Should Barcodes Be Used on Student ID's?

A customer recently came to us with questions about integrating barcode technology in an elementary school lunch program. Barcodes are an excellent way to cut down on human error, and also great for a first-line defense against theft of important information like numbers, addresses and other data that may otherwise appear on an ID card.

Here is how the lunch program currently works:

1. Each student is issued an ID card that displays the student's ID number.
2. The student selects their meal items and brings them to the register where the cafeteria employee enters the items.
3. The student manually enters their ID number and the debit card associated with the ID number is then charged accordingly.

This seems pretty simple, doesn't it? While this process may look good on it's face, there are glaring inefficiencies, and a lot of room for potential errors.

What if the student forgets their ID card? 

Students are encouraged to memorize their ID number in the event that they forget the card, but they do not always do so. The resulting impact is that cafeteria employees have to spend more time at checkout locating a student's ID number, which can slow down the line and leave students with less time to eat.

A potential solution to this problem is to leave the student ID cards with their teachers instead of with the students themselves. Each teacher would keep the ID cards of the students who go to lunch after their class, and distribute them so that the students will always have their cards. It's possible that some students will find a way to lose their cards between class and lunch, but the likelihood is greatly diminished if the cards are handed out by the teacher on a daily basis and then returned to the teacher after.

What if the wrong ID number is entered? 

Given the high rate of error in elementary school children entering a string of numbers from memory or even a card, it's probable that one student's account may end up being charged for another's lunch. This can also be a problem when students see the ID numbers of their peers and enter them intentionally, instead of their own. This is an inconvenience for both parents as well as for the school, whose employees have to process a refund and charge the correct account. Questions of theft can also come into play under these circumstances.

The best way to minimize the likelihood of human error is to eliminate the opportunity for the error to occur in the first place. This can be done by either adding  a barcode to the existing student ID, or by completely replacing the student ID number with a barcode.

How To Add Barcodes to Student ID Cards

It's easier to add barcodes to your student's ID cards than you think. All you really need are a few important things as outlined below:

Barcode Software To Use

Most student ID numbers are going to be no more than 13 characters. This is good news because the easiest solution is to use Code 39 barcode fonts. Why? Because of it's simple encoding process. The data you want to turn into a barcode must be formatted properly before the font is applied to it, or else your scanner will not recognize the barcode. In the case of Code 39, all you need to do is type an asterisk before and after the data you want to encode. Like this:

*12345*

Just highlight the above data and then apply the appropriate Code 39 font to it and you've got a readable barcode. Other barcode types that encode larger amounts of data require more complex encoding which is usually done with a special font encoder tool. This makes these other font types less compatible with other programs, especially in comparison to Code 39 which is essentially compatible with any application that can call on a specific font. Simply apply the font to the student ID number when you are creating the student ID card.

Barcode Scanner To Use

IDAutomation USB Bacode Scanners are excellent for reading Code 39 barcodes in a POS environment, even if it's a school cafeteria. If a stand is purchased as well, the scanner can be programmed to continuous mode which means the student need only hold their ID card in front of the scanner and wait for the beep that indicates a successful read without even even touching any POS equipment. This not only cuts out the risk of human error in entering the correct ID number, but also extends the life of POS equipment which is handled much less.

It doesn't take much to increase the efficiency of your elementary school's lunch room, thereby cutting wasteful costs. IDAutomation can provide the necessary products to add barcodes to your student ID's, and to scan them into your cafeteria POS system with relative ease.

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The Healthcare Industry's New HIBC UDI Barcode

http://idautomation.blogspot.com/2012/06/usps-postnet-expiration-deadline-draws.html

The FDA's new Unique Device Identifier (UDI) system was established on September 24, 2013 in an effort to increase the safety of medical devices in the healthcare industry while also minimizing the costs of sharing the necessary data through a new, publically accessible Global Unique Device Identification Database (GUDID). This new system will allow the healthcare industry to share information about medical device model, manufacturer, device class, expiration date, manufacture date, production batch, production lot and even unique codes to identify human cells, tissue or cellular and tissue-based products, also known as HCT/P. With compliance dates for some requirements as early as September 24, 2014, medical device manufacturers are working hard to make sure they have the means to generate their required labels as per the appropriate specification.

The Unique Device Identifier, or UDI, is a string of numbers that represents the following:

• "+" identifier of the HIBC Supplier Data Structure
• 4 character Labeler Identification Code (LIC)
• 1 to 18 character Product or Catalog Number (PCN) that is used to identify information about the product including expiration, manufacture date, batch, lot and more.
• 1-digit Unit of Measure
• 1-digit Check Character

There are a variety of barcode symbologies that may be used to generate an HBICC, or UDI barcode such as Code 39, Code 128, Data Matrix, Aztec, QR Code and MicroPDF417. Which one your organization decides to go with will depend on a range of factors specific to your industry. IDAutomation offers a variety of products that would allow generation of these important HIBC UDI barcodes for the medical device industry in a variety of environments including Excel, Crystal Reports, Oracle, FileMaker, SSRS, Access and more.

