23Barcodes
Barcodes
This chapter includes information about setting up the barcode interface and about using a barcode reader to enter data in Siebel Field Service. It includes the following topics:
About Barcodes
A barcode is a series of vertical bars that is printed or stamped on parts, containers, labels, or other media. These bars represent information that an electronic barcode reader can interpret. A barcode type is a classification that uses a series of varying-width bars and spaces to represent characters. Some barcode types can encode only numbers, while other barcode types can encode numbers, letters, and special computer control characters. For more information about the supported barcode types, see Siebel System Requirements and Supported Platforms on Oracle Technology Network.
Barcode hardware includes a barcode reader, which is sometimes called a barcode scanner. A barcode reader is an electronic device that detects the pattern of bars and spaces for a barcode, decodes those patterns into characters, and transmits those characters to Siebel Field Service. It appears as though the data associated with the barcode is typed into Siebel Field Service.
Input from Barcode Readers
Control character sequences before and after the barcode information notify Siebel Field Service that input is from a barcode reader. These sequences include the following characters:
Ctrl - \
This prefix indicates the start of barcode reader input.
Ctrl - /
This suffix indicates the end of barcode reader input.
You can enter these sequences as keyboard shortcuts. To change the shortcut definitions, edit the values for the Start Key Code and End Key Code user properties in the HTML Barcoding Tool Bar business service.
In Siebel Field Service, you can use any programmable barcode reader that you can configure to send the prefix and suffix before and after the barcode input. To program the scanning preamble into a barcode reader, see the user manual or product reference guide for the barcode reader.
Data from Barcode Readers
Siebel Field Service accepts data from a barcode reader into individual, active fields. The following data is often available in barcode format:
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About Printing Barcodes in Reports
The following reports can include barcodes:
FS Pick Ticket Details (Shipping screen). The pick ticket number is barcoded.
Repair Detail (Repairs screen). The repair number is barcoded.
Order Detail (Service Order screen and Sales Order screen). The order number is barcoded.
Service Request Detail (Service screen). The service request number is barcoded.
Two versions for each report are available: barcoded and not barcoded. For more information about barcode fonts, see Siebel System Requirements and Supported Platforms on Oracle Technology Network.
You can change the barcode font in reports that include barcodes. For instructions about how to change the font, see Siebel Reports Guide.
About Using Barcode Readers
Using a barcode reader, you can perform the following types of operations:
New. Enter the data from a barcode in a new record in a view. In this mode, a user goes to the view that is to receive the data, then selects an applet. A new record is created, and the appropriate field in this record is populated. For more information, see Creating New Records for Barcode Data (End User).
Update. Update the data in a selected record in a view. In this mode, a user goes to the view that is to receive the data, then selects a record. The appropriate field in the selected record is populated. The new data replaces the existing data. For more information, see Updating Records with Barcode Data (End User).
Find. Search Siebel Field Service for the location of the barcode data. In this mode, the location of the data is found, the appropriate view appears, and the record containing the data appears in that view. For more information, see Finding Records with Barcode Readers (End User).
A user can perform the following specific operations:
Enter individual barcodes of any acceptable type. The user enters individual barcodes with either the New or Update mode.
Read multiple barcodes in succession. The records must all be of the same type (for example, either asset numbers or repair numbers).
Setting Up the Barcode Interface
You set up specific views, applets, and fields for barcode data in the Barcode Mappings view of the Service Administration screen. Using these mappings, Siebel Field Service records with barcode data are found. Also, using these mappings, barcode data is populated in specific views, applets, and fields. The barcode data can create a new record or update an existing record.
To set up the barcode interface
Navigate to the Administration - Service screen, then the Barcode Mappings view.
Create a new record for each field that is applicable to barcode data, and complete the fields as appropriate.
Some fields are described in the following table.
Field Comments View Name
Select the appropriate view.
For records with a Processing Mode field value of New and Update, this view receives barcode data. For records with a Processing Mode field value of Find, barcode data is found in this view.
Applet Name
Select the appropriate applet.
