Symantec ALTIRIS BARCODE SOLUTION 7.0 - V1.0 User manual

Altiris™Barcode Solution
from Symantec™User's
Guide
Version 7.0

Barcode Solution User's Guide
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only in accordance with the terms of the agreement.
Documentation version: 7.0
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Technical Support ............................................................................................... 4
Chapter 1 Introducing Symantec Barcode Solution ....................... 11
About Symantec Barcode Solution ................................................... 11
Symantec Barcode Solution features and benefits .............................. 12
Components of Barcode Solution ..................................................... 12
How Barcode Solution works .......................................................... 13
Chapter 2 Using Barcode Solution ...................................................... 15
Using Barcode Solution ................................................................. 15
Creating a synchronization profile .................................................. 16
Installing Barcode Manager ........................................................... 17
Synchronizing data ...................................................................... 18
Scanning assets ........................................................................... 18
Uploading data from the barcode device ........................................... 19
Verifying asset data ...................................................................... 19
About ownership and editing associations ........................................ 20
Resolving conflicts ....................................................................... 20
Viewing Barcode Solution reports ................................................... 21
Chapter 3 Using Barcode Solution's User Interface ........................ 23
Barcode Solution Home page Web-parts ........................................... 24
Barcode Solution home page: Assets without a Barcode
Web-part .............................................................................. 25
Barcode Solution home page: Profile Summary Web-part .................... 25
Barcode Solution home page: Quick Links Web-part ........................... 26
Barcode Solution home page: Summary of Assets Scanned
Web-part .............................................................................. 27
Barcode Solution home page: Summary of Verification Batches
Web-part .............................................................................. 28
Batch Uploads page ...................................................................... 28
Batch Details page ........................................................................ 29
Unresolved Conflicts page ............................................................. 29
Resource Details page ................................................................... 30
Contents

Barcode Solution: Scanning folder ................................................... 30
Assign Barcode page ..................................................................... 31
Quick Scan page ........................................................................... 32
Receiving page ............................................................................ 33
Receiving Warning page ................................................................ 34
Search page ................................................................................ 34
Resource Edit Details .................................................................... 35
Barcode License Count Exceeded page .............................................. 36
Install Symantec Barcode Manager page ........................................... 36
Synchronization Profile page ......................................................... 36
Synchronization Profile page: Resources tab ..................................... 37
Synchronization Profiles page: Select Data Classes and Associations
tab ...................................................................................... 38
Synchronization Profiles page: Permissions tab ................................. 39
Synchronization Profiles page: Synchronization tab ........................... 40
License Usage page ....................................................................... 40
Merge Settings page ..................................................................... 41
Add to Barcode Export List page ..................................................... 42
Barcode Solution Reports folder ...................................................... 42
Chapter 4 Using Barcoder .................................................................... 43
About barcoder and the barcode device ............................................ 43
Starting barcoder ......................................................................... 44
Synchronizing barcoder ................................................................ 44
Searching for a barcode value in barcoder ......................................... 44
Adding a Barcode Value to an existing asset with barcoder .................. 45
Adding a new asset with the barcode device ...................................... 46
Using barcoder to inventory assets .................................................. 47
About barcode sheets .................................................................... 48
Chapter 5 Using the Barcoder menu .................................................. 49
Search template options ................................................................ 49
About the Asset scan template ........................................................ 51
Quick Scan template options .......................................................... 51
About the Location Scan template ................................................... 52
About the Owner Scan template ..................................................... 52
About the Assign Barcode template ................................................ 53
About the Receiving template ......................................................... 53
About the New Asset template ........................................................ 54
About the Inventory Browse template .............................................. 54
About the Location Audit template ................................................. 54
About RFID Audit template ............................................................ 54
Contents8

Index .................................................................................................................... 57
9Contents

