Hardware & devices
"If you have a device with a built in scanner, you must go to barcode settings and configure it to use Keyboard Mode and Post Scan Action set to Carriage Return and Line Feed."
Producepak is hardware agnostic in most situations. You can choose brand, quality, and price of your hardware to best suit your budget. Producepak doesn't sell or support hardware.
Windows/MacOS/Linux:
Use these operating systems for workstations that print lots of labels, this is because printing support on iOS and Android is terrible and not suitable for industrial applications. See printing
Android and iOS devices:
Any tablet is fine for use with Producepak (only Android supports installation of the app). If you want to scan bar-codes in bulk, please use one of the setups below. If you scan only occasional barcodes you can use the devices built in camera (this is not recommended because devices with built in scanners work at greater distances and are faster).
SCANNING BARCODES:
Scanning barcodes is optional in Producepak. You can use the app without scanning features. Scanning reduces errors and makes the system faster to use. Open the Inventory screen and start scanning.
Hand held scanning:
Use an Android device with built in scanner, the bigger the screen the better. This is useful for users that need to build pallets from multiple Parts. If you are selling entire pallets of the same Part then you should try Scanning From A Forklift (below). These devices require you go to Barcode Settings and configure it to use Keyboard Mode and Post Scan Action set to Carriage Return and Line Feed.
Scanning from a forklift:
Mount a large screen tablet, and use a handheld Bluetooth bar-code scanner (with cradle also mounted on the forklift). This allows scanning of pallet labels while the driver is seated. Other rapid operations include the ability to scan a pallet and then scan the cool-room / warehouse its being taken to - this will change the location of the pallet without the user needing to touch an interface. Handheld Bluetooth readers usually require zero configuration.
Printers:
Use any printer with Producepak, printing is managed by the operating system of the device; you should make sure your chosen device can print rapidly without annoying user intervention. To print from Android and iOS (these operating systems have terrible printing support) we recommend using Print Node, your consultant will give you a Print Node account on request, instructions here). We recommend Windows for stations that print lots of labels. If your customers want to scan the barcodes on outgoing pallets and inventory, please ensure your printer is minimum 300 DPI. Are your label 'printing the wrong way'? Please go to your drivers and change the orientation of printing if all labels print the wrong orientation. If its just one or two labels, change the orientation from Settings > Labels > "Rotate".
Print from any device
Producepak is integrated with Print Node. This allows Producepak to print to any printer from any device (eg: print easily from Android or iOS to a thermal label printer). See Print from any device details here.
Print from any device
Install PrintNode to enable cloud printing to any device.
What you need
• One computer that stays on at the site where the printers are (turn off 'Sleep' and 'Hibernate' modes). Windows, Mac or Linux all work, including a Raspberry Pi. Phones and tablets cannot do this job.
- Your printers installed on that computer, and able to print a test page from it.
- Request your PrintNode login (email and password) from Producepak support (websupport@producepak.com). You do not need to sign up or pay for PrintNode yourself, Producepak is paying for your account.
- About 15 minutes.
Setup steps: Takes about 6 minutes.
- In Producepak > Settings > Admin > Setting ID 1: activate this setting.
- On the computer that stays on, go to http://printnode.com/en/download.
- Download the version for your computer (Windows, Mac or Linux).
- Select "Install as a service" when installing on Windows so printing will work even when the computer is logged out. Install the app.
5. Open the PrintNode Client and sign in with the email and password Producepak sent you.
- In Producepak, Go to Settings > Labels & documents > select one a Cloud Printer for each label / document.
TROUBLESHOOTING:
Nothing prints at all:
Is the PrintNode computer on, awake and online?
Is the PrintNode Client running and signed in?
One printer missing in Producepak:
Is it listed in the PrintNode Client? If not, install it on the computer and restart the PrintNode Client.
Job sent but no paper
Print a test page from the computer itself. If that fails, it is a printer problem (paper, toner, cable, power).
Still stuck? Email your consultant (if you don't have premium support use this email websupport@producepak.com) - include your Company name and a screenshot of the PrintNode Client Printers tab, and a description of your problem.
Apps
Producepak can integrate with other apps.
Producepak can connect to cloud based apps. You can't connect Producepak to software that is being hosted or run on a device in your office.
Current apps Producepak integrates with:
* QuickBooks
* MYOB
* Acumatica
* XERO
Ask your consultant to enable your chosen integrations.
Install the app
On an Android or Windows device, using either browser Chrome, Edge, Opera (any Chromium browser) tap your Profile icon at top right, and "Install app" option.
This will install the app and a shortcut on your home screen so you don't need to use the browser to access Producepak (the browser must remain installed).
If you are a power user or administrative, we recommend using a browser to access Producepak so you can open multiple tabs of Producepak at the same time.
Printing
The most common problem is that you didn't change your print drivers to swap it to Landscape OR Portrait depending on your requirements.
- Enable popups in your browser (Settings > Privacy)
- Install the app from your printer vendor for big brands like HP, Epson, Brother, Canon, Xerox (cell/tablet)
- Try using a printing app like PaperClip, PrinterOn, Ezeep; Go to Settings and search for "Printer", or go direct to an app store to download printer software.
4. If you print a very large quantity of labels, we recommend a Windows device, you can set Chrome to use Kiosk mode (see below) to bypass print previews if that make your operation faster.
5. You must tell your operating system what sized labels you are printing, go to your Printer settings to do this / printer drivers. If you expect your label to print on a different orientation, you should adjust this as well (Producepak prints horizontally only, to change orientation use your print drivers).
We recommend 300DPI+ if you intend on printing barcodes that can be read. Printing sends IMAGES (usually PDF) to the printing device, not text. On Windows a print preview is used, on Android / iOS it may send the file directly to the device, open in a new tab or whatever the browser on that OS does.
Print without preview, stop users doing non Producepak activities on device
Use Chrome browser for this feature: Kiosk Mode / App Pinning
Users that print lots of labels often want to bypass the print preview feature. Also use these methods to stop users from surfing the web and messing with devices settings.
Kiosk mode on Windows device:
1. Open Chrome's settings. Under "Users" click "Add new user." Give the new profile a name and picture. Make sure "Create a desktop shortcut for this user" is checked. Click "Create."
- Right-click the newly-created shortcut and select "Properties."
In the "Target" field, add "--kiosk" (no quotes) to the end.
Click "Apply."
- Now that Chrome is set to Kiosk mode it will automatically open the URL that you specified in full-screen mode. You can now use the shortcut:
--kiosk "app.farmsoft.net" (Legacy)
OR the new version:
--kiosk "app3.producepak.com"
App pinning On Android devices:
1. Install a Chromium browser (Edge, Chrome, Opera etc)
- Open Producepak in the browser and install the app (see point 9 above)
- Pin the app: Instructions for this change frequently, please see Chrome support for this process.
How to scan barcodes & RFID
Open the Inventory screen to scan and press the scan button on your device.
The app works with any barcode / RFID scanning device that has Keyboard Mode and Post Scan Action set to Carriage Return and Line Feed. The app will react immediately when an app compliant barcode / RFID is read.
If you are not using a device with built in barcode / RFID scanner, use a hand held Bluetooth rechargeable wireless scanner (this must also be set to paste / clipboard mode).