Forum Discussion

MikeRorstad's avatar
MikeRorstad
Qrew Cadet
4 years ago

Bar Code Uses

Hello all!

I found a useful app in the Exchange for making and reading QR and barcodes at App Detail (quickbase.com).  

I'm trying to use this for our calibrated tools inventory.  We have a unique identifier for each tool.  I'm able to use the rich text formula function to create a bar code or QR code for each of the tools.

What I'm not sure of is how to put that into use.  I want to be able to scan the code and then check the tool out (either for use or for calibration and testing), and then check it back in (either after use or to document its calibration).

Does anyone have an example of something of that nature that I can try to implement?

Thank you!
Mike

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Mike michael.rorstad@ameebay.com
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App builders
  • JohnCrosland's avatar
    JohnCrosland
    Qrew Trainee
    4 years ago
    Good morning,
    There are a lot of ways that you can handle it. The way that I will be handling a similar use case is by using the URL to that Tool and having buttons to allow the people to Check it out for calibration or check it back into service. The issue with using a QR Code is it is very susceptible to damage, and will become useless if it is damaged. So, I would recommend using a Barcode instead, and Javascript code set on a homepage that will allow people to check out and check in the tools.

    Good luck!
    John


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    John Crosland
    Software Developer
    Inglett & Stubbs
    Mableton GA
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    • MikeRorstad's avatar
      MikeRorstad
      Qrew Cadet
      4 years ago
      John, thank you for the ideas!  I can definitely see the QR code getting damaged, especially on tools like torque wrenches.

      Can you please give an example of the formula in the button?  I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around how to make use of the barcode once it's scanned.

      Regards,
      Mike

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      Mike michael.rorstad@ameebay.com
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      • JohnCrosland's avatar
        JohnCrosland
        Qrew Trainee
        4 years ago

        Hi Mike,
        The formula for the URL QR Code will vary greatly depending on how you want the application to work. It is impractical to place a Barcode with the URL on a tool without using a URL Shortener, and even then it still might be too long. The basic formula for the QR Code would be
        "<img style=\" width:150px; \" src=https://www.cognex.com/api/Sitecore/Barcode/Get?data=" & URLEncode([QR Code]) & "&code=Z_QR_CODE&width=150&imageType=JPG&foreColor=%23000000&backColor=%23FFFFFF&rotation=RotateNoneFlipNone>" and the QR Code URL would be
        [QR Code] = URLRoot() & "db/" & Dbid() & "?a=er&key=" & URLEncode([Key])
        You can perform different actions inside of the URL and make it so that you can check out the tool with one URL and check in the tool with another one. The URLs will depend on how your application is going to be set up.

        One of my use cases is inventorying tools. I will have a tertiary table that will have a relationship to the Tools table and a Locations Table called Inventory Records Table. Each user will be assigned a default location inside of a Users Table, and when they press check-in then it will automatically populate their location with a form rule. So, all they need to do is scan the Barcode (Tool ID), and then save it. 

        I hope this helps!
        John



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        John Crosland
        Software Developer
        Inglett & Stubbs
        Mableton GA
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  • MarkShnier__You's avatar
    MarkShnier__You
    Icon for Qrew Legend rankQrew Legend
    4 years ago
    There is some good information to digest in this similar question here. If you had a simple application where you wanted to generate a 2-D barcode (actually, probably two of them - use one to check in and the other to check out) then I could help you with that with some one on one coaching sessions to get it working.

    https://community.quickbase.com/communities/community-home/digestviewer/viewthread?MessageKey=899cf4fd-ef3a-43ed-a2ba-33c58ca26322&CommunityKey=d860b0f8-6a48-487b-b346-44c47a19a804&tab=digestviewer#bm899cf4fd-ef3a-43ed-a2ba-33c58ca26322

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    Mark Shnier (YQC)
    Quick Base Solution Provider
    Your Quick Base Coach
    http://QuickBaseCoach.com
    mark.shnier@gmail.com
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