Contents10

Introducing Symantec
Barcode Solution
This chapter includes the following topics:
■About Symantec Barcode Solution
■Symantec Barcode Solution features and benefits
■Components of Barcode Solution
■How Barcode Solution works
About Symantec Barcode Solution
Barcode Solution provides your organization with a simpler, more accurate way
of gathering and verifying asset information in the field. This solution integrates
information directly into asset management Solution and CMDB Solution so that
data input errors, accounting irregularities, and redundancies are eliminated.
Barcode Solution lets you do the following:
■Speed-up asset data entry and reduce errors
Manual data collection is slow and error prone. Example: A well-trained data
entry operator makes a data entry error once every 300 keystrokes. Barcode
Solution saves you time and money by increasing the input speed and accuracy.
A barcode system is significantly faster (about 15 times faster) and more
accurate (about 10,000 times) than manual data entry systems.
■Track and audit assets
Assets that cannot be automatically discovered through network connections
can be easily tracked within the enterprise application with Barcode Solution.
Your asset data can be downloaded to a barcode device that is taken to the
asset location and then is verified. New asset data can also be collected while
1
Chapter

in the field. Barcode Solution makes it easy to synchronize data with the
enterprise application.
■Manage inventory
The barcode system makes the inventory in the field visible to the warehouse
regardless of where your assets are located. Your warehouse can prepare
accurate replacements and orders by using an up-to-the-minute inventory of
your stock availability.
Symantec Barcode Solution features and benefits
Barcode Solution provides many features including the following:
■When data is synchronized with a barcode device (either downloading or
uploading), only new or changed data is uploaded, unless you do an initial
download.
■Quickly and accurately input asset information
■Download data to barcode devices
■Track assets within an enterprise application
■Inventory at field locations is visible to the warehouse for efficient inventory
management
■Works with RFID dot point tracking
■Integrates with other IT tools, including Altiris Asset Management Suite and
Altiris CMDB Solution
■Supports Code 39, Code 128, Interleaved 2 of 5, and UPC barcode symbologies
formats
■Supports numerous barcode devices.
Components of Barcode Solution
The following Barcode Solution components.
■Barcode device
The barcode device is a handheld device or another piece of equipment that
can scan barcode information and runs on the Pocket PC operating system.
■Barcode solution elements
The Barcode Solution elements are installed on and work with Symantec
Management Platform. They include reports and code to create the output
files for the Barcode Manager.
Introducing Symantec Barcode Solution
Symantec Barcode Solution features and benefits
12

■Barcoder
Barcoder runs on the barcode device. Barcoder helps you perform a physical
inventory of all assets, add information to an asset, and add new assets to your
database.
A host computer can be used to synchronize data with barcode devices,
although wireless features eliminate the need for a host computer. In many
cases, the host computer is connected to a cradle, into which the barcode device
is placed for synchronization.
How Barcode Solution works
The Barcode Solution elements are installed on and work with Notification Server.
They include reports and code to create output files for the Barcode Manager.
The number of features and details available to you depend on the rights of your
profile. Profiles are created and are modified in the Symantec Management Console
, and you must use your Symantec Management Console credentials when
operating a barcode device.
From the barcode device, you specify what asset data to import from Notification
Server Database. You can filter the data that you import according to any
combination of cost center, location, and status. After the first initial download,
on subsequent synchronizations only the new or the changed data is uploaded.
Limiting this data improves the performance on the barcode device.
After the data is downloaded to the barcode devices, the barcode devices are ready
to scan bar-codes. Barcoder can help you to perform a physical inventory of all
assets. You can add associated information to an asset, and you can add new assets
into your database.
After you collect data with the barcode device, you can upload it to the
Configuration Management Database . The data is then merged with the asset
data that is in the Configuration Management Database . Profiles determine how
data is uploaded. If a profile is set to upload automatically, then the data is
immediately entered into the database. If the profile is not configured to upload
automatically ,then it is loaded into a verification queue. The data remains pending
administrator or manager approval through the Upload Verification page in the
Symantec Management Console .
Conflicting data is resolved in the Conflict Management page in the Symantec
Management Console. You can manage and resolve conflicting data in batches,
or for individual resources.
13Introducing Symantec Barcode Solution
How Barcode Solution works