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Learn How to Scan a Barcode

by Nate Schubert

When it comes to barcode technology as a whole, the task of generating a barcode is decidedly more complicated than scanning one. Although this may be true, it in no way indicates that scanning a barcode is always going to be easy. Any number of things can go wrong at one of the various steps in the process, and it pays to know what you're doing if you want to be successful.

Is the barcode scanner properly connected to the computer?

All barcode scanners must be connected in some way to a computer, mobile device or tablet where possible. The most common connection type is USB and corded scanners will usually come with a USB cable that connects the scanner to the computer. USB is an excellent connection type because it handles most of the installation on it's own. Other connections such as RS232 or Keyboard Wedge can be more difficult to set up due to issues like the order in which the connection was made. For example, keyboard wedge scanners must be connected to a powered-down computer. Then, when the computer is powered up, the scanner will operate normally. USB connections can be plugged in and unplugged at any time.

Wireless scanners can be connected to a computer in a couple of different ways. Some scanners have cradles that must be connected to a computer, and often a wall-power source. Scanned data goes from the handheld scanner to the communication/charging cradle, and is then passed to the computer. Other wireless scanners have a Bluetooth connection which connects the scanner wirelessly to the computer. Finally, portable memory scanners can store all scanned data for later batch transfer into a computer, usually via USB cable and .csv or .txt format.

Do you have a program open to scan the barcoded data into?

Barcode scanners work in conjunction with programs that allow data to be typed into them. Most barcode scanners have a feature called keyboard emulation which allows data to move seamlessly from the scan gun into an application where the data will be output wherever the cursor is located. In other words, make sure you've got a program like Word, Excel or Notepad open and that you can see where the cursor is located.

While the above mentioned applications are good for scanning barcode data into, it goes without saying that these scanners will also output scanned data into virtually any other application including FileMaker or SSRS databases, Crystal Reports, Access, and even fields on a web page.

It's Time to Test Your Barcode Scanner!

When you have the scanner connected to the computer, and have an application open to scan the data into, it is time to test. If you don't already have a barcode to scan, you can create one of your own using our free barcode image generator. When you're ready, point the scanner at the barcode and click! Most scanners will notify a scan with a beep. You should see the data output onto the computer screen as if it had been typed on the keyboard. Some barcodes contain function commands such as tab. When you scan those, you'll see the data populate one cell in a spreadsheet or database, and then tab over to another field and output more data.

If you achieved an accurate scan, congratulations! You're ready to get to work. If you failed to successfully scan your barcode, there are a few things you can check for:

• Can your scanner read the barcode you are trying to scan? While most scanners can read many linear barcodes by default,  not all do. Check your scanner programming guide to make sure your scanner can read the type of barcode you need to scan. If it does, check the user manual to determine how you can activate that feature.
• Was the barcode created correctly?
  Some barcodes require special encoding to tell the scanner where the barcode begins and ends. Without that special data, the barcode scanner cannot achieve a successful read.
• Is your scanner connected properly?
  Check to make sure the connection from the cord to the scanner is secure and that the USB connection is securely connected to the port on your computer.

When All Else Fails...

If you've been through all of the steps and still can't achieve an accurate scan, try contacting the company you purchased the scanner from. IDAutomation can offer technical assistance on purchased scanners via telephone, email, online chat or our special support forum. We provide easy programming guides for common uses on our scanners and a generous return policy if the scanner does not meet your needs. We also provide some useful video tutorials including our most recent which demonstrates how to scan barcodes using the IDAutomation USB Barcode Scanner:

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Integrating QR Codes into Oracle BI Publisher

by Nate Schubert

Oracle BI Publisher is a powerful reporting tool that many businesses use to get fast, robust and efficient reporting on all kinds of business processes, revenue streams, inventory tracking projects and more. Adding QR Codes to Publisher reports may seem difficult due to the complex nature of the environment, but Tim Dexter at Oracle Daily makes it look easy.

Tim makes use of IDAutomation's QR Code Font and Encoder Advantage Package Demo and the included java components to generate dynamic QR Codes in an Oracle BI Publisher report. This component is available in the developer license versions of the QR Code Font and Encoder Advantage Package. While IDAutomation does not directly support Oracle, we do believe that the support we provide in relation to our fonts, combined with this excellent Oracle BI Publisher - QR Code Integration guide, users will have no problems generating the barcodes they need.

Have any readers used IDAutomation Java components to generate barcodes in Oracle BI Publisher? Leave us a comment and tell us about your experience. We'd love to hear about it!

