Acctivate Mobile WMS Configuration

Settings related to Acctivate Mobile WMS (Warehouse Management Software) are configured in the Mobile section of the Configuration Manager (File → Configuration Management → Mobile).

Please install Acctivate Mobile WMS prior to configuring these options.

Note

The Mobile section of the Configuration Manager will only appear if you are licensed for Acctivate Mobile WMS.

Web Service

When the Acctivate Mobile web service is installed, the installer will attempt to determine the web service URL and write it to the Mobile Web Service URL field, if there isn't already a web service URL entered here.

This URL will be displayed in the Set Up Mobile Device window (File → Set Up Mobile Device) as a link and QR code. This is designed to simplify the setup of the Acctivate Mobile app on your Android device.

Note

In some cases, the web service URL that is written here automatically by the installer may not be correct or may not be the URL that is required to connect. If necessary, edit the Mobile Web Service URL to be the URL that you want to appear in the Set Up Mobile Device window. Changing the URL here will not change your web service URL.

For example, if you are connecting your mobile devices to the web service over the internet, rather than the local area network, you should edit the URL to be the public URL that you will use to connect.

Inventory Assemblies

When the Allow posting assemblies from the mobile device option is enabled, you can create and post an assembly session from the mobile device.

When this option is disabled, the user can create and save assembly sessions from the mobile device, but they must be posted from the desktop.

Inventory Count

When the Blind Count option is enabled, the Inventory Count transaction on the mobile device will not show the products to be counted. Instead, the user will enter/scan products and their on hand quantity. This ensures an unbiased count process.

If this option is disabled, the Inventory Count transaction on the device will list all the products that are to be counted.

Inventory Receipts

There are three options related to receiving on the mobile device:

  • Automatically post inventory receipts

    • When enabled, a user can post inventory receipts, which adds quantities into inventory immediately.
    • If disabled, the user can only save inventory receipts on the device and then receipt session must be posted from the desktop.

  • PO received in full by default

    • When enabled, inventory receipts created in Acctivate Mobile for a Purchase Order will have the received quantity already defaulted to the outstanding purchase order quantity.
    • If disabled, inventory receipts created in Acctivate Mobile for a purchase order will not have a received quantity. Instead, you would scan or manually enter quantity received.

  • Receive in purchase units

    • When this option is enabled, the received quantity refers to the product's purchase unit of measure, not the stocking unit of measure.
    • When disabled, the received quantity refers to the stocking unit of measure.

Inventory Transfers

When Allow posting transfers from the mobile device is enabled, the user can enter and post a transfer on the mobile device.

When this option is disabled, a user can enter and save an inventory transfer on the mobile device, however it must be posted from the desktop.

Order Picking

The following options relate to submitting picked sales orders using Acctivate Mobile WMS.

Note

Some options are not available when Picklists are enabled.

Submitting picked orders

  • Pick complete sales order by default

    • When enabled, the picked quantity in Acctivate Mobile Picking will default to the scheduled sales order quantity, except for lot/serial controlled products which do not have lot/serial numbers selected.
    • When disabled the picked quantity will default to zero, requiring the user to enter the quantity picked.

  • Print packing list
    At the time of submitting a sales order in the Mobile Picking module you are presented with an option to print a pack list.

    • When this configuration option is enabled, the Acctivate mobile will have the Print Pack List option checked by default.
    • If this option is disabled, the option will be unchecked/disabled on the mobile device, however you can manually check the option to print a pack list. See mobile printing configuration for more information on printing from a mobile device.

  • Shipping label count
    At the time of submitting a picked sales order on Acctivate Mobile, you can print a shipping label (a label containing the sales order ship to address, not a postage label). If set to 0, the Submit Order screen of Acctivate mobile will show zero for the number of labels to print. If set to another number, Acctivate will print that many labels when you submit the sales order. See mobile printing configuration for more information on printing from a mobile device.

  • Workflow status when an order is being picked
    Once an order is opened on Acctivate Mobile, the order will be updated to the selected workflow status. Only In Progress workflow statuses can be selected.

  • Default workflow status of a submitted order
    This will be the default workflow status of a submitted sales order. This option can be changed per order at the time of submitting the order. Only Picked and On Hold workflow statuses can be selected.

