Artisan 4.7 introduces the ability to work with CerTek’s latest release, ScannerPal. ScannerPal is an app that runs on handhelds like portable data terminals. ScannerPal is used for checking a product’s price on the sales floor, performing inventory counts and transfers, uploading item quantities for sales, purchase orders, gift registries, kits, and more.
Busy businesses, stores with large amounts of inventory, and even warehouses will benefit from using ScannerPal on a portable data terminal. Though this article is lengthy, the ScannerPal device and app are very straightforward and easy to use.
The device is rugged and withstands intense temperatures and repeated drops. We offer a case for even more protection and an optional charging cradle.
To get your own ScannerPal device and accessories, contact sales@certek.com or call (877) 723-7835.
ScannerPal Device Accessories
Depending on your workload and environment, you might want certain accessories to offer more convenience and protection for your device.
Rugged Case: Also called a boot, this case protects your device from up to five-foot drops.
Charging Cradle: Make sure your ScannerPal device is always ready to go with the charging cradle. The ScannerPal does not need to be in the cradle in order to transfer data to Artisan. In other words, this is not a syncing cradle–simply a charging cradle. To learn how to use the charging cradle, skip to this section.
Trigger Handle: Quickly scan barcodes with this easy-to-grip handle. Click here to learn how to use it.
ScannerPal Device Specs
Dimensions (without case): 6.22 in. L x 3.11 in. W x 0.54 in. D
Weight (with standard battery): 8.32 oz
Display: 5.0 color HD (1280 x 720) with LED backlight and Corning Gorilla Glass
Network Connections: 1 USB 2.0 OTG host/client. Type C connector
Keypad: On-screen
Audio: Single 1 Watt speaker, voice support with an internal speaker, and two microphones
CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 octa-core, 1.8 GHz
Operating System: Android 10
Memory: 4 GB RAM/64 Flash memory
Operating Temperature: 14°F to 122°F
Storage Temperature: -30° to 158°F
Humidity: 5% to 95% non-condensing
Drop Specifications: 4 ft. on concrete
Tumble Specifications: 300 tumbles at 1.6 ft
Scanning: SE4100 1D/2D imager, SE4710 1D/2D imager
ScannerPal Device Parts
Buttons: The ScannerPal device consists of a few central buttons: power button, volume buttons, and a yellow scanner button.
Scanner: The ScannerPal device comes equipped with a LED scanner, which lights up when the scanner button is pressed. Click here to learn how to scan items and general scanning tips.
Charging Port: Plug in a USB-C to USB-A cable here to charge the device.
Charging the ScannerPal
Using a USB-C to USB-A Cable
Plug the USB-C (input) end into the device. Plug the USB-A (output) end into a power supply, such as a computer port or wall plug.
Plug the USB-C (input) end into the charging cradle. Plug the USB-A (output) end into a power supply, such as a computer port or wall plug.
Insert your device into the holding area. The device will vibrate to indicate it is positioned correctly and will start charging.
Look at the small LED light toward the top of the device to determine its charging status. A blinking orange light indicates that the device is charging, while a solid green light means the device is completely charged. If a red light appears, the device’s battery needs to be replaced soon. Contact CerTek for assistance.
You may keep the device in the cradle when you’re not using it to keep it fully charged, so it’s ready whenever you need it. It typically takes three hours to charge fully on a completely drained battery, but the battery life usually lasts for quite a few days before it needs to be fully charged again. Remember, this is not a syncing cradle. This is simply a charging cradle. You do not need this cradle in order to send data to Artisan.
To use this optional accessory, make sure a field on your device is selected (tap on the field to place the cursor inside). Point the scanner-end of the ScannerPal device toward a barcode and press the yellow trigger button. You’ll learn more about scanning and its functions later in the article.
Turning on ScannerPal
The power button is located at the top of the device. Press and hold for a few seconds to turn the device on. If the device is already on but the screen is dark, briefly hold the button to wake up the screen.
Connecting to WIFI
The ScannerPal needs to be connected to WiFi to work properly.
Turn on the device and look for the settings section. You might have to either scroll left of right on the home screens until you come across the icon, or swipe down at the top of the device.
In “Settings,” look for “Network & Internet.” Select “WiFi.”
Make sure the WiFi switch is set to “On.” The device will pull up all available WiFi networks. Please make sure the ScannerPal and the Artisan station are on the same network.
Launching the App
Locate the app called “TracerPlus.” This is simply the application CerTek used to create the ScannerPal app. You might need to swipe to a few different screens in order to locate it, depending on how many apps are installed on your device.
