Here at the Smithsonian we’re using a TMS Barcode Manager that uses xml files (instead of txt files).  In addition, the scanners are more like smart phones.  You download an abridged version of your database to your scanner (including tombstone data and an image).  The scan files are xml files that are sent to a server.  You upload the scan files to TMS from that server location.  A lot more barcode data is processed, e.g., timestamp, who recorded the move, handler, location, container, component, etc.

There is a lot more detail, of course.  I think Erik Satrum (Air and Space) was planning to do a presentation at CI regarding the xml barcode system.  Gallery Systems knows about the xml barcode system and does discuss it in their documentation re: Barcode Manger.

Let me know if you have any questions.


  *   Rob Morgan (Smithsonian)

From: The Museum System (TMS) Users <[log in to unmask]> On Behalf Of Chad Petrovay
Sent: Wednesday, September 29, 2021 2:47 PM
To: ListServ tmsusers <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: Updates on Barcoding?

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Fatima, Unless things have changed, the barcode application is best applied to large scale moves. If you are not familiar, this is the workflow used:

  1.  Scan the location barcode
  2.  Scan one or more object component barcodes
  3.  Scan the location barcode again.
  4.  Repeat steps 1-3 for moves to additional locations
  5.  Scanner produces a text file containing a list of barcodes
  6.  Open text file in the Barcode Manager, which will prepare the moves in TMS
  7.  Confirm the details of the moves, which will then batch add the location transactions to TMS
I have not worked with the Barcode Manager in several years, because in my experience, unless you are moving large amounts of objects (an inventory project or an relocating storage), this workflow adds more steps than simply moving the object in TMS. An ideal application would be one where the moves were instantly added in real time (rather than batch added at the end of the day). I believe there was a CI presentation where members of GS's Atelier talked about their attempt to create an iPad app for managing locations, and how it was almost impossible because there were too many workflows to support (moving objects, assigning home locations, returning to home locations, loading objects into containers, removing from containers, etc).

There have been some updates to Barcode Manager in recent years, which may have improved the situation, but it's not a solution I would ever consider.

On Wed, Sep 29, 2021 at 2:21 PM Mahdi, Fatima <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>> wrote:
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Hi folks!

We are starting to prepare for a collections inventory and thinking that maybe it's the right time to get ourselves barcode enabled.

Is the Unitech MS926 still the favorite scanner?

And how useful is barcoding, really? How much time would you estimate is saved by doing location moves using a barcode scanner vs manually creating TMS location records?

Any advice is much appreciated!

Cheers,

Fatima


--

Fatima Mahdi
Collections Information Specialist/TMS

Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
200 N. Arthur Ashe Boulevard
Richmond, VA 23220-4007
Tel. 804.340.1443
Pronouns: she/her/hers

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