Customer Scan Code field

The Customer field "Scan Code" is disabled by default.  It must be enabled (through Data Field Definitions) to activate the scan code functionality (see below for details).

Add/Edit Scan Codes dialog

The Add/Edit Scan Codes dialog is invoked by pressing the "+ Scan..." button at the top of Customer Details (assuming the Scan Code field has been enabled).

Once the Add/Edit dialog is opened, you can simply scan a bar code or key in a code to add it to the customer's list of scan codes.  It will expect the Enter key (or equivalent virtual key from the scanning device) in order to accept/add the code.  If your scanning device does not send the Enter key code, just press Enter manually after scanning it.

After adding a code, it will be ready to accept another code, so you can just keep scanning/entering codes.  

All codes added for the customer will be shown in the list.  Note that it does not check for duplicates or do any validation.  If you need to correct something, the only option is to "Clear All" and start over.

Click OK when done entering new codes.

Scan Code functionality

The Scan Code field can be used to quickly look up a customer or their reservation using a bar code, e.g. on a card or wrist band (using a bar code scanner), or magnetic swipe card (using a mag swipe), or any unique "code" that can be entered as text.  

Important: The scanning device, whether it's a bar code scanner, magnetic swipe, or any other device, must use the "keyboard emulation" interface type.  It cannot be an "HID" interface.  In other words, it must act like a keyboard an "type" the scanned code, which will be visible wherever the text cursor may be.

You can even type in "scan codes" manually as a quick way to look up customers and take advantage of the Auto-Use shortcut functions. Use any unique identifier you could ask them for when making a Point of Sale purchase for instance.

Here are the key features of the Scan Code field:

•The "Cust_Scan" Customer field in Data Field Definitions is disabled by default, and must be enabled.

•A button "+ Scan" will be added to Customer Details to add and view scan codes.  This opens a new dialog to enter new scan codes for that customer.

•Any number of scan codes can be entered for one customer record (e.g. to include spouse & children as separate scan codes), and they can be any length.

•Scanning assumes some number/code entered, followed by the Enter key (or equivalent "carriage return" character from scanning device).

•A "match" must be a complete identical match, and is case-sensitive.

•The Scan Code field will be added as "Filter by" options in Find Customer and Find Reservation, but it will also check for a scan code being entered if the Last Name, Confirmation, or E-mail fields are selected in "Filter by".

•In certain circumstances (see below), Customer or Reservation found by the scan code will be "Auto-used", e.g. it will immediately View or Use the record without having to select the record and click the button manually.

•The "Search" function from the toolbar or F9 will also check for a Scan Code match with an active reservation, and optionally Auto-Open the reservation found.

•Access Levels can control the access or disable the Auto-Use action for various functions.

When using Find Customer:

•If the situation is appropriate, it will "Auto-use" the customer if a single unique match is found.  If multiple customers match, then they will be shown and must be selected manually.

•It will look for a scan code match even when the Filter By is "Last Name" or "E-mail", so it's not necessary to manually select "Scan Code" from the Filter-by list.

•The Auto-use function can be disabled temporarily for a search if desired, by unchecking the Auto-Use box.  It won't remember that setting, but it can be disabled completely through Access Levels setup.

When using Find Reservation:

•If the situation is appropriate, it will "Auto-use" if a single unique match is found for an active reservation.  If multiple active reservation matches are found, then they will be shown and must be selected manually.   Generally it will only look at yesterday and today as active, and excludes waiting list/inquiry and checked out reservations.  Auto-use will include Owners... except if there is an active non-owner transaction master then that will be used instead.  

•It will look for a scan code match when the Filter By is "Last Name" or "Confirmation", so it's not necessary to select "Scan Code" from the Filter-by list.   If "Scan code" is selected as the "Filter by", then will list any matches, active or not, and will also use the "Filter by Date" if selected.  When Find Reservation is done for transactions (or POS sales entry), it will only look at transaction masters for Auto-Use.  If no unique active transaction master is found, then non-masters will be shown for possible selection.

•The Auto-use function can be disabled temporarily for a search if desired, by unchecking the Auto-Use box.  It won't remember that setting, but it can be disabled completely through Access Levels setup.