16.01.2019
Reading Time: 4 Minutes

Transmit Bar Codes in SAP DMS

In this Article

    This news is about …

    … a new SEAL Systems standard product for direct capture of bar code information from a TIFF or PDF file

    … advantage of bar code labels on documents for scanning processes

    … functionality of document back tracking with bar codes

    … bar code types supported

    Many of our customer projects require the automatic recognition and processing of documents. Bar code information is collected directly from TIFF or PDF files, which enable an intelligent assignment to SAP objects, for example. We already use bar code scanning and processing in many projects. Until recently, we’ve had only project-specific solutions for this, but now there is a standard product for these tasks.

    Many of our customer projects require the automatic recognition and processing of documents. Bar code information is collected directly from TIFF or PDF files, which enable an intelligent assignment to SAP objects, for example. We already use bar code scanning and processing in many projects. Until recently, we’ve had only project-specific solutions for this, but now there is a standard product for these tasks.

    Barcode

    Application cases

    Late Scanning: Papers to be scanned are furnished with a bar code sticker containing information on the document management’s data record, to which the files are assigned later. These stickers can be created in a series beforehand and applied automatically. After the actual scan, assignment in DMS can now be done fully automatically through bar code information.

    Tracing: Papers are generated automatically and used offline or even externally, and are to be filled out by users. These might be quotation requests, maintenance instructions, quality assurance protocol or other various documents. What they all have in common, though, is that they are to be supplemented during use and assigned again to their original file in the initial system after final processing.

    Of course it’s helpful if the assignment to the correct process can take place via a bar code. The supplier’s quote will automatically be assigned to quotation requests. The attached documentation can be automatically supplemented with the protocol of the last maintenance or repair. The input quality control protocol is attached to the delivery in the merchandise management system.

    The new standard product from SEAL Systems can be adjusted very flexibly according to customer situation. Its features include:

    • Input processing of TIFF and PDF
    • Options for page selection
    • Specification of recognized bar code types
    • Filter functions to avoid false information
    • DPF process with standard configuration options and user exits
    • Loading of input files to SAP DVS, TeamCenter, SharePoint and others

    The following bar code types are supported

    Linear bar codes

    Linear bar codes consist of lines and spaces of differing widths. The content of the bar code is coded in the varying widths of these lines. The bar code’s height is not important as long as it doesn’t fall below the minimum. There are several different codings, the most important of them being code 39 and code 128 as well as the trade identifier bar codes (such as EAN, GTIN and GS1 DataBar).

    2-D Bar codes

    2-D (two-dimensional) bar codes were developed to use space more effectively and to be able to code more data into a bar code. Here,  the entire area of the bar code is used for the coding of data. Integrated error correction make 2-D bar codes more tolerant of data errors arising during printing or scanning.

    Data Matrix

    The German Postal Service uses Data Matrix codes for STAMPIT franking. It is used on many products in the industry for identification, due to its requiring very little space, security and good legibility.

    PDF417

    The PDF417 bar code consists of many lines. The complete character set can be encrypted in it – up to 1850 characters. It is variable in width and height.

    Aztec

    The Aztec code is used by the German Railway for ticketing. It is square and comes in different sizes.

    QR-Code

    The QR Code (Quick Response Code) was developed in Japan and can also contain Japanese characters. It is square and easily recognizable by the finder patterns in three of its corners.