FIREHOUSE Software
Barcoding User's Guide
© 1993 - 2013
Xerox Government Systems, LLC. All rights reserved.
2900 100th St., Suite 309
Urbandale, IA 50322
WSpell ActiveX Spelling Checker © 1997 - 2002
Wintertree Software, Inc.
PDF Rasterizer.NET © 2001 - 2005
TallComponents BV
FIREHOUSE Software® is a registered trademark of Xerox Government Systems, LLC. All rights reserved. Microsoft, MS, MS-DOS,
Microsoft Visual FoxPro, and Microsoft Access are registered trademarks. Windows is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation. CAMEO is a
registered trademark. iPad is a registered trademark of Apple, Inc. All other products or services mentioned in this manual are identified
by the trademarks or service marks of their respective companies or organizations. Xerox disclaims any responsibilities for specifying
which marks are owned by which companies or organizations.
FIREHOUSE Software is protected by the copyright laws that pertain to computer software. It is illegal to make copies of the Software
except for backups. It is illegal to rent, lease, sublicense, or otherwise transfer any of the materials. It is illegal to remove or obscure proprietary notices. It is illegal to duplicate and distribute the Software by any other means, including electronic transmission. To protect trade
secrets contained in the Software, you may not decompile, reverse engineer, dissemble, or otherwise reduce the Software to human perceivable form. You may not modify, adapt, translate, rent, lease, or create derivative works based upon the Software or any part thereof.
Xerox warrants the original media are free from defects in material and workmanship, assuming normal use, for ninety (90) days from the
date of purchase. Except for express warranty of the original media set forth above, Xerox grants no other warranties, express or implied,
by statute or otherwise, regarding the media related materials, their fitness for any purpose, their quality, their merchantability, or otherwise. The liability of Xerox, under the warranty set forth above, shall be limited to the amount paid by the customer for the product. In no
event shall Xerox be liable for any special, consequential, or other damages for breach of warranty.
© 2013 Xerox Government Systems, LLC.- Printed in the United States. All rights reserved. No part of this work covered by copyright
hereon may be reproduced in any form by any means -- graphic, electronic, or mechanical -- including photocopying, recording, taping, or
storage in any information retrieval system, without the written permission of the copyright owner.
ii
FIREHOUSE Software Barcoding User's Guide
FIREHOUSE Software License Agreement
Carefully read the following terms and conditions before installing software from FIREHOUSE Software. Only an
Authorized Representative of the purchaser should install the software. Installing the software indicates acceptance
of these terms and conditions specified in the License Agreement.
Xerox Government Systems, LLC and the party who installs this software (“you”) hereby agree as follows:
1. Licensed Software: “Licensed Software” means the software component and modules ordered and paid for by
you, as listed in Xerox’s client database of licensed products, and as evidenced by your customer receipt.
Licensed Software includes all documentation relating to our software. It also includes any upgrades, modifications, and customizations (collectively, “Improvements”) to our software, should such Improvements be
delivered to you at a later time.
2. End Users: “End User(s)” means (i) your employees with a need to access the Licensed Software; and (ii) third
party consultants engaged by you who have a need to access the Licensed Software, and who are fulfilling
legitimate business functions for you on your behalf.
3. Materials: This document contains links to downloaded files and applicable manual(s) relating to the
Licensed Software.
4. License Grant: Xerox hereby grants a revocable, non-exclusive, non-transferable license to use the Licensed
Software on a single microcomputer, in the United States of America. The number of End Users authorized to
access the Licensed Software concurrently is reflected on your invoice and in this License Agreement. You may
increase the maximum number of concurrent End Users by procuring additional licenses from Xerox based
upon the then-current license fee schedule. You may not make use of any object code for any component(s) or
modules(s) for which you have not expressly obtained a license for use under this Agreement. Any rights not
expressly granted in this Agreement are expressly reserved. You agree not to (a) rent, lease, sublicense,
assign or otherwise transfer the Licensed Software, including any of the materials or your rights hereunder, (b)
remove or obscure our proprietary notices, (c) translate, alter, decompile or disassemble any of the materials,
(d) copy any of the materials without our prior written consent, (e) use the software for other agencies. You shall
have no right to access, copy or otherwise use the source code for software licensed under this license. You
are prohibited from causing or permitting the reverse engineering, disassembly or decompilation of the software licensed under this license. You are prohibited from modifying, improving or otherwise enhancing the software licensed under this license.
5. Terms: This license is effective until terminated. You may terminate it at any time by destroying the materials
and all copies of any material made from the original materials and notify Xerox immediately. This license terminates automatically upon breach of any of the conditions of this license. Upon termination, you agree to destroy all copies of the materials. Use of the materials without a valid license of the materials is unauthorized and
may subject you to monetary penalties.
6. Confidentiality: You receive the right to use the Licensed Software and materials as specified herein, but you
do not become the owner of the Licensed Software and materials. The Licensed Software and materials are
exclusive property of Xerox and are protected by trade secret, copyright, and trademark law. You acknowledge
that the materials are Xerox property and contain valuable, confidential, unpublished information developed by
Xerox at a great expense. You agree to protect the materials from unauthorized reproduction, distribution, disclosure, or use of publication. You may not transfer any materials or software to anyone or entity without the written consent of Xerox authorized personnel.
7. U.S. Government Restricted Rights: The Licensed Software and documentation related thereto were
developed at private expense and are provided with "RESTRICTED RIGHTS". Use, duplication, or disclosure
by the Government is subject to restrictions as set forth in FAR 52.227-14 and DFAR 252.227-7013 et seq. or its
successor.
FIREHOUSE Software Barcoding User's Guide
iii
8. Export Laws: You may not export the Licensed Software and agree to comply with all laws, regulations, orders
or other restrictions of the U.S. Export Administration Regulations.
9. Warranty: We warrant the downloadable files to be free from material defect in normal use for 90 days from the
date of receipt of materials. We do not warrant the error-free operation of the Licensed Software contained in the
downloadable files, or that such Licensed Software will meet your requirements. The Licensed Software is
licensed "as is". We will, however, attempt to correct or bypass any actual reproducible and significant error in
the software, provided you notify us and describe it in writing within 90 days from the date of receipt of the materials, and we will, within a reasonable time, at our option, provide either a corrected copy or work around instructions. This does not cover altered software or require us to customize our software to meet your hardware or
operating system requirements. Section 11 specifies your exclusive remedy for any breach by us of this section.
