Alex,

I agree with you that under certain circumstances, your configuration would be the practical way to go. I believe, in this case, a system that operates in real time is necessary.

My rational is based on observing this particular process when I go to the cleaners to pick up my shirts. It seems to me that hanging items on the racks is an ongoing process throughout the day and that it would be disruptive to upload the scans many times throughout the day. Also, there would have to be an additional program to process the uploaded scans and post them to the proper table.

If I were going to recommend this type of system, I would lean more in the direction of an RF connection along the lines suggested by Ed.

I do believe, though, I could place an inexpensive desktop, 2 lan cards and a scanner for about the same price, or, less than $1000.

One of my clients uses both processes:

Desktop stations for tracking through the production process, and..

Portable devices for warehouse/inventory.

By the way. That was a very good article you authored for FA.


>>Considering the cost of portable data collection systems with scanner and/or RF systems and associated additionl programming that would be necessary, I would suggest a dedicated "inexpensive" computer/lan configuration used primarily for scanning.
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>Hi Dale,
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>I think a handheld computer with a scanner attached to it would be more practical. After the employee is done with the scanning, they just connect the handheld to the PC and upload all the scanned data.
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>It can be done for about $1000 including scanner and is far more practical than getting another PC and setting up a LAN where it isn't really necessary.
>
>Alex