (IDA61)
http://idautomation.com/cart/Priority-Support-Upgrade-Subscription-for-IDAutomation-ASPNET-Barcode-Linear-Web-Server-Control-P811.aspx
IDAutomation ASP.NET Linear + 2D Barcode Web Server Control (IDA63)
http://idautomation.com/cart/Priority-Support-Upgrade-Subscription-for-IDAutomation-ASPNET-Linear-2D-Barcode-Control-P813.aspx



Product Update: ASP Barcode Server Component for IIS
http://www.idautomation.com/aspbarcode/
Thu, May 7, 2009 2:48 PM

A new update has been released for the ASP Barcode Server Component for IIS, where a new encoding function allows users to add application identifiers by adding the parentheses where needed instead of calling the ASCII characters with apply tilde set to true.

The ASP Barcode Server Component for IIS easily adds barcode generation capability to webpages hosted on Microsoft IIS (Internet Information Server) through ASP (Active Server Pages). It is a server-side component that creates GIF or JPG images in any application that can display a dynamic URL and is compatible with all web browsers.

If the Priority Support and Upgrade Subscription has not been purchased or is expired, it may be activated from the appropriate link:
IDAutomation ASP Linear Barcode Server Component for IIS (IDA27)
http://idautomation.com/cart/Priority-Support-Upgrade-Subscription-for-ASP-Linear-Barcode-Server-for-IIS-P791.aspx
IDAutomation ASP Linear + 2D Barcode Server Component for IIS (IDA43)
http://idautomation.com/cart/Priority-Support-Upgrade-Subscription-for-ASP-Linear-2D-Barcode-Server-for-IIS-P800.aspx



Product Update: GS1 Databar Image Generator
http://www.idautomation.com/generator/
Thu, May 7, 2009 2:47 PM

A new update has been released for the GS1 Databar Image Generator, which enhanced the Expanded GS1 Databar symbology encoding. The GS1 DataBar Image Generator allows easy generation of quality barcodes for pasting into other Windows applications or generation of high quality graphic image files. Commonly used to place images in desktop publishing applications, such as Quark, Publisher and PhotoShop. Supports all DataBar variants including DataBar Expanded. Command line options are available for creating bar codes in DOS.



Product Update: GS1 Databar Windows Forms Control
http://www.idautomation.com/formscontrols/
Thu, May 7, 2009 2:46 PM

A new update has been released for the GS1 Databar Windows Forms Control, which enhanced the Expanded GS1 Databar symbology encoding. The GS1 DataBar Windows Forms Control by IDAutomation.com generates high-quality, dynamic barcode images in the .NET Framework 1.1 or greater environment. Easily integrates into Visual Studio .NET, C# and Visual Basic. The control may be used as a DLL or loaded on a form. Several methods are available that allow images to be printed directly to the printer, saved to a file or copied to the clipboard. The following GS1 DataBar types are supported: Omnidirectional, Stacked, Truncated, Stacked Omnidirectional, Limited, Expanded, Expanded Stacked Omnidirectional and Composite Components. The same DLL also supports PDF417, MicroPDF417, UPC-E, UPC-A, EAN-8, EAN-13, GS1-128 and Code 128. The package includes the complete source code solution for an image generation application, which was written in VB .NET.

Read More

TFORMer 6.0 Available

New Barcode Label / Reporting Software Release!


TFORMer 6.0 is an advanced Barcode Label Software and Reporting Software with great usability. The brand-new version introduces a lot of features and improvement:

• Improved User Interface
• User-Friendly Manual Data Input
• Unified Datasources (ODBC, XML, CSV, TXT, ...)
• Field Bindings
• Computed Fields / Serial Numbers
• Datasource Parameters
• Extended Barcode Support
• And much more! Check out the details, download the demo version for free!

Read More

Windows 7 Software Compatibility

Great News!