No dealer, company, or person is authorized to expand, alter this section or any other provision of this agreement. Any such agreement will not bind Xerox. XEROX MAKES NO OTHER WARRANTIES WHATSOEVER,
EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, WITH REGARD TO THE SOFTWARE LICENSED UNDER THIS LICENSE, IN WHOLE
OR IN PART. XEROX EXPLICITLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND OF FITNESS
FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. XEROX EXPRESSLY DOES NOT WARRANT THAT THE LICENSED
SOFTWARE, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, WILL BE ERROR FREE, WILL OPERATE WITHOUT INTERRUPTION OR
WILL BE COMPATIBLE WITH ANY HARDWARE OR SOFTWARE OTHER THAN THE EQUIPMENT. LICENSEE
WAIVES ANY CLAIM THAT THE LIMITED WARRANTY SET FORTH IN THIS SECTION OR THE REMEDY FOR
BREACH OF SUCH LIMITED WARRANTY FAILS OF ITS ESSENTIAL PURPOSE.
10. Limitation of Liability: XEROX’S LIABILITY IN CONNECTION WITH THE LICENSED SOFTWARE UNDER THIS
LICENSE, OR ANY OTHER MATTER RELATING TO THIS LICENSE WILL NOT EXCEED THE FEE THAT YOU
ACTUALLY PAID TO XEROX FOR THE SOFTWARE GIVING RISE TO THE LIABILITY. REGARDLESS
WHETHER ANY REMEDY SET FORTH HEREIN FAILS OF ITS ESSENTIAL PURPOSE OR OTHERWISE, IN NO
EVENT WILL XEROX BE LIABLE TO YOU FOR ANY SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL
DAMAGES, WHETHER BASED ON BREACH OF CONTRACT, TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE), PRODUCT
LIABILITY, INDEMNIFICATION, OR OTHERWISE, AND WHETHER OR NOT XEROX HAS BEEN ADVISED OF
THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE. YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT XEROX HAS SET ITS FEES AND
ENTERED INTO THIS LICENSE IN RELIANCE UPON THE LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY AND THE
DISCLAIMERS OF WARRANTIES AND DAMAGES SET FORTH IN THIS LICENSE, AND THAT THE SAME
FORM AN ESSENTIAL BASIS OF THE BARGAIN BETWEEN THE PARTIES.
11. Remedy: In the event that Xerox breaches this agreement, your sole remedy is to notify us of such breach within
the applicable warranty period and we will at our sole option, either cure the breach or refund the license fee
paid to us for the materials. In no event will Xerox be responsible for any damage beyond the amount of the
license fee or for any indirect, special, incidental, consequential or similar damages or profits to you or any other
person, or entity, regardless of the legal basis, even if Xerox has been advised of the possibility of such damages, except to the extent applicable state law specifically prohibits such exclusion.
12. General (System Only): This license shall be governed by laws of the State of Iowa. All prior correspondence
oral or written including without limitation, all understandings with respect to the Licensed Software or materials
relative thereto are hereby superseded. This license constitutes your and our entire agreement and understanding regarding the Licensed Software and materials relative thereto.
General (Evaluation Only): This evaluation program is provided free of charge to the registered requestor of the
evaluation software and is to be used solely as an evaluation copy.
13. Software Maintenance Agreement: 90 days free phone support is provided with purchase of FIREHOUSE Software. A separate software maintenance contract is available for an additional charge. This software maintenance contract is not mandatory but highly recommended. The annual maintenance contract includes phone
support and program updates. The cost of the software maintenance contract is based on the type and number
of modules installed. In the event that the 90 day free support period has expired and no software maintenance
contract has been established, a “per call” fee will be billed to you for telephone or other technical support.
iv
FIREHOUSE Software Barcoding User's Guide
Technical support
FH® Technical Support:
Phone: 800-921-5300, option 2
[email protected]
Sales contacts
Jim Brandariz
Phone: 800-796-1614, 530-621-0981
Fax: 530-626-8582
[email protected]
Peter Eleftherakis
Phone: 888-362-4446, 508-362-4446
Fax: 508-362-5932
[email protected]
AZ, CA, NV, OR, WA
CT, MA, ME, NH, NY, RI, VT, Ontario
Mike Rogers
Phone: 888-941-3473, 214-504-0242
Fax: 214-504-0244
[email protected]
Forest Nace
Phone: 800-285-8685
Fax: 724-283-9086
[email protected]
AR, KS, LA, MO, MS, OK, TX
DE, IN, KY, MD, NJ, OH, PA, VA, WV
Roger DeDoncker
Rebecca Sanger
Phone: 800-921-5300, ext. 1
Fax: 515-288-4825
[email protected]
AK, AL, CO, GA, FL, HI, ID, IA, IL, MI, MN,
MT, NC, ND, NE, NM, SC, SD, TN, UT, WI,
WY, International
FIREHOUSE Software Barcoding User's Guide
v
Table of Contents
Introduction
1
Overview of the barcoding process
2
Configure FH for barcoding
3
Set user permissions for barcode scanning
4
Verify apparatuses and items in the Inventory module
6
Create a barcoding checklist
9
Open an existing checklist
12
Add compartments, items, questions, and classes to a checklist
14
Delete a checklist
18
Set up the scanner
20
Download the scanner synchronization utility
23
Install the scanner synchronization utility
24
Configure the scanner synchronization utility
28
Work with a scanner
vi
31
Upload checklists from FH to the scanner
31
Scan items in the apparatus
32
Enter quantity information for an item
39
Answer a question for an item
40
Item is not in the current checklist
41
Item is not recognized by the scanner
42
Manually add information about an item
44
Exit a scan
46
Download data from the scanner to FH
48
Work with scan results
49
Purge scan information
51
Update FH Scan on the barcode scanner
52
FIREHOUSE Software Barcoding User's Guide
Introduction
FH® Barcoding lets you use a barcode scanner to quickly and efficiently scan each item in your
station's fire engines, ambulances, Gators, and other vehicles,and compare a detailed checklist
of items for the vehicle against the equipment actually on it. You can record information about
item location, condition, quantity, and more, regardless of staff and shift changes.
