Using Camera as an Input Device for Attachments in Epicor Kinetic 2023.1.12

Kinetic ERP
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I hope this message finds you well.

We are currently using Epicor Kinetic 2023.1.12, primarily accessing the web version of Kinetic UI from a Dell tablet with built-in front/back cameras.

I would like to inquire if it is possible to use the device’s camera as an input source for adding attachments to an existing record. Specifically, in modules like Job Entry where the paperclip icon allows users to attach files, is there a way to configure the system to input attachments directly from the camera, rather than solely from the file system?

Our goal is to streamline processes by enabling users to capture images on the spot and attach them directly to records without additional steps. If such functionality is not currently supported, are there any workarounds or customizations you would recommend?

Thank you in advance for your insights.

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https://epicor-manufacturing.ideas.aha.io/

Sounds like a very good idea.

Also strikes me as something that would be pretty difficult to achieve as a customization in Kinetic.

Sorry I can’t be more help

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Not an answer I know and someone can correct me if I’m wrong since I don’t have first hand experience but it seems to me I’ve seen/heard of such a feature in their mobile apps like Mobile Warehouse so I think they have done something like this already in another product area, just not in main-line kinetic.

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Thank you for mentioning this @leonardpothier I was just about to chime in that you can do this with Kinetic Mobile Warehouse.

I think initially it was intended to be used as a proof of delivery type thing but you can use the camera to attach a photo to basically anything.

Agree with @Evan_Purdy though it’s a great idea that should be expanded to regular Kinetic.

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This really isn’t an answer either, but a thought or two.

Photos tend to be large without some sort of processing before storage. (Can you pre-process them to shrink them or set/control the camera via code to do so?)

Can you find an app (a windows app?) that can take the picture, shrink it, name it, and store it locally as a specific name and location? If so, then I’m sure we can find the code from within Kinetic to pick up and attach the file. Or can you find a program to do it that can be scripted to do the work? Just use this app separately from Kinetic.

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Thank you for the suggestion. I will evaluation the application as a possible solution.

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We currently have a similar solution to your suggestion. The photos are taken using a PowerApp, then the user drags and drops the photos into Epicor as attachments.

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Best you could hope for is a browser extension perhaps…

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I attempted to access Epicor Kinetic Job Entry from my Android device over a VPN session. The application exhibited the same behavior as it does on my Windows 11 Chrome and Edge browsers. I was hoping it would prompt me to use the camera, but that did not occur.

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I confirmed during a scheduled demo of Epicor Mobile Warehouse that the functionality you mentioned is available and working. The product specialist provided a detailed demonstration of the photo attachment feature, showcasing its use via the device camera on both a Zebra device and a mobile Android phone.

Additionally, I submitted a feature request for the desired functionality directly within Epicor Kinetic:

Using Camera as an Input Device for Attachments
Link to Idea Submission

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I’ve completed the setup for my evaluation of the Epicor Kinetic Mobile Warehouse (EKW) and successfully tested capturing and attaching photos to a Job from my Android phone. I used EpicorDemo environment for all my testing.

EKW integrates with ECM attachment types, automatically depositing the document. The attached photos can then be viewed either in ECM or directly within Epicor Job Entry.

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