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How to: Create Barcodes in Cognos

by Nate Schubert

Cognos is a software suite from IBM that provides companies with powerful business intelligence and performance management capabilities. By incorporating over 30 software applications, the Cognos Suite makes possible the extraction and analysis of data for top-level reporting and a real edge on the competitive landscape. Adding barcodes to Cognos environments can significantly increase efficiency in report tracking or in human-driven data entry tasks. As a result, businesses are clamouring to add barcodes to their Cognos 8 and Cognos 10 systems at an increasing pace and frequency.

The two most common ways to integrate barcode generation capability into an existing application or environment is either through the use of barcode fonts or special components such as ActiveX Controls, .NET Forms Controls, Java components and others. Barcode fonts are a very flexible method and an excellent choice for users who may want to generate barcodes in other environments. Components are best if a barcode image is required, and if the specific environment is going to be in use on a long-term basis. In Cognos, either method can be utilized to start creating barcodes. IBM developerWorks provides an interesting Cognos Barcode Guide with more information which the rest of this blog post will support.

Barcode Fonts in Cognos

First and foremost, barcode fonts may only be used effectively in Cognos when the fonts are installed as well as on the local machine where the report is being viewed. Code 39 is by far the easiest barcode to use in Cognos because it only requires a leading and ending * in order to properly format the data so that it may generate a readable barcode when the font is applied to it. Other barcode types like UPC, Code 128 or QR Code are more complicated, and require more complex encoding. This can be done with a variety of special, free-to-use font encoder tools, some of which may or may not be easily integrated into Cognos, on the server where the data would need to be encoded.

Barcode Images in Cognos

Another method of making barcodes in Cognos is with the use of a special Java barcode generator. Generating a java-based barcode image in Cognos is preferred by IBM over using a font because a barcode image has a higher probability of rendering accurately, which is essential for successful barcode reading. Java components may work on the server without requiring the installation of fonts or anything else on the local machine. This is also a very good option because it allows users to generate more than just Code 39 barcodes. In fact, IDAutomation's Linear + 2D Java Barcode Package supports many barcode types including Code 128, Intelligent Mail, QR Code, Data Matrix, PDF417 and much more.

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License Options for Custom Barcode Integration

by Nate Schubert

IDAutomation products may be utilized by a wide range of customers and industries from everyday people who just want to use barcodes to keep track of personal music, film or document libraries to developers who want to integrate our professional-grade barcode fonts or barcode generation components into complex environments such as Java, ASP .NET, Reporting Services and others. Developers may also integrate barcode products directly into their custom software applications which are often ultimately meant for distribution in retail or B2B markets. IDAutomation provides enhanced licensing options to developers that can increase flexibility and also keep costs down both in terms of internal cost and what your customers pay.

Complete Integration Licensing

This is the most common type of licensing purchased by developers who want to integrate IDAutomation barcode fonts, components or applications into complex environments such as Java, .NET or SSRS and others. This is also a good choice for developers who want to integrate IDAutomation products into custom applications that are meant for resale and distribution, and want the barcode generation components to be included in every software distributed. Developer Licenses also allow for tens of thousands of users and royalty-free distributions.

Optional Integration Licensing

The lesser-known Optional Integration License allows developers to integrate IDAutomation product functionality into custom applications, but with the purchase of a Single User License rather than the most expensive developer license options. This allows developers to test integration and complete the application to access the API of the barcode product. You should not distribute the purchased product within your software, however, but you may distribute the demo if you like. Then, users who wish to include the functionality within your application need only purchase the appropriate license from IDAutomation. We can provide support for barcode problems related to your client's application as well as the installation and maintenance of the barcode product provided.

The Optional Integration License is an excellent way for low-resource developers to integrate powerful barcode generation products into their custom applications. Further, developers can take advantage of additional revenue streams of up to 30% per customer sale by entering into the IDAutomation Barcode Affiliate program. This is certainly the best option for organizations that want to maximize profit while keeping overhead low, and applications light-weight.

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Font Face Off: Universal or Premiere Fonts?

by Nate Schubert

IDAutomation provides a wide range of linear and 2D barcode fonts which may be used in conjunction with our free font encoder tools in order to generate barcodes in a variety of environments and applications. Fonts can be very flexible solutions in terms of barcode generation, as long as the data can be properly formatted to a special string that will display an accurate and readable barcode when the particular font is applied to it. There are many different barcode types out there including linear fonts for Code 128, Code 39, Intelligent Mail, UPC and others, as well as more powerful 2D fonts for Data Matrix, PDF417, Aztec, QR Code, MaxiCode and more.

