Changelog

Choose what Application Identifiers (AI) you want to parse from a GS1 barcode to show the app user, process the data on the edge, and include it in your reports. AIs can be human or machine readable with hosted, preconfigured JSON scripts instructing the app user to take action based on scanned data. Learn more.

If admins use email addresses as mobile app usernames, their app users can now use the Forgot Password option if needed. We now have 526,710 registered app users.

This Custom On-Device Validation (COV) script will alter scanned data to meet required, end-point data formats (e.g. GS1); normalize data for in-app or external processing; and provide value-specific scan statuses and responses.

The CodeREADr web service for configuring barcode scanning workflows has been upgraded to Vue 3, one of the most performant mainstream frontend frameworks. This upgraded framework will simplify frontend development, including major UI updates to the Scans, Services, App User, Questions, Tasks, and Database pages.

Previously a database barcode value was limited to 100 characters. That limit has now been increased to 500 characters and can be even larger on request. This is in response to the increased use of URLs embedded in barcodes that often exceed 100 characters.

Your authorized app users can now sign into the app using their Google email address. This is particularly helpful when managing a large number of app users.

With a custom validation script administrators can now enable their app users to override scan statuses. Under predefined conditions, the app will pause so app users can take secondary actions and optionally override an invalid scan to make it valid.

Sign In with Google is now active for CodeREADr web services. This is step one. The next step is enabling it for CodeREADr mobile app users. This will significantly improve account and user management. Sign In with Microsoft is in development now.

ISO/IEC 27001:2022 is a robust information security management system (ISMS) standard. It addresses the people, processes, and technologies that process protected information/data.

You can now configure the CodeREADr app to scan items or use the app’s lookup tab to verify the accuracy and electronically record the results when picking, delivering, or receiving items from an order.

App to Pick, Deliver, and Receive Orders

We’ve replaced the 1-Device Plan with the Business Starter plan. It adds significant flexibility.

• It includes 2 devices at a discounted rate
• It includes 2 admin users

All the other features have not changed. Please see our Pricing Page for the extensive list of available features included with this plan.

It’s taken three (3) years to transition from MySQL and PHP to MongoDB and Node.js. The resulting benefits are already clear but we’ve only just started. Core improvements include:

• Rapid iterative development.
• Improved collaboration of our large dev team.
• Scaling to high levels of read and write traffic.
• Scaling our data repository to a massive size.

We can now launch new features faster and scale the business with even better performance. Congratulations to the CodeREADr dev team for successfully achieving this goal.

Hybrid validation technology verifies ticket authenticity and stops duplicates both on-device and online simultaneously. If the scanned ticket ID is not in the synced on-device database, the mobile app automatically also checks the online database for that ID. This method ensures no tickets bought on-site are turned down.

The CodeREADr Connector add-on for Google Sheets auto-syncs specified scan records from the CodeREADr server to a sheet. It also auto-syncs database values and responses from a sheet to a CodeREADr validation database. This article shows how this add-on can be used with CodeREADr for attendance tracking.

CodeREADr’s edge computing technology can help improve the safety of research subjects for labs utilizing the GS1 standard for clinical trials.

CodeREADr has implemented the GS1 barcode syntax resource. With this resource, the CodeREADr app can parse and convert GS1 Application Identifiers (AI) to human-readable text and JSON-formatted data.

Where to use regex for AIDC applications:

• Alter Scanned Values
• Alter Responses to Scanned Values
• Export Templates to Normalize Data
• Custom On-Device Validation (COV)
  • Here regex is used to stop app users from scanning barcodes that don’t match specific patterns. COV is a sophisticated, edge computing technology based on no-code/low-code implementations hosted on the scanning device itself.

Use a simple, Google Sheets “Cycle Count Extension” to show physical counting errors. Cycle counting errors are automatically highlighted in a worksheet based on a percentage of errors or a specified error quantity. Errors can be double-checked for accuracy. The quantity can then be adjusted or accepted as counted for re-importing as an updated inventory database.

The cycle count app configuration enables inventory teams to scan the audited item’s barcode or serial number and then enter the counted quantity for verification. Special features include:

• Count verification
• Location details
• Lookup what’s done and not yet done
• Batch scanning of 200 barcodes in a single camera view (500 on request)
• Auto-export scans to Excel, Sheets, etc.
• Integrate with your own cloud services and backend servers

Cycle counts and inventory audits improve inventory accuracy. We’ve added the ability for your inventory counters to verify the accuracy of the system-reported count and compare it against their own physical count.

