Compsee apex II Owner's manual

Compsee 1
Apex-0698-Part 2: Apex-trak Part 2
Apex II ™
By
PORTABLE DATA
COLLECTION TERMINAL
Manual #: COAMIIUG0000
Opertaions & Programming Manual
PART 2 – Apex-Trak
COMPSEE
All rights reserved. No part of this manual, including illustrations and specifications, may be reproduced or used in
any form or by any means without permission in writing from Compsee.
The material contained in this manual is for informational purposes only and subject to change without notice.
©Compsee 1997
Printed in USA Revision 1.2

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Apex-0698-Part 2: Apex-trak Part 2
Table of Contents
1 INTRODUCTION.....................................................................................3
Using This Manual ...............................................................................4
How This Manual Is Organized............................................................ 4
2 INVENTORY AND TRACKING PROCEDURES
AND THE Apex II............................................................................. 4
Using Apex-Trak In Item Tracking and Inventory Systems.................6
Apex II Physical Description - Controls and Indicators....................... 6
Apex-Trak Main Menus .......................................................................8
3 OVERVIEW OF Apex II Apex-Trak PROCEDURES............................. 9
Asset Inventory................................................................................... 10
Item Track .......................................................................................... 12
Physical Inventory..............................................................................13
4 GENERAL Apex II AND Apex-Trak PROCEDURES.......................... 14
Power the Apex II On and Off ...........................................................14
Adjust the Contrast Level...................................................................15
Reboot the Apex II ............................................................................. 16
Apex-Trak Main Menu Procedures.................................................... 16
Access Asset Inventory, Item Track, or Physical Inventory........... 17
Navigating Through Apex-Trak Menus and Options.....................17
Using the <ALT> Key....................................................................18
Set Date and Time ..........................................................................18
View the Amount of Free Memory ................................................19
Read Bar Codes..............................................................................19
View the Compsee Introduction.....................................................20
Apex-Trak General Procedures.......................................................... 21
Quit the Current Program............................................................... 21
Set Options ..................................................................................... 22
Transfer Data To a PC....................................................................27
Other LinkMaster Procedures......................................................... 31
5 ASSET INVENTORY PROCEDURES.................................................. 36
Quit To Main Menu............................................................................37
Collect Asset Inventory Data..............................................................37
View And Edit Inventory Data........................................................... 39
Transfer Asset Inventory (AIfile) Data...............................................40
Set Options ......................................................................................... 40
6 ITEM TRACK PROCEDURES.............................................................. 43
Quit To Main Menu............................................................................43
Issue Item............................................................................................ 44
Return Item......................................................................................... 45
Stock Item........................................................................................... 46
Transfer Item Track (ITFILE) Data.................................................... 47
Set Options ......................................................................................... 47
7 PHYSICAL INVENTORY PROCEDURES .......................................... 49
Quit To Main Menu............................................................................50
Collect Data........................................................................................ 50
Transfer Physical Inventory (PIFILE) Data .......................................54
Set Options ......................................................................................... 54