Note:
l
FH Barcoding requires FH Enterprise or FH Web 7.13.39 or later. It is not supported in
FH Standard.
l
For FH Web, the barcode scanner must be docked at a computer with a direct local area network (LAN) connection to the FH SQL database, to download scan data to the FH database.
FH Barcoding ships with a Motorola MC3100 Scanner, which is built for harsh environments and
pre-loaded with the software needed to synchronize with FH. Each scanner is accompanied by
1000 super-durable, water-resistant, indoor/outdoor barcode stickers that can be applied to your
inventory items.
FH Barcoding consists of the following software components: Component
Installed on
Used to
FH Barcoding
Sync
The computer
running FH
Upload checklists from the FH database to the barcode scanner and download scan data from the scanner to the
FH database.
FHScan
The barcode
scanner
Record scan data during the inventory of your apparatus.
The FIREHOUSE Software Barcoding User's Guide is designed to help you create the checklists of items on the vehicle, print barcode stickers for the items, synchronize the scanner with the
checklist in FH, use your scanner to inventory the items on the vehicle, and then synchronize the
data in the scanner with the FH database.
FH® technical support staff is available to answer your questions by telephone or email. Technical
support hours are from 7:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M. Central time, Monday through Friday, and from 8:00
A.M. to 12:00 P.M. on Saturday. Call 800-921-5300, option 2. You can also send an email to
[email protected].
FIREHOUSE Software Barcoding User's Guide
1
Overview of the barcoding process
Caution: Below is a high-level checklist of the steps you must perform to set up and use FH
Barcoding. Detailed information for the steps below are available in the following pages of the
FIREHOUSE Software Barcoding User's Guide.
Tip: Print this page off and check off the items below as you accomplish them.
Check for an email from FIREHOUSE Software technical support, containing a license key,
administration logon credentials, and other information. Install or update to FH Enterprise 7.13.39 or later.
Log in to FH as a user with access to the Inventory module, and then do the following.
Set up user permissions for barcode scanning.
Verify that each vehicle (apparatus) you want to use the barcode scanner with is listed in
the Inventory module.
Verify that every item on the apparatus exists in the Inventory module.
For each apparatus you want to use the barcode scanner with, create a checklist in FH,
listing the inventory items in the apparatus and the barcode assigned to each item.
Place barcode stickers on to the physical inventory items you will scan.
Install the scanner synchronization software.
Place the scanner in its docking station and upload the checklists to the scanner.
Use the scanner to scan the actual items in each apparatus.
Place the scanner back in its docking station and download the gathered data to the
FH Inventory module.
Work with the scanned data in FH.
Purge old scan records as needed.
2
FIREHOUSE Software Barcoding User's Guide
Configure FH for barcoding
Note: To use barcoding with FH, you must install FH Enterprise 7.13.39 or later, or update your
current version of FH Enterprise to 7.13.39 or later.
Information on installing a new version of FH Enterprise or updating to the most current version of
FH is available in the FIREHOUSE Software Enterprise Installation Guide.
Before you can use a barcoding scanner to inventory the equipment on an apparatus (a fire
engine, ambulance, a Gator, and so forth), items must be entered in the Inventory module in FH,
and you must create one or more checklists in FH for the scanner to work with. These checklists
detail what inventory items should be on the apparatus, and may include where the items are located in the apparatus, such as in compartments. A compartment is an area in the apparatus, such
as the cab, the side compartments, the rear compartment, the coffin top, and so forth. Inventory
items are anything that might be stored in that compartment, such as gloves, radios, gas detectors, tools, ladders, backboards, and so forth.
Each item in these checklists is assigned a barcode and number when you create the checklist.
After the checklists are created, you can place the barcode stickers on the items in the checklist.
The checklists are uploaded from FH to your scanner during synchronization. Later, you will use
the scanner to read the barcodes on these stickers, and the scanner will find the item in the checklist you are using in the scanner.
To configure FH for barcoding, you need to assign at least one user the ability to use barcode
scanning, verify that each apparatus and the items on it that you want to use the barcode scanner
with exist in the Inventory module for FH, and create a checklist of those items.
FIREHOUSE Software Barcoding User's Guide
3
Set user permissions for barcode scanning
For any user you would like to use the barcode scanning, you must enable barcode scanning permissions in FH.
1. Choose Administration → Users and Security.
The Users and Security dialog box appears.
2. Select the name of the user you want to be able to log in to FHScan on the barcode scanner, and then click Properties.
4
FIREHOUSE Software Barcoding User's Guide
The User Setup dialog box appears.
3. At the bottom of the dialog box, select Bar-code Scanning.
4. Click Save.
5. In the Users and Security dialog box, click Close.
6. Continue with Verify apparatuses and items in the Inventory module, on page 6.
FIREHOUSE Software Barcoding User's Guide
5
Verify apparatuses and items in the Inventory module
To use a barcode scanner to inventory the equipment on your station's apparatuses (trucks, ambulances, Gators, and other vehicles), that equipment must be listed in FH's Inventory module.
1. In the main FH toolbar, click Inventory.
The Inventory dialog box appears.
2. Click Browse.
The Query dialog box appears.
3. From Select a Query, choose List Inventory by Description (Apparatus).
The dialog box lists the apparatuses in the Inventory module.
4. Verify that all the apparatuses you want to use the scanner with appear in the list.
5. (If necessary) Add additional apparatuses to the Inventory module.
Information on adding items to the Inventory module is available in the FH online Help.
6. From Select a Query, choose List Inventory by Description.
6
FIREHOUSE Software Barcoding User's Guide
The dialog box lists every item in the Inventory module.
7. Verify that the items you want to use the scanner with are in the Inventory module.
8. (Optional) Open individual items and check whether or not items are assigned to locations.
Example: A chainsaw may be stored in Compartment 6 (COMP06) of a fire engine.
Tip: Assigning locations to items saves time when you are creating checklists of items
for the barcode scanner, because you can add an entire compartment and its contents to
a checklist in one operation, instead of moving every item individually to the checklist
and then organizing them in the checklist.
Note: Compartments are required on the checklist. Organizing items into compartments is particularly useful when you need to create multiple checklists for a single
apparatus, so that you do not have to re-add and re-organize individual items in each
checklist.
