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Article Barcode Scanning for Inventory Management

Barcode Scanning for Inventory Management

Barcode scanning eliminates manual entry errors and speeds up inventory transactions. FieldPulse supports both device camera scanning and external Bluetooth scanners.

Supported Scanning Methods

  • Device camera: Uses your phone/tablet camera. No additional hardware required.
  • Bluetooth scanner: Pairs with dedicated barcode hardware. Faster for high-volume environments.

Setting Up Barcode Values

Each inventory item needs a barcode value assigned:

  1. Navigate to Inventory > Items
  2. Select an item or create a new one
  3. Enter the barcode in the Barcode / SKU field
  4. Save

Barcodes can be UPC, Code 128, QR codes, or any alphanumeric string your scanner outputs.

Scanning Workflows

Quick Lookup

  • Tap the Scan icon on the Inventory screen
  • Scan the barcode to jump directly to the item record
  • View stock levels, location, and recent activity

Adding Parts to a Work Order

  • Open the work order
  • Tap Add Parts
  • Tap the Scan button
  • Scan the part barcode
  • Quantity defaults to 1 — adjust if needed
  • Confirm to deduct from inventory

Receiving Inventory

  • Go to Inventory > Receive Stock
  • Scan each item as you unpack
  • Verify quantities match the delivery
  • Submit to update on-hand counts

Camera Scanning Tips

  • Keep the barcode within the on-screen frame
  • Ensure adequate lighting — shadows cause misreads
  • Hold steady for 1–2 seconds
  • Clean your camera lens regularly
  • damaged or wrinkled barcodes may need manual entry

Bluetooth Scanner Setup

  1. Pair the scanner to your device via Bluetooth settings
  2. In FieldPulse, go to Settings > Mobile Preferences > Input Devices
  3. Enable External Scanner Mode
  4. Test with a known barcode

Most scanners act as keyboard input — make sure the cursor is in a text field before scanning.

Troubleshooting

  • Scanner not detected: Re-pair in device Bluetooth settings. Some scanners need to be in HID mode.
  • Wrong item pulled up: Verify the barcode in your inventory record matches the physical label exactly.
  • Camera won't focus: Check camera permissions for FieldPulse in device settings.
  • Duplicate scans: Enable Scan Confirmation in settings to require a tap after each scan.

See Also

  • Setting Up Your Parts Inventory
  • Tracking Parts Used on a Job
  • Bulk Importing Inventory via CSV
  • Barcode Scanner Not Working on Android Devices