Businesses often have a need to generate more than one barcode type, which is why IDAutomation offers a few different bundled font packages. These packages are more affordable than 2 individual font packages, for those who need multi-barcode generation support. Purchasing one of these bundled font packages may be a perfect solution for your environment and desired use, but it pays to know the benefits and drawbacks before making a final decision. Please find a short summary below about each of the bundled font packages we offer including pro's and cons so that you can make the best decision possible.

Premiere Font Package

• Overview: The Premiere Fonts Package contains over 15 linear barcode and security fonts for integration into projects for document control, point of sale, logistics, check writing, mailing and more.
• Fonts Included: MICR E13B, MICR CMC-7, OCR-A, OCR-B, Security Fonts, Code 128, Code 39, Code 93, Interleaved 2 of 5, Code 2 of 5 Non-Interleaved, Codabar, Code 11, MSI Plessey, Planet, Postnet, Intelligent Mail,  RM4SCC, UPC and EAN.
• Also Includes: Fonts available in True Type, Open Type, PCL and PostScript formats as well as human readable and non-human readable in different sizes to meet various height-width requirements.
• Package Information
  Download a Demo
  Purchase Today

The Premiere Font Package contains every linear barcode and security font that IDAutomation provides separately. It is a bundled package, and so this is a more affordable option than purchasing, for example, The Code 128 Fonts and then the Postal Barcode Fonts packages. These fonts may be used in conjunction with our free font encoder tools to generate barcodes in many different operating systems and environments including Excel, Word, ActiveX, Reporting Services, Crystal Reports, Oracle Reports, FileMaker, .NET, Visual Basic and more.

For users who only require the True Type format of this bundled fonts package, IDAutomation offers the TrueType Font Package for even more affordability.

Universal Font Package

• Overview: The Universal Font Advantage Package contains a single font that is capable of generating many different symbologies to support AIM USS Code 128, GS1-128, EAN-128, Code 39, Interleaved 2 of 5, MSI, Codabar, USPS Intelligent Mail, OneCode, Postnet and Planet barcodes.
• Also Includes: Fonts available in True Type, Open Type, PCL and PostScript formats as well as human readable and non-human readable in 7 different sizes to meet various height-width requirements.
• Supports multiple languages with double-byte character sets such as Japanese, Chinese and Korean.
• Package Information
  Download a Demo
  Purchase Today

The Universal Font Package is an excellent option for companies that want to generate many different barcodes with fonts, but don't want to keep track of all of the separate packages that are included in the Premiere bundled fonts package. Different barcodes may be generated depending on the way the data in the barcode is actually encoded. This adds an element of flexibility that many companies enjoy through use in different operating systems and environments.

No matter your decision, IDAutomation is available to answer any and all questions that users may have regarding either of these special barcode font packages. We offer full pre-sales technical support and a 30-day complimentary Priority Support & Upgrade Subscription with an option to extend that support to 12 months. Test each of the above packages and let us know which benefits or drawbacks get your attention.

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Embed Your Company Logo Into a QR Code

by Nate Schubert

Since QR Codes first came into mainstream marketing use in recent years, they have been used for virtually everything in the field. QR Codes can be encoded with web addresses that take a person on the street and turn them into a consumer on a smart phone. They are can make it easier to track the performance of campaigns or promotions. They can even spruce up a company logo while adding virtually any type of functionality. In fact, embedding your company logo into a QR Code just may prove be one of the best uses of the technology to date.

What are the Benefits of a QR Code Logo?

As the visual representation of your brand, logo's are pretty important. As such, your logo needs to appear on products, service brochures, company vehicles, uniforms or promotional items so that consumers can easily make the jump that you're "the company that sells that thing I like." The problem with this is that logo's can take up space which can be quite hard to come by when deciding what you should and should not put on your printed materials. The single most significant benefit to adding a QR Code to your logo is that it adds dual-functionality to the area:

• The Logo will associate your products with your brand.
• The QR Code can be encoded with a web address which will take people via smart phone to a particular website location, or VCard contact data such as name, telephone number, email address, physical address and more.

This type of dual-functionality can mean a lot for business owners who want to get the most out of their printed materials. Business cards can have QR Codes that import contact data into a persons smart phone. Specific web addresses can be encoded into various printed materials, which will in turn take individuals via smart phone to a particular web address that is relevant to the material from which it was scanned. This can prove to be a great benefit in direct mail pieces, brochures that outline a particular service, promotional items that focus on one facet of your products and services and more.

How To Embed a Logo Image Into a QR Code

Now that you have thought up a million genius ways to use QR Codes to enhance your company logo, you've got one question left. How can you actually embed your logo into a scannable QR Code? Here are some easy steps, as long as you follow them!