For the past 6+ months our development team has focused on:

1. Security improvements (ISO 27001 guidelines)
2. Website UI and performance improvements
3. Mobile app UI and performance improvements
4. Migration to MongoDB (in progress)
5. Migration to Node.js (in progress)
6. SSO improvements

It’s been a major undertaking but these efforts have been important to support our growth, enterprise-grade security, and performance at scale.

Automating the insertion of scan records into third-party apps and services through Webhook integrations offers greatly enhanced use of collected data. That’s particularly true for improving productivity, gaining insights, and saving employee time.

When writing a custom question you can now include one or more questions that prompt the app user to scan additional barcodes as part of the scan record.

The first localization launched is in Spanish. Other localizations will be coming soon based on customer requests.

Now match two or three scanned barcodes or text values. Scan the barcode on a list or asset. Then scan the barcode on the target asset(s) to validate the match. If they all match, the app user will see a green valid screen. 

This technology can be used in conjunction with Smart Scan and other Custom On-Device Validation scripts. 

The SD PRO scan engine now includes the option to zoom in for data capture. Improve scanning 2D barcodes less than 5mm square. Improve scanning 2D barcodes at a distance. Zoom also works for OCR (optical character recognition).

Now filter and schedule the export of scan records to a growing list of the most popular storage services. Coming soon: Microsoft Azure. This utility compliments 2-way integration with API connectors like Zapier and Integromat and direct, real-time posting with Postback URL.

You can now select yearly plans on the Change Plans page. If you don’t see the plan you need, please email support@CodeREADr.com.

Account owners can now invite members of their team to collaborate to build workflows as well as manage databases, scans, and mobile app users.

Previously, photos taken by app users could only be stored on your Dropbox account or on your own servers via FTP. You can now also store photos on Amazon S3 servers. Google Drive will be added soon.

Zapier is a no-code tool automating repetitive tasks between two or more apps. We’ve updated our Trigger integration to now have full Trigger and Action integrations to connect CodeREADr to 3000+ apps also integrated with Zapier.

When completed, these upgrades will significantly enhance performance and enable greater scaling. The target date for completion is July 1, 2021.

Maintenance Window: 12 am-1 am EST

Downtime Expected: 2-minutes or less

Maximum Downtime: 10-minutes

– In-app cloud history is now much faster and app users can both view and edit collected photos and the answers to custom questions.

– Support added for On-The-Fly questions using question IDs.

– Improvements to SD PRO camera scan engine.

– Other general improvements for no-code/low-code data capture applications

With the curated service “Check-In, Check-Out” you can now reset the In or Out default status based on the time of day. The available modes include the Fast Mode, Confirm Mode, and Toggle Mode.

The curated service “Check-In, Check-Out” now includes the ability to export scan records including a duration calculation. The file will include the Check-In time and the Check-Out time along with a column calculating the duration.

For further information please email support@CodeREADr.com.

This feature was requested by COVID-19 contact tracing clients to automatically remove PII from our servers. However, this new feature is useful for any administrator who manages scan records. Scan records can be exported on a scheduled basis and now scans deleted on a scheduled basis.

We recently completed a Custom On-Device Validation (COV) script for a major US logistics company. It validates the loading and unloading of items from a delivery truck. Its been proven in the field and it’s now available publicly in our Knowledgebase.

You can now choose roles.

“Master Admin”: Login to the mobile apps and ability to access all areas of the website including billing.

“Data Admin”: Login to the mobile apps and ability to access all areas of the website except billing.

“User”: Login to the mobile apps, plus optional access to shared scan records when authorized by an Admin.

The CodeREADr mobile apps for iOS and Android OS devices can now use OCR to read and record human-readable text. This newly added technology compliments CodeREADr’s other data capture methods, including barcode scanning and RFID/NFC reading.

The iTRACE 2DMI mark can now be read and authenticated with the native CodeREADr apps for iOS and Android OS devices.

For many years now, CodeREADr’s Android app could read NFC tags when using NFC-enabled devices. Now we’ve added NFC tag reading to CodeREADr’s iOS app. Here’s an article to help understand the benefits of NFC and “Proof of Presence”.