Tap the app icon to open it. The app will go through a few loading screens as it launches. Ultimately, you will arrive at the app home page.
ScannerPal Home Screen
ScannerPal has a few different buttons that take you to different tasks within the program. We’ll go into the main buttons in detail later.
Sidebar: This button contains additional steps, including importing and exporting data from the PDT to Artisan, logging out of the application, and downloading all of your ScannerPal data. Selecting “About” will show you information about the device, such as the Device Name, Device ID, and Device Operating System (ex. Android 10).
Home: Tapping this icon will send you to the home screen from any screen in the program.
Signal: Tapping this icon shows what network you are connected to.
Back Button: To exit out of a screen, tap the back arrow button on your device.
Icons:
Back Button:
Scanning an Item
Point the scanner end toward a barcode. In order for ScannerPal to record the scan, make sure a text field is selected on the app by tapping on the screen and placing the cursor in the text field.
Press briefly on the yellow scan button on the side to activate the scanner sensor. The sensor will aim, indicating where it is directed. A successful scan is noted by a beep. You may now let go of the scanner button.
Though the scanner doesn’t have to line up exactly with the barcode in order to record a scan, it’s good practice to aim as directly as you can. Avoid awkward angles and scanning too far or too close so that the barcode is undetected.
Jobs Tab and Scan Tab
Most functions in ScannerPal (ex. Collect Counts) have a “Job” section and a “Scan” section.
Job Tab
The “Job Type” refers to the task you are performing, like scans for a Sale Order, Physical Inventory, Kit, etc.
The “Job #” refers to which number this current job is and will be recorded as in the system (ex. Job #10).
Optionally enter a “Job Description” for the job. This might help you later as you review your scans in Artisan, as it will describe the nature of the task. Ex. “Counting New T-Shirts for Physical Inventory” or “Kit Scans for 12/28.”
The “User” refers to the person performing this task. You may input a different User/employee if necessary.
“Device ID” refers to the unique code assigned to each ScannerPal device.
The next section on the “Jobs” tab shows data as they are scanned into the device on the “Scan” tab. When you’re finished with your scan(s), select “Submit Job.” This sends your scan info to Artisan, where you can review your data to ensure everything is correct.
To erase scans, select “Clear Data.” Use this with caution and only when you are sure you want to remove any scan data, as you cannot retrieve it once it is erased, and will have to start your scans over again.
Scan Tab
This tab is used to scan your items. As your items are scanned, they will show up here. Depending on the area you’re in (“Collect Counts,” “Collect Scans w/o Quantity,” etc.) this screen will appear differently, with certain fields, such as item count, item description, shelf numbers, QOH, on order, category info, and more.
Accepting or Loading Counts in Artisan
After pressing “Submit Job,” those jobs are loaded into Artisan. You can then head to the program to double-check your data before finishing the task you are performing, such as finalizing a sale or processing scans for physical inventory. To access these scans, you must go to the “Scan Mode” section and select “Load Scans From Device.” The shortcut for this screen is Ctrl and F10 on your keyboard.
Otherwise, you’ll have to navigate to this screen. Depending on the task you are performing, accessing this area requires a few different steps. For instance, accessing the “Scan Mode” section from the Sales Screen requires you to go to the “Operations” menu first, then selecting “Scan Mode.”
Price Check
Utilize this function to look up a product’s price anywhere in the store. Click here for instructions.
Collect Counts
It’s useful to accumulate counts for a variety of scenarios: physical inventory, quantities for purchase orders and sales, item transfers, and more. To gather this info, select “Collect Counts.”
Collect Scans (w/o Qty)
If you have a lot of items that need to be scanned individually (single items unrelated to each other/items randomly mixed), choose this option. Instead of scanning one item and entering the quantity (like the “Collect Counts” option), this option lets you individually scan each item.
Collect w/o Lookup
If you’re somewhere without WiFi, use this option. Instead of loading data into ScannerPal and then into Artisan, it will simply look up information based on the item’s barcode after you scan it.
Item Records
This section lets you look up any Item Record within Artisan.
Job Master
This displays all of your jobs.
Set Sync Counts
This is a more technical section of ScannerPal, reserved for CerTek Support staff.
ScannerPal Tasks
Click on each link to view detailed instructions about each task. Instructions for receiving, inventory transfers, and gift registries are coming soon.
Receiving
Inventory Transfers
Gift Registries