For records with a Processing Mode field value of New and Update, this applet receives barcode data. For records with a Processing Mode field value of Find, barcode data is found in this applet.
Field Name
Type the name of the field.
For records with a Processing Mode field value of New and Update, this field receives barcode data. For records with a Processing Mode field value of Find, the record with the barcode the value in this field is found.
Entry Mode
Select the entry mode for the field.
For records with a Process Mode field value of New and Update, these field values correspond to the values in the drop-down list next to the Barcode New and Barcode Update buttons in the view.
For records with a Process Mode field value of Find, these field values correspond to the values in the QuickSearch section of the drop-down list in the query control that appears when you click Query (the magnifying glass icon) in the corner of the application window.
Process Mode
Select the type of operation applicable to the specified field. Values include New, Update, and Find.
Application Name
Select Siebel Field Service. For the mobile application, select Siebel Service for Mobile.
If you create a new record with a Process Mode field value of New or Update, then complete the following steps:
Navigate to the Administration - Application screen, then the Manifest Administration view.
Create two new records for each new record with a Process Mode field value of New or Update, and complete the fields as appropriate.
Some fields are described in the following table.
Field Comments Type
Select a type of View for both records.
Usage Type
Select a usage type of Physical Renderer for the first record and Presentation Model for the second record.
Name
Type the name of the view for both records.
When you save each record, a corresponding record is automatically created in the Object Expression list and in the Files list.
Process of Managing Records with Barcode Readers
The following list shows the tasks that end users typically perform to manage records with a barcode reader. Your company might follow a different process according to its business requirements.
To manage records with a barcode reader, perform the following tasks:
Creating New Records for Barcode Data (End User)
You can use a barcode reader to create new records in Siebel Field Service.
This task is a step in Process of Managing Records with Barcode Readers.
To create a new record for barcode data
Navigate to the view that is to receive the barcode data.
The header of the appropriate applet in the view contains: a Barcode New button (a chart with a plus (+) icon), a Barcode Update button (a chart with a pencil icon), and a field with a drop-down list.
Click the Barcode New button.
In the drop-down list next to Barcode New, select the type of data associated with the barcode (for example, an asset number).
You can select a value in the drop-down list only if multiple values appear in it. Administrators set up the values in this drop-down list. For more information, see Setting Up the Barcode Interface.
Scan the barcode.
A new record in the applet is created, and the appropriate field in the new record is populated with the barcode data.
Enter other appropriate field values in the new record.
Updating Records with Barcode Data (End User)
You can use a barcode reader to update existing records in Siebel Field Service.
This task is a step in Process of Managing Records with Barcode Readers.
To update a record with barcode data
Navigate to the view that is to receive the barcode data.
The header of the appropriate applet in the view contains: a Barcode New button (a chart with a plus (+) icon), a Barcode Update button (a chart with a pencil icon), and a field with a drop-down list.
Click the Barcode Update button.
In the drop-down list next to Barcode Update, select the type of data associated with the barcode (for example, a part number).
You can select a value in the drop-down list only if multiple values appear in it. Administrators set up the values in this drop-down list. For more information, see Setting Up the Barcode Interface.
Select the record to receive the barcode data.
Scan the barcode.
The appropriate field in the selected record is populated with the barcode data. If the field already has a value, then the barcode data replaces the value.
Finding Records with Barcode Readers (End User)
You can use a barcode reader to find records in Siebel Field Service. You do not have to navigate a specific view to find records.
This task is a step in Process of Managing Records with Barcode Readers.
To find a record with a barcode reader
In the corner of the application window, click Query (the magnifying glass icon).
The search control appears.
In the drop-down list of the search control, scroll down to the QuickSearch section.
Administrators set up the values in the QuickSearch section of this drop-down list. For more information, see Setting Up the Barcode Interface.
Select the field name for the type of data associated with the barcode (for example, a repair number).
Scan the barcode.
The view (if any) that contains the record with the field data appears, and the record appears in that view.
To close the search control, click Query (the magnifying glass icon) again.