Supply Inventory

[mynetdude]

Well what about use with the WMU? We don't use SIMS or if we even can?

I'm really interested in using a barcode/scanner system if its really cheap to get one.. as one mentioned $12 so I would say $20-$30 shipped.

[brasda91]

Very interesting.  I can't get SIMS to install on my unit laptop.  I have just looked at a few of the scanners on e-bay and one mentioned it would work with Excel.  I'm guessing I would have to create a spreadsheet for all the items I would track?

What about the "bar code generating" software?  Anybody have a suggestion on a program that could be picked up locally, like at Circuit City or Best Buy?

I like this idea, but have very little knowledge of how to get it off the ground.

[mynetdude]

Very interesting.  I can't get SIMS to install on my unit laptop.  I have just looked at a few of the scanners on e-bay and one mentioned it would work with Excel.  I'm guessing I would have to create a spreadsheet for all the items I would track?

What about the "bar code generating" software?  Anybody have a suggestion on a program that could be picked up locally, like at Circuit City or Best Buy?

I like this idea, but have very little knowledge of how to get it off the ground.

You can import the data that you get from the barcode to anything that will receive that type of data.  The question is which is better? Excel or MS Access? I suppose that depends on what you want to do, however it seems like Excel and Access can almost do the same thing to a degree.

[SSgt Rudin]

Very interesting.  I can't get SIMS to install on my unit laptop.  I have just looked at a few of the scanners on e-bay and one mentioned it would work with Excel.  I'm guessing I would have to create a spreadsheet for all the items I would track?

What about the "bar code generating" software?  Anybody have a suggestion on a program that could be picked up locally, like at Circuit City or Best Buy?

I like this idea, but have very little knowledge of how to get it off the ground.

Log on to e-services go to where you print your 101 card from and you can download a barcode font. It works just fine, I have tested it multiple times using the barcode reader we have. Just remember what ever you want it to read has to star and end with a *, for example item number 8675309 would have to be typed as *8675309* and then change the font to "Free 3 of 9" (barcode)

[mynetdude]

Very interesting.  I can't get SIMS to install on my unit laptop.  I have just looked at a few of the scanners on e-bay and one mentioned it would work with Excel.  I'm guessing I would have to create a spreadsheet for all the items I would track?

What about the "bar code generating" software?  Anybody have a suggestion on a program that could be picked up locally, like at Circuit City or Best Buy?

I like this idea, but have very little knowledge of how to get it off the ground.

Log on to e-services go to where you print your 101 card from and you can download a barcode font. It works just fine, I have tested it multiple times using the barcode reader we have. Just remember what ever you want it to read has to star and end with a *, for example item number 8675309 would have to be typed as *8675309* and then change the font to "Free 3 of 9" (barcode)

Why do that if you can just use the barcode from your membership card? So are the barcodes on the 101 card and your membership card the same?  If so that could be a decent way to check into missions as well except I don't see how the IMU2 could accept data from a barcode reader.

Once again, for meeting sign in/check in it is useless unless you have SIMS it appears, as WMU does not use have that functionality and I don't know if I can use SIMS if we are not a SIMS state.

[arajca]

SIMS is a unit level program, not wing level. SIMS = Squadron Information Management System.

Using a barcode scanner is easy in SIMS for attendance. Install the scanner and software. Open the "Meeting Attendance" section and "Allow CAPID entry" Make sure no one clicks out of the CAPID field and you'll be golden. SIMS will treat the scanner input (and display it) as if you typed it from the keyboard.

The scanner software will translate the barcode into a number which gets fed into SIMS or whatever application you are using. As far the application is concerned, it's the same as using the keyboard.

[SSgt Rudin]

Very interesting.  I can't get SIMS to install on my unit laptop.  I have just looked at a few of the scanners on e-bay and one mentioned it would work with Excel.  I'm guessing I would have to create a spreadsheet for all the items I would track?

What about the "bar code generating" software?  Anybody have a suggestion on a program that could be picked up locally, like at Circuit City or Best Buy?

I like this idea, but have very little knowledge of how to get it off the ground.

Log on to e-services go to where you print your 101 card from and you can download a barcode font. It works just fine, I have tested it multiple times using the barcode reader we have. Just remember what ever you want it to read has to star and end with a *, for example item number 8675309 would have to be typed as *8675309* and then change the font to "Free 3 of 9" (barcode)

Why do that if you can just use the barcode from your membership card? So are the barcodes on the 101 card and your membership card the same?  If so that could be a decent way to check into missions as well except I don't see how the IMU2 could accept data from a barcode reader.