According to the GS1 organization, globally, people make 5 billion barcode scans every day. If just 1% of those barcodes are misread, there are at least 50 million bad scan values daily. We published a list showing how to dramatically improve barcode scanning accuracy and, as a result, lower the cost of bad data.

Our curated service for attendance tracking now offers a simple Toggle Mode where the app user auto-toggles the attendee in or out with each scan. Also available is a setting to limit capacity by defining a maximum “in” number. The app-user is notified when the limit is reached.

Imperea is a durable, camera-based scanning sled that offers the following features:

Camera-based scanning for iPhone 6s/7/8
Hot-swappable, smart battery
Lightweight and IP67 rated
Wireless charging
Ability to withstand medical-grade cleaning disinfectant

Some barcodes embed hexadecimal (HEX) characters instead of or in addition to decimals. We can now scan and capture HEX characters. Contact support@CodeREADr.com for help setting up the proper configuration.

Kitting feature will validate if an item belongs in a kit and the quantity expected. Ideal for kitting items for shipment or for assembling products.

Based on many requests, we’ve replaced the base64 method for storing signatures with image uploads. Therefore you can now directly upload signatures from the mobile app to your Dropbox account or to your FTP server.

Custom On-Device Validation (COV) has been enhanced for validating not only the primary “Tap to Scan” value but also Session answers, Question answers, Database values, and the Response text associated to those Database values.

The Check In/Out ‘curated’ service is designed to show the real-time status of tracked barcode values. For attendance,  see who’s there and who’s not. For assets,  which assets are in and which are out.

To speed up the submission of records when using the in-app Lookup tab you can now simply long-press the value. This is live for the Android app now on Google Play and will be live for the iOS app mid-November.

Fusion Mode technology now combines batch barcode scanning, augmented reality (AR), framing, and symbology intelligence for optimum performance. See a 25-second YouTube video here showing 100 barcodes scanned in under 20 seconds.

On the Advanced Step when creating or editing your services you can now choose to not auto-open the camera after each scan. This is particularly useful when not scanning barcodes repetitively.

Data collected by an app-user can be viewed in-app as the response for subsequent scans. From a Parent view you can create Child views to control the data you want the app-users to see and edit, depending on which Child service they are assigned. See Interactive Table Builder Service Type.

The Custom Question feature is very popular, especially when complex data collection is required. Let’s take dependent questions, for example. The selection of certain answer options from one “parent” question might prompt the app-user to be presented with another set of answer options for a “child” question depending on the answer to the parent question.  The answers to these questions and further dependent questions all can become part of the scan record.

In the past, when a photo was taken as part of a scan record, a URL was created that allowed administrators to directly view the photo on CodeREADr’s Scans page as well as export scan records including a clickable link to those photos. We now also include the barcode value when photos are stored in your Dropbox account or on your FTP server. In that way, you can easily index and search for photos based on the barcode value associated with the photo.

Trigger Scanning mimics mobile computers and scanning accessories that have barcode imagers and aimers that only scan when a button or trigger is pressed. With Trigger Scanning, the iOS or Android OS device’s camera can be lined up with a specific barcode and only when the on-screen, virtual button is held or toggled “ON” will the camera initiate the scan.

Extend our Smart Scan technology to a broader group of scanning modes with our new Fusion Mode. This will allow your app-users to quickly and more accurately capture just the right barcode(s) in context to assigned data-capture tasks.

Our SD PRO scan engine now knows whether a target barcode has been UTF-8, ISO-8859-1 or Shift_JIS encoded and automatically captures the correct data.

Our “Smart Scan” technology enables your barcode scanners to contextually capture data. For example, you can configure the app so your delivery person could automatically capture the just right barcode when scanning the shipping labels of 500 or more couriers.

We’ve been working on this option for more than a year now. Today went live with our first curated service on behalf of a launch customer.

A curated service automatically configures the CodeREADr app with one or more integrated service and also pre-configures Export Templates and CSV Download Links (aka “Share Links”). The technology is designed to make complex solutions faster and easier to deploy. This option will be live on the Services page in the coming weeks but in the meantime please feel free to ask us to see if we can curate a service for you.

On the Database page, the Advanced Search option shows totals for Scanned and Unscanned values against a specific Service and now also allows you to share that data using a password-protected web link.

This is helpful in the ‘live events’ business, especially for capacity considerations. This feature is also very helpful for asset tracking, security patrols, facility maintenance, and other applications where management and clients (option) can see the current status and take appropriate actions as needed.

