Re: [EE] Suggestions for barcode scanning

Depending on the format of the barcode, it should be possible to use a
readily available barcode reader to enter the barcode into a spreadsheet
column, with the count then being entered into the next column. A simple
bit of VBS programming could then move the cursor to the first column in
the next row.

Easy to do if the barcode is a UPC, possibly more difficult if the barcode
is a 2D one that could contain other info as well (e.g. UPC, supplier, etc)
although this wouldn't be impossible to deal with using some VBS.

Then you have everything in a spread sheet that you can sort on barcode to
match against whatever stock program you use.



On Sun, 16 Nov 2025 at 19:30, smplx <[email protected]> wrote:

> If you're thinking of writing your own code the simplest solution might be
> to take a picture of the barcode along with a hand written count then dump
> all the pictures to a PC and post process. It should be trivial to process
> the pics.
>
> Regards
> Sergio Masci
>
> On Sun, 16 Nov 2025, Denny Esterline wrote:
>
> > I'm overseeing a physical inventory count at year end and looking for
> tools
> > or suggestions.
> >
> > We’ve got about 7,000 part numbers and roughly 50,000 total parts. Every
> > item has a barcode label with its part number.
> >
> > Ideally, I’d like to deploy 2–3 people with mobile phones or tablets
> using
> > a simple workflow:
> > Scan bin -> enter count -> upload to spreadsheet -> repeat.
> > Seems straightforward, and if we can get it down to ~10 seconds per
> cycle,
> > I think we could cover everything in a day. That’s not a hard
> requirement,
> > just a ballpark that feels reasonable.
> >
> > I’ve done some searching and haven’t found anything that even remotely
> > matches this workflow. Most tools I’ve seen are layered with features —
> > inventory management, purchasing, stock levels, etc. They may be great in
> > their own right, but they’re not built for this kind of “count only”
> audit,
> > and they seem to take several minutes per cycle and the math on that
> looks
> > like multiple weeks. That doesn't feel reasonable.
> >
> > I cannot possibly be the first person to want to do this.
> >
> > Usually when I can’t find something that “just has to exist,” it’s
> either:
> >
> >   - I’m describing it wrong / using the wrong search terms
> >   - Or I’ve got my head up my backside and there’s something I’m not
> seeing
> >
> > There’s precedent for both. :-)
> >
> > I’m about 90% convinced I need to write my own app for this, but before I
> > commit, I wanted to ask the hivemind:
> >
> >   - Am I asking the wrong questions?
> >   - Am I thinking about this wrong?
> >   - Any tools, workflows, or suggestions you’ve seen or used?
> >
> > At this point, I’d even settle for slings and arrows.
> >
> >
> > -Denny
> > --
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