1. Create a QR Code image of your choice for VCard data, web address or whatever you like.
2. Open your new QR Code in an image-editor application such as Photoshop or the open-source GIMP.
3. Using layers or similar features, lay your logo on top of the QR Code image. Make sure you have enough white space as a border around the logo itself, or the barcode may not scan.
4. Resize your logo image over the QR Code until the barcode successfully scans. 
5. Test, test, test! IDAutomation provides an excellent 2D Barcode Scanner that not only reads the barcode, but can also utilize it's PQA (Print Quality Assessment) feature for greater insight into the properties of the barcode itself.

This is a pretty simple tutorial for creating a QR Code with a logo inside, but you may have to modify the white space and/or sizing until you can achieve that successful scan. QR Code has error-correction which means a certain portion of the barcode can be damaged and still scan. IDAutomation software products will allow you to increase the error correction level in the barcode, which can give you a bit more freedom with the placement of your logo. In a sense, the logo being placed over the center of the QR code is a type of damage, so it has to be small enough to not interfere too much with the scan itself. 

There are a lot of different things a clever business owner can do with a QR-Logo hybrid image. We would love to hear more about any images like this spotted in the wild. Let us know!

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How to Perform a Mail-Merge Using 2D Barcode Fonts

by Nate Schubert

Microsoft Word Mail Merge is one of the most tried-and-true methods of merging a data source with a main document in order to create customized documents automatically, without having to create each individually. This can save untold amounts of time for those who wish to generate invoices, labels, envelopes, letters and more. Integrating 2D barcodes to these documents can add a great deal of flexibility to virtually any project by reducing human error and decreasing the amount of time spent processing results.

But how does a mail merge work when 2D barcodes are involved?

While many industry professionals are experienced in the art of Microsoft Word Mail-Merges, people who have a clear understanding of how to include 2D barcodes are few and far between. The IDAutomation technical support team is well aware of this fact, however, and has produced an excellent tutorial that can effectively demonstrate the task of performing a word mail-merge using 2D barcode fonts, Data Matrix in particular, with the help of one of our free font encoder tools, the Barcode Add-In for Excel. Please take 5 minutes to view the video tutorial below, and do not hesitate to leave a comment with any questions or concerns.

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How To Track Offline Marketing with QR Codes

by Nate Schubert

There is not a business in existence today that wouldn't benefit from utilizing barcode technology in conjunction with web analytics to track offline marketing campaigns. Whether a local plumbing business wants to track the value of a certain advertising location or a film company wants to gauge the level of interest in an up-and-coming summer blockbuster, each of these can leverage 2D barcodes like QR Codes to gain valuable insight into the behavior of potential customers.

There's no question that this is an attractive concept for business owners of every make and model, but theory and practice are two entirely different things. It may seem like QR codes have been introduced into the mainstream of American society, but there are countless opportunities being missed or squandered by companies across the nation. In other words,  it's easy to miss the boat on tracking offline marketing efforts when you don't understand the technology being used. That said, there are three distinct components to any effective tracking of an offline marketing campaign.

Do You Own a Website?

This point may be pretty clear to many, but without a website, it's going to be very difficult to track visitors' behavior once they get to your website. Although encouraged, this does not mean your website has to have 1,000 pages and rank at the top of search engine results pages for any given search term, or that it has to be all things to all people. There is no shame in having a simple website that focuses on your products or services. QR Codes can be used to link prospective customers directly to these products or services, as well as pages that provide information about promotions, coupons or special events.

Is Your Website Enabled for Analytics?

Without good web analytics tools like Google Analytics, it's going to be very difficult to track visitors to your website. There is virtually no limit to the level of depth you can achieve with Google Analytics, but again, this doesn't mean you have to use it to the extreme. For examples, many small businesses are content to gather surface information like unique visits, bounce rate and the behavior of those who use certain search terms to get to your website. In the case of offline marketing, web analytics is essential for gathering statistics on the behavior of those who scan your QR Code. Business owners who do not have web analytics actively tracking user behavior are limited to instinct and guesswork, which is not the most stable method of achieving success.

Are You Tagging Your Offline Links?

The final step in monitoring your offline marketing efforts is to tag the web links in your QR Codes with information that will allow you to identify the particular campaign the link is coming from. This can be a little bit of a challenge to grasp at first, but a little patience and some testing should make any business owner an out-and-out professional in no time. First and foremost, Google's special URL Builder Tool is a must. This free tool will allow you to create one-off links that can be encoded into barcodes using a QR Barcode Image Generator. There are several parameters to define, three of which are required. These help to determine the following:

• Campaign Source is required and is used to identify referrals that originate from the web, social media, a physical event, newsletter or other promotion.
• Campaign Medium is required and is used to identify QR Codes scanned from a medium such as a brochure, billboard, poster, food product, etc.
• Campaign Term is not required, and may be used to identify the focus of the advertisement or QR Code, i.e. a particular item or service.
• Campaign Content is not required, but may be very useful in categorizing different versions of a particular medium like a brochure, etc.
• Campaign Name is required and can be used to further segregate an advertisement, theme or locale.