Example: You may need a daily checklist, a weekly checklist, and a monthly checklist for a single apparatus.
a. In the Query dialog box, select the item you want to check, and click OK.
The Inventory dialog box populates with information about the item.
b. On the Basic tab, in Location, verify whether or not a value is specified.
FIREHOUSE Software Barcoding User's Guide
7
A value in this field indicates where the item is stored.
c. (Optional) Click the lookup button for Location and use the Lookup - Equipment
Location Codes dialog box that appears to specify where the item is stored.
9. (If necessary) Add additional items to the Inventory module.
Information on adding items to the Inventory module is available in the FH online Help.
10. Continue with Create a barcoding checklist, on page 9.
8
FIREHOUSE Software Barcoding User's Guide
Create a barcoding checklist
Note: Any items you want to add to a barcoding checklist must already be defined in the Inventory module of FH. To create a checklist, you have access to the Inventory module.
1. In the main FH toolbar, click Inventory.
The Inventory dialog box appears.
2. Open the apparatus you would like to create a checklist for, and then click OK.
The Inventory dialog box populates with information from the selected apparatus.
3. Click the Checklist tab.
Depending on whether a checklist already exists for the apparatus, different lists and buttons appear on the Checklist tab. If the apparatus does not have a checklist created for
it, but is included on other checklists, the Scans/Runs Item Level list and the Add
Checklist for Item button appears.
FIREHOUSE Software Barcoding User's Guide
9
If a checklist is already created for the apparatus, but which is on other checklists, the
Scans/Runs Checklist Level list in the top half of the tab, and the Setup list appears in
the bottom half of the tab.
Note: An apparatus can have more than one checklist associated with it.
Example: A fire engine may have a checklist that is used once a week when checking
items that are used frequently on the engine, and a different checklist that is used once
a month for checking items that are used less frequently.
4. In the upper right corner of the tab, in Linked Barcode ID, type a barcode number for the
apparatus.
5. Depending on what lists and buttons appeared, do one of the following.
If this appears
Do this
The Scans/Runs Item Level list and the
Add Checklist for Item button
l
Click Add Checklist for Item.
The Scans/Runs Checklist Level list
and the Setup list
l
Near the bottom of the dialog box,
under the Setup list, click Add.
10 FIREHOUSE Software Barcoding User's Guide
The Checklist Setup dialog box appears, containing the beginning of a checklist for that
apparatus. By default, Odometer and Hour Meter are items in the checklist.
6. In Checklist Name, type a name for the checklist.
7. Under Checklist Items, select Odometer.
The pane on the right side of the dialog box updates.
8. From the pane on the right, from Default Display Status, select Allow, Require, or Do
not Display, to indicate whether an odometer question appears on the scanner for this
checklist, and if it is a required entry.
9. Under Checklist Items, select Hour Meter.
10. From the pane on the right, from Default Display Status, select Allow, Require, or Do
not Display, to indicate whether an hour meter question appears on the scanner for this
checklist, and if it is a required entry.
When an apparatus does not have an hours meter to be read, such as a fire engine, you
would not need to display this question.
11. Click Save.
12. Continue with Add compartments, items, questions, and classes to a checklist, on
page 14.
FIREHOUSE Software Barcoding User's Guide 11
Open an existing checklist
1. In the main FH toolbar, click Inventory.
The Inventory dialog box appears.
2. Click Browse.
The Query dialog box appears.
3. From Select a Query, choose List Inventory by description (Apparatus).
The dialog box lists the apparatuses in the Inventory module.
4. Open the apparatus you would like to open a checklist for, and then click OK.
The Inventory dialog box populates with information from the selected apparatus.
5. Click the Checklist tab.
12 FIREHOUSE Software Barcoding User's Guide
The Scans/Runs Checklist Level list contains all the times that item’s checklist has
been completed, as well as anytime the item may have been scanned on a separate
checklist. The Setup list contains a breakdown of all the checklists created for that
inventory item.
6. From Setup, select the checklist you want to open, and then, near the bottom of the dialog box, click Open.
The Checklist Setup dialog box appears, containing the checklist for the apparatus.
7. Continue with one of the following.
l
Add compartments, items, questions, and classes to a checklist, on page 14.
l
Delete a checklist, on page 18.
FIREHOUSE Software Barcoding User's Guide 13
Add compartments, items, questions, and classes to a checklist
A compartment is a location in the apparatus, such as the cab, the side compartments, the rear
compartment, the coffin top, and so forth. Items are anything that might be stored in a compartment, such as gloves, radios, gas detectors, tools, ladders, backboards, and so forth.
Questions about the mechanical condition of an item can be added to the checklist, and classes
are used when it is necessary that the correct quantity of an item exists, regardless of where the
item is located.
1. (If the Checklist Setup dialog box is not already open) Create a barcoding checklist, on
page 9, or Open an existing checklist, on page 12.
2. Under Inventory List, study the list of equipment available to add to the checklist.
By default, when you create a new checklist, all items linked to that main inventory item
appear under Inventory List.
Tip: To list all the items in the inventory under Inventory List, select Include All Items
from Inventory.
3. (Optional) Add a custom compartment to the checklist you are creating.
Note: All items added to a checklist must be assigned to a compartment.
a. In the Checklist Items list, select the name of the apparatus at the top of the list.
The Add Component button at the top of the dialog box activates.
b. Click Add Compartment.
The new blank compartment appears under Checklist Items, and the right pane
updates to display fields related to the compartment.
c. In the right pane, in Description/Question, enter a name or description for the new
compartment.
d. (Optional) In Barcode, enter the barcode number associated with the barcode for that
compartment.
e. At the bottom of the right pane, click Save Change.
4. Select a compartment or individual item from Inventory List and then click the right transfer arrow
to add the compartment or item to Checklist Items.
Note: You can add compartments or items into any custom compartments you created,
to existing compartments in the checklist, or to the base (root) level of the checklist.
14 FIREHOUSE Software Barcoding User's Guide
Tip: You can select multiple items from Inventory List by holding the Shift or Ctrl
keys on the keyboard.
The right pane updates to list fields and information related to the item you added to the
checklist under Checklist Items. The fields in the right pane vary, depending on the type
of inventory item you added.
