Keywedge Barcode Scanner Introduction
This guide explains how to set up and use a keyboard wedge (keywedge) barcode scanner with xAssets. It covers everything from initial hardware setup through to searching for assets, assigning barcodes, and running barcode audits.
Who This Guide Is For
This guide is for xAssets users who need to:
- Set up a keywedge barcode scanner for the first time
- Search for assets by scanning barcodes
- Assign barcode values to asset records using a scanner
- Run barcode audits with a keywedge scanner
- Understand the differences between keywedge and other scanner types
Prerequisites
- A keyboard wedge barcode scanner (USB wired or wireless with USB dongle/Bluetooth)
- A computer or device running the xAssets web client in a browser
- For advanced features (barcode search dialog, barcode field on forms, audits): the Barcoding module must be enabled in xAssets
Getting Started
If you are setting up a keywedge scanner for the first time, follow these steps in order:
- What Are Keyboard Wedge Scanners? -- understand how keywedge scanners work
- Setting Up a Keywedge Scanner -- hardware configuration, enabling barcoding, and testing
- Searching with a Keywedge Scanner -- try your first barcode scan
If your scanner is already connected and working, skip ahead to Setting Up a Keywedge Scanner for xAssets-specific setup instructions.
What You Will Find in This Guide
| Chapter | What It Covers |
|---|---|
| Introduction | Overview, prerequisites, and getting started |
| What Are Keyboard Wedge Scanners? | How keywedge scanners work -- they emulate keyboard input |
| Keywedge vs Other Scanners | Advantages and limitations compared to intelligent scanners |
| Setting Up a Keywedge Scanner | Hardware configuration, enabling barcoding in xAssets, and testing |
| Searching with a Keywedge Scanner | Single and multi-barcode search, duplicate handling, stored lists |
| Setting Asset Barcodes | Scanning barcodes into asset records |
| Bulk Scanning | Onboard memory scanning and its limitations |
| Barcode Audits | Using keywedge scanners for asset audits |
Typical Use Cases
| Scenario | What to Read |
|---|---|
| Quick asset lookup at a service desk | Searching with a Keywedge Scanner |
| Labelling new assets with barcode stickers | Setting Asset Barcodes |
| Library-style check-out at a counter | See the Barcoding Guide |
| Small room audit with network access | Barcode Audits |
| Large offline warehouse audit | Consider an intelligent scanner -- see Keywedge vs Other Scanners |
Related Articles
- Barcoding Guide Overview -- Introduction to the full barcoding module (covers both keywedge and intelligent scanners)
- Barcode Scanner Types -- Comparison of all scanner types
- Asset Audits -- Full asset audit documentation
- IT Asset Management Overview -- The IT asset management user guide