For instance, IDAutomation has recently made finding the right product on our website much easier with the addition of our Barcode Software Selector tool. If we were to mail out a brochure to promote this time-saving tool, we may include a QR Code in order to track the behavior of individual recipients, with this URL created with the Google URL Builder Tool.

http://www.idautomation.com/customer/product-selector.html?utm_source=direct-mail&utm_medium=brochure&utm_term=product-selector&utm_content=qr-top&utm_campaign=john-smith

This web address would be encoded into a QR Code using a product such as the QR Code Image Generator as follows:

When John Smith scans this QR Code in his brochure, his behavior on the website landing page can be monitored and tracked with astounding precision. As a business owner, it may benefit you to know when your QR Code was scanned, how long the visitor remained on your website, whether they visited other pages, whether they completed a purchase and much more. This type of offline marketing can be extremely effective when tracked properly, and can open up the kind of insight that allows business owners to make the most profitable decisions possible.

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How to Generate 2D Barcodes in Excel

by Nate Schubert

Generating 2D barcodes from fonts in Microsoft Excel is more complicated than generating standard linear barcodes from fonts because Excel does not recognize line breaks or carriage returns when the data is being encoded in Excel. This results in a barcode display that does not stack the individual lines of encoded text. Instead, these blocks are laid out horizontally to form a rectangle rather than a square. This is not a readable 2D barcode. While the IDAutomation Barcode Add-In may not be directly compatible with Excel, there are a few alternatives that we can explore.

ActiveX Barcode Controls

The easiest component to use for generating 2D barcodes in Excel is the Linear + 2D Barcode ActiveX Control. This component can be dropped into a particular cell on a template to generate dynamic barcodes, or used individually in spreadsheets to generate static barcodes. The IDAutomation ActiveX Linear + 2D component is capable of generating all of the linear barcodes from the standard package in addition to the following 2D barcode types:

• Data Matrix (ECC200, also conforms to UID label marking standards)
• PDF417
• MaxiCode
• Aztec

Installation and usage instructions are provided in the User Manual and are specific for Microsoft Excel, Word, Access, FrontPage, Visual Basic, Visual C++ and Visual FoxPro.

Word Mail-Merge with the 2D Font and Encoder for Windows

Where Microsoft Excel is unable to properly recognize line breaks and carriage returns in encoded data, Microsoft Word does not have this problem. As a result, many customers are able to use this workaround to perform a Word Mail-Merge to combine all of the data and resulting barcodes into Excel. This will work with any IDAutomation 2D Barcode Font and Encoder for Windows (with the exception of QR), the more affordable of the two font and encoder packages offered for each 2D barcode type. Each product User Manual will contain installation and usage details, and each product also has it's own demo available for testing. A Barcode Mail Merge Video Tutorial was created by our staff to provide a visual instruction for this use.

Due to complications in how the QR symbology is created, QR barcode generation is not possible using fonts or the ActiveX Control at this time. Users may prefer the Linear + 2D Barcode Image Generator or the Barcode Label Software Pro to generate QR in Excel. 

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Using Fonts to Generate Barcodes in Quickbooks

by Nate Schubert

Quickbooks is a popular small business financial software that brings an array of powerful capabilities to small business owners who need to create reports, track inventory, print invoices or checks and much more. It is affordable, easy to use and since it is supported by Intuit, you can be assured that just about any of your technical or usage questions can and will be answered promptly, if they haven't already been addressed in their extensive community.

Many Quickbooks users have found great benefit in adding barcode generation and display capability to their invoices, reports, payroll checks and other forms. Quickbooks does not allow for independent components to be added to make their software more powerful. While this lack of flexibility makes it virtually impossible to generate 2D barcodes within Quickbooks, all is not lost!

Linear barcode fonts such as Code 39 and Codabar may be used quite easily within Quickbooks, and the process for doing this is very simple. Both of these symbologies are self-checking fonts, meaning they do not require complex encoding to convert the data-to-encode into a text string that will produce a readable barcode when the font is applied to it. In the case of Code 39 and Codabar, simply apply an asterisk before and after the data before highlighting it and selecting the appropriate font from your drop down list. The Quickbooks Barcode Integration Guide can assist with the details of adding these barcodes to Quickbooks.

Other linear barcode fonts are limited in their ability to generate barcodes in Quickbooks, mainly due to the fact that there are no Quickbooks-specific encoders available to encode the data. Where self-checking barcode fonts do not require encoding, most linear barcode fonts do require complex encoding. IDAutomation provides free font encoder tools to make this process as pain-free as possible, although they are not directly compatible with Quickbooks.