Introducing Symantec Barcode Solution
How Barcode Solution works
14

Using Barcode Solution
This chapter includes the following topics:
■Using Barcode Solution
■Creating a synchronization profile
■Installing Barcode Manager
■Synchronizing data
■Scanning assets
■Uploading data from the barcode device
■Verifying asset data
■About ownership and editing associations
■Resolving conflicts
■Viewing Barcode Solution reports
Using Barcode Solution
This process walks you through the steps that you need to complete to set up and
using Barcode Solution. To proceed, you must have successfully installed Barcode
Solution on the Notification Server computer.
The following workflow is a recommended method to set up Barcode Solution,
scan assets, and upload the changes to the Configuration Management Database:
2
Chapter

Using Barcode Solution
1Create a Synchronization profile.
See “Creating a synchronization profile”on page 16.
2Install Barcode Manager.
See “Installing Barcode Manager”on page 17.
3Synchronize existing data.
See “Synchronizing data”on page 18.
4Scan assets.
See “Scanning assets”on page 18.
5Upload data from the Barcode Device.
See “Uploading data from the barcode device”on page 19.
6Verify the asset data.
See “Verifying asset data”on page 19.
7Resolve conflicts.
See “Resolving conflicts”on page 20.
8Run reports.
See “Viewing Barcode Solution reports”on page 21.
Creating a synchronization profile
Before you can download asset data to the barcode device, you need to configure
synchronization profiles for the users that scan assets. You do this task from the
Synchronization Profiles page.
See “Using Barcode Solution”on page 15.
To create a synchronization profile
1In the Symantec Management Console, on the Home menu, click Serviceand
Asset Management > Barcode.
2In the left pane, right-click Barcode Solution > Synchronization Profiles.
3Click New > Synchronization Profile.
In the Resources tab, select the supporting resources that are sent to the
synchronization profile. This section lets you narrow the amount of data that
is sent to the synchronization profile. We recommend that you select only
the data that this synchronization profile needs when it performs scans.
Using Barcode Solution
Creating a synchronization profile
16

4In Users click Select a Department and select the user resource (by
department) to be sent to the barcode device.
5In Departments, click Select a Department and select the department
resources to be sent to the barcode device.
6In Cost Centers, click Select a Cost Center and select the cost center resources
to be sent to the barcode device.
7In Location, click Select a Location and select the location to be sent to the
barcode device.
8In the Data Classes and Associations tab, select the data classes and
associations that you want included in the download to the barcode device.
9In the Permissions tab select the available templates that are accessible on
the barcode scanner. Various templates are available. To save time and
bandwidth select only the templates that the users of the synchronization
profile require.
10 Under User Specific Resources, check Allow user specific resources if you
want users to be able to add more resources as needed.
11 Click Save Changes.
Installing Barcode Manager
To install Barcode Manager on a barcode device, you must first access the Symantec
Management Console from the host computer. You need to use the Notification
Server credentials of the barcode device user. Barcode Manager is then installed
to be installed on the host computer and from there, Barcoder is installed on the
barcode device. Once Barcode Manager is installed on the host computer in this
initial stage, it is no longer needed for further interaction. From then on, the
barcode device communicates directly with the Notification Server.
See “Using Barcode Solution”on page 15.
To install Barcode Manager
1Log on using an account that has access to the Barcode Solution Home page
on the Symantec Management Console. The account must also have the
authority to install the Barcode Manager on the host computer.
2Close all Windows applications that are running.
3Initialize the barcode device. Align the screen, set the time, and create a
Device ID and Owner ID.
4Open the Symantec Management Console.
17Using Barcode Solution
Installing Barcode Manager

