Client Goal: Rapidly capture sheets of 25 product serial numbers (sometimes 2×25) and send only codes beginning with INT or IP into existing outbound order workflows—using a single mobile action instead of 25+ individual scans.

Who Needed This and Why

A warehouse team processed outbound orders containing devices labeled with multiple serial barcodes. Weekly bursts could mean up to 100 boxes; speed and accuracy mattered more than continuous daily volume. Manual one‑by‑one scanning created unnecessary handling time and risked missed or duplicated entries.

The Challenge

Each sheet contained tightly packed 1D barcodes; some prints showed faint or partially unreadable lines. A reliable solution needed to (1) detect many codes in a single image, (2) filter only valid prefixes (INT/IP), (3) output them cleanly to existing PC software via keyboard emulation and/or structured CSV, and (4) stay lightweight for one-device deployment.

Solution Overview

We delivered a custom extension of Barcode to PC using a multi-barcode capture module (with advanced decoding plus optional OCR fallback) integrated into an Output Template. The template transforms each successful batch capture into structured rows without requiring the operator to learn new software.

How the Capture Flow Works

1. User opens a special template on the mobile device.
2. Takes (or selects) a single high-resolution photo of the barcode sheet.
3. Engine detects and decodes all readable barcodes; OCR may confirm ambiguous ones.
4. Codes are filtered: only those starting with INT or IP are retained.
5. Results preview (e.g., “24 accepted • 1 unreadable”) with option to accept or retake.
6. On accept: each code is emitted sequentially through keyboard emulation and appended to the CSV export.

Key Output Template Components Used

The implementation purposely stayed lean—focusing on core, well-documented components:

• BARCODE – Base element conceptually representing each decoded serial (programmatically iterated after batch capture).
• DATE_TIME – Timestamp column for traceability.
• NUMBER – Auto-increment (quantity or positional index).
• DEVICE_NAME – Identifies which handset processed the batch.
• ENTER – Sends a newline between emitted values when keyboard emulation is active.

Why Not 25 Separate BARCODE Components?

The batch decoder extracts a dynamic list from a single image; the template outputs one logical “row” per decoded code, maintaining simplicity and avoiding rigid component duplication. This keeps maintenance low while remaining compatible with both keyboard and CSV pipelines.

Filtering Strategy

Prefix filtering (INT/IP) occurs immediately after decoding—so unusable codes never reach the output layer. This reduces noise, prevents accidental entry into the target application, and minimizes cleanup.

Data Output Options

The warehouse can choose at runtime or configuration level:

• Keyboard Emulation: Values typed directly into ERP / WMS input fields. See Keyboard Emulation.
• CSV Export: Structured rows (Date, Device, Index, Serial). Easily imported into spreadsheets or reconciled later.

Improving Read Reliability

Some early photos showed washed or broken bars. We advised: consistent lighting, avoiding motion blur, and (optionally) enabling an OCR assist layer to parse human-readable text beneath damaged barcodes, raising total batch accuracy.

Performance & Time Savings

Previously: 25 scans ≈ 25 trigger actions + cursor management. Now: 1 capture + confirmation. Even at one batch per week, scaling to dozens of boxes yields meaningful labor reduction and fewer mis-scans.

Security & Control

All processing runs on the trusted device + desktop pairing. No external file writes or database updates were needed beyond the existing CSV / emulated input channel, simplifying rollout through internal IT policies.

Deployment Simplicity

Because only one device is involved, setup centered on (1) installing Barcode to PC on phone + desktop, (2) importing the tailored Output Template, (3) configuring device name, and (4) mapping the receiving application’s cursor position for seamless multiline entry.

Results

• Single-action capture of dense serial sheets.
• Automatic filtering for valid product families.
• Consistent timestamp + device attribution.
• Reduced manual handling and error risk.
• Flexible output (keyboard or CSV) without extra scripting.

When to Consider a Similar Customization

If you face clustered labels (kits, trays, panels) or need rule-based filtering before data reaches your system, a focused multi-barcode + template workflow can yield disproportionate efficiency gains—even at moderate volume.

Next Steps

Need something similar—multi-code capture, smart filtering, or tailored Output Template logic—without overengineering? Reach out for a scoping chat and we’ll validate feasibility, timeline, and cost.

Want to explore components yourself? Start with the BARCODE component and layer timestamps, counters, and device identifiers as shown above.

Get Your Custom Workflow

Contact us to discuss your sheet, tray, or multi-label capture scenario. We’ll help you turn one-photo input into structured, validated data—fast.