Compartment parameters Specific item parameters
Generic item parameters
5. (If necessary) Remove an unnecessary item from the checklist by selecting it in Checklist Items, and then clicking Remove.
Tip: You can select multiple items from Checklist Items by holding the Shift or Ctrl
keys on the keyboard.
6. Configure parameters for the compartment or item you are adding to the checklist.
a. In Barcode, enter the barcode number on the barcode sticker you will apply to the
item.
Note: Barcodes are required for all items, but are not required for compartments.
b. Select or clear Critical when Out-of-Service to indicate the level of necessity of the
item if it is not available or placed out of service.
c. (Optional, for generic items) Do the following.
Note: The quantity rule is not required, but if the apparatus has more than one of
the same item, it makes sense for tracking expected quantities.
i. In Quantity, indicate the ideal quantity of the item that should be stocked.
ii. Under Informative Error Range, in Low and High, indicate the acceptable
range of the item quantity.
iii. Under Critical Error Range, in Low and High, indicate the extreme range of
the quantity item.
d. Click Save Change.
e. Repeat step 4–6 for each compartment or item you want to add to the checklist.
FIREHOUSE Software Barcoding User's Guide 15
7. (Optional) Add maintenance or numeric questions to the checklist for items.
a. Under Checklist Items, select the item you want to add a question for.
In the upper right corner of the dialog box, Add Maintenance Question and Add
Numeric Question activate.
b. Depending on the type of question you want to add, click Add Maintenance Question or Add Numeric Question.
A new blank question field appears under Checklist Items, and the right pane
updates to display fields related to the question. Depending on whether you clicked
Add Maintenance Question or Add Numeric Question, the fields in the pane vary.
Compartment parameters
Specific item parameters
c. In Description/Question, type the question you need answered about the item.
Example:
Maintenance question: Is the belt fraying?
Numeric question: How many batteries are there?
d. Depending on the type of question you are adding, do one of the following.
For this type
of question
Do this
Maintenance
l
Select or clear Critical when out-of-service.
Numeric
i. In Quantity, indicate the ideal quantity of the item that should
be stocked.
ii. Under Informative Error Range, in Low and High, indicate
the acceptable range of the item quantity.
iii. Under Critical Error Range, in Low and High, indicate the
extreme range of the quantity item.
e. Click Save Change.
8. (Optional) Add class items to the checklist.
Class items are used when it is necessary that the correct quantity of an item exists,
regardless of where the item is located.
16 FIREHOUSE Software Barcoding User's Guide
Example: Self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) cylinders, which are switched
out regularly.
a. Under Checklist Items, select the compartment you want to add a class item to.
In the upper right corner of the dialog box, Add Class Item activates.
b. Click Add Class Item.
The Lookup – Inventory Class Codes dialog box appears.
c. Select the inventory class item you would like to add, and then click OK.
The class item appears in Checklist Items, and parameters related to it appear on
the right side of the dialog box.
d. Select or clear Critical when out-of-service to indicate the level of necessity of the
class if it is not available or placed out of service.
e. Click Save Change.
9. Click Close.
FIREHOUSE Software Barcoding User's Guide 17
Delete a checklist
1. Open the inventory record containing the apparatus with the checklist you want to delete.
The Inventory dialog box appears.
2. Click the Checklist tab.
3. Delete the checklist in one of these ways.
To do this
Do this
Method 1
a. Under Setup, in the Scan Name column, select the name of the
checklist you want to delete, and then click Delete.
A prompt dialog box appears, asking if you want to delete the highlighted record.
b. Click Yes.
If the checklist has not been used (there are no scan/run records listed under Scan/Runs Checklist Level), the checklist is deleted.
18 FIREHOUSE Software Barcoding User's Guide
To do this
Do this
Method 2
a. Under Setup, select the name of the checklist you want to delete.
b. Click Open.
The Checklist Setup dialog box appears.
c. Near the bottom of the dialog box, click Delete.
A confirmation dialog box appears, asking if you are sure you want
to delete the checklist.
d. Click Yes.
The Checklist Setup dialog box closes, and in the Inventory dialog box, on the Checklist tab, under Setup, the checklist is
removed.
FIREHOUSE Software Barcoding User's Guide 19
Set up the scanner
Once you have checklists in FH to use with the scanner, you need to install a Windows synchronization utility and the FH synchronization utility to set up the scanner itself.
1. Depending on your computer's operating system, download and install the appropriate
software on the computer you will connect the scanner's docking station to.
Operating
system
Do this
Windows XP ActiveSync 4.5 or later, available from the Microsoft Download Center,
at http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?FamilyID=
9e641c34-6f7f-404d-a04b-dc09f8141141.
Windows
Mobile Device Manager 6.1 or later, available from the Microsoft DownVista or later load Center, at:
l
32-bit version download
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=
46F72DF1-E46A-4A5F-A791-09F07AAA1914&displaylang=en
l
•64-bit version download
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=
4F68EB56-7825-43B2-AC89-2030ED98ED95&displaylang=en
2. Remove the barcode scanner, its cradle, battery, power cord, and USB cable from its
packaging, and connect them as directed according to the scanner's documentation.
When you plug the barcode scanner into your computer for the first time and your computer detects the new hardware, the New Partnership wizard appears.
20 FIREHOUSE Software Barcoding User's Guide
3. Select Yes, and then click Next >.
The Select Synchronization Settings screen appears in the wizard.
4. Select Files, clear Calendar, Contacts, and Tasks, and then click Next >.
The Setup Complete screen of the wizard appears.
FIREHOUSE Software Barcoding User's Guide 21
5. Click Finish.
The Microsoft ActiveSync dialog box appears.
6. Verify that the message in the window says Connected.
7. Continue with Download the scanner synchronization utility, on page 23.
22 FIREHOUSE Software Barcoding User's Guide
Download the scanner synchronization utility
When you purchased the barcoding feature for FH's Inventory module, you were sent a barcode
scanner preloaded with FH Scan, the software the scanner needs to communicate with FH, and
an email containing a download link to the FH synchronization utility and additional instructions.
For FH to communicate with the barcode scanner, you also need to download and install the
FH synchronization utility.
1. Open the email you received containing a download link to the FH synchronization utility,
and then click the link.
The File Download dialog box appears.
