I'd like to describe what we are doing using a third-party application, since it seems to be pertinent to your problem.
We use RF-based handheld Symbol Technologies scanners (with display and keyboard) to capture data, validate it and give feeedback to the user. The scanners 'talk' to a process running on a server. The software is DistinctRF by Richmond Information Group. This software lets us design the menus, specify the validations, and actions to take on valid data. It has recently been enhanced to use an ODBC connection via Oterro to work directly with an R:Base database.
Okay, perhaps you don't need wireless, etc. But RIG would be willing to talk to you about how their system could be adapted to your problem. Sure, it is a hardware-intensive solution, but it lets you do just about anything you need, and could easily handle many more than 15 terminals. Since DistinctRF communicates via TCP/IP with the handhelds, it could be made to use TCP/IP to a card swipe reader. If the reader itself is nothing more than a reader, though, this might be a bit of overkill since the software is designed to drive a display on a unit and give feedback.
But what happens next is the strength you might be interested in - DistinctRF inserts a row into an R:Base table to complete a transaction. Now triggers take over and do whatever you want/can within R:Base.
So, if you had swipe readers with attached displays (and possibly keyboards) you can let your imagination run with it.
If you would like additional info, please send private email.
Emmitt
I have a great opportunity for a programming contract that I would like to accomplish in Rbase. However I am not sure that I can do it. (Although I have been told if I can dream it..!)It is basically a time and job tracking program and I need to capture data from barcode swipe terminals in real time. I cannot use an intermediate file collection program as I need to immediately process data as a barcode card is swiped by an operator and then display some information on a screen. Using a keyboard wedge type swipe reader would work great except I can only have one swipe terminal per PC. (That I know of) This project will need at least 10 swipe terminals and while I may very well have 3-4 PC units in the system, I cannot have a full PC for each swipe terminal. The project will also expand to where I will probably need 15 swipe terminals within the year. My "dream" that would most definitely land a nice contract, is to have 4 swipe terminals tied to one PC. I would have the monitor screen setup up in quandrants and when a swipe was made on swipe reader A, quandrant A would show processed data, same for reader B, C and D etc. I can handle the screen functions and programming, it is just reading the swipe readers with Rbase that is posing the problem. A posting some time ago mentioned mobile units and direct table updates. Perhaps someone could head me in the right direction there. Any and all help would be greatly appreciated! Sincerely, Bob Thompson Thompson Technology Consultants [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Emmitt Dove Manager, DairyPak Business Systems Blue Ridge Paper Products, Inc. 40 Lindeman Drive Trumbull, CT 06611 (203) 673-2231 [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED]