    • Picked: When an order is submitted with a workflow status of Picked, the scheduled quantities on the sales order will update to match the picked quantities. The quantities that could not be picked will be moved to the backorder field. The sales order will be updated to have a workflow status of Picked in Acctivate.
    • Pick on Hold: When an order is submitted with a workflow status of Pick on Hold, Acctivate will not update the quantities on the order, but the quantities you have picked to this point will be saved. This will allow you to resume picking this order where you left off. The sales order will be updated to a workflow status of Pick on Hold in Acctivate.

Kit components
There are three options related to the picking of Kit products (Bill of Materials of Kit (Standard) or Kit (Custom)) on a sales orders:

  • Hide: When this option is enabled, kit components are not displayed on the mobile device. Instead, only the kit product to be picked is displayed. Enter/scan the total quantity of kits picked.
  • Display: When this option is enabled, the kit and component quantities are displayed, however, you can only enter/scan the total quantity of kits picked.
  • Scan / Update: When this option is enabled, the kit and component quantities are displayed. You must enter/scan the component quantities picked. You will not be able to enter the kit quantities picked, however the total kits picked will update based on the components picked.
Note

If a component is Lot, Serial, or Number when invoiced controlled, you will see the component and must enter/scan the lot/serial number for the component.

Lot Numbers
The following options apply to picking lot numbers:

  • New line for each lot number scan
    • With this option enabled, every scanned lot will enter a new line, even if each scan is for the same lot number.
    • If disabled, when you scan the same product's lot number multiple times, the quantity will increase for the single lot number entry.
  • Pick full lot quantity
    • When enabled, scanning a lot will set the picked quantity to the lot's on-hand quantity or the quantity remaining to be picked, whichever is lower.
    • If disabled, each scan increments the lot quantity by one.

Mobile Printing

Certain reports can be printed from Acctivate Mobile. Some configuration requirements must be met to print these reports.

Prerequisites
Before attempting to setup mobile printing, you should complete the following:

  1. Install Acctivate Mobile WMS on your server.
  2. Connect a printer(s) to the server where Acctivate Mobile WMS is installed, or the printer should be made available to the server over the local area network (LAN) or wide area network (WAN).

Once these steps have completed you can configure the printer assignments.

Set printer assignments for reports Each report that can be printed from Acctivate Mobile can be configured to print to a default printer. If no printer is assigned to a report then the default printer of the computer running the webservice will be used.

  1. Using a web browser on a desktop computer in your Network, navigate to the Acctivate Mobile webservice that was created when installing Acctivate Mobile (e.g., http://192.168.1.123/AcctHandheld/ or http://ServerName/AcctHandheld/).
  2. Under the Server Management heading, click on Set printer assignments for reports.
  3. Select the Company you are setting printer assignments for and enter your Acctivate login credentials.
  4. You will see the list of reports that can be printed. In the menu to the right of the report, select the printer that the report should use.
  5. After setting the printer assignments, click Update.
Tip

The bottom of the Printer Assignments screen in the web service gives instructions on what to do if the desired printer is not visible in the printer list, or if you are unable to print to the select printed from the handheld device. If the user account mentioned here is not already on the Security tab of the printer, click Add, then enter the user in the Enter the object names to select section. If the user is not recognized, you may need to change the From This Location to the local computer (where the web service is installed).

Acctivate Mobile looks for and uses reports with a specific Report ID in the reports section of the Configuration Manager.

The Printer Assignments screen of the web service will show the description for the report (descriptions can be edited in the Reports section of Configuration Manager). Below is a table of the default report descriptions and the Report ID (which should not be changed).

(Default) Description Report ID
Pack List PackList
Product Barcode Label by Product (DYMO 30336) InvProductLabel
Put Away List for Inventory Receipts InvPutAwayList
Shipping Labels for Picked Orders PickShipLabel

Stop / Restart webservice

Changes to mobile configuration options may require restarting the webservice. While this can be done from IIS Manager on the server running the Acctivate webservice, you can use the Acctivate webservice page:

