General Advice on Handhelds

Yahoo Archive
1
Hi,
We are just completing a major hand held installation using Symbol
MC9000.
For better or worse did not go down the Epicor terminal services route
as well due to difficulty to program etc. Looked at making it browser
based, but interacting with the barcode inside a browser was
problematic.
Instead we developed our own C# form processor using the symbol SDK.
The programs takes basic HTML and displays the appropriate controls,
i.e. the form. Hence all menus and forms comes from the server i.e. no
more programming of the handheld. New menus and forms can be
developed in minutes from inside Vantage. Actual server side
processing is done using UD101 and progress. Since we use web
services all exceptions, messages are automatically sent back tot the
hand held.
Took way longer than we expected (lost money on the job), but now that
it is done new forms etc are breeze to develop.

Best of luck with whatever approach you take.




--- In vantage@yahoogroups.com, "brychanwilliams"
<brychanwilliams@...> wrote:
>
> Hi,
>
> I was wondering if anybody could pass on some advice on handhelds.
We
> are looking to deploy the module with barcoding. We are looking for
> some direction on the device itself. I know epicor recommend certain
> devices.
>
> We would like to do the following with the devices amongst others;
>
> 1) The device to have a barcode scanner to scan part serial numbers
off
> actual supplier parts.
>
> Generally, looking for a real world experience in warehouse
environment
> using barcoding.
>
> Thanks in advance
>
2
Hi,

I was wondering if anybody could pass on some advice on handhelds. We
are looking to deploy the module with barcoding. We are looking for
some direction on the device itself. I know epicor recommend certain
devices.

We would like to do the following with the devices amongst others;

1) The device to have a barcode scanner to scan part serial numbers off
actual supplier parts.

Generally, looking for a real world experience in warehouse environment
using barcoding.

Thanks in advance
3
Do you NEED/WANT *wireless* handheld scanners? (ie, Symbol MC9090)

Or can you do it all with corded barcode scanners connected to a Vantage
workstation? (ie, Symbol LS2208)


Big Big difference between each.



-----Original Message-----
From: vantage@yahoogroups.com [mailto:vantage@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf
Of brychanwilliams
Sent: Thursday, January 08, 2009 7:19 AM
To: vantage@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Vantage] General Advice on Handhelds

Hi,

I was wondering if anybody could pass on some advice on handhelds. We
are looking to deploy the module with barcoding. We are looking for
some direction on the device itself. I know epicor recommend certain
devices.

We would like to do the following with the devices amongst others;

1) The device to have a barcode scanner to scan part serial numbers off
actual supplier parts.

Generally, looking for a real world experience in warehouse environment
using barcoding.

Thanks in advance


------------------------------------

Useful links for the Yahoo!Groups Vantage Board are: ( Note: You must
have already linked your email address to a yahoo id to enable access. )
(1) To access the Files Section of our Yahoo!Group for Report Builder
and Crystal Reports and other 'goodies', please goto:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vantage/files/.
(2) To search through old msg's goto:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vantage/messages
(3) To view links to Vendors that provide Vantage services goto:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vantage/linksYahoo! Groups Links
4
Hi , Sorry. Yes definitely wireless. The main transactions will be
receipts, transfers and issues(Job and Transfer Order).

Thanks

--- In vantage@yahoogroups.com, "Vic Drecchio" <vic.drecchio@...>
wrote:
>
>
>
> Do you NEED/WANT *wireless* handheld scanners? (ie, Symbol MC9090)
>
> Or can you do it all with corded barcode scanners connected to a
Vantage
> workstation? (ie, Symbol LS2208)
>
>
> Big Big difference between each.
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: vantage@yahoogroups.com [mailto:vantage@yahoogroups.com] On
Behalf
> Of brychanwilliams
> Sent: Thursday, January 08, 2009 7:19 AM
> To: vantage@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [Vantage] General Advice on Handhelds
>
> Hi,
>
> I was wondering if anybody could pass on some advice on handhelds.
We
> are looking to deploy the module with barcoding. We are looking for
> some direction on the device itself. I know epicor recommend
certain
> devices.
>
> We would like to do the following with the devices amongst others;
>
> 1) The device to have a barcode scanner to scan part serial numbers
off
> actual supplier parts.
>
> Generally, looking for a real world experience in warehouse
environment
> using barcoding.
>
> Thanks in advance
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> Useful links for the Yahoo!Groups Vantage Board are: ( Note: You
must
> have already linked your email address to a yahoo id to enable
access. )
> (1) To access the Files Section of our Yahoo!Group for Report
Builder
> and Crystal Reports and other 'goodies', please goto:
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vantage/files/.
> (2) To search through old msg's goto:
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vantage/messages
> (3) To view links to Vendors that provide Vantage services goto:
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vantage/linksYahoo! Groups Links
>
5
We us a Samsung Q1 Ultra UMPC with 2gb ram running Windows Vista and a Symbol LS2208 barcode scanner. It works great. It has WiFi and is small enough to use as a portable scanner and with the docking station it makes a somewhat decent workstation. We run both Vantage and MES on it. The only downside is Vantage running on a 7" display can be a little difficult to read, but when used as a workstation we have a real monitor and keyboard hooked up to it.