Well - not really news because TEC-IT was already aware of this fact. But here is the first screen shot of TEC-IT Software running on a fresh Windows 7 Release Candidate (Build 7100). In the shot you see the Software Wedge TWedge (upper left corner), the Barcode Label and Reporting Software TFORMer (upper right, with some PDF output) and the Barcode Creator Barcode Studio (bottom, center).In the past we invested a lot of time to ensure compatibility with Microsoft products and compliance with Microsoft guidelines.
Thus, TEC-IT software products are usable on all current versions of Microsoft Windows (Windows 2000, XP, Vista, Seven, Server 2003 and Server 2008). You do not need to invest again if you switch to Windows 7 in the future (at least if it comes to TEC-IT products). And yes: 64 Bit operating systems are also supported - just contact us for native x64 versions.

Read More

Barcode Generator TBarCode: Service Release

As of today a service release of TBarCode (Barcode ActiveX, Barcode DLL, .NET Barcode SDK) is available. It fixes the following bugs:

• Image Export
  Special Characters in File Names are supported. Images can now be exported to paths or file names that contain special characters (characters that are not part of the ANSI code page).


• Quiet Zone Bug Fix
  The left quiet zone of several 2D bar codes is now drawn correctly when the unit "Modules" is selected.


• Data Matrix Bug Fix
  Internal code optimization was improved.

The download is available here: Barcode Software Component TBarCode V9.2

Read More

Scan & Store: Scan Barcodes directly into any Database

Are you looking for a basic inventory solution or you are just interested in registering items based on their barcode?

The data acquisition software TWedge provides an elegant solution - TWedge captures data from arbitrary devices (like a serial or USB barcode scanner) and can be configured to store captured data directly into any ODBC database.

Additional database software is NOT required! 

Smart Software Wedge

Configuration of TWedge is extremely flexible: The data acquisition functionality can be configured to meet your exact requirements. TWedge is able to perform read/write access to files, databases and may also simulate keystrokes.

To implement the required functionality you need:

• A serial (or USB) barcode scanner. The used COM port as well as the interface parameters are important (most likely it will be 9600,N,8,1 - meaning 9600 bits per second, no parity, 8 data bits, 1 stop bit)
• TWedge (download)

Determine Bluetooth COM Port

For this example I use a Bluetooth bar code scanner (Metrologic Voyager). The scanner provides scanned data via COM3. This serial interface was adjusted manually in the services dialog of the available Bluetooth Devices on Microsoft Windows:

Configure TWedge Interface

Now start TWedge and configure the interface parameters. Adjust COM3 as displayed in the Bluetooth dialog above:

Test Scanner Communication

The next step is to test the interface configuration: just start communication in TWedge. Whenever you scan a barcode the number should appear in the protocol window:

Provide a Database

Now its time to connect the barcode scanner with a database. For demonstration purposes we use an empty database which was pre-installed by the setup application of TWedge:  A so-called System DSN which is named TWedge_Sample.

On 32 bit Windows you can check out the installed DSN by opening the Data Sources (ODBC) administration (Windows Control Panel - Administrative Tools - Set up data sources (ODBC)). If you are running Vista x64 then execute the command c:\windows\SysWOW64\odbcad32.exe to view this dialog:

On Vista systems the database is usually stored in the folder C:\ProgramData\TEC-IT\TWedge\2.1\Examples\Database. When you open this database with Microsoft Access you see two tables. The example below stores captured data in the initial empty table tbl_Scans:

Configure Software Wedge

In order to configure TWedge open the script editor and select the predefined template which is named Database - Write. Double click it and close the script editor. This script reads data from the configured interface, determines the current date and time and enters the scanned data in the database mentioned above.

Data Acquisition

Start device communication again and scan some barcodes:

Finished! Barcodes are stored in Database

That's all! TWedge connects to the barcode scanner via the configured COM3. It waits for scans - and whenever a barcode was scanned it enters the barcode number into the database. And this is the result– the scanned barcodes are stored with some additional information like date/time and hostname:

Read More