  1. Using a web browser on a desktop computer in your network, navigate to the Acctivate Mobile webservice that was created when installing Acctivate Mobile (e.g., http://192.168.1.123/AcctHandheld/ or http://ServerName/AcctHandheld/).
  2. Under the Server Management heading, click on Restart webservice or click Stop webservice to stop the webservice. Stopping the webservice will require starting it up again in order to use Acctivate Mobile Warehouse Management Software.
  3. You may be prompted to enter your Windows username and password.
  4. Select any Acctivate company and enter your Acctivate Login ID and password. Click the button to stop/restart/stop the webservice.
Note

If you receive an Access is denied. error message, the IIS security settings may be preventing the restart or stop of the webservice remotely. You can use the IIS Manager application on the server to restart the webservice, or you can change the security settings to allow the change to be made through the Acctivate webservice page. Workstations must be on the same domain as the server. The steps will vary depending on the operating system running IIS.

Windows 10

  1. On the computer running the Acctivate webservice, search the Windows start menu for Turn Windows features on or off.
  2. Expand Internet Information Services> World Wide Web Services> Security.
  3. Enable Windows Authentication by checking its box.
  4. Click OK to close the Windows Features window. If prompted, restart the server.
  5. Retry the Restart/Stop/Start steps above.

Server Operating Systems

  1. On the computer running the Acctivate webservice, open the Server Manager.
  2. Click the Manage dropdown up in the top right. Choose Add Roles and Features.
  3. Click next until you get to the Server Roles selection.
  4. Expand Internet Information Services> World Wide Web Services> Security.
  5. Enable Windows Authentication by checking its box.
  6. Click next and choose Install. If prompted, restart the server.
  7. Retry the Restart/Stop/Start steps above.

Barcodes

Acctivate mobile can run on various supported handheld devices. The device and device configuration will determine which barcode symbologies can be scanned and interpreted. Two of the most common barcode symbologies in use are Code-128 and UPC. Below you will find recommendations on formatting barcodes.

Code 128

What’s in a Code 128?
Code 128 is a linear, one dimensional barcode that can encode upper and lower-case text, numbers, and the entire 128 ASCII characters set. For this reason, the Code 128 barcode is an extremely flexible and popular choice. Code 128 can also embed GS1 Application Identifiers (AIs).

GS1 Application Identifiers
GS1 Application Identifiers are prefixes used in Code-128 barcodes to define the meaning and format of data attributes. Code-128 barcodes containing GS1 Application Identifiers are known as GS1-128 barcodes. While a GS1-128 barcode can contain any of the GS1 AIs, Acctivate Mobile supports scanning and interpreting the following GS1 Application Identifiers:

GS1 application identifier (AI) AI Description Acctivate WMS Processing
01 GTIN (or UPC/EAN) Whenever a barcode containing the 01 AI is scanned, Acctivate will enter the 01 value in the Product ID field, which will be compared against the Product ID, UPC, and Alternate Product ID fields.
10 Lot Number If a product is lot or serial controlled, scanning a barcode containing the 21 AI will populate the lot/serial number field on screen. If 21 is not present, Acctivate will check for and use AI 10.
17 Expiration Date (Lot/Serial) Scanning a barcode containing the 17 AI will populate the lot or serial expiration date field on screen. Barcode value should be formatted as YYMMDD.
21 Serial Number If a product is lot or serial controlled, scanning a barcode containing the 21 AI will populate the lot/serial number field on screen. If 21 is not present, Acctivate will check for and use AI 10.
99 Warehouse Location Scanning a barcode with the 99 AI will populate the warehouse location field on screen. To scan a warehouse location in Acctivate Mobile, it must be embedded with the "99" application identifier.
310y Weight in Kg where y equals the number of decimals Scanning a barcode with the 310y AI will populate the weight field on the picking screen.
320y Weight in Lb where y equals the number of decimals Scanning a barcode with the 320y AI will populate the weight field on the picking screen.
30 Quantity Scanning a barcode with the 30 AI will populate the quantity field on screen.

Encoding Code 128 Barcodes
The barcodes found on Acctivate forms use the Code 128 symbology. For example, the Sales Order form encodes the order number in Code 128. If you wish to make your own barcode using a purchased copy of Crystal Reports editor, it's recommended that you copy one of the barcode formula fields from a standard Acctivate report into a new report. Or, you can create the formula from scratch using the Code 128 barcode formula found on the Crystal Reports resource page.