A bonus is the built in camera which we use to take digital pictures of freight damage.




________________________________
From: brychanwilliams <brychanwilliams@...>
To: vantage@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Thursday, January 8, 2009 7:19:22 AM
Subject: [Vantage] General Advice on Handhelds


Hi,

I was wondering if anybody could pass on some advice on handhelds. We
are looking to deploy the module with barcoding. We are looking for
some direction on the device itself. I know epicor recommend certain
devices.

We would like to do the following with the devices amongst others;

1) The device to have a barcode scanner to scan part serial numbers off
actual supplier parts.

Generally, looking for a real world experience in warehouse environment
using barcoding.

Thanks in advance






[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
6
Have you seen the handheld user interface yet?

When I worked for Epicor, barcoding and wireless handhelds were my forte. I've done about 50 installs of varying magnitude.

I always saw disappointment on the customers' faces after the install. The handheld UI is clunky, limited and not intuitive for most typical shop floor employees. The menus and screens have their limitations with customizing, too. There is limited real estate on the screen.

I always rolled out Symbol MC9090G's. They're rugged and I've dropped one (purposely) from a scissor lift about 20 feet in the air and it was fine after. Motorola owns Symbol now. The other cool/great thing about Symbol is they have a "shell" application called Symbol AppCenter. This sits on top of the Windows Mobile UI and really locks it down so your shop floor employees can't Google or play Freecell on the handheld while camped out in the corner of the warehouse on a truck. AppCenter is FREE and ONLY works on Symbol handhelds.

However, with that said, in my humble opinion, the wireless handhelds are a waste of money. Again, the Vantage Handheld UI is clunky and difficult to get the typical Picker or Shipping Guy to learn. It's just not intuitive and it looks ugly.

If you are adamant about having wireless capabilities, allow me to make 2 alternate suggestions:

1) Depending on how far from the physical PC you need to be, check out the Symbol LS4278. It looks similar to the tethered USB Symbol LS2208 however it uses Bluetooth technology. This works great for MES terminals, manifest stations and other job traveler scanning operations around the shop floor. You have about a 50' radius of connectivity from the MES workstation. I sometimes couple this with a nice Stealth Pioneer POS touchscreen. Slick.

2) I started rolling out tablet PC's in lieu of handheld wireless scanners. Tablet PC's can run the familiar MES interface and you can have a tethered Symbol LS2208 connected to it. I also attached these to little push carts. It was great for Picking as they could fill up the cart and scan on-the-fly. Very nice.


Those two suggestions are also money savers. You don't need to buy the Handheld Module. You don't need to spend $4000 per wireless handheld scanner (including docking/charging station, extra batteries, holster, etc).

You also do not need to have Microsoft Terminal Services; REQUIRED if you use the wireless handhelds... or Citrix. Logging in with a handheld is painful to your domain.

Depending on how large your shop floor is, making an investment in to Wireless Access Points can be another costly pain. If you cannot touch all parts of your warehouse with one AP, then you need to buy up to a better wireless system that manages multiple APs in your warehouse and treats them all as one virtual AP. Otherwise, as your handheld gets out of range, you've now dropped your signal, orphaned a Terminal Server/Citrix connection and have a hung MES license on the server. And, your shop floor employee using the handheld is confused and frustrated.... and calling IT for help.

If you haven't seen the handheld UI yet, I suggest you do so before moving forward.



Good luck.



Vic Drecchio
ERP Administrator
TIMCO Aviation Services
Greensboro, NC
Email:Â Â vic.drecchio@...
Office:Â 336.668.4410 x3091
Mobile:Â 704.530.3092



-----Original Message-----
From: vantage@yahoogroups.com [mailto:vantage@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of brychanwilliams
Sent: Thursday, January 08, 2009 7:24 AM
To: vantage@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Vantage] Re: General Advice on Handhelds

Hi , Sorry. Yes definitely wireless. The main transactions will be
receipts, transfers and issues(Job and Transfer Order).

