Using Barcode scanners in SAM

Using Barcodes for inventory management and integrating a barcode scanner with your SAM system can revolutionise your business operations. This integration not only speeds up the POS (Point of Sale) process but also enhances inventory management, reduces human error, improves accessibility for low digital literacy users and improves overall efficiency.

Let’s look at how to seamlessly integrate a barcode scanner with your SAM POS system. 

Selecting the appropriate barcode scanner for your business needs is critical. We have tested many scanners and recommend the Zebra 4608 and the Zebra 6580 scanners.  These are reliable, have good scan resolution, integrate well with SAM and are easy to setup.

Connecting your scanner:

1. For wired scanner > Plug in the Scanner: Connect the scanner’s USB cable to the port. (If your computer only has USB A ports, you may need a small adapter plug from USB C to USB A)
2. For wireless scanner > Enable Bluetooth: Turn on the scanner and enable Bluetooth and pair your device by selecting your barcode scanner. Verify Connection: Ensure the scanner is paired correctly.
3. Customise your barcode scanner settings: To optimise your scanner performance for SAM. Refer to the manual and configuration barcodes for your scanner. For optimal use with SAM enable the scanner to automatically press Enter (send a carriage return) after each scan. (You only need to do this once when you first connect your scanner)

Start scanning! 

To scan into SAM, simply place your cursor in the field you would normally type, then scan your barcode. The scanner will beep to confirm the barcode has read and your inventory will automatically populate in the field followed by enter.

Trouble shooting

1.  My Barcode number appears, but I have to hit enter for it to load. 

Refer to your scanner configuration manual and scan the Add Enter after each scan for this to automatically occur.

2. My Barcode is not scanning

First, Test the barcode before printing - try scanning the barcode directly from your screen into a Word document. You may have to enlarge the barcode. If it scans correctly, the barcode number should appear in the document.
 
If it doesn't scan from the screen, the issue may be with either the barcode or the scanner. Try another barcode off a general household product and see if the scanner can read that. If that doesn't work, there is something wrong with your scanner or connection. If it scans, the issue is the SAM barcode.
 
2. Test the barcode in SAM
If it scans successfully from the screen, next try scanning it into SAM. Make sure your cursor is active in the field you want the barcode to read into, such as an item search or lookup field.
 
3. Ensure the barcode quality is high on your printing
If you are printing the barcodes, ensure they are printing clear at a good resolution and a large enough size. 
 

Barcodes are available on SAM labels and documents.