Setting up Barcode Solution

Article Id: 180519
Status: Published
Updated On: 02-12-2011 01:36
Legacy Id: HOWTO53238
Products:
Symantec Products
Issue/Introduction:

 

Resolution:

Before you can use the features of Barcode Solution, you must set up your environment. To set up Barcode Solution, take the following steps:

Step
Action
Description
Step 1
Configure asset merge settings.
Asset merge feature lets you avoid duplicate assets appearing in your database. During the data upload, based on the keys that you select, assets with duplicate keys are merged to form one asset in the system.
When assets are merged into one, their data is summed up. For example you create a cell-phone resource and specify manufacturer, model and barcode 10001. If you create another cell-phone asset with status, comments and barcode 10001, then these two assets are merged based on the barcode. The resulting asset has manufacturer, model, barcode, status, and comments pulled into one asset. If the data classes on both assets which were merged contains data, then the data from the last one uploaded is written to Configuration Management Database (CMDB). For example, consider an asset had manufacturer ABC. If another asset with the same barcode is uploaded with manufacturer XYZ, then the merged assets show the manufacturer as XYZ.
You can merge multiple keys, but you must ensure that all keys match. For example, you check Barcode and Serial Number and then you upload the resource from a barcode device. The key only merges with an existing resource if both the barcode and the serial number match.
Step 2
Create a synchronization profile.
Before you can download asset data to the barcode device, you need to create synchronization profiles for the users who scan the assets. Synchronization profile lets you determine what info is sent to a handheld device. For example, you can create a profile that sends data of one particular location to a handheld device.
When you initialize your handheld device, you need to select the synchronization profile that is used for this device. If you have not created synchronization profiles, you can select the default profile first and change this selection later.
Step 3
Install Barcode software on the host computer and on the handheld device.
Barcode Manager enables communication between barcode handheld application and Notification Server. You install Barcode Manager on the computers that become hosts for barcode scanning devices.
After you install Barcode Manager on the host computer, you use the host computer to deploy the Barcoder software on the handheld devices. Barcoder is a program that helps you scan, collect, and enter data. Note that Barcode Solution does not upgrade the previous version of Barcoder on the barcode device. You must uninstall the previous versions of Barcoder software manually.
When you accomplish the installation, the handheld devices can communicate with Notification Server whenever they are connected to the host computers.
Step 4
Perform initial data synchronization.
Initial synchronization uploads the data from the CMDB to the barcode device. Any data that is specified in the Symantec Management Console, on the Synchronization Profiles page is uploaded to the barcode device in the initial synchronization. It may involve the transfer of a significant amount of data. Ensure a good connection (either wireless or through a cradle) with the Notification Server computer.
 

STEP 1. Configure asset merge settings

  1. In the Symantec Management Console, on the Settings menu, click All Settings.
  2. In the left pane, under Settings, expand Service and Asset Management > Barcode Solution Settings, and then click Merge Settings.
  3. On the Merge Settings page, check the parameters that you want.
    When a match of a checked parameter is found during upload, the duplicate resources are automatically merged. In most cases, Resource Name, System Number, Serial Number, and Barcode are checked.
  4. Click Save Changes.
 
STEP 2. Create a synchronization profile
  1. In the Symantec Management Console, on the Home menu, click Service and Asset Management > Barcode.
  2. In the left pane, under Barcode Solution, right-click Synchronization Profiles, and then click New > Synchronization Profile.
  3. Specify the synchronization profile settings that you want.
    The Bypass upload verification option on the Permissions tab, lets you determine how the data is uploaded. If a profile is set to upload automatically, then the data is immediately entered into the database.
    If the profile is not configured to upload automatically, then the data is loaded into a verification queue which is called the Resource Uploads. The data remains pending administrator or manager approval through the Resource Uploads page in the Symantec Management Console. 
     
  4. Click Save changes.
 
STEP 3. Install Barcode software on the host computer and on the handheld device
  1. On the host computer, close all Windows applications that are running and open the Symantec Management Console. Log on using an account that has access to the Barcode Solution home page and has the authority to install the Barcode Manager on the host computer.
    Note that the following components must be installed on the host computers on which you plan to install the Barcode Manager software:
  2. In the Symantec Management Console, on the Home menu, click Service and Asset Management > Barcode.
  3. On the Barcode Solution home page, in the Quick Links Web part, click Install Barcode Manager. Follow the prompts to completely install Barcode Manager.

    On the Select Installation Type page, select Complete, and click Next. On successful installation, user is returned to the Barcode Solution home page.
  4. Initialize the handheld device. Align the screen, set the time, and create a Device ID and Owner ID.
  5. On the Barcode Solution home page, in the Quick Links Web part, click the Install / Launch Barcoder on device. Follow the prompts to install Barcoder on the device.

    Note that the handheld device must be cradled to the host computer before you click the link.
 
STEP 4. Synchronize data
  1. Make sure that the barcode device has a connection to the host computer, either wireless or through a synchronization cradle.
  2. On the barcode device, click Start > Programs > Symantec Barcoder.
  3. On the Home screen, click Synchronize.
  4. Enter your Notification Server credentials and click Login.
    Your password and user name are cached for an hour on the handheld device. If you do not use it for over an hour you must reenter your security credentials.
    Closing the application clears the cached credentials; they need to be reentered on launching the application again.
  5. Select the synchronization profile to use, and click Next.
  6. Select one of the synchronization options, and click Sync.