Thanks

--- In vantage@yahoogroups.com, "Vic Drecchio" <vic.drecchio@...>
wrote:
>
>
>
> Do you NEED/WANT *wireless* handheld scanners? (ie, Symbol MC9090)
>
> Or can you do it all with corded barcode scanners connected to a
Vantage
> workstation? (ie, Symbol LS2208)
>
>
> Big Big difference between each.
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: vantage@yahoogroups.com [mailto:vantage@yahoogroups.com] On
Behalf
> Of brychanwilliams
> Sent: Thursday, January 08, 2009 7:19 AM
> To: vantage@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [Vantage] General Advice on Handhelds
>
> Hi,
>
> I was wondering if anybody could pass on some advice on handhelds.
We
> are looking to deploy the module with barcoding. We are looking for
> some direction on the device itself. I know epicor recommend
certain
> devices.
>
> We would like to do the following with the devices amongst others;
>
> 1) The device to have a barcode scanner to scan part serial numbers
off
> actual supplier parts.
>
> Generally, looking for a real world experience in warehouse
environment
> using barcoding.
>
> Thanks in advance
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> Useful links for the Yahoo!Groups Vantage Board are: ( Note: You
must
> have already linked your email address to a yahoo id to enable
access. )
> (1) To access the Files Section of our Yahoo!Group for Report
Builder
> and Crystal Reports and other 'goodies', please goto:
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vantage/files/.
> (2) To search through old msg's goto:
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vantage/messages
> (3) To view links to Vendors that provide Vantage services goto:
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vantage/linksYahoo! Groups Links
>



------------------------------------

Useful links for the Yahoo!Groups Vantage Board are: ( Note: You must have already linked your email address to a yahoo id to enable access. )
(1) To access the Files Section of our Yahoo!Group for Report Builder and Crystal Reports and other 'goodies', please goto: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vantage/files/.
(2) To search through old msg's goto: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vantage/messages
(3) To view links to Vendors that provide Vantage services goto: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vantage/linksYahoo! Groups Links
7
Hi,

Thanks for the great insight, will need to review and a couple of
things but it is great to have such feedback. I think we will need to
look how we are physically moving stock and what device is
appropriate for it. Alot to ponder.

