Product barcodes are at the forefront of time-saving technology when it comes to running a rental business.
Companies around the world have chosen to replace stock identifier codes with barcodes to speed up their workflows, and prevent loss of valuable stock.
The following article will guide you on how you can scan barcodes in Booqable to speed up a number of tasks.
How it works
The barcode scanner can improve accuracy when marking orders as picked up or returned, as it will ensure that the specified stock items are sent out or collected and avoid issues with future orders.
1. Set up a barcode scanner
After you create barcodes, you can use a computer-connectable barcode reader to scan your items. Your barcode scanner needs to act as a keyboard input device, and add an Enter/Carriage Return after each scanned item.
Refer to your barcode scanner's manual for information on setting this up for your particular device.
💡Note: Before you purchase a barcode scanner, you want to make sure it supports the barcode types you'll scan.
Laser scanners are most common. They are often cost-effective, but they can only read 1D barcodes. To scan 2D barcodes or QR codes, you need a scanner that captures images to read barcodes.
2. How to scan items onto an order
You can scan barcodes to populate your orders with products and specific stock items, using either a barcode scanner of your choice, or the Booqable mobile app.
From an order, open the barcode scanner button from the product search bar.
Scan the barcodes of the products or stock items you want to add.
Note: If you are using the Booqable mobile app, you can find the barcode scanner in the top right hand corner of the screen.
3. Click Confirm.
3. Mark items as picked up or returned
You can scan barcodes to make sure your customer picks-up, or returns, the correct items.
From an order, click Pick up items or Return items.
Click Scan barcodes.
Scan the barcodes of the items you want to mark as picked up or returned.
💡Note: To process a pickup or return from the Booqable mobile app, simply tap the barcode icon at the bottom of the screen to bring up the barcode scanner, so you can scan each item's barcode.
4. Add a customer to an order
You can scan a barcode (on a customer card, for example) to ensure you add the correct customer to an order.
From an order, open the barcode scanner from the customer search bar.
Scan a customers barcode.
💡Note: If you are using the barcode scanner on the Booqable mobile app, click the barcode scanner icon in the top right hand corner of the screen. The mobile app's search bar on the dashboard, in the orders section, can be used to search for customers, orders, and products.
5. How to identify items, customers, and orders
You can scan barcodes to quickly identify products, stock items, customers, and orders in Booqable.
1. Open the barcode scanner from the main menu.
2. Scan the barcode of a product, stock item, customer, or order (the barcode scanner in the mobile app is found top right hand corner of the screen).
3. For products and stock items; this will bring up a list of upcoming orders due for that product.
For customers; this will bring up a list of upcoming orders due for that customer.
For orders; this will bring up the individual order's page in Booqable.
You're all set!
You have now successfully learned how to scan product barcodes in Booqable.