Once you've copied the formula into a new report, you can edit the barcode formula to encode the data of your choice. Change the DataToEncode = line to include the data to encode. For example, to encode the {Orders.OrderNumber} database field in the barcode, the Crystal Reports formula line would be written as:

DataToEncode = {Orders.OrderNumber}

You can also add application identifiers by adding ChrW(202) + followed by the application identifier, then followed by the corresponding database field. For example, to create a barcode for a warehouse location, you would need to include the "99" AI prefix, then add the WarehouseLocation.Description database field. For example:

DataToEncode = ChrW(202) + "99" + {WarehouseLocation.Description}

Several data fields can be included in the barcode and separated by application identifiers. For example, to encode the Product ID and lot number in the same barcode, each with their identifying Application Identifier, the formula line would be written as:

DataToEncode = ChrW(202) + "01" + {LotSerialInventory.ProductID} + ChrW(202) + "10" + {LotSerialInventory.LotNumber}

Now that your data is encoded, you can proceed with formatting the barcode with the proper font, font point size, and quiet zone.

Code 128 Barcode
A Code 128 barcode can be broken down into six sections.

  1. Quiet Zone
  2. Start symbol
  3. Encoded data
  4. Check symbol
  5. Stop symbol
  6. Quiet zone.

The Quiet Zone (see Quiet Zone section below) is the blank areas to the left and right of the barcode. A Code 128 barcode will contain a start and stop symbol recognizable by a linear barcode scanner. Between the stop and start data is the data you are encoding. The encoded data ends with a check symbol or check digit which is a calculated value based on the preceding data and is used to ensure accuracy.

Acctivate utilizes and distributes the IDAutomation font set to generate Code 128 barcodes in Crystal Reports. It’s important to select the proper font and font size to print quality barcodes.

Barcode Height (Font)
The Font will determine the height of the barcode. There are seven ID Automation universal fonts included with Acctivate. The “Medium” font is recommended and will produce an approximately half inch tall barcode at 12 pt font size. The five fonts are listed below with their height at 12 pts:

  • IDAutomation Uni XXS – 0.10”
  • IDAutomation Uni XS – 0.20”
  • IDAutomation Uni S – 0.35”
  • IDAutomation Uni M – 0.50” (recommended)
  • IDAutomation Uni L – 0.60”
  • IDAutomation Uni XL – 0.75”
  • IDAutomation Uni XXL – 1”

Barcode Width (Font Point Size)
The font point size you select determines the width of the barcode.

When printing Code 128 barcode fonts to printers less than 600 dpi, such as a 203 dpi or 300 dpi printer, the recommended font point size is 12 point. If you need to print at a different font size, you should follow these IDAutomation guidelines based on your printer’s DPI:

  • 203 dpi Printer: 6 pt, 12 pt*, 18 pt, 24 pt, 30 pt, 36 pt (and other multiples of 6)

  • 300 dpi Printer: 4 pt, 8 pt, 12 pt*, 16 pt, 20 pt, 24 pt, 28 pt, 32 pt, 36 pt (and other multiples of 4)

    *Recommended Font Point Sizes
    The increase in font point size will increase the X-Dimension, which is the width of the narrowest space in the symbol. X-Dimensions are noted in “mil” units; a mil is one thousand of an inch. Typically, it’s recommended to have an X-Dimension of no less than 10 mils (.010 inches). However, if you are printing on UPC fonts on a 203 dpi printer it’s recommended you use a 24 font size, resulting in an X-Dimension of approximately 20 mils.

Quiet Zone
The Quiet Zone of a barcode is the blank area on either side of the barcode. It’s recommended to have a Quite Zone of approximately 10 times the X-dimension or 0.10 inches in width, whichever is great. This will ensure that the barcode scanner only reads the UPC barcode and that there is no interference from other barcodes, text, or graphics that may be near the barcode. Besides choosing proper barcode placement on your product, you can adjust the IDAutomation font and font point size, within the recommendations, to allow enough of a Quite Zone.

Printer Settings
Some printers may have their own settings regarding which barcode symbologies they can print. The Printer Properties dialogue window may contain a Barcode or Barcode Fonts tab. You should ensure that Code 128 is a defined barcode font for the printer, if not, you may need to add Code 128 as a barcode font for the printer. Refer to your printer’s user manual for more information.