Thanks



--- In vantage@yahoogroups.com, "Vic Drecchio" <vic.drecchio@...>
wrote:
>
>
> Have you seen the handheld user interface yet?
>
> When I worked for Epicor, barcoding and wireless handhelds were my
forte. I've done about 50 installs of varying magnitude.
>
> I always saw disappointment on the customers' faces after the
install. The handheld UI is clunky, limited and not intuitive for
most typical shop floor employees. The menus and screens have their
limitations with customizing, too. There is limited real estate on
the screen.
>
> I always rolled out Symbol MC9090G's. They're rugged and I've
dropped one (purposely) from a scissor lift about 20 feet in the air
and it was fine after. Motorola owns Symbol now. The other
cool/great thing about Symbol is they have a "shell" application
called Symbol AppCenter. This sits on top of the Windows Mobile UI
and really locks it down so your shop floor employees can't Google or
play Freecell on the handheld while camped out in the corner of the
warehouse on a truck. AppCenter is FREE and ONLY works on Symbol
handhelds.
>
> However, with that said, in my humble opinion, the wireless
handhelds are a waste of money. Again, the Vantage Handheld UI is
clunky and difficult to get the typical Picker or Shipping Guy to
learn. It's just not intuitive and it looks ugly.
>
> If you are adamant about having wireless capabilities, allow me to
make 2 alternate suggestions:
>
> 1) Depending on how far from the physical PC you need to be, check
out the Symbol LS4278. It looks similar to the tethered USB Symbol
LS2208 however it uses Bluetooth technology. This works great for
MES terminals, manifest stations and other job traveler scanning
operations around the shop floor. You have about a 50' radius of
connectivity from the MES workstation. I sometimes couple this with
a nice Stealth Pioneer POS touchscreen. Slick.
>
> 2) I started rolling out tablet PC's in lieu of handheld wireless
scanners. Tablet PC's can run the familiar MES interface and you can
have a tethered Symbol LS2208 connected to it. I also attached these
to little push carts. It was great for Picking as they could fill up
the cart and scan on-the-fly. Very nice.
>
>
> Those two suggestions are also money savers. You don't need to buy
the Handheld Module. You don't need to spend $4000 per wireless
handheld scanner (including docking/charging station, extra
batteries, holster, etc).
>
> You also do not need to have Microsoft Terminal Services; REQUIRED
if you use the wireless handhelds... or Citrix. Logging in with a
handheld is painful to your domain.
>
> Depending on how large your shop floor is, making an investment in
to Wireless Access Points can be another costly pain. If you cannot
touch all parts of your warehouse with one AP, then you need to buy
up to a better wireless system that manages multiple APs in your
warehouse and treats them all as one virtual AP. Otherwise, as your
handheld gets out of range, you've now dropped your signal, orphaned
a Terminal Server/Citrix connection and have a hung MES license on
the server. And, your shop floor employee using the handheld is
confused and frustrated.... and calling IT for help.
>
> If you haven't seen the handheld UI yet, I suggest you do so before
moving forward.
>
>
>
> Good luck.
>
>
>
> Vic Drecchio
> ERP Administrator
> TIMCO Aviation Services
> Greensboro, NC
> Email:Â Â vic.drecchio@...
> Office:Â 336.668.4410 x3091
> Mobile:Â 704.530.3092
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: vantage@yahoogroups.com [mailto:vantage@yahoogroups.com] On
Behalf Of brychanwilliams
> Sent: Thursday, January 08, 2009 7:24 AM
> To: vantage@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [Vantage] Re: General Advice on Handhelds
>
> Hi , Sorry. Yes definitely wireless. The main transactions will be
> receipts, transfers and issues(Job and Transfer Order).
>
> Thanks
>
> --- In vantage@yahoogroups.com, "Vic Drecchio" <vic.drecchio@>
> wrote:
> >
> >
> >
> > Do you NEED/WANT *wireless* handheld scanners? (ie, Symbol MC9090)
> >
> > Or can you do it all with corded barcode scanners connected to a
> Vantage
> > workstation? (ie, Symbol LS2208)
> >
> >
> > Big Big difference between each.
> >
> >
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: vantage@yahoogroups.com [mailto:vantage@yahoogroups.com] On
> Behalf
> > Of brychanwilliams
> > Sent: Thursday, January 08, 2009 7:19 AM
> > To: vantage@yahoogroups.com
> > Subject: [Vantage] General Advice on Handhelds
> >
> > Hi,
> >
> > I was wondering if anybody could pass on some advice on
handhelds.
> We
> > are looking to deploy the module with barcoding. We are looking
for
> > some direction on the device itself. I know epicor recommend
> certain
> > devices.
> >
> > We would like to do the following with the devices amongst others;
> >
> > 1) The device to have a barcode scanner to scan part serial
numbers
> off
> > actual supplier parts.
> >
> > Generally, looking for a real world experience in warehouse
> environment
> > using barcoding.
> >
> > Thanks in advance
> >
> >
> > ------------------------------------
> >
> > Useful links for the Yahoo!Groups Vantage Board are: ( Note: You
> must
> > have already linked your email address to a yahoo id to enable
> access. )
> > (1) To access the Files Section of our Yahoo!Group for Report
> Builder
> > and Crystal Reports and other 'goodies', please goto:
> > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vantage/files/.
> > (2) To search through old msg's goto:
> > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vantage/messages
> > (3) To view links to Vendors that provide Vantage services goto:
> > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vantage/linksYahoo! Groups Links
> >
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> Useful links for the Yahoo!Groups Vantage Board are: ( Note: You
must have already linked your email address to a yahoo id to enable
access. )
> (1) To access the Files Section of our Yahoo!Group for Report
Builder and Crystal Reports and other 'goodies', please goto:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vantage/files/.
> (2) To search through old msg's goto:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vantage/messages
> (3) To view links to Vendors that provide Vantage services goto:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vantage/linksYahoo! Groups Links
>
8
Hi,

Sorry one more question, could we replace the interface via a webpage
with the appropriate webservices/Service Connect, if we were to go
with 9090s? Not to say we are just thinking out loud.

