Barcode Scanning in Microsoft Dynamics GP

Modern scanners, used on the warehouse floor typically have operating system and LCD screen, and the scanning is happening either in batch mode (where you scan multiple documents and then upload them as the batch to your computer), or in real time mode, when scanner has the logic to scan multiple lines and then when the whole document is ready – it is uploaded to the Server.  Obviously such an intelligent scanner gives you great advantages, but it also requires special software to prepare scanned transaction to be integrated with your Corporate ERP application, in our case Dynamics GP (historically it was known as Great Plains Dynamics and some customers still refer it by that name).  Let’s review the options to open Great Plains for Barcoding:
1. Direct Barcoding.  If you have really basic USB barcode scanner (Addesso NuScan, Metrologic Voyager, HP, and other brands), typically connected to POS (Point Of Sale) computers – you can try to deploy such a scanner in the following situation.  Imagine, you have Netbook or another type of tiny laptop computer, you attach USB barcode scanner to it and go to do warehouse management routines.  Let’s assume that you have something like EDI or B2B ecommerce uploaded Sales Order, where the allocation is manual and you do it in the warehouse.  If you pull out this order on your netbook screen (assuming you are connected to the Dynamics GP server via wireless connection) – now you highlight the SOP line and you are ready to scan your item with barcode scanner for allocation.  If you are running your own small business and if you do allocation, inventory replenishment couple of times per week or every day with really low number of transactions, this method might work (especially when you are very familiar with Dynamics GP functionality)
2. Barcoding in Retail.  If you have small or mid-size retail store or chain of stores, we recommend you to deploy professional POS and Retail software, such as Microsoft RMS (Retail Management System), Counterpoint or another brand.  This approach will resolve the issue at POS and Barcode scanning will be automated.  Then POS transactions as well as Purchasing documents (created via barcode scanning in MS RMS or Counterpoint) could be integrated into Dynamics GP General Ledger (daily sales) or AP (Purchase Receipts)
3. Barcoding in Wholesale.  If you are in Wholesale business, you might need full featured Warehouse Management System.  Typical WMS functionality includes three components: Sales Order Fulfillment, Purchase Receipt and Inventory Adjustment/Transfer.  If you are exploring WMS option to pick and implement, there are two directions, in our opinion.  First one is Dynamics GP WMS extensions, exposing Distribution module to barcoding (WMS client application runs directly on the barcode scanner and WMS server talks to Dynamics GP server via ODBC connection).  The second direction would be to select external Warehouse Management System, which has connectors or integration package to upload transactions to Dynamics GP
4. Barcoding in Bill of Materials or full featured manufacturing.  Here you have lesser number of packaged Barcoding add-ons for Dynamics GP and we recommend you to work with your Microsoft Dynamics GP Reseller to see what could be done.  We are more than happy to open one or several Great Plains Manufacturing or BOM screens for barcoding via Dexterity custom programming
5. To request further help, please call us 1-866-528-0577, 1-630-961-5918, in Michigan 1-269-605-0330 or email us help@albaspectrum.com  If you are large wholesaler or distributor, you may expect that some level of WMS or SCM customized business logic should be programmed to automate your unique business processes.  We are available to serve you USA, Canada nationwide, and internationally.  Local service in Chicago, Southern California, Western Michigan, Houston, TX