Barcode Maintenance [WHS031]

Owned by DATASCOPE WMS
Last updated: Apr 19, 2024
6 min read

This module holds a master record link between the installed SYSPRO Stock Code and the Supplier barcode. This allows you to scan the barcode labels on the Supplier product within your Distribution Center. It allows for a one-to-one and one-to-many link, therefore, a SYSPRO Stock Code can be linked to a range of different barcodes depending on the pack size.

There are three types of Alternate Values that can be configured.

  • One-to-One barcode to SYSPRO link

  • Two SYSPRO SKUs to one barcode

  • Use Wildcards

Example:

  1. One-to-One barcode to SYSPRO link - When a product (stock code) was purchased as a single unit (or EA), for example, bottled water, it can be sold in either a 6-pack, 12-pack, or 24-pack. The single unit will typically have its own UPC or EAN barcode printed on its label. When creating the stock code in SYSPRO, this UPC or EAN barcode will be stored in SYSPRO’s AlternateKey1 field, and the Unit of Measure will be saved as EA. Like the single unit (one bottle of water), the different pack sizes (i.e.,6-pack, 12-pack, or 24-pack) will also have different printed barcodes on each pack. Each pack size will have unique barcodes depending on the pack size, with the same single unit (one bottled water) stock code within the pack. The different pack size barcodes (i.e.,6-pack, 12-pack, or 24-pack) would then be configured in DATASCOPE PREMIUM WMS as Alternative values (or UOMs).

  2. Two SYSPRO SKUs to one barcode - A vendor upgrades a particular item with a slightly different design or packaging, but the product's UPC or EAN barcode remains the same. As the items look physically slightly different, it’s possible to create two stock codes in SYSPRO to correctly identify the two items on the warehouse floor. Still, both stock codes will have the same UPC or EAN barcode number. In this scenario, you can link the UPC or EAN barcode number (which is the same for both products) to the two stock codes in SYSPRO.

  1. Use Wildcards - A company purchasing air conditioning units would have one stock code configured in SYSPRO called AIRCON, but the supplier might send slightly different UPCs or barcodes for the same physical unit. The last digits of the UPC or barcode would change for each version number; for example, the first unit’s UPC states AIRCON001 and the subsequent order’s UPC will state AIRCON009, as there were 9 product revisions since you last ordered. If you want both UPCs or barcodes to resolve to the configured stock code in SYSPRO, you can use the DATASCOPE PREMIUM WMS Barcode Maintenance module.

  • Select a Stock Code from the lookup icon that must be set up with barcode data.

  • The data grid will update with the ability to edit (or add more Alternate UOMs)

  • To create One-to-One barcode to SYSPRO link:

    • Enter the SYSPRO single unit stock code in the Stock Code field.

    • The Source field can remain as CUSTOM.

    • The Alternate Value will be the UPC or EAN barcode visible on the pack size (not the single unit’s UPC or EAN barcode).

    • Like the single unit (one bottle of water), the pack sizes (i.e.,6-pack, 12-pack, or 24-pack) will also have different printed barcodes on each pack.

    • Note: The Alternate Value (pack size barcode) will typically be a long string of numbers.

    • The conversion factor will either be multiplied or divided. As the base stock (single unit) was created as EA in SYSPRO, and the first Alternative UOM you will create is, for example, a 6-pack, the Conversion Factor will be multiplied by 6.

    • Enter the Factor, which is 6.

    • The UOM field is a free-format text field where you can enter a recognizable UOM description, such as 6PACK.

    • Continue to add more stocking units for other pack sizes, for example, a 12-pack and a 24-pack.

    • Note: The (single unit) stock code will remain the same for all pack sizes.

    • Select Apply to save the records.

    • A pop-up will appear stating that the WMS Stock Cross Reference table will be updated. If you are certain this is what you want to do, select Yes.

