Cougar Mountain Software Support-Great Accounting Reports for Cougar Mountain, Quickbooks and Peachtree

cms₂BC Overview
For Cougar Mountain Software Support's
Professional Version (V7, V8, V9, V10, V11, V12, V2009, V2010 & V2011)

cms₂BC HW-Overview_tm
Barcode Wand (very hard to use) (must learn the speed to scan across the label)
CCD Barcode Reader normally has on/off trigger The distance from the barcode is less than a laser Usually from 1/2" to 3"
Laser Barcode Reader normally does not have an on/off trigger and is always on The distance from the barcode is more than a CCD Usually from 1/2" to 6+"
Reader w/Keyboard Wedge Other than USB, the easiest way to hook up a barcode scanner is by using a keyboard wedge (basically a Y-Splitter where the keyboard is plugged into one leg, the scanner into another leg and the third leg is plugged into the computer's keyboard PS/2 connector)
Reader w/Serial Interface
Reader w/USB
Reader w/card or base
Barcode w/keyboard wedge
Barcode Reader with stand
Barcode Reader-Wireless The base is hard wired to the computer, each base has its own ID code so that another base doesn't pick up another wireless reader's signal
Barcode Reader-Mounted
Barcode Reader with numeric input
Barcode Reader for handheld devices

This topic discusses the various
aspects of using bar codes and barcoding hardware

Barcoding
(overview, software, hardware, reading, tips, etc)

Overview
bar coding Software
bar coding Hardware-Printers
bar coding Hardware-Reading
bar coding Tips & Tricks
bar coding Installation
Wireless & Remote Solutions

Overview
The subject of covers is very broad. There are many types of bar codes used by different industries. The most popular include UPC-A, UPC-B, ISBN, Code 39 & others. There are many kinds of reading devices including pens, CCD & Lasers which can be handheld, counter mounted or wireless. bar code reading is just an alternate input device. The bar code hardware translates the bar codes to the equivalent of keystrokes.

Wands are difficult to use, you need to learn the exact speed with which to swipe across the bar code and usually need direct contact with the label. The CCD version is not on until the trigger is pressed and needs to be within a few inches of the label. The Laser version is always on and can read bar codes from a much further distance.

Cougar has are a rather unique approach to handling bar coding. Some software publishers force you to make your stock number the bar code number. Others have a special field to store the bar code number which is a problem since some products could have multiple bar codes or the same stock number coming from different sources may use different bar codes. Cougar uses its very powerful alternate part number ability to store as many bar codes for a particular part as desired.

There are types of bar code formats. The most popular include: UPC-A, UPC-B, UPC-c, ISBN and Code 39. Basically, the industry your in, determines the most likely bar code format you will use.

Most bar code readers and software can handle multiple bar code formats.

Software
Hardware

Tips & Tricks
Installation
I recommend that Bartender be installed on the same drive letter as the Cougar Mountain programs. It maybe even be installed as a subdirectory underneath Cougar's program directory (e.g.. f:\cmswin\bartend)

Bar Coding Software
There are lots of different bar code software packages available. They all generate bar codes in different formats. Cougar employs Seagull's bar code Generating software called Bar Tender to provide a seamless integration into its inventory or purchase order modules. From the Inventory Report Menu> you can select the inventory label report, turn the bar code option on and print one label, the number of labels in inventory or a user specified quantity of labels. In Purchase Order, you access the receiving menu and the user can generate the number of labels needed on a purchase order that the supplier doesn't have labels.

The size and type of labels can be changed by entering the Bar Tender software and modifying the pre-designed files as needed.

Menu-driven label printing software that produces the bar coded inventory labels you need. You have the flexibility and power of bar code generating software that works with the information already stored inside your Cougar Mountain Software Support inventory data files.