--- In vantage@yahoogroups.com, "Vic Drecchio" <vic.drecchio@...>
wrote:
>
>
> Have you seen the handheld user interface yet?
>
> When I worked for Epicor, barcoding and wireless handhelds were my
forte. I've done about 50 installs of varying magnitude.
>
> I always saw disappointment on the customers' faces after the
install. The handheld UI is clunky, limited and not intuitive for
most typical shop floor employees. The menus and screens have their
limitations with customizing, too. There is limited real estate on
the screen.
>
> I always rolled out Symbol MC9090G's. They're rugged and I've
dropped one (purposely) from a scissor lift about 20 feet in the air
and it was fine after. Motorola owns Symbol now. The other
cool/great thing about Symbol is they have a "shell" application
called Symbol AppCenter. This sits on top of the Windows Mobile UI
and really locks it down so your shop floor employees can't Google or
play Freecell on the handheld while camped out in the corner of the
warehouse on a truck. AppCenter is FREE and ONLY works on Symbol
handhelds.
>
> However, with that said, in my humble opinion, the wireless
handhelds are a waste of money. Again, the Vantage Handheld UI is
clunky and difficult to get the typical Picker or Shipping Guy to
learn. It's just not intuitive and it looks ugly.
>
> If you are adamant about having wireless capabilities, allow me to
make 2 alternate suggestions:
>
> 1) Depending on how far from the physical PC you need to be, check
out the Symbol LS4278. It looks similar to the tethered USB Symbol
LS2208 however it uses Bluetooth technology. This works great for
MES terminals, manifest stations and other job traveler scanning
operations around the shop floor. You have about a 50' radius of
connectivity from the MES workstation. I sometimes couple this with
a nice Stealth Pioneer POS touchscreen. Slick.
>
> 2) I started rolling out tablet PC's in lieu of handheld wireless
scanners. Tablet PC's can run the familiar MES interface and you can
have a tethered Symbol LS2208 connected to it. I also attached these
to little push carts. It was great for Picking as they could fill up
the cart and scan on-the-fly. Very nice.
>
>
> Those two suggestions are also money savers. You don't need to buy
the Handheld Module. You don't need to spend $4000 per wireless
handheld scanner (including docking/charging station, extra
batteries, holster, etc).
>
> You also do not need to have Microsoft Terminal Services; REQUIRED
if you use the wireless handhelds... or Citrix. Logging in with a
handheld is painful to your domain.
>
> Depending on how large your shop floor is, making an investment in
to Wireless Access Points can be another costly pain. If you cannot
touch all parts of your warehouse with one AP, then you need to buy
up to a better wireless system that manages multiple APs in your
warehouse and treats them all as one virtual AP. Otherwise, as your
handheld gets out of range, you've now dropped your signal, orphaned
a Terminal Server/Citrix connection and have a hung MES license on
the server. And, your shop floor employee using the handheld is
confused and frustrated.... and calling IT for help.
>
> If you haven't seen the handheld UI yet, I suggest you do so before
moving forward.
>
>
>
> Good luck.
>
>
>
> Vic Drecchio
> ERP Administrator
> TIMCO Aviation Services
> Greensboro, NC
> Email:Â Â vic.drecchio@...
> Office:Â 336.668.4410 x3091
> Mobile:Â 704.530.3092
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: vantage@yahoogroups.com [mailto:vantage@yahoogroups.com] On
Behalf Of brychanwilliams
> Sent: Thursday, January 08, 2009 7:24 AM
> To: vantage@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [Vantage] Re: General Advice on Handhelds
>
> Hi , Sorry. Yes definitely wireless. The main transactions will be
> receipts, transfers and issues(Job and Transfer Order).
>
> Thanks
>
> --- In vantage@yahoogroups.com, "Vic Drecchio" <vic.drecchio@>
> wrote:
> >
> >
> >
> > Do you NEED/WANT *wireless* handheld scanners? (ie, Symbol MC9090)
> >
> > Or can you do it all with corded barcode scanners connected to a
> Vantage
> > workstation? (ie, Symbol LS2208)
> >
> >
> > Big Big difference between each.
> >
> >
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: vantage@yahoogroups.com [mailto:vantage@yahoogroups.com] On
> Behalf
> > Of brychanwilliams
> > Sent: Thursday, January 08, 2009 7:19 AM
> > To: vantage@yahoogroups.com
> > Subject: [Vantage] General Advice on Handhelds
> >
> > Hi,
> >
> > I was wondering if anybody could pass on some advice on
handhelds.
> We
> > are looking to deploy the module with barcoding. We are looking
for
> > some direction on the device itself. I know epicor recommend
> certain
> > devices.
> >
> > We would like to do the following with the devices amongst others;
> >
> > 1) The device to have a barcode scanner to scan part serial
numbers
> off
> > actual supplier parts.
> >
> > Generally, looking for a real world experience in warehouse
> environment
> > using barcoding.
> >
> > Thanks in advance
> >
> >
> > ------------------------------------
> >
> > Useful links for the Yahoo!Groups Vantage Board are: ( Note: You
> must
> > have already linked your email address to a yahoo id to enable
> access. )
> > (1) To access the Files Section of our Yahoo!Group for Report
> Builder
> > and Crystal Reports and other 'goodies', please goto:
> > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vantage/files/.
> > (2) To search through old msg's goto:
> > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vantage/messages
> > (3) To view links to Vendors that provide Vantage services goto:
> > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vantage/linksYahoo! Groups Links
> >
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> Useful links for the Yahoo!Groups Vantage Board are: ( Note: You
must have already linked your email address to a yahoo id to enable
access. )
> (1) To access the Files Section of our Yahoo!Group for Report
Builder and Crystal Reports and other 'goodies', please goto:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vantage/files/.
> (2) To search through old msg's goto:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vantage/messages
> (3) To view links to Vendors that provide Vantage services goto:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vantage/linksYahoo! Groups Links
>
9
And sorry again, if Epicor 9 is browser based then does the Handheld
module exist at all?