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Apex-0698-Part 2: Apex-trak Part 2
List of Figures
Figure 2-1. Typical Asset Tracking/Inventory Process............................... 5
Figure 2-2. Typical Item Tracking System.................................................. 5
Figure 2-3. Typical Physical Inventory Procedure......................................5
Figure 2-4. Apex II (Without Scanner) Controls and Indicators................. 7
Figure 2-5. Apex-Trak Main Menu.............................................................8
Figure 2-6. Main Menus For Apex-Trak Inventory/
Tracking Programs..................................................................9
Figure 3-1. Typical ASCII File For Asset Inventory................................. 11
Figure 3-2. Typical ASCII File for Item Track ......................................... 13
Figure 3-3. Typical ASCII File for Physical Inventory............................. 14
List of Tables
Table 2-1. Apex II Controls and Indicators.................................................7
Table 3-1. Quick Reference To Apex-Trak Procedures............................ 10
Table 3-2. Asset Inventory Data Field Descriptions .................................11
Table 3-3. Item Track Data Field Descriptions .........................................12
Table 3-4. Physical Inventory Data Field Descriptions............................. 13
Table 4-1. Apex-Trak General Procedures................................................ 21
1INTRODUCTION
This is the second of four parts of the Apex II Portable Data Collection Terminal Manual. This part of the manual
describes the hardware and human/computer interface procedures. In this part, the term “operator” applies to all
levels of personnel who operate the Apex II and Apex-Trak to collect data.
The Apex II contains Apex-Trak factory installed software. Apex-Trak includes the Asset Inventory (AI), Item
Track (IT), and Physical Inventory (PI) programs.
Since the programs are factory installed, the novice can begin using the Apex II immediately. The novice can read
this manual to become familiar with automated tracking and inventory procedures as well as the Apex II and Apex-
Trak features.
Apex-Trak streamlines and expedites the collection of data into files that are later transferred to the operator’s PC.
The Apex II travels with the operator to where inventory items are located. Since the need for writing and editing
data on paper is eliminated, productivity is increased and errors are reduced. If scanning capability is added, both
productivity and error reduction improve dramatically.
The Apex II and Apex-Trak support the scanning of bar codes and identifying bar code symbology. This is
accomplished by purchasing one of the Apex II models that include a standard or long range scanner, or by
attaching another scanning unit to the Apex II.
An experienced operator can use this manual to learn about the Apex II and Apex-Trak features. Computer
software designers and programmers can use this manual to learn about and evaluate the functionality of Apex-
Trak.
While these programs accommodate a variety of data collection application needs, the code can be modified to meet
any data collection requirements. Programmers can modify the delivered code, or can purchase the optional
Compsee Apex II Program Generator to facilitate the process.

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Apex-0698-Part 2: Apex-trak Part 2
The Apex-Trak program includes a print driver for portable bar code label printers. Printers may be purchased
separately from Compsee.
Using This Manual
After reading and working through the procedures in this manual a few times, you will be comfortable with Apex-
Trak. You will probably only use this manual as a reference.
When problems and questions arise, you can refer to the Table of Contents of the manual to quickly find the
appropriate topic.
Within this manual, the following typographic conventions are followed:
Bold type is used for headings.
< > Angular brackets are used to enclose hard keys (keys whose name and function do not change) located on
the Apex II or PC, such as <ALT> and <Enter>.
Underlined type is used for titles that refer to manuals.
Important points are included as notes. Note headings are printed in bold italic typeface. Notes are centered on
the page.
Caution and warning messages provide information which, if not observed, could result in equipment damage,
data loss, or personal injury. Caution and warning messages are shown in boxes.
How This Manual Is Organized
This manual is designed for:
Initial self-instruction
Quick reference for procedures that are performed only occasionally
Chapters 1 and 2 introduce you to this manual and the Compsee Apex-Trak programs installed in the Apex II
portable collection terminal.
Chapter 3 is an overview of the Apex II Apex-Trak Operations, including a description of the hardware and
software controls and indicators.
Chapter 4 walks you through step-by-step Apex II Apex-Trak General Operations such as powering the unit on and
off, navigating through the Apex-Trak menus, and setting Apex-Trak options.
Chapter 5 walks you through step-by-step Asset Inventory Procedures.
Chapter 6 walks you through step-by-step Item Track Procedures.
Chapter 7 walks you through step-by-step Physical Inventory Procedures.
2INVENTORY AND TRACKING PROCEDURES AND THE Apex II
Inventory procedures involve finding and counting assets, supplies, tools, data, or other items that can and are
accounted for in an organization. Tracking follows the course and progress of an item as it circulates through an
organization. Figure 2-1, Figure 2-2 and Figure 2-3 illustrate typical inventory and tracking processes.

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Apex-0698-Part 2: Apex-trak Part 2
Assign
Unique
Numbers
to Assets
Affix Asset
Tags to
Assets
Record
Division
controlling
Asset
Record
Numbers
Of Assets
Inventoried
Record
descriptive
Information
For Assets
Check Assets
Against
Master Asset
Inventory List
Transfer
Data To
PC
Figure 2-1. Typical Asset Tracking/Inventory Process
Record When Items Are
Issued
(To Internal Customer)
Record When Items Are
Returned
(From Internal Customer)
Assign Numbers
and Tags To Items Record When Items Are Restocked
Figure 2-2. Typical Item Tracking System
Record Location
Of Inventory
Transfer Inventory
Data to PC
Record Item Control
Numbers And Count
For Each Item
Check Inventory
Against Master List
Figure 2-3. Typical Physical Inventory Procedure

