REA Scancheck II - Screen Contrast

Some users complain of reduced screen contrast or even the screen going either blank or totally blue. This is not a fault!

Screen contrast is changed by pressing the up [8] and down [2] keys when the display is at the main start-up menu.

It sometimes happens when inexperienced users randomly pressing keys!

Datalogic Gryphon D100 Scanner Setup

These scanners come with a quick reference guide to set them up out of the box.
They are very simple to set-up, however the one part that always gets missed is setting the keyboard to a 'make-break' type.
So most set-ups consist of scanning the following barcodes :
Reset to Factory Defaults
Wedge : PS/2 PCs (usually but may differ depending on host device)
Key Transmission Mode : Make-Break keyboard

This is all that is needed to get the device working. However if they wish to set-up barcode types that aren't set as default code types you will need the Full reference manual (available on the Datalogic web-site or from me).

Quick reference and full manual

 
I mention this as EAN 128 codes are not set as default.

Certification of ISO Compliant Barcode Verifiers planned for UK

UCC product certification

In the UK we have a GS1 UK solution provider programme, but we do not currently extend the service to product and service certification.

Some of our solution providers have raised an issue with verifiers where they feel that some verifiers even though claiming to meet ISO standards do not comply with the standards as manufacturers certify themselves. As we encourage all our members to use ISO-compliant verifiers when producing bar codes, some are unknowingly buying non-compliant equipment.

GS1 US seems to be carrying out independent certification of verification equipment in the USA as part of their solution provider programme. We have requested more information about this so as to see whether it is something that can be extended to the UK.

The following two paragraphs have been copied from the GS1 US website and the information will be updated when more information has been received from the organization.


How is the certification testing being facilitated?

The UCC Solution Partner Program works with best-in-class certification agents to provide testing services for certifying products and services. The UCC internally tests hardware and software for the EAN.UCC Program Area and conducts training and testing for all consultant certifications.

Technology changes rapidly. How long is a UCC Solution Partner certified? Is certification indefinite, or is there a re-certification process?

Hardware and software is typically certified by version of the standard product or service that it is being certified against. As long as the version is an active version, a certification will stay valid. But as versions of standards, products or services progress, the UCC Solution Partners are encouraged to stay current with newer certifications.

North America to accept 13-digit bar codes from 2005

Do you intend to sell your products to Canada or the United States next year? From January 2005 there will be no need to use 12-digit bar codes because all North American retailers should be able to handle EAN-13 bar codes as well.

At the moment any e.centre member who trades in North America is advised to use UPC-A bar codes because many retailers cannot record 13-digit global trade item numbers (GTINs) in their systems.

But the Americans are conscious that they are running out of these 12-digit numbers to use as bar codes and in 1997, the Uniform Code Council launched its Sunrise 2005 project. This project aims to ensure that all American companies make the appropriate changes to their systems and build in the ability to handle GTINs that are up to 14-digits long by 2005.