--- In vantage@yahoogroups.com, "Vic Drecchio" <vic.drecchio@...>
wrote:
>
>
> Have you seen the handheld user interface yet?
>
> When I worked for Epicor, barcoding and wireless handhelds were my
forte. I've done about 50 installs of varying magnitude.
>
> I always saw disappointment on the customers' faces after the
install. The handheld UI is clunky, limited and not intuitive for
most typical shop floor employees. The menus and screens have their
limitations with customizing, too. There is limited real estate on
the screen.
>
> I always rolled out Symbol MC9090G's. They're rugged and I've
dropped one (purposely) from a scissor lift about 20 feet in the air
and it was fine after. Motorola owns Symbol now. The other
cool/great thing about Symbol is they have a "shell" application
called Symbol AppCenter. This sits on top of the Windows Mobile UI
and really locks it down so your shop floor employees can't Google or
play Freecell on the handheld while camped out in the corner of the
warehouse on a truck. AppCenter is FREE and ONLY works on Symbol
handhelds.
>
> However, with that said, in my humble opinion, the wireless
handhelds are a waste of money. Again, the Vantage Handheld UI is
clunky and difficult to get the typical Picker or Shipping Guy to
learn. It's just not intuitive and it looks ugly.
>
> If you are adamant about having wireless capabilities, allow me to
make 2 alternate suggestions:
>
> 1) Depending on how far from the physical PC you need to be, check
out the Symbol LS4278. It looks similar to the tethered USB Symbol
LS2208 however it uses Bluetooth technology. This works great for
MES terminals, manifest stations and other job traveler scanning
operations around the shop floor. You have about a 50' radius of
connectivity from the MES workstation. I sometimes couple this with
a nice Stealth Pioneer POS touchscreen. Slick.
>
> 2) I started rolling out tablet PC's in lieu of handheld wireless
scanners. Tablet PC's can run the familiar MES interface and you can
have a tethered Symbol LS2208 connected to it. I also attached these
to little push carts. It was great for Picking as they could fill up
the cart and scan on-the-fly. Very nice.
>
>
> Those two suggestions are also money savers. You don't need to buy
the Handheld Module. You don't need to spend $4000 per wireless
handheld scanner (including docking/charging station, extra
batteries, holster, etc).
>
> You also do not need to have Microsoft Terminal Services; REQUIRED
if you use the wireless handhelds... or Citrix. Logging in with a
handheld is painful to your domain.
>
> Depending on how large your shop floor is, making an investment in
to Wireless Access Points can be another costly pain. If you cannot
touch all parts of your warehouse with one AP, then you need to buy
up to a better wireless system that manages multiple APs in your
warehouse and treats them all as one virtual AP. Otherwise, as your
handheld gets out of range, you've now dropped your signal, orphaned
a Terminal Server/Citrix connection and have a hung MES license on
the server. And, your shop floor employee using the handheld is
confused and frustrated.... and calling IT for help.
>
> If you haven't seen the handheld UI yet, I suggest you do so before
moving forward.
>
>
>
> Good luck.
>
>
>
> Vic Drecchio
> ERP Administrator
> TIMCO Aviation Services
> Greensboro, NC
> Email:Â Â vic.drecchio@...
> Office:Â 336.668.4410 x3091
> Mobile:Â 704.530.3092
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: vantage@yahoogroups.com [mailto:vantage@yahoogroups.com] On
Behalf Of brychanwilliams
> Sent: Thursday, January 08, 2009 7:24 AM
> To: vantage@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [Vantage] Re: General Advice on Handhelds
>
> Hi , Sorry. Yes definitely wireless. The main transactions will be
> receipts, transfers and issues(Job and Transfer Order).
>
> Thanks
>
> --- In vantage@yahoogroups.com, "Vic Drecchio" <vic.drecchio@>
> wrote:
> >
> >
> >
> > Do you NEED/WANT *wireless* handheld scanners? (ie, Symbol MC9090)
> >
> > Or can you do it all with corded barcode scanners connected to a
> Vantage
> > workstation? (ie, Symbol LS2208)
> >
> >
> > Big Big difference between each.
> >
> >
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: vantage@yahoogroups.com [mailto:vantage@yahoogroups.com] On
> Behalf
> > Of brychanwilliams
> > Sent: Thursday, January 08, 2009 7:19 AM
> > To: vantage@yahoogroups.com
> > Subject: [Vantage] General Advice on Handhelds
> >
> > Hi,
> >
> > I was wondering if anybody could pass on some advice on
handhelds.
> We
> > are looking to deploy the module with barcoding. We are looking
for
> > some direction on the device itself. I know epicor recommend
> certain
> > devices.
> >
> > We would like to do the following with the devices amongst others;
> >
> > 1) The device to have a barcode scanner to scan part serial
numbers
> off
> > actual supplier parts.
> >
> > Generally, looking for a real world experience in warehouse
> environment
> > using barcoding.
> >
> > Thanks in advance
> >
> >
> > ------------------------------------
> >
> > Useful links for the Yahoo!Groups Vantage Board are: ( Note: You
> must
> > have already linked your email address to a yahoo id to enable
> access. )
> > (1) To access the Files Section of our Yahoo!Group for Report
> Builder
> > and Crystal Reports and other 'goodies', please goto:
> > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vantage/files/.
> > (2) To search through old msg's goto:
> > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vantage/messages
> > (3) To view links to Vendors that provide Vantage services goto:
> > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vantage/linksYahoo! Groups Links
> >
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> Useful links for the Yahoo!Groups Vantage Board are: ( Note: You
must have already linked your email address to a yahoo id to enable
access. )
> (1) To access the Files Section of our Yahoo!Group for Report
Builder and Crystal Reports and other 'goodies', please goto:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vantage/files/.
> (2) To search through old msg's goto:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vantage/messages
> (3) To view links to Vendors that provide Vantage services goto:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vantage/linksYahoo! Groups Links
>
10
From my understanding, it would be incorrect to say that Epicor 9 is
browser based. I was part of the Beta and everything I saw was
simply an upgrade to the current Vantage/Vista 8. There may have
been more that I missed as I had to drop out of the Beta due to time
constraints. All of the literature does state that it uses "Web 2.0
Concepts," but it doesn't say that it is web based. That being said,
there are portions of the software accessible via a browser...i.e.
Epicor Portal.