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Using Apex-Trak In Item Tracking and Inventory Systems
Apex-Trak includes many features to streamline data entry into inventory and tracking systems. With Apex-Trak,
you can:
Automatically, electronically record the date and time each item was inventoried, a data record was
updated, or the movement of an item was recorded.
Use multiple portable data collection terminals to enter data.
Store approximately 3,000 items in each terminal (refer to page 9 for more specific information).
Transfer data through an RS-232 cable to a host system, either directly to an ASCII file on the PC or via a
Compsee Wedge.
Modify the names and lengths of fields.
The following optional features are available if the associated hardware is purchased for the Apex II Apex-Trak
system.
Scan commercial and Apex-Trak bar codes.
Collect tracking data by scanning bar codes on items.
Use multiple scanning devices to enter data.
Print barcoded tags from a portable bar code printer.
With the Asset Inventory Apex-Trak program, you can:
Add, view, and edit data records during inventory.
Use a minimum of 4 fields and maximum of 8 fields of data for each asset being tracked.
Record observable information (such as physical description, remarks, condition) electronically as
inventory is being performed.
With the Item Track Apex-Trak program, you can:
Record when an item is issued, returned, and restocked electronically as the event occurs.
Record the individual or group to whom the item is issued and the number of days the item is checked out
for.
Use either 5 or 6 fields of data for each item being tracked.
With the Physical Inventory Apex-Trak program, you can:
Record locations that are inventoried, items found in each location, and the count for each item.
Use either 4 or 5 fields of data for each item being inventoried.
Apex II Physical Description - Controls and Indicators
Figure 2-4 illustrates, and Table 2-1 describes, the Apex II controls and indicators used in Apex-Trak procedures.
The <ALT> key is used in combination with some of the other keys to perform special procedures, described in
Chapter 4.
Only keys used with Apex-Trak are described here. Refer to Part 1, User’s Manual, for descriptions of how these
keys are used when the Apex II is in other modes of operation.

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Apex-0698-Part 2: Apex-trak Part 2
Apex5drw
Figure 2-4. Apex II (Without Scanner) Controls and Indicators
Table 2-1. Apex II Controls and Indicators
No. Control/
Indicator General Function
1. Scanner Port Nine pin connector for scanning device. On the model with the Apex II Scanner, the factory
installed scanner covers this port.
2. LCD Screen Displays data entered by operator and data sent to the operator from the Apex II programs.
3. F1/F2/F3/F4
Function Keys In the Compsee Introduction, F1 pauses the screen and F4 advances to the next screen after it has been paused. F2 and F3 are not used in the Apex-Trak factory installed programs.
4. <SCAN> key Green in color. When a scanner is attached to the Apex II, turns on the scanning (infrared) beam.
5. Numeric
Keypad Used for keypad entry of numeric data (0-9) and responses to prompts from the Apex II programs.
6. <.> (period)
key On the numeric keypad. Not used in the Apex-Trak factory installed programs. It can be defined to be used as a decimal point.
7. <SPC> Key On the numeric keypad. Functions like the Spacebar on a typewriter or PC.

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No. Control/
Indicator General Function
8. <ENTER>
Key Green in color. Used to accept keypad entry as input into the Apex-Trak programs.
9. Arrow Keys When pressed, scroll through option menus that are too long to display completely at one time on
the LCD screen.
10. Alpha Keypad Used for keypad entry of data (A-Z) and responses to prompts from the Apex II programs.
11. <ALT> Key By itself, enables or disables the cursor. Used in conjunction with other keys to perform some
functions (see Chapter 4).
12. <BKSP> Key Functions like the Backspace key on a typewriter or PC.
13. Power On/Off
Button Red in color. Used to turn the Apex II on and off.
14. RS-232 Port RJ 10 (phone) connector for cable connecting the Apex II to the PC.
Apex-Trak Main Menus
Procedures from the menus shown on this page are described in Chapters 3 through 7.
Apex-Trak’s main menu contains eight options (Figure 2-5).
The main menu is longer
than the LCD screen.
=== Apex II ===
A)sset Invent
I)tem Track
P)hysical Invent
The operator presses the
arrow keys to display
more of the menu.
=== Apex II ===
S)et Date & Time
F)ree Memory
R)ead Bar Codes
=== Apex II ===
C)ompsee Intro
Q)uit= Power Off
Figure 2-5. Apex-Trak Main Menu
When the operator selects one of the first three main menu options, the associated submenu is displayed. Pressing
the key for the first letter of an option selects it.

