Barcode Collector v.2

1) What is BCC?

"Barcode Collector" (BCC) is barcode scanner designed to serve as Data Terminal in wide range of works where hardware laser facilities usually engaged.

2) Tasks.

All the works in this application are carried out in terms of "tasks" as an object of data storing and exchange.

Technically task is a data structure with name, date, barcode list and several supplementary attributes.

Its main part is a list of barcodes (possibly initially empty)

3) Work

The technique of usage is quite intuitive and follow simple logic. When user press the button this start new scanning for current task. When barcode recognized - we have an option to accept or reject the result. Each acceptance adds new item in task's barcode list or increments quantity if the item is already present in task. When scanner reads a code, it looks up for this code in current task's list and in main directory. Each variant of lookup result produce different sound signal, that gives operator the reason to accept result depending on particular situation. For example, if we have comprehensive main directory and we know, that extra barcodes shouldn't happen - signal of unknown barcode should be a warning to double check if recognition is correct. In other scenario we may have to count some items from predefined list ignoring all the others. In this case we should to accept codes that is found in the current task. In either case there is one more means of control : we can tune settings to forbid accept result that is not found in lookup.

So the result of task - list of scanned goods is the main product of this application. And there is one more useful option: we can add images to the list. For this purpose there is embedded photography module that allows easy to attach one or more image to each item. You can set image size as you need to provide necessary quality. Keep in mind thought that extra size consumes an extra storage room and more traffic spending while exporting. If that ordinary photography does not meet your special needs - you can set an option to use some dedicated app that is default photography program in your device.

4) Exporting results

When the work is done and we have filled list of items, we can get practical use from this by exporting data for different kinds accounting systems. If you are user of free version you can export tasks containing up to 100 items in total per day. To overcome this limitation - some fee required. Regarding payment - two different approaches are implemented in two editions of this program:

• Free version is distributed for free but the ability to export results is limited by 100 items per day. And there is an option to buy an extra quota. Quota is counted for the number of items in task regardless of quantity for each particular item. Payed quota is spent by usage only without any time limitations. Once exported, task can be uploaded as many time as needed to any possible destination, but it can't be changed.

• Pro version is chargeable itself and all subsequent operations, of course is free.

Export files include images optionally. By default this option is disabled to economize traffic. You can change this in settings

5) Input / output format.

Data are exported in a form of XLS, XML, or CVS file with a simple structure. This format is exactly the same for import too. File may contain main directory part, or tasks part, or both of them. Files are additionally zipped for export. When importing - both: zipped XLS (XML,CSV) or raw XLS (XML,CSV) is acceptable. After initial acquaintance, when passing to real practical work - it's a good idea - to start with a filling of main directory from locally engaged accounting system. Template XLS (XML,CSV) file may be obtained by command from menu. When importing tasks - only barcode field is mandatory for each item, task name is any arbitrary text. Main directory import requires barcode and item name - all other fields are optional. Main directory can be replenished as well from the current tasks by the items having names.

6) Some suggestions.

• In free version buyed export quota is a part of applications data, so deleting applications data by means of Android system command void current quota as well.

• If you had been used free version and have collected some valuable data you can export it with no restriction if you buy Pro Version. For that do not hurry to delete free one: when you first time launch Pro version - it will prompt you to import data from free version. After import procedure finished you can uninstall free version and manage data as you wish.