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trohestar_data_collector

Setup Trohestar NS-3309T Data Collector (NS-3309NT will Not work)

This model of Trohestar is no longer available for purchase. NS-3309NT will NOT work as an alternative. Documentation left for legacy configuration.

There are a range of trohestar data collectors available on Amazon for $60-$300 depending on features. The scanning features are all similar. They can operate as a scanner or a data collector. We have tested the Trohestar NS-3309T which is a 1D barcode Scanner. https://trohestar.com/product/trohestar-wireless-barcode-scanner/

Overview

The device has 6 functions.

- RF-gun. In this function the device works as a wireless barcode scanner

- USB-gun. In this function the device works as a USB barcode scanner

- Collect – Allows you to collect data and upload when ready. I recommend that you use the Inventory function (without uploading) instead of collect as you can enter quantities.

- Inventory – In theory you can upload your data to the collector and then scan. Their upload program crashes so I have not tested it out. It does however work very similar to Collect except you can enter quantities as well as scan barcodes.

- Export Set – Allows you to upload the collected data or Inventory data and set the export formats.

- System – turn down the beep volume.

Setup

1. For On Premises installation you will need System Five version 6.2.2.514 or higher. We have enabled the device to work through the POS Device manager so you will also need an updated WindwardPOS.exe and WindwardKeyHook.dll The WindwardKeyHookDll.dll doesn’t need to be registered in Windows, but it must reside in the same folder as the POS Device Manager (WindwardPOS.exe).

2. In the POS device manager on the Data Collector tab select trohestar Keyboard Emulation

3. In System Five set the data collector type, as well as the POS Device manager settings (if this setting is greyed out, you need to Close the POS Device Manager and System Five, then restart System Five).

4. Plug in the wireless RF dongle that came with your scanner.
Just plug it into an available USB Port. The driver software should auto install. However, if you have multiple devices, there may be conflicts. Please see the Scanner Manual on resolving this issue.

5. On the trohestar device, setup the export formats such as described below. The Screens are also shown below for reference.



Using the cursor keys, cursor down to Export Set. Press the ENT key.
Cursor down to Export format set. Press the ENT key.
Select Wireless Gun set. Press the ENT key.
Select field 1 and press the ENT key.
Select Barcode on the next screen and press the ENT key to set and save the setting.
This will bring you back to the Field screen.
Cursor down to field 2 and press the ENT key.
Cursor over to Enter and press the ENT key to save and exit.

Press the ESC key to bring you back to the Export Format screen.



Select USB Gun set. Press the ENT key.
Select field 1 and press the ENT key.
Select Barcode on the next screen and press the ENT key to set and save the setting.
This will bring you back to the Field screen.
Cursor down to field 2 and press the ENT key.
Cursor over to Enter and press the ENT key to save and exit.\\

Press the ESC key to bring you back to the Export Format screen.



Select Collect set. Press the ENT key.
Select field 1 and press the ENT key.
Select the tild “~” on the next screen and press the ENT key to set and save the setting.
Cursor down to field 2 and press the ENT key.
Select Barcode on the next screen and press the ENT key to set and save the setting.
Cursor down to field 3 and press the ENT key.
Cursor over to Enter and press the ENT key to save and exit.

Press the ESC key to bring you back to the Export Format screen.




Select Inventory set. Press the ENT key.
Select field 1 and press the ENT key.
Select the tild “~” on the next screen and press the ENT key to set and save the setting.
Cursor down to field 2 and press the ENT key.
Select Barcode on the next screen and press the ENT key to set and save the setting.
Cursor down to field 3 and press the ENT key.
Cursor over to the AT sign “@” and press the ENT key to save and exit.
Cursor down to field 4 and press the ENT key.
Cursor over to Number and press the ENT key to save and exit.
Cursor down to field 5 and press the ENT key.
Cursor over to Enter and press the ENT key to save and exit.

Set the keyboard mode to Smart

  • Export Set
  • 4. Transfer settings
  • 1. Keyboard mode
  • 1. Smart mode

Press the ESC key to bring you back to the Export Format screen.
Press the ESC key again to bring you back to the Export Manage screen.
Press the ESC key once more to bring you back to the Main screen.
This completes the setup of the data collector.