2. Click Save.
3. Use the file browser to navigate to the location where you want to save the file, and then
click Save.
When the file finishes saving, the Download Complete dialog box appears.
4. Click Close.
5. Continue with Install the scanner synchronization utility, on page 24.
FIREHOUSE Software Barcoding User's Guide 23
Install the scanner synchronization utility
1. Using Windows Explorer, navigate to the location on your hard drive where you saved the
FH synchronization utility, and then double-click FHSync_Install.msi.
2. Double-click FHSync_Install.msi.
The FH Barcoding Sync installation wizard appears, displaying the Welcome screen.
3. Click Next >.
The Select Installation Folder screen appears in the wizard.
24 FIREHOUSE Software Barcoding User's Guide
4. Depending on your operating system, do one of the following:
Operating system
Do this
Windows 2000 or XP
Accept the default location listed under Folder.
Windows Vista or 7
Click Browse, and then change the destination location to
C:\FIREHOUSE Software\Advanced Automation\FHSync\ or another location outside the Program Files or Windows directories.
5. (Optional) To see a list of which drives you can install FHSync to, click Disk Cost.
The FHBarcoding Sync Disk Space dialog box appears. This dialog box only displays
information for your reference, and can be closed by clicking OK.
6. Under Install FHBarcoding Sync for yourself, or for anyone who uses this computer, select one of the following to indicate who can use FHSync on this computer:
Choose this option
To allow this use
Everyone
All users that access this computer.
Just me
Only by the user currently logged in to the workstation.
W ARNING: No one else will be able to use FHSync except
the person with the current Windows login.
7. Click Next >.
FIREHOUSE Software Barcoding User's Guide 25
The Confirm Installation screen of the wizard appears.
8. Click Next >.
The installation begins, and the Installing FH Barcoding Sync screen appears in the
wizard.
26 FIREHOUSE Software Barcoding User's Guide
When the installation finishes, the Installation Complete screen of the wizard appears.
9. Click Close.
10. Continue with Configure the scanner synchronization utility, on page 28.
FIREHOUSE Software Barcoding User's Guide 27
Configure the scanner synchronization utility
1. Choose Start → Programs → FH Barcoding Sync → FH Barcoding Sync.
The Sync dialog box appears.
2. Choose Admin Menu → Enter Admin Mode.
The Admin Password dialog box appears.
3. In Password, enter AAIADMIN, and then click OK.
The rest of the options in Admin Menu become available.
4. Choose Admin Menu → Change Admin Password.
28 FIREHOUSE Software Barcoding User's Guide
The ChangeAppPassword dialog box appears.
5. In Old Password, enter AAIADMIN.
6. In New Password, enter a password of your choosing.
Tip: Enter a password containing a mixture of characters, numbers, and symbols.
Example: Ex@mp!e1
7. Click OK.
8. Choose Admin Menu → Set SQL Connection.
The SQL Server Connection dialog box appears.
FIREHOUSE Software Barcoding User's Guide 29
9. In SQL Server, type the name of the computer running SQL server and instance name of
your SQL instance for FH Enterprise.
10. In Database, type the name of your FH database.
11. Specify the security needed to access the FH database.
For this security
Windows authentication
SQL login credentials
Do this
l
Select Integrated Security.
a. Select SQL Server Security.
b. In Login and Password, enter the username and password needed to access the FH database.
12. Click Test.
If you are able to connect to the selected server, a confirmation dialog box appears.
13. In the SQL Server Connection dialog box, click OK.
14. Continue with Work with a scanner, on page 31.
30 FIREHOUSE Software Barcoding User's Guide
Work with a scanner
To use a barcode scanner to inventory the items in an apparatus, you must synchronize the scanner with FH to download the checklists you need, scan the barcode stickers on the physical items
in the apparatus, resolve any errors reported by the scanner, and re-synchronize the scanner with
FH to upload the data collected by the scanner.
Upload checklists from FH to the scanner
Before using a barcode scanner to inventory the items in an apparatus, you must synchronize the
scanner with FH to upload the checklists you need from FH to the scanner.
Caution: If you do not synchronize the scanner with FH before performing an inventory checkin, the checklist on the scanner may not be current with the FH database, and data conflicts
may occur.
W ARNING: If there is an incomplete scan (a partially completed checklist) on the scanner from
an earlier check-in, the scan data is lost when you upload checklist data from FH in the steps
below. Before uploading checklist data from FH, complete the scan started on the scanner and
download the scan data to FH, as described in Download data from the scanner to FH, on
page 48.
1. Choose Start → Programs → FHSync → FHSync.
The FH Barcoding Sync dialog box appears.
2. Click Upload Checklist Data from FIREHOUSE Software to Scanner.
A message appears that the synchronization is complete.
3. Click OK.
FIREHOUSE Software Barcoding User's Guide 31
Scan items in the apparatus
1. On the barcode scanner, choose Start → Programs → FHScan.
The FHScan barcoding logo appears as FHScan loads, and then the FHScan login
appears.
2. Using the keypad on the scanner, type your FH credentials, and then touch Login with
the scanner's stylus or your finger.
You are prompted to select the function to perform.
3. Touch Inventory.
32 FIREHOUSE Software Barcoding User's Guide
A screen appears prompting you for the barcode of the apparatus the inventory is being
performed for.
4. In INV ID, scan the barcode of the apparatus the inventory is being performed for, or
manually enter the barcode number on the scanner keypad and the either touch Look-Up
or press Ent on the keypad.
Tip: The barcode for the apparatus is typically located in the cab of the vehicle.
Fields defined in the checklist for that apparatus appear on the scanner.
FIREHOUSE Software Barcoding User's Guide 33
Note: Depending on how the checklist for the apparatus was set up in FH, the Odometer and/or Hours fields may not appear on the scanner.
5. From Type, use the scanner’s stylus to select the checklist you want to use for this session, and then press Ent.
6. (If Odometer and/or Hours appear on the scanner) Enter the odometer reading, and/or
hours meter reading.
7. Touch OK.
A full list of staff members appears.
8. Select the names of the users doing the inventory, and then touch OK.
You are prompted to scan the compartment’s barcode, or to manually select the compartment you will inventory.
34 FIREHOUSE Software Barcoding User's Guide
9. Scan the compartment’s barcode, or select the compartment from Scan or select the
compartment and then touch Select.