OK...now onto Handhelds...I'm a Vista user and as such, the Advanced
Material Management Module is not available to us (until Epicor 9).
This means that for Vista users and Vantage users without AMM, you
cannot allocate material to a job through MES. So, if you don't have
AMM and want this functionality, Handheld offers it and it's less
expensive than AMM. The other option is using a full user license to
allocate material to a job.

I personally think the handheld screens are easy and intuitive to
use. You don't have to use a handheld device to pull the screens up
either. It is simply a switch in your shortcut like MES. Use –HH
instead of –MES.

Matt Holmes
Precision Drawn Metals

Other great resources:
Epicor 9 Forum: http://forums.epicor.com/forum_topics.asp?FID=181
Vantage 8 Forum: http://forums.epicor.com/forum_topics.asp?FID=25
Vista 8 Forum: http://forums.epicor.com/forum_topics.asp?FID=26
Great Lakes Vista Users Group: http://www.glvistausersgroup.com






--- In vantage@yahoogroups.com, "brychanwilliams"
<brychanwilliams@...> wrote:
>
> Hi,
>
> I was wondering if anybody could pass on some advice on handhelds.
We
> are looking to deploy the module with barcoding. We are looking for
> some direction on the device itself. I know epicor recommend
certain
> devices.
>
> We would like to do the following with the devices amongst others;
>
> 1) The device to have a barcode scanner to scan part serial numbers
off
> actual supplier parts.
>
> Generally, looking for a real world experience in warehouse
environment
> using barcoding.
>
> Thanks in advance
>
11
Hi ,

Thanks for the below, sorry I didn't it was browser based but it
could be access by a browser. I seem to remember something about
deployment through devices via a browser, but may have got this
wrong....



