Hi Julie
At the St. Catharines Museum (just down the road from you in beautiful wine country) we are using the barcode module with Label Matrix and have been doing so since 2007. We print our barcodes using networked Zebra printers using the Thermal Transfer process and using the Zebra Z-ultimate 3000T polyester label. We use Metrologic scanners which are connected to staff computers as well as Metrologic data capture units that are portable and connect to staff computers using a USB base station and recharger. To read the barcodes our units use a standard lasers which work very fast and accurately in low light conditions.
Recently we have been upgrading out tech and will shortly be introducing a new data capture unit which will allow us to scan and then upload to our network the txt file via a secure corporate WIFI.
TMS is delivered to users via Citrix and so we can use PC, tablets or smart phones. We have experimented with tablets such as the ipad for data entry with poor results - we have found the tablets are more suited for use as reference to artifact records while in the storage areas. The screen size as well as the ergonomic of the keyboard make it difficult to use. We have also experimented with the use of barcoding aps on tablets and smart phones and have found that they work too slowly and create a lot of errors especially in low light conditions. The aps rely on image interpretation of the barcode which is slower that reading a barcode with a laser as the unit must focus and then recognize that barcode. We have even tried to use these aps for just reading a barcode for reference but found that for all the hoops you have to jump through it was easier to just type in an accession number.
Happy to chat further with you
Anthony Percival
Collections Coordinator
Anthony Percival
Registrar
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From: The Museum System (TMS) Users [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Julie Lofthouse
Sent: November 11, 2015 10:09
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Barcoding: style, hardware/software, etc. (Re-post)
Hi Everyone,
Re-posting a version of the message initially posted in June in hopes it will yield some feedback/responses.
Wondering about other TMS users are doing with respect to barcodes.
1. Has anyone chosen and/or implemented 2d/Matrix (or QR codes) instead of 1D (linear alpha-numeric) ones? If so, were there any other considerations in addition to 2D's ability to store more information (and within a smaller footprint), and more robust error correction...and were there any resulting drawbacks associated with that decision?
2. Discussions and research suggest purchasing Thermal Transfer printers over a Direct Thermal models, and using freezer grade label stock. Wondering about related archival and conservation considerations. Has anyone chatted with their conservation departments and/or the CCI, AIC, MCI or similar institutions about this or any specific brands?
3. What barcode designer software did you purchase/use? LabelMatrix is one mentioned, but curious about other ones for comparison.
4. With an increase in the use of portable technology like tablets and cell phones, what are the pros & cons of employing these devices as scanners? Did anyone decide to supplement scanner purchases with existing issued technologies such as tablets/iPads, and cell phones? If so, what have been the pros/cons? For those choosing only dedicated scanners, did you purchase ones where the data is stored within the unit for download at a workstation, or WiFi capable?
5. If using tablets/iPads, is it working well to use the devices for data entry and barcode scanning/reading (pros/cons)?
Thanks in advance to all for any advice and feedback!
Julie Lofthouse
Julie Lofthouse
CMS Database Specialist & Administrator
Royal Ontario Museum
100 Queen's Park
Toronto ON M5S 2C6
tel: 416-586-5861
fax: 416-586-5668
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