Systems Analysis

Technical Memo

Introduction

Currently, Coastline Consulting is dealing with the inability to track repair history and client hardware and software configurations. Components on each client computer/device are replaced at different times and Coastline Systems needs a way to track component warranty periods. Technicians need to document the work done on those requests and technicians need to be able to see the history and status of each request. An integrated barcode scanner will allow technicians to enter and retrieve inventory and scan barcodes of components and equipment that are being replaced so that the system can track history and warranty periods.

Coastline Consulting requires a way for technicians to enter and scan barcodes while being offline as there are times when they are working in areas that have no internet connectivity. Every candidate system analyzed has the capability of working offline from laptops containing either a replicated database or an Excel spreadsheet. Then data can be synchronized later in the evening by end of day jobs that run during off hours. After synchronization occurs, then a replication or updated spreadsheet will be copied to the laptops for the next business day.

Three possible barcode scanner solutions were compared and each one has the capabilities to be the one selected.

Potential Solution 1

The first barcode scanner being considered is the Honeywell Voyager™ 1202g single-line laser scanner that incorporates the freedom of Bluetooth wireless technology and offers a field-replaceable battery that can be quickly and easily exchanged. Voyager 1202g incorporates a Bluetooth Class 2, v2.1 radio, enabling unrestricted movement up to 10 meters (33 feet) from the base. Honeywell has also demonstrated Bluetooth Class 2 communication ranges of up to 30 meters (100 feet) with a clear line of sight from the base.

Other Features

* Long Battery Life and Tool-Free Battery Removal: The user-preferred Lithium ion battery provides 12 hours or more of use, depending on scanning volume, and the field-replaceable battery can be exchanged quickly and easily, without the use of tools

* Automatic Interface Configuration: Supports all popular interfaces in one device, replacing the time consuming process of scanning programming bar codes with auto¬matic interface detection and configuration

* Excellent Poor Quality Code Reading: Increases throughput and reduces the potential for hand-keyed errors by quickly scanning a variety of 1D bar codes, including those that are damaged or smudged

* Paging Functionality: Simply press the button on the base to locate your lost scanner; Voyager 1202g responds with a series of beeps and blinking lights on its indicator panel

* Remote MasterMind™ Ready: Reduces total cost of ownership by providing a turnkey remote device man¬agement solution that easily manages and tracks usage of installed devices

Potential Solution 2

The PowerScan PBT7100 linear imaging bar code reader with Bluetooth wireless technology is the second barcode scanner reviewed for Coastline Consulting. Just like the Honeywell Voyager unit in the first potential solution, it offers operator freedom from cable entanglement, rugged durability and extremely fast reading performance for around $700 depending on the number of extra battery packs ordered. Datalogic Scanning's innovative and unique optical design of the PowerScan 7100 series of readers combines features that are normally available on different models into a single device: up to 3 mils maximum code resolution; contact to over 3.0 m / 9.8 ft reading distance on standard paper labels; and wide angle code reading. The result is a versatile, easy to use and intuitive scanner that simplifies any code reading activity. Together high-speed digital hardware and Datalogic Scanning's advanced decoding algorithms produce read rates up to 390 scans per second, making the PowerScan 7100 readers the fastest industrial scanners available. Bluetooth wireless technology can be implemented through the base station or by connecting the scanner directly to any commercial or embedded Bluetooth compliant device allowing an operator mobility range of up to 328 ft.

The base station is offered with two different multi-interface combinations; the Standard multi-interface includes RS-232, Keyboard Wedge, Wand Emulation and USB; the POS multi-interface

set includes RS-232, IBM 46xx and USB.

A loud beeper and Datalogic's exclusive patented 'Green Spot' directly on the code, provide intuitive

good read feedback in noisy environments. The Datalogic Aladdin™ configuration program provides user-friendly features that simplify the start-up procedure, even for inexperienced users. Light weight and instinctive