The list of inventory items in that compartment appears. The
item has not yet been scanned.
icon indicates that an
10. Scan an item in the compartment, or manually enter the barcode number on the scanner
keypad and then press the Ent key.
Note: When you defined an item in the checklist in FH, you had the opportunity to
require a maintenance question to an item. You can also manually indicate whether the
item needs maintenance, whether it is misplaced or its presence is unknown, and add
notes for an item. Information manually specifying this information is available in Manually add information about an item, on page 44.
FIREHOUSE Software Barcoding User's Guide 35
Depending on the item’s status, different responses can appear on the scanner.
If this is the case
The item is found in the checklist, and no
additional information is needed for it.
This happens
A checkmark appears next to its entry in
the checklist, and the item entry is highlighted with green.
Example:
The item is found in wrong compartment
(the item is misplaced).
An X appears next to its entry in the checklist, and the item entry is highlighted with
red.
Example:
The item is found in the checklist, and
quantity information for the item needs to
be entered.
Continue with Enter quantity information
for an item, on page 39.
The item is found in the checklist, and a
question needs to be answered for the
item.
Continue with Answer a question for an
item, on page 40.
The item is not in the current checklist.
Continue with Item is not in the current
checklist, on page 41.
The item’s barcode is not recognized by
the scanner.
Continue with Item is not recognized by
the scanner, on page 42.
11. (If you need to correct the response for an item) Do the following.
a. Select the item you want to correct the numeric or maintenance response for.
b. In the upper left corner of the FHScan interface, choose Item → Delete Scan.
You are prompted to confirm whether you want to delete the scan information for the
selected item.
c. Click Yes.
The item is set back to an unscanned state.
12. Repeat steps 10-11 for each item in the compartment.
13. (When you have scanned or entered the barcode numbers for all items in the compartment) Touch Next.
36 FIREHOUSE Software Barcoding User's Guide
If any errors were encountered during the inventory of the compartment, a list of those
errors appears on the scanner. If no errors were encountered during the inventory of the
compartment, you are prompted to scan or select the next compartment to inventory in
the checklist.
Icon and color
Indicates this
Wrench icon, item is highlighted with
yellow.
One of the two things have has occurred.
l
The item is approaching the recommended
quantity limits, but has not yet reached a
critical low or high quantity defined in the
checklist.
l
You manually indicated that the item
requires maintenance.
Wrench icon, item is highlighted with
red.
The item has reached, exceeded, or dropped
below a critical low or high quantity defined in
the checklist.
X icon, item is highlighted with red.
Item is now out of service, or is misplaced (in
the wrong compartment).
~ icon, item is highlighted with yellow.
One of the two things have has occurred.
? icon, item is highlighted with red.
l
The item is missing (was not scanned).
l
You manually indicated that the item is in
the wrong location.
You manually specified that the inventory
status for the item is unknown.
14. (If an error list appeared) Click Accept.
FIREHOUSE Software Barcoding User's Guide 37
If any of the items in the error list were for missing or misplaced inventory items, you are
prompted to enter notes explaining the situation for each item.
15. (If you are prompted to enter notes) For each missing or misplaced item in the error list,
note the item number for the missing or misplaced item, use the scanner's keypad to enter
text explaining the situation, and then touch OK.
When you have entered notes for all missing or misplaced items, you are prompted to
indicate the next compartment in the checklist that needs to be scanned.
16. Repeat steps 10-15 for the next compartment in the checklist.
17. Continue with Exit a scan, on page 46.
38 FIREHOUSE Software Barcoding User's Guide
Enter quantity information for an item
When you scan an item or enter the barcode number for the item, and if the checklist needs quantity information to be entered, you are prompted for the quantity of the item you scanned.
1. In Enter the quantity, use the scanner's numeric pad to type a quantity number, and
then touch OK.
If the quantity you entered is within the error ranges you specified in the checklist in FH, a
checkmark appears next to its entry in the checklist, and the item entry is highlighted
with green.
Example:
If the quantity you entered exceeds or drops below the quantity limits established in the
checklist, a wrench icon appears next to its entry in the checklist, and the entry is highlighted with yellow.
Example:
Note: A generic (quantity) item may be automatically taken out of service if the checklist was configured in FH to do so when a minimum critical quantity is reached.
If the item is marked as critical when out-of-service in the checklist in FH, when you
move on to scanning the items in the next compartment, an out-of-service item is added
to the error list.
2. Return to step 11 in Scan items in the apparatus, on page 32.
FIREHOUSE Software Barcoding User's Guide 39
Answer a question for an item
When you scan an item or enter the barcode number for the item, and if the checklist needs maintenance questions to be answered, you are prompted to answer the question for the item.
1. Select Pass or Fail to indicate an answer to the question, and then touch OK.
If you selected Pass, a checkmark appears next to its entry in the checklist, and the item
entry is highlighted with green.
Example:
If you selected Fail, a wrench icon appears next to its entry in the checklist, and the entry
is highlighted with yellow.
Example:
If the item is marked as critical when out-of-service in the checklist in FH, when you move
on to scanning the items in the next compartment, an out-of-service item is added to the
error list.
2. Return to step 11 in Scan items in the apparatus, on page 32.
40 FIREHOUSE Software Barcoding User's Guide
Item is not in the current checklist
When you scan an item or enter the barcode number for the item, and if the barcode or its number
is recognized by the scanner but the item is not the current checklist, an error message appears.
Example: You are doing the weekly inventory checklist, but scanned an item that is on the
monthly inventory checklist, and that item is not also on the weekly checklist.
1. Click Continue.
The checklist reappears for you to continue the inventory with.
2. Return to step 11 in Scan items in the apparatus, on page 32.
FIREHOUSE Software Barcoding User's Guide 41
Item is not recognized by the scanner
When you scan an item or enter the barcode number for the item, and if the barcode or its number
is not recognized by the scanner, an error message appears on the scanner display, stating that
the item has not been added to FH yet, and prompting you to add this item to the error list.
1. Depending on whether you want to add the item to FH later, do one of the following.
x
To do this
Add the item to FH
Do this
a. Click Yes.
You are prompted for a description for the item.
42 FIREHOUSE Software Barcoding User's Guide
To do this
Do this
b. In Enter a description for item {0}, use the keypad on
the scanner to enter a description.
c. Click Save.