Once again, for meeting sign in/check in it is useless unless you have SIMS it appears, as WMU does not use have that functionality and I don't know if I can use SIMS if we are not a SIMS state.

Because he asked about barcode generating software. And yes the barcode on your 101 is the same as your ID card as long you are using "Free 3 of 9" font.

[SarDragon]

Remember folks, if there's no picture, it's a Membership Card, not an ID card.

[mynetdude]

Remember folks, if there's no picture, it's a Membership Card, not an ID card.

Good point, I don't know if the CAP ID card even has a barcode but your picture.

Ok so what is the point of using SIMS if it is just for squadron use? I would still have to use the WMU for attendance then.  Would I be allowed to use SIMS because I don't know anyone in ORWG even using it.

[RiverAux]

Barcodes are so 1990's!   

That's right! We installed an iris scanner on the door so that when you walk into the door it automatically updates the attendance records.   

We've chipped all our members with RFID.  Just run them by the reader at the Wal Mart and we've got them checked in....

[Gunner C]

Barcodes are so 1990's!   

That's right! We installed an iris scanner on the door so that when you walk into the door it automatically updates the attendance records.   

Problem is it won't penetrate a mission pilot's raybans.  And you know they won't take those off! 

"Is it cool in here or is it just me?" - Overheard in a conversation between two SAR pilots.

[RickFranz]

"SIMS is a unit level program, not wing level. SIMS = Squadron Information Management System."

I would agree it was set up as a squadron tool, but I have down loaded it for the Wing, of course there is only 500 or so of us.  But it seems to work just fine.

[mynetdude]

"SIMS is a unit level program, not wing level. SIMS = Squadron Information Management System."

I would agree it was set up as a squadron tool, but I have down loaded it for the Wing, of course there is only 500 or so of us.  But it seems to work just fine.

I realize what it is, but the question would be: can I use it even though our squadron has never used it or AFAIK any squadron in my wing uses it?

[SarDragon]

"SIMS is a unit level program, not wing level. SIMS = Squadron Information Management System."

I would agree it was set up as a squadron tool, but I have down loaded it for the Wing, of course there is only 500 or so of us.  But it seems to work just fine.

I realize what it is, but the question would be: can I use it even though our squadron has never used it or AFAIK any squadron in my wing uses it?

If you want to use it, download it and go for it. It's a supplement for the paper records you keep.

[mynetdude]

"SIMS is a unit level program, not wing level. SIMS = Squadron Information Management System."

I would agree it was set up as a squadron tool, but I have down loaded it for the Wing, of course there is only 500 or so of us.  But it seems to work just fine.

I realize what it is, but the question would be: can I use it even though our squadron has never used it or AFAIK any squadron in my wing uses it?

If you want to use it, download it and go for it. It's a supplement for the paper records you keep.

So it is not a replacement, where can I get it? at the NHQ/eServices website?

[IceNine]

If you want to integrate the barcode with the access database try to find an access template that is used as what they call a POS (point of sale) system.

the POS is what you see at grocery stores, walmart etc. They will have integrated barcode capability

[Tim Medeiros]

http://www.squadroncommand.com  just click on Downloads then select the full download for the version of MS Access that you have

[mynetdude]

http://www.squadroncommand.com  just click on Downloads then select the full download for the version of MS Access that you have

Thank you much Tim Wonder if they will make SIMS available for MS Access 2007? I see they only have up to 2003.

[Tim Medeiros]

Your welcome, hopefully they will.  I'm also hoping they build something into eServices but that dream is pretty far off for now.

[mynetdude]

Tim FYI...

Sorry about being off topic in the first place I know we're supposed to be talking about using barcodes for supply inventory and got a few drifts then we got heavily on SIMS.

So I hope to steer this back on course by saying some offtopic stuff...

I noticed SIMS is available ON the WMU itself, today I was working with another officer to create instruction manuals on how to perform certain tasks as a DP (Personnel Officer) as I am the DP for the squadron and we need to have these materials in place should I disappear for some reason or something happens to me and people want to know how to do things.

Anyway... since SIMS is built into the WMU... I am curious how all that works and whether the downloadable SIMS software can integrate with the WMU? I know you mentioned that it does not work with eServices yet or if there are plans to?

Does the current downloadable SIMS system work with CAPWATCH? Or the WMU at all?  I ask because if connecting to WMU is possible, there is a good chance this will be a huge boost to squadron productivity with barcodes and barcode scanners and such and whether or not I can just use the SIMS built into the WMU itself to pull barcoded data from something somehow.