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The other main menu options do not have submenus. When these options are selected, a procedure begins. Figure
2-6 shows the first three main menu options and the submenus displayed when each is selected.
=== Apex II ===
A)sset Invent
I)tem Track
P)hysical Invent
== Asset Invent ==
C)ollect Data
V)iew and Edit
T)ransfer Data
===Item Track===
I)ssue
R)eturn
S)tock
===Phy Invent===
C)ollect Data
T)ransfer Data
O)ptions
== Asset Invent ==
O)ptions
Q)uit
===Item Track===
T)ransfer Data
O)ptions
Q)uit _
===Phy Invent===
Q)uit
Figure 2-6. Main Menus For Apex-Trak Inventory/Tracking Programs
3OVERVIEW OF Apex II Apex-Trak PROCEDURES
Apex-Trak is a commercial, off-the-shelf, general use inventory and tracking software product. As such, Apex-
Trak does not showcase the sophisticated programming capabilities of the Apex II.
However, all three programs are straightforward and easy to learn. These simple programs are designed for
collecting all the data necessary for most inventory and tracking needs. An experienced programmer can easily
modify the installed code to meet any custom program design needs.
During the scanning process, location and item bar codes can be printed from the Apex II using a portable bar code
printer. With the communication software provided, the data collected can easily be exported to a host PC for
processing and reports.
One Apex II unit can be used to collect data in all three programs, or multiple Apex II units can be used. The
number of records an Apex II can hold depends upon the Apex II model; the data collection programs you use; the
number of fields you use; and the length of the fields. The following tables give the capacity for each program
installed in each size terminal.
128 K Terminal 512 K Terminal
Asset Inventory 400 Records Asset Inventory 3000 Records
Item Track 1000 Records Item Track 9000 Records
Physical Inventory 1000 Records Physical Inventory 9000 Records
1 Meg Terminal
Asset Inventory 9000 Records
Item Track 18000 Records
Physical Inventory 18000 Records
For example, the tables show that if you are collecting only Item Track and Physical Inventory data on a 512 K
terminal, you can hold 9000 total records on the Apex II. You would need to upload the data to a PC and erase the
data on the Apex II before adding more data.
If you are collecting an equal amount of all three kinds of data on a 512 K terminal, the data capacity would be
about 7000 records (the average of 3000, 9000, and 9000).

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Table 3-1 lists and describes Apex-Trak procedures in alphabetical order. The table also lists the page on which
each procedure begins.
Table 3-1. Quick Reference To Apex-Trak Procedures
To Do This Procedure Proceed To
Page
Access Asset Inventory, Item Track, or Physical Inventory 17
Adjust the Contrast Level 15
<ALT> Key, Using 17
Collect Inventory Data (Asset Inventory) 37
Collect Data (Item Track) 43
Collect Data (Physical Inventory) 50
Erase Data File 26
Field Options
Asset Inventory 40
Item Track 47
Physical Inventory 54
Issue Item 44
Navigating Through Apex-Trak Menus 17
Other LinkMaster Procedures 31
Power the Apex II On and Off 14
Printer Options 23
Quit the Current Program (Asset Inventory, Item Track, or Physical Inventory) 21
Read Bar Codes 19
Reboot the Apex II 16
Restock Item 46
Return Item 45
Set Date and Time 18
Set Options 22
Transfer Data To a PC 27
Upload Options 24
View and Edit Inventory Data (Asset Inventory) 39
View the Amount of Free Memory 19
View the Compsee Introduction 20
Asset Inventory
This program streamlines and expedites the collection of asset inventory data. It is used with equipment, furniture,
and other assets that organizations periodically account for and inventory.
The operator goes to the various places where the assets are located. The operator scans or keys the asset numbers
displayed on tags physically attached to the assets. The operator enters data by major and minor divisions, which
represent regions, buildings, rooms, or other useful divisions describing the physical location or department control
of assets. In addition, the operator may enter a description, remarks, and the condition of each asset.
The data is then uploaded to a host program to be used in an asset tracking/inventory database system.