An entry for the item is added to the checklist in the scanner, with a question mark ? icon next to the item’s entry.
Example:
You do not want to add
the item to FH
l
Click No.
The checklist reappears for you to continue your inventory
process.
2. Return to step 11 in Scan items in the apparatus, on page 32.
Note: This item and its barcode must be added to a checklist in FH, and the barcode scanner
must be re-synchronized with the FH database for the updated checklist to be loaded and the
scanner to recognize the barcode. Unrecognized items must be resolved before the scan can be
completed.
FIREHOUSE Software Barcoding User's Guide 43
Manually add information about an item
When you defined an item in the checklist in FH, you had the opportunity to attach a maintenance
question to an item. When performing an inventory with the barcode scanner, you can also manually indicate that an item needs maintenance, even if you did not attach a maintenance question to
the item in the checklist.
1. Select the item in the checklist you want to place out of service, and then touch Details.
A screen for indicating details about the selected item appears.
2. Depending on what kind of information you want to add for the item, do one of the following.
To do this
Do this
Indicate that an item
needs maintenance
a. Select Maintenance.
Indicate that an item is
in the wrong location
a. Select Wrong Location.
Indicate that the item is
missing
a. Select Unknown.
b. (Optional) Add a note to the item about the maintenance
that is necessary, and if the item should be taken out of
service until the maintenance is performed.
b. (Optional) Add a note indicating where the item was
found, and if it has been returned to its proper location.
b. (Optional) Add a note describing the situation.
44 FIREHOUSE Software Barcoding User's Guide
To do this
Add notes to the item
Do this
a. Select Notes.
A screen for entering note text appears.
b. Click OK.
3. Click OK.
4. Return to step 11 in Scan items in the apparatus, on page 32.
FIREHOUSE Software Barcoding User's Guide 45
Exit a scan
When you have completed inventorying the apparatus, or if you need to stop the inventory and
resume it later, you can exit the scan without losing the item information you have already collected in the barcode scanner.
1. On the screen displaying a compartment checklist, in the upper left corner of the FHScan
interface, touch Exit.
If any errors were encountered during the inventory, a list of those errors appears on the
scanner.
Icon and color
Wrench icon, item is highlighted with
yellow.
Indicates this
One of the two things has occurred.
l
The item is approaching the recommended
quantity limits, but has not yet reached a
critical low or high quantity defined in the
checklist.
l
You manually indicated that the item
requires maintenance.
Wrench icon, item is highlighted with
red.
The item has reached, exceeded, or dropped
below a critical low or high quantity defined in
the checklist. The item is now out of service.
X icon, item is highlighted with red.
The item is misplaced (in the wrong compartment).
~ icon, item is highlighted with yellow. One of the two things has occurred.
46 FIREHOUSE Software Barcoding User's Guide
Icon and color
Indicates this
? icon, item is highlighted with red
l
The item is missing (was not scanned).
l
You manually indicated that the item is in
the wrong location.
You manually specified that the inventory
status for the item is unknown.
2. (If an error list appeared) Click Accept.
You are prompted to select the function to perform.
3. Click Exit.
FIREHOUSE Software Barcoding User's Guide 47
Download data from the scanner to FH
After using a barcode scanner to inventory the items in an apparatus, you must synchronize the
scanner with FH to download the data you collected with the scanner to the Inventory module in
FH.
1. Place the scanner in its docking station.
The synchronization software detects that the scanner is in the docking station.
2. On your computer's desktop, double-click the FH Barcoding Sync icon.
The FH Barcoding Sync dialog box appears.
3. Click Download Scan Data from Scanner to FIREHOUSE Software.
A message that the synchronization is complete appears.
4. Click OK.
48 FIREHOUSE Software Barcoding User's Guide
Work with scan results
Note: If you downloaded the scan results while FH was running, you need to exit FH and restart
it for it to detect the new information from the scanner.
1. In the main FH toolbar, click Inventory.
The Inventory dialog box appears.
2. Open the apparatus you would like to create a checklist for, and then click OK.
The Inventory dialog box populates with information from the selected apparatus.
3. Click the Checklist tab.
4. In the Scans/Runs Checklist Level list, select the scan you want to work with, and then
click Open.
FIREHOUSE Software Barcoding User's Guide 49
The Checklist Summary dialog box appears, containing the status of scans, information
gathered during the scans, and any errors encountered during the scans.
5. Do any of the following.
To do this
Do this
View the list of staff
members involved in the
scan
l
Under Involved Staff List, scroll up and down to view
the list of names.
View only the errors that
occurred during the scan
l
Click the Error List tab.
View all the information
from the scan
l
Click the Full Summary tab.
6. Click Close.
50 FIREHOUSE Software Barcoding User's Guide
Purge scan information
Note: Only an FH administrator can purge scan records that have reached their retention period.
1. (If it is not already open) Open an existing checklist, on page 12.
2. Under Scans/Runs Checklist Level, click Purge.
The Purge Checklist dialog box appears.
3. In Purge all scans prior to, type the date you would like to purge records prior to, or
click Calendar and select the date from the calendar that appears.
4. Click OK.
A dialog box appears, prompting you to confirm the deletion of records prior to the date
you specified.
5. Click Yes.
The record of the scan is removed from Scans/Runs Checklist Level.
FIREHOUSE Software Barcoding User's Guide 51
Update FH Scan on the barcode scanner
1. Choose Start → Programs → FH Barcoding Sync → FH Barcoding Sync.
The FH Barcoding Sync dialog box appears.
2. Choose Device → Install Application → Motorola MC3100.
The Add/Remove Programs dialog box appears, and the Installing Applications dialog box appears over it.
52 FIREHOUSE Software Barcoding User's Guide
3. Click Yes.
The Application Downloading Complete dialog box appears.
4. Click OK.
The Add/Remove Programs and the Installing Applications dialog box close automatically.
5. Check the scanner screen.
A prompt for re-installing FHScan appears on the scanner.
6. Click OK.
FIREHOUSE Software Barcoding User's Guide 53
A prompt for overwriting a hidden .DLL file appears.
7. Click Yes To All.
FHScan updates on the scanner.
54 FIREHOUSE Software Barcoding User's Guide