On the Database page, you can now use the Advanced Search option for Scanned and Unscanned values against a specific service (task). This is very useful for attendance tracking (who’s there, who’s not there); mustering (who’s been accounted for, who’s still missing); asset tracking (what’s been accounted for, what’s left to track); and facility/security patrols (what’s been checked, whats not yet checked). Soon we will also launch an option to share those reports via a web link with any authorized person.

The iOS and Android mobile CodeREADr apps and CodeREADr web service have launched sophisticated barcode scanning technology. Here are some of the highlights:

Administrator-defined “Scanning Modes” improve the speed and accuracy of data capture.
* Batch Mode – read up to 100 barcodes in seconds in a single camera view
* Framing Mode – resizable frame only reads a barcode within the frame
* Targeting Mode – resizable aimer only reads a barcode when it touches the target barcode
* Selecting Mode – read all barcodes in the camera view and select the right one(s)

Advanced “Smart Scan” technology auto-captures the right barcode(s) in a camera view.
* Administrator defines scanner profiles
* Create filters to match barcode type(s) and characteristics (prefix, suffix, etc.)
* Create sets of filters and matches when the context changes

The new Custom On-Device Validation (COV) feature allows you to change the status of and response to a scan based on context.

Examples include:* Changing the scan status (e. g. Valid to Invalid) based on the answer submitted to an app-user prompt; or when certain text is detected within the scanned value or response
* Handling encrypted barcodes
* Custom A/B compare to indicate matches
* Custom configurations are hosted for you

You can write the script or we can write it for you. An important benefit is the script is hosted on our server, so you don’t need your own server to enable custom validations.

Internet Explorer updates have caused some pages of our website to not present properly (or at all). We will update our website accordingly. In the meantime, please use another browser, e. g. Chrome, Firefox, Edge.

Using A/B Compare to compare the first barcode scanned (A) with the second barcode scanned (B) can now also work offline and include custom configurations with our Custom On-Device Validation feature.  If you need to compare many ‘A’ barcodes against many ‘B” barcodes please ask about our new batch scanning mode.

An encrypted QR code (or barcode) can now be decrypted in-app by the CodeREADr – the enterprise barcode scanning app – to show authorized app users decrypted content and for administrators to view reports with decrypted content. Whereas when a consumer barcode or QR code scanning app reads the same QR code the content will be encrypted. Encryption is particularly useful when IDs, badges, or other electronic or printed media could expose personally identifiable information not allowed under GDPR and similar privacy regulations.

Scan an item’s UPC/EAN barcode or SKU barcode to print the item price, description and even a new barcode. Scan a coupon barcode or voucher barcode to validate, and then print a receipt for reconciliation. Scan a movie or theatre ticket to validate and then print a receipt with seat number or for reconciliation.

Barcode scanning with a smartphone’s camera can now better target the correct barcode with Framing, Targeting and Smart Scan rule-based technology.

Connect the CodeREADr app and web services with 1000’s of apps integrated with Zapier’s API Connector.

We now list the three (3) server IP addresses on your Account’s API page. You can whitelist those addresses and restrict posts to your server from unknown addresses.

With our Direct Scan to URL (DSU) feature, you can now also post your validation database to the app and Auto Sync scan results to your server (cloud or local). This enables instant scan results without any Internet latency. For iOS devices, you can also directly update the on-device database at whatever interval you choose. [Direct download and update to be available on Android Q1/Q2 2018.] Both the posting and downloading process are done in the background so the app user is not interrupted. This feature update is available with the standard CodeREADr app and with full White Label versions.

With our “Tasks” toolset you can filter your scan records and email select records based on the recipient’s need to know. The scan records can be scheduled for automatic distribution minutely, hourly, daily or weekly.

With our New Photo Collect feature you can now view FTP-uploaded images on the app’s History screen. That could be done with Dropbox-uploaded images but with FTP we had to overcome challenges inherent to using FTP with iOS devices.  We also improved performance with iOS 11.0, including significantly enhanced resolution.

We can now capture the NFC tag’s UID even when the tag has other data written on it. Ideal for tracking the presence of employees, subcontractors, and assets. Also see recent blog article on NFC.

We now offer a Location option which automatically adjusts your Timestamps for Standard Time, Daylight Savings, etc.

You can scan a barcode containing a VCARD on a badge and parse the results into separate columns for automatically or manually exporting to Excel, Google Sheets or other third party services. See Export Templates for details.