--- In vantage@yahoogroups.com, "vistapdmmatt" <mh@...> wrote:
>
> From my understanding, it would be incorrect to say that Epicor 9
is
> browser based. I was part of the Beta and everything I saw was
> simply an upgrade to the current Vantage/Vista 8. There may have
> been more that I missed as I had to drop out of the Beta due to
time
> constraints. All of the literature does state that it uses "Web
2.0
> Concepts," but it doesn't say that it is web based. That being
said,
> there are portions of the software accessible via a browser...i.e.
> Epicor Portal.
>
> OK...now onto Handhelds...I'm a Vista user and as such, the
Advanced
> Material Management Module is not available to us (until Epicor
9).
> This means that for Vista users and Vantage users without AMM, you
> cannot allocate material to a job through MES. So, if you don't
have
> AMM and want this functionality, Handheld offers it and it's less
> expensive than AMM. The other option is using a full user license
to
> allocate material to a job.
>
> I personally think the handheld screens are easy and intuitive to
> use. You don't have to use a handheld device to pull the screens
up
> either. It is simply a switch in your shortcut like MES. Use –HH
> instead of –MES.
>
> Matt Holmes
> Precision Drawn Metals
>
> Other great resources:
> Epicor 9 Forum: http://forums.epicor.com/forum_topics.asp?FID=181
> Vantage 8 Forum: http://forums.epicor.com/forum_topics.asp?FID=25
> Vista 8 Forum: http://forums.epicor.com/forum_topics.asp?FID=26
> Great Lakes Vista Users Group: http://www.glvistausersgroup.com
>
>
>
>
>
>
> --- In vantage@yahoogroups.com, "brychanwilliams"
> <brychanwilliams@> wrote:
> >
> > Hi,
> >
> > I was wondering if anybody could pass on some advice on
handhelds.
> We
> > are looking to deploy the module with barcoding. We are looking
for
> > some direction on the device itself. I know epicor recommend
> certain
> > devices.
> >
> > We would like to do the following with the devices amongst others;
> >
> > 1) The device to have a barcode scanner to scan part serial
numbers
> off
> > actual supplier parts.
> >
> > Generally, looking for a real world experience in warehouse
> environment
> > using barcoding.
> >
> > Thanks in advance
> >
>
12
Hi,

We have gone for Intermec CN3 units with 2D imager and numeric keypad to run the handheld version of MES.

We tried lots of manufacturers handhelds and found that Intermec and Honeywell were the best scanners. We have gone for the 2D so they will scan standard barcodes and 2D barcodes so they are more universal and future proof.

We found that the 2D scanners are far more accurate and faster than the laser scanners.

The CN3 is nice and small compared to the longer hand held units.

We have also gone for a 3yr 5 day fully comprehensive repair service on them (not something that is offered by Intermec as standard, but we pushed for it).

Hope this helps a little.

Cheers,


CHRIS THOMPSON




________________________________
From: Vic Drecchio <vic.drecchio@...>
To: vantage@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Thursday, January 8, 2009 12:22:47 PM
Subject: RE: [Vantage] General Advice on Handhelds




Do you NEED/WANT *wireless* handheld scanners? (ie, Symbol MC9090)

Or can you do it all with corded barcode scanners connected to a Vantage
workstation? (ie, Symbol LS2208)

Big Big difference between each.

-----Original Message-----
From: vantage@yahoogroups .com [mailto:vantage@yahoogroups .com] On Behalf
Of brychanwilliams
Sent: Thursday, January 08, 2009 7:19 AM
To: vantage@yahoogroups .com
Subject: [Vantage] General Advice on Handhelds

Hi,

I was wondering if anybody could pass on some advice on handhelds. We
are looking to deploy the module with barcoding. We are looking for
some direction on the device itself. I know epicor recommend certain
devices.

We would like to do the following with the devices amongst others;

1) The device to have a barcode scanner to scan part serial numbers off
actual supplier parts.

Generally, looking for a real world experience in warehouse environment
using barcoding.

Thanks in advance

------------ --------- --------- ------

Useful links for the Yahoo!Groups Vantage Board are: ( Note: You must
have already linked your email address to a yahoo id to enable access. )
(1) To access the Files Section of our Yahoo!Group for Report Builder
and Crystal Reports and other 'goodies', please goto:
http://groups. yahoo.com/ group/vantage/ files/.
(2) To search through old msg's goto:
http://groups. yahoo.com/ group/vantage/ messages
(3) To view links to Vendors that provide Vantage services goto:
http://groups. yahoo.com/ group/vantage/ linksYahoo! Groups Links






[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
13
> From my understanding, it would be incorrect to say that Epicor 9 is
> browser based. I was part of the Beta and everything I saw was
> simply an upgrade to the current Vantage/Vista 8. There may have
> been more that I missed as I had to drop out of the Beta due to time
> constraints. All of the literature does state that it uses "Web 2.0
> Concepts," but it doesn't say that it is web based. That being said,
> there are portions of the software accessible via a browser...i.e.
> Epicor Portal.

Epicor Everywhere (formerly called Win2Web) is the ability to access Epicor
9 via a web browser. It comes with the Enterprise version of Epicor (Vantage
level). You don't need Epicor Portal running to do this.

Epicor Portal is program that allows you to expose portions of business
objects through a web server - especially with SharePoint through Webparts.
You can also create web pages that allow one to update Vantage/Epicor (and
some of the other Epicor product lines). You buy "Content Packs" that give
you access to certain business objects. The contact packs contain the
Service Connect scripts required to update Vantage/Epicor without having to
buy the SC developer's license.

Mark W.