  • To create two SYSPRO SKUs to one barcode:

    • Enter the first stock code in the Stock Code field.

    • Select the Refresh icon to load the data grid (or just tab off the field)

    • The data grid will update with the ability to edit (or add more Alternate UOMs)

    • Add an Alternate Value (which is the product's UPC or EAN barcode) in the Alternate Value field for the first stock code.

    • The Conversion can be Multiple, and the Factor can be one.

    • Update the free format UOM text field with a recognizable name.

    • Select the Apply button to save the first Alternate Value.

    • Enter the second stock code in the Stock Code field.

    • Enter the same Alternate Value as for the first stock code (UPC or EAN barcode) in the Alternate Value field (as the UPC or EAN barcode is the same for both stock codes)

    • Again, the Conversion can be Multiple, and the Factor can be one.

    • Update the free format UOM text field with a recognizable name.

    • Select the Apply button to save the second Alternate Value.

    • A pop-up will appear explaining how the system will now function with these linked Alternative Values.

    • Note that the Operator must select which SYSPRO stock code to work with from a pop-up on the PC screen.

    • On the mobile screen, the Operator must select which SYSPRO stock code to work with from a drop-down.

  • To use wildcards

    • To add wildcards as Alternate values you will follow the same process as above, but the Alternative Value field will either have the Single Seq Wildcard Character or the Multi Seq Wildcard Character.

    • Specific System Settings must be configured in order to use wildcards as part of the stock code.

    • When wildcard characters are configured under system settings they will also be visible at the bottom of this screen.

      • Single Seq Wildcard Character: This character defines the symbols to use as the wildcard character. This setting is used when the symbol chosen represents single characters.

      • Multi Seq Wildcard Character: This character defines the symbols to use as the wildcard character. This setting is used when the symbol chosen represents multiple characters.

      • Minimum re Non Wildcard: - This number defines the minimum number of characters containing wildcard characters. For example, if the UPC barcode that must be validated is a fixed length of 12 characters, then setting this to 12 characters would ensure that any string scanned that is less than 12 characters would not be validated for a wildcard character. Setting it to 1, which is the minimum value, ensures that All lengths of strings will be validated for wildcards.

    • As there are no conversion factors as the QTY is one-to-one, the conversion can remain on multiple, and the factor can be one.

    • To view only the Wildcard entries select the Show Only Wildcard Entries checkbox to view stock codes configured for wildcard entries.

    • Again, select Apply to save.

SPECIAL FEATURES

  •  There are three types o Alternate Values that can be configured.

TECHNICAL

  • In order to use wildcards, specific system settings must be configured.

    • Locate the ALTERNATE_STOCK System Setting and change the Setting Name ALT_STOCK_REGEX to N(o). If the ALT_STOCK_REGEX is set to N(o), the following WILDCARD settings are used within the system.

    • WILDCARD_SCANNING_MIN_CHAR_REQ—This setting defines the minimum number of characters containing wildcard characters. For example, if the UPC barcode that must be validated is a fixed length of 12 characters, then setting this to 12 characters would ensure that any string scanned that is less than 12 characters would not be validated for a wildcard character. Setting it to 1, which is the minimum value, ensures that All lengths of strings will be validated for wildcards.

    • WILDCARD_SCANNING_MIN_CHAR_REQ—This setting defines the minimum number of characters containing wildcard characters. For example, if the UPC barcode that must be validated is a fixed length of 12 characters, then setting this to 12 characters would ensure that any string scanned that is less than 12 characters would not be validated for a wildcard character. Setting it to 1, which is the minimum value, ensures that All lengths of strings will be validated for wildcards.

SYSPRO REQUIREMENTS & Business objects used

  • Always ensure to add the UPC or EAN barcode to the Alternate key 1 field in SYSPRO.

  • It’s good practice to use the lowest unit of measure as the stocking unit of measure to avoid decimal QTYs during transactions.

REFERENCE

  • WHS031