Despite the complexity in encoding data for barcode fonts such as Code 128, Intelligent Mail, UPC and others, workarounds do exist that can help you to meet your project goals. Following are a couple of alternative methods to generate linear barcodes in Quickbooks:

Use the Online Font Encoder Tool
The Online Barcode Font Encoder is a free tool that allows individual data encoding for use in applications where there are no compatible tools. Following are the steps to encode your data using this tool:

1. Enter the data you want to encode in the Data to Encode field. Ex: IDAutomation .
2. Click the button for the barcode type you want to generate. Ex: Code 128
3. Copy the output in the Encoded Text field. Ex: ÌIDAutomation=Î
4. Paste the encoded text into the application of your choice.
5. Highlight the encoded text string and select the appropriate barcode type in your application to display the barcode.

This is an excellent for generating barcodes one-at-a-time in applications where there are no quality encoder tools available. That said, it may be somewhat time-consuming and tedious to encode your data individually, which is why this next workaround may be preferred.

Importing Encoded Data from Excel

Virtually every application or environment has the capability to connect to Excel in some way, allowing imported data in a variety of different ways. If there is a need to generate Code 128, Interleaved 2 of 5, Intelligent Mail or other barcode types in Quickbooks, the best option may be to first encode your data in Excel and then import that encoded data directly into quickbooks where the font can then be applied.

Utilizing Excel to ultimately generate barcodes in Quickbooks may seem like a time-consuming process, but due to Excel's efficiency and the ease with which data can be encoded there, the procedure can be easily understood and will open up opportunities to encode greater amounts of data than the Code 39 and Codabar barcodes that have occupied the Quickbooks space for so long.

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How to Install Barcode Fonts

by Nate Schubert

Contrary to popular belief, installing barcode fonts is every bit as simple as installing any other type of letter font such as times new roman or comic sans. Particular font installation may differ depending on whether you are installing TrueType, Postscript, PCL or Open Type formats. Additionally, there are different procedures depending on the specific operating system. In every case, the demo or purchased font package should be downloaded, unzipped and the files extracted. Then, click the install.exe file in the extraction to install the fonts into the fonts folder of your operating system.

Installation instructions diverge at this point according to the particular operating system you are working with. Following are just a few short tutorials for various environments that you can use, and these tutorials should work for any font installation.

• Windows TrueType Font Installation
• Windows PostScript Font Installation
• Macintosh OSX Font Installation
• Pre-OSX Macintosh Font Installation
• UNIX and LINUX Font Installation

You can find more specific tutorials for other font-related issues at our font installation guides. The IDAutomation Technical Support staff has created a video tutorial for Windows 7 font installation which can be viewed below.

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How To Use the Online Barcode Font Encoder Tool

by Nate Schubert

Provided by IDAutomation, the Online Barcode Font Encoder is a free tool that can be used to easily format data into a special string that will generate an accurate barcode when combined with a variety of common IDAutomation barcode fonts. This tool is an excellent resource for users who need to generate barcodes with fonts in environments not supported by the many font encoder tools we have available today.

Encoding data using the Online Barcode Font Encoder is easy. Simply enter the data you would like to encode in your barcode and select the appropriate barcode type. It is important to remember that you must have either the demo or purchased IDAutomation barcode font package installed on your system. After selecting the barcode type, your specially-encoded text string will appear in the Encoded Text field. Copy and paste this data into the application or environment of your choice, highlight it and then select the appropriate barcode font in your application to generate a readable barcode.

For a video demonstration, please see below.

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Barcode Font Encoding Explained

by Nate Schubert

There are a wide variety of excellent methods available for generating barcodes with common integrations involving stand-alone applications that incorporate database information, components such as ActiveX Controls or .NET Forms Controls that can generate a barcode image for display or printing, and even specialized barcode fonts that can be used to create barcodes in many popular programs including Excel, Word, Crystal Reports and others. Barcode components generally require a bit more knowledge of software integration in order to generate barcodes in an ideal way, which is one reason why fonts are so widely used by average business owners around the world.

The data you would like to insert into your barcode must be encoded so that it will create an accurate barcode representation. In the case of Code 39 or Codabar, a simple asterisk * at the beginning and end the data-to-encode is enough to format the data to create a readable barcode when the font is applied to it. Most other barcode types require more complex encoding that is at best very difficult to do manually. For this reason, IDAutomation provides a variety of free barcode font encoder tools that can be used to propertly encode your data and format it so that your barcodes may be scanned.

