Adding Barcode Scanners- School Check In
Learn how to get started scanning barcodes in your business, and discover all the advantages it can bring.
Student as well as Faculty & Staff may now check in/out by using a barcode scanner. Scanning is faster, more secure and more accurate. Generally, any barcode scanner that reads a commonly used barcode will work. Common barcodes used in schools are: "code 3 of 9", and "code 128".
The Taotronics TT-BS003 (1D) & TT-BS015 (available from School Check IN) have been extensively tested and work right out of the box without any programming required. These scanners have an Auto-Trigger, which automatically reads the barcode when an ID card is passed underneath the scanner. These scanners come complete with a stand (TT-BS003) and are USB devices.
The computer and School Check IN see the scanner as just another input device (like a keyboard). When a scanner is configured to work with School Check IN, then School Check IN waits until a bar code is detected and read.
Using a scanner will eliminate many mouse clicks and picks for the user.
Using the Scanner
Faculty & Staff
- Faculty person slides his/her ID card with barcode under scanner.
- Scanner reads barcode and passes the barcode information to School Check IN.
- School Check IN accepts the input.
- User enters password.
- User clicks the DONE button.
Students (Late/Tardy)
- Student slides his/her student ID card with barcode under scanner.
- Scanner reads barcode and passes the barcode information to School Check IN.
- School Check IN accepts the input.
- Student selects reason for being late (if excuse required option is selected).
- Student Clicks the DONE button.
- Student Late/Tardy Pass prints (if printing option is selected).
The late/tardy excuse and early dismissal excuse requirement may be turned off. If this is turned off, then steps 4 and 5 are not required. The pass will print automatically after scanning is done.
For example:
Students -- If the Student ID# is what the barcode on the student ID represents, then the student ID# must be exactly the same number assigned and used in School Check IN to identify the students. Each student MUST HAVE a unique student ID#.
Faculty & Staff -- If the Faculty/Staff ID# is what the barcode on the faculty/staff ID represents, then the faculty/staff ID# must be exactly the same number assigned and used in School Check IN to identify the faculty/staff person. Each faculty/staff person MUST HAVE a unique faculty/staff ID#. Generally, faculty/staff (employees), the social security number is used as the unique identifying number.
To Install & configure a scanner for use with School Check IN.
STUDENTS
- Read and follow the scanner installation & setup instructions supplied with the scanner.
- Plug the scanner into the USB port of the School Check IN client computer
- Navigate to schoolcheckin.net
- Log in with District/Admin credentials
- Click on the Students tab
- Set the radio button Use Barcode Scanner for Check IN to YES
- Click Save Changes
Faculty & Staff
- Read and follow the scanner installation & setup instructions supplied with the scanner.
- Plug the scanner into the USB port of the School Check IN client computer
- Log in with District/Admin credentials
- Click on the Faculty & Staff tab
- Set the radio button Use Barcode Scanner for Check IN to YES
- Click Save Changes
Scanner should now function and read barcodes from the ID's. On occasion, the scanning angle and distance from barcode on card may need to be adjusted. Practice will make perfect.
Test if scanner is working on a Windows computer
- Open the windows application Notepad.
- Make Notepad the active application.
- Scan barcode on ID.
The number representing the bar code should display in Notepad.