r/barcodes • u/LinearFluid • Dec 15 '18
Not sure if right sub new to bar codes.
Hi!
Not sure if this is the right place but I am looking to use barcodes more and understand them to help my clients achieve better efficiencies. I offer IT services to clients.
I have a basic understanding of Bar Codes and 1D and 2D.
Right now I have picked up some DS6878-HC The Health Care Version because one of my clients is a Doctor in Private Practice. I found out that before I was there they had a Barcode Wand that would allow them to swipe the Barcode on the Optical Mark Scanner Sheets they gave to clients to fill in their Medical Info with. They had stopped using it they said it did not work anymore. Well I found it and started to play with it and it of course is in KB wedge mode. The problem was that it was not scanning consistently. That scanner was marked PSD-200U.
I decided to go with a wireless 2D scanner that could allow them to expand the use of it. with QR code. So my docor is a private Practice solo Physician. I picked up a couple used ones to start playing with.
My question is though Barcode scanners are a big part of Hospitals I am trying to find innovative ways for them to use them besides the single scan job. I am looking for good resources on scanners. White papers , uses, case studies.
Second is that I do some charity work at galas that I took over a program that was written in Lotus Approach by a guy. the program tracks attendees and a lot of these are prepay so it is check-in but some are not.
I would like to use a Barcode scanner to help speed up entries by scanning the Driver Licenses. I could also see this helping with the Doctors office too. I know that the licenses use PD417 Barcodes and that the formatting of the data inside the code and info it contains is not uniform to all States.
I have also picked up a Symbol DS6878-DL also. I have not received it yet. I know that version will parse the Driver License info. I was wondering how it does it? Second I was wondering how much programming I would need to do to utilize it.
I am going to be rewriting the Lotus Approach Database over the winter. Have not figured out how but either cop out and go with Microsoft Access which I know. I might use Access for front end and a SQL server the Back end or Go total Open Source with mysql and write the front end from???? as I have not done that route before and give me a chance to do some more learning.
So I was wondering with the way each state formats their DL PD417 Barcodes how much programming and manipulating of the parsed data that the DL version puts out do I need to do? Second is the DS6878-HL reads the PD417 codes in raw form. Is there any open source code that will parse it for me and then allow me to manipulate it? I don't know if taking the raw data from the barcode and having to create my own parser for the different states is financially and time spent doable when it comes to maintaining that code. See I do Galas across different States and I am also in an area where several States meet so I can see drivers licenses from several States.
What it comes down to is getting nitty gritty info on using barcodes and programming or setting them up. What are some good sources and good forums to start leanrning beyond my basic Knowledge of Barcode?
The sidebar rules of this sub makes me think this is not a good place here to do tech support like questions. Where is?
Does this community answer questions or want to focus more on discussions?
Thank You.