IDAutomation barcode font packages contain a variety of barcode fonts in various sizes and formats for use in virtually any operating system or environment, as well as examples for use. Because of our expansive selection of barcode font encoders and source code, we make these helpful tools available for free on our website. There is a solution for virtually every environment, application or desired use, although it may take a bit of work to determine which one will best suit your needs. The IDAutomation staff is available to assist wherever possible. Once you have chosen the appropriate font tool and have tested it using our demo fonts, you are ready to purchase the package. Download and install the fonts, and then you can generate your barcodes in the desired environment.

Although barcode fonts may seem cumbersome to use at times, the ability to use different font encoder tools to suit a multitude of environments offers the kind of flexibility you just can't find in components or other barcode generation applications. Understanding how barcode fonts work is critical to making your process as efficient and beneficial as possible, and understanding which font encoders to use is crucial to achieving the success you need.

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How To Use the PHP Barcode Generator Script

by Nate Schubert

One of IDAutomation's latest software products is the PHP Barcode Generator Script which adds barcode generation capability to PHP environments for ECommerce as well as on popular platforms like Wordpress. This software supports many popular barcode types including Code 128, Code 39, Interleaved 2 of 5, MSI and Postnet.

Even though the PHP Barcode Generator Script does include use of PHP, it is surprisingly easy to use. One reason why this product is so easy to use is because our technical support staff has worked hard to provide users with robust documentation and step-by-step installation and use instructions in the PHP Barcode Script User Tutorial. We also have a very helpful video tutorial available below which demonstrates with ease the process of creating a barcode in PHP. If you would like to follow along with a demo of your own, please feel free and let us know what you think.

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Making VCards with QR Codes

by Nate Schubert

VCards are a very popular type of new technology that uses QR Codes with data encoded into MECARD format, allowing smart phone users to scan the QR Code on a business card, for example, for automatic entry into the contacts list on the mobile device. VCards help to increase efficiency by automatically adding pre-set data into mobile phone contacts lists, which saves the user time. Further, an accurately formatted and encoded VCard can minimize user error when manually entering data as a contact.

In some situations, a person may have a need to simultaneously generate multiple QR Codes with VCard data. This can be done using the IDAutomation QR Code Barcode Image Generator in conjunction with a special text file that is correctly formatted to MECard specifications. Our technical support staff has created an excellent video tutorial that demonstrates how to perform this task. Please take the time to check it out below and let us know what you think!

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How to Generate 2D Barcodes in Access 2010 with ActiveX Controls

by Nate Schubert

Microsoft Access is one of the premiere database tools on the market today, and allows users to keep track of all important contacts, inventory, mailing lists and other information. Barcode generation capability can be easily integrated into an Access database with the goal of increased efficiency and reduced human error by turning specific pieces of information into barcode representations that can be read by barcode scanners or smartphone apps. To date, the easiest method of generating 2D barcodes in Access 2010 is with the IDAutomation Linear + 2D Barcode ActiveX Control.

Our skilled technical support staff has created an excellent video tutorial that demonstrates just how easy it is to use the IDAutomation Linear + 2D Barcode ActiveX Control in Access 2010. Installation instructions and other similar information can be found in the Barcode ActiveX Control User Manual as well. The tutorial assumes that the control is already installed, and that a database has been created, complete with tablets and fields.

If you are interested in generating linear or 2D barcodes such as Data Matrix, PDF417, Aztec and others, please take few minutes to watch this helpful instructional video tutorial. Leave a comment and let us know what you think!

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How to Generate GS1-128 Barcode Labels

by Nate Schubert

GS1-128, formerly known as UCC/EAN-128, is a type of barcode standard that was designed to bring businesses together into one global standard by allowing application identifiers that define the data encoded in a barcode. The GS1-128 standard may only be met through the creation of a Code 128 barcode which fits the parameters specific to GS1-128. There are a wide variety of application identifiers that can be applied to a GS1-128 barcode, and including this type of information can ease the process of communication between companies, thereby fostering an environment of increased efficiency and smoother operation.

This video tutorial demonstrates how to generate a GS1-128 barcode with the IDAutomation Barcode Label Software for printing onto labels of virtually any dimension or stock. This label design application can also draw specific information from various database environments for automatic printing. Check out our video demonstration below and let us know if you have any questions or comments, as we're always looking for new ways to help.

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How to Generate SCC14 Barcode Labels

by Nate Schubert

SCC-14 barcodes, also known as shipping container codes, consist of a 14-digit number that is assigned to a shipping container as a means to provide an easy method for identification. SCC-14 is based off of EAN-14, which can be created with the IDAutomation UPC EAN barcode fonts. For those who wish to generate barcodes only label rolls or sheets, however, the powerful IDAutomation Barcode Label Software may be the best option.

Despite the fact that this special barcode label software application allows easy barcode generation with connection capability to a variety of databases and more, it can still be a somewhat complicated process to follow for creating an SCC-14 barcode. Please take a moment to watch an IDAutomation video tutorial below and let us know if you have any questions!

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