5In the Symantec Management Console, on the Home menu, click Serviceand
Asset Management > Barcode.
6On the Barcode Solution home page in the QuickLinks Web-part, click Install
Barcode Manager.
Synchronizing data
Any data that is specified in the user profile and the Manage handheld device
page is uploaded to the barcode device in the initial synchronization. It may involve
the transfer of a significant amount of data. Ensure a good connection (either
wireless or through a cradle) with the Notification Server computer .
See “Using Barcode Solution”on page 15.
To synchronize data
1Make sure that the barcode device has a connection to the host computer,
either wireless or through a synchronization cradle.
2On the barcode device, select Start>Programs> Symantec AltirisBarcoder.
3Select Synchronize.
4Enter your security credentials and click Login.
Your password and user name are cached for an hour on the handheld device.
If you do not use it for over an hour you must reenter your security credentials.
5Select the synchronization profile to use and select Next.
Choose one of the synchronization options and select Sync.
Status bars on the handheld device display the upload and the download
progress.
Scanning assets
After the asset data has been synchronized with the barcode device, you can scan
your assets.
See “Using Barcode Solution”on page 15.
To scan assets
1On the barcode device, select Start>Programs> Symantec AltirisBarcoder.
2Select Quick Scan. Quick Scan is a convenient way to scan your assets or
assign details to assets such as owner, cost center, and status.
Using Barcode Solution
Synchronizing data
18

3If you have a location barcode, scan it. Otherwise, select the location of the
asset, if desired. You can also assign other details, such as the owner, cost
center, and status.
4Click Createnewassetonunknownbarcode if you want to create a new asset
when a barcode is not found on the barcode device.
5Scan the barcode.
6Repeat this procedure until all of the assets are scanned.
Uploading data from the barcode device
After you scan asset data, you can upload it from your barcode device to the
Configuration Management Database . Only new or changed data is synchronized.
Ensure that the synchronization processes are complete before you remove a
barcode device from its cradle, or terminate a wireless connection.
See “Using Barcode Solution”on page 15.
To upload data from the barcode device
1On the barcode device, select Start>Programs> Symantec AltirisBarcoder.
2Click Synchronization.
3Enter the Notification Server computer login credentials and click Login.
4Select Synchronization and click Sync.
If you select Bypass upload verification on the Permissions tab of your
Synchronization Profile console page, data is automatically uploaded to the
Configuration Management Database. If not, the data needs to be verified in
the Batch Uploads page.
Verifying asset data
By default, you need to verify your asset data before you load it into the
Configuration Management Database. You verify asset data from the Batch
Uploads page.
See “Using Barcode Solution”on page 15.
To verify asset data
1In the Symantec Management Console, on the Home menu, click Serviceand
Asset Management > Barcode.
2In the left pane, click Barcode Solution > Manage Changes > Batch Uploads.
19Using Barcode Solution
Uploading data from the barcode device

3In the Batch uploads page, select the batch of uploaded data that you want
to verify.
4Click View Batch Details.
The Batch Details page displays the resources with new or changed data.
5Select a resource and click ViewResourceDetails to view its changed details.
The two sections in the Resource Details window display two sets of data for
the resource. One set of data is the list of batches conataining that resource.
If the resource already exists in the database, then it also contains a row for
the Notification Server version of the resource. The bottom section displays
the dataclass and association details of the resource that is selected in the
list. A blue box highlights any new data or changed data. A red dotted-line
hightlights any conflicts with other batches.
6Select a resource from the list in the top section and click Accept.
This action returns you to the Batch Details page.
7On the Batch Details page, after you accept changes to resource details, the
Conflicts column is updated.
8Click Accept Batch to save your changes to the database.
About ownership and editing associations
When you download a resource to the barcode device, one level of associated
resources is downloaded. The filtered list of the associations that you specify in
the synchronization profile are also downloaded. Downloading a computer also
downloads a monitor that is directly associated with the computer. However any
resources that are associated with the monitor are not downloaded. However, the
monitor’s resource associations is downloaded. Any resources that are associated
with the monitor are displayed as unavailable.
If you attempt to edit the association, a dialog displays the following message:
"The [association name] association references resources that are not available
in the current profile and cannot be edited by the Barcoder. This change must
be performed using the console.”
Resolving conflicts
If Notification Server detects any conflicting data it is displayed in the Unresolved
Conflicts page. The table in the UnresolvedConflicts page lists all of the resources
that have conflicting data with other batches.
Using Barcode Solution
About ownership and editing associations
20