UPC

A UPC (Universal Product Code, also known as a UPC-A) is a standardized global identifier used to identify a product so that it can be sold and tracked through supply chains. Employing a UPC barcode can improve efficiency in your organization, however there are guidelines which should be followed.

UPC is a barcode symbol encoding a 12-digit number called a GTIN-12. A GTIN-12’s numbers are not random; they are a combination of reference numbers used to associate your products with you.

What’s in a UPC?

  • Company Prefix
    The first 6-10 digits of the UPC is the GS1 Company Prefix and is assigned by GS1 to uniquely identify the brand owner. A GS1 Company Prefix is licensed from https://www.gs1.org.

  • Item Reference
    The next set of numbers after the Company Prefix are the item reference. These are assigned by the brand owner to reference a specific item. Each individual product needs its own UPC. For example, a shirt that comes in three different sizes would require three different UPC’s, each with a unique item reference.

  • Check Digit
    The last digit in a UPC is referred to as a Check Digit. The Check Digit is a calculated number based on the preceding digits of the UPC. This is used to ensure accuracy.

Encoding UPC Barcodes
When generating a UPC Barcode there are many factors that need to be considered to create a consistently scannable barcode.

If you wish to make your own UPC barcode using a purchased copy of Crystal Reports report editor, you'll first need to add the Acctivate data field containing the UPC to the report canvas. For example, you can add the Acctivate data field Product.UPC to the report. Next, you'll format the field using the appropriate font.

Acctivate utilizes and distributes the IDAutomation font set to generate UPC barcodes in Crystal Reports. It’s important to select the proper font and font size in order to print quality UPC’s.

Barcode Height (Font)
The Font will determine the height of the barcode. There are five ID Automation UPC fonts included with Acctivate. The “Medium” font is recommended and will produce about an inch tall barcode at 24 pt font size. The five fonts are listed below with their height at 24 pts:

  • IDAutomationUPCEANXXS – 0.30”
  • IDAutomationUPCEANXS – 0.60”
  • IDAutomationUPCEANS – .825”
  • IDAutomationUPCEANM – 1.065” (recommended)
  • IDAutomationUPCEANL – 1.305”

Barcode Width (Font Point Size)
The font point size you select determines the width of the barcode.

When printing UPC barcodes to printers less than 600 dpi, such as a 203 dpi or 300 dpi printer, the recommended font point size for UPC is no smaller than 20 point. If you need to print less than 20 point, you should follow these IDAutomation guidelines based on your printer’s DPI:

  • 203 dpi Printer: 12 pt, 18 pt, 24 pt*, 30 pt, 36 pt

  • 300 dpi Printer: 12 pt, 16 pt, 20 pt, 24 pt*, 28 pt, 32 pt, 36 pt

    *Recommended Font Point Sizes
    The increase in font point size will increase the X-Dimension, which is the width of the narrowest space in the symbol. X-Dimensions are noted in “mil” units; a mil is one thousand of an inch. Typically, it’s recommended to have an X-Dimension of no less than 10 mils (.010 inches). However, if you are printing on UPC fonts on a 203 dpi printer it’s recommended you use a 24 font size, resulting in an X-Dimension of approximately 20 mils.

Quiet Zone
The Quiet Zone of a barcode is the blank area on either side of the UPC barcode. It’s recommended to have a Quite Zone of approximately 12 times the X-dimension and should be no less than nine times the X-dimension. This will ensure that the barcode scanner only reads the UPC barcode and that there is no interference from other barcodes, text, or graphics that may be near the barcode. Besides choosing proper barcode placement on your product, you can adjust the IDAutomation font and font point size, within the recommendations, to allow enough of a Quite Zone.

Printer Settings
Some printers may have their own settings regarding which barcode symbologies they can print. The Printer Properties dialogue window may contain a Barcode or Barcode Fonts tab. You should ensure that UPC A is a defined barcode font for the printer, if not, you may need to add UPC A as a barcode font for the printer. Refer to your printer’s user manual for more information.

Other Symbologies

Code-128 and UPC are two of the most commonly supported symbologies and therefore it's recommended you use them when possible. In addition to those, Acctivate also supports the ITF-14 symbology on supported Android devices. The product's GTIN-14 should be stored in the Acctivate UPC field.