Your app users can upload to Dropbox without needing credentials.  New option to upload directly to your own server via FTP.  Now also choose photo quality by height or width and by compression.

You can define rules to auto-capture specific barcodes in the camera view.  This can make the scanning process faster and reduce data collection errors.

You can now use our very popular Auto Sync feature for validation databases up to 50,000 values. For larger databases please contact our support team for approval.

With this feature you can write scripts for validating scans based on the barcode value, response text and the app-users answers to in-app prompts.

For managing your scan records you can now filter exports limited to the last hour, day, week, etc.  This filter is especially valuable when auto-inserting scan records into cloud databases. It’s also available when scheduling FTP/SFTP and emailed exports.

With our password-protected, shareable web portal for viewing filtered scan records, you can now click a link to see in Google Maps where the barcode was scanned. You can also view the scan record’s associated photo and signatures within the table.

Automate the downloading and exporting of filtered and sorted scan records. Now filter by a) time/date range for last hour, last day, last week, etc.; b) just most recent scan for each value; and c) by the answers app users have submitted.

Scan boarding passes with PDF-417, Aztec and other barcode languages. Parse the scanned data to track and validate by passenger and ticket ID.

New ‘Shared Answers‘ feature for session info can be saved and submitted with a series of scans without requiring any re-entry. App users can change the session info as needed for a subsequent series of scans.

We added scheduled FTP/SFTP uploads of scan records for enterprise clients. We also enabled scheduled exports via Email and Dropbox.  Beta now, general availability mid-February 2017.

Filter, view, share and export a list of scan records showing only the last values scanned. Great to showing last (or current) location of assets or employees/subcontractors. Export and sort by timestamp scanned to help schedule audits or to find assets missed in the last (or current) audit.

Scan a valid ticket into an event turns it into an invalid ticket. Scanning the ticket out turns it into a valid ticket again. Scanning it on re-entry turns it invalid again. Repeat as needed. Option: capture photo’s of the attendee for visual verification on re-entry.

Tap a wristband’s RFID/NFC tag and then scan the ticket or ID’s barcode to associate them together within a single scan record.

Store content on Android device’s SD Card for offline access. The app user scans the barcode and is presented with the option to open content specifically associated to that barcode.

Scan records viewed and shared using the CSV Download Link web portal now includes a clickable link for GPS coordinates, photos, and signatures which you can selectively filter and share with employees, clients and subcontractors.

Now for iOS and Android: password-protected Kiosk and Locked Modes. They are ideal for a) unattended use of the app; and, b) for limiting app users to scanning and manual entry (option).

The price for our world-class SD PRO scan engine has dropped from $10.00 to only $5.00 per device effective June 1, 2016.  Why? Our volume has dramatically increased and consequently our cost to license barcode scanning IP (patents) has dropped accordingly. We are happy to pass on those savings to you.

Signature Capture is now a standard option included in the barcode scanner app workflow.

Share Google Maps view of GPS scan locations in our CSV Download Link’s web portal.

Audit Inventory and Assets: Scans records can be auto-inserted to Excel, Google Sheets and other database services that can download CSV files from a URL.

New service option A/B Compare for picking, packing, assembling and more.

Launched Multi-Function Barcode and NFC tag reading technology.

Kiosk Mode has been released for iOS devices.

The CodeREADr app is now integrated with Honeywell’s Captuvo series enterprise-ready barcode scanning sleds for iOS devices.

Unattended Kiosk Mode is now in beta testing. Look for the formal launch in early 2016.

The Auto Sync option can now be used for any record-only services and for validation services with up to 20,000 database values.

Webinar – using CodeREADr with Intuit’s QuickBase.

We added conditional settings to our standard validations (Valid, Invalid, Duplicate) such as setting min/max counts based on duration and start/end periods and day ranges.

We published a CodeREADr Chromebook app on the Chrome Web Store.

Now re-size the effective decoding frame to selectively scan a targeted barcode.

New photo-capture option: force app-users to take a new photo, not select from the device’s photo gallery.

Now insert scan records directly to cloud-based databases hosted by third-parties (e.g. QuickBase by Intuit).

Now both iOS and Android app users can re-size the scan window to better target specific barcodes in the camera view.

The new database lookup feature in the app adds advanced search options for “what is done” and “what is left to do”.

Easily share filtered scan records with authorized users for online preview and download.