Remote Desktop

This is a legacy setup requirement. Using the Windows Desktop Client this is enabled by default.



If you are using an RDP connection or SAAS environment, you need to run the POS Device Manager on your local machine and modify the RDP shortcut to apply Windows key combinations “on this computer”.


Using as a Scanner

Select either RF-Gun or USB Gun. Scan the barcodes. You can not add quantities in this mode.

Using as a Data Collector

A data collector allows you to scan a bunch of items out of range of your work station and then return to your workstation and then import them into an invoice, purchase order, add stock or inventory count. There are two different functions that you can use for collecting data.

Collect Set

In this mode you can just scan barcodes, one at a time. You can not enter quantities. To Export, Select Export Set, Collect Export. This will send the data to System Five and will be held in a buffer. When you are ready to import the data into an invoice or purchase order, select Import from Data Collector in the Add part menu. Data is stored in the data collector memory until you clear the data.

* Remember to Clear the data from the data collector after you have successfully imported it.

Inventory Set

In this mode you can scan a barcode and then enter to quantities, or you can just scan the items.
The quantity you enter is the total inventory quantity, not the accumulative quantity, however scans are accumulative.
If you make a mistake, simply scan the item again and enter the quantity. If you find more of the same item, scan them and it will increment the quantity. If you find more of the same item and want to type in the quantity, you need to scan the item and then add the new quantity to the shown quantity for the total quantity.
You can’t scan 5 items, and then add an additional quantity of 4, you need to enter 9 as the total quantity.
To Export, Select Export Set, Inventory Export. This will send the data to System Five and will be held in a buffer. When you are ready to import the data into an invoice or purchase order, select Import from Data Collector in the Add part menu.
Data is stored in the data collector memory until you clear the data.

If you are importing into a Physical Inventory Count scan batch in System Five, you must send the batch from the data collector first before opening the Physical Inventory Count. If you don’t you won’t see the data collector in the import drop down.

* Remember to Clear the data from the data collector after you have successfully imported it.


Importing into System Five

Invoice - PO

You can import into many different places in System Five using the Add Item menu or similar. You can also import into the Part Find window.
If the Import from Data Collector menu item does not show, it means there is no imported data, or you haven’t sent the data from the data collector. You must send the data first. Then System Five will make the Import from Data collector option available.
The number of barcodes currently available to import will show in the status bar. This data will remain even if you restart System Five.

* Remember to Clear the data from the data collector after you have successfully imported it.


Deleting Data


To delete Collector data

Cursor down to Collect on the main screen and press the ENT button
Cursor down to Option 3. Delete Data and press the ENT button
You will be prompted “Delete All Data? ENT:OK or ESC:Cancel
ESC will take you back to the previous screen
ENT will erase all the collector data and display Data Cleaned. Press the ENT key to exit
Press the ESC key to take you back to the main menu screen

To delete Inventory data

Cursor down to Inventory on the main screen and press the ENT button
Cursor down to Option 3. Delete Data and press the ENT button
You will be prompted “Warning Delete All Data? OK or Cancel
ESC will take you back to the previous screen
ENT will erase all the collector data and display Attention Data Delete. Press the ENT key to Quit
Press the ESC key to take you back to the main menu screen


Troubleshooting:



How the collector works with System Five.


You may not get the option to download from Data Collector if you haven’t sent the data from it.
Two things have to happen to receive the data.
- 1. The data collector has to export to the POS Device Manager, which then loads the barcode and quantities into a buffer, and passes the information on to System Five.
- 2. After this is done, you should be able to select download from Data Collector from the Add Item drop down.
The Import from Data Collector option may not be there if you haven’t already sent the Data Collector file to the POS Device Manager, or if the POS Device manager isn’t running.


Verifying WINDWARDKEYHOOKDLL.DLL is loaded


In the POS Device Manager, click on the Events Tab and it will show if it has loaded successfully and from which folder.

Please note. There is an updated version of WINDWARDKEYHOOK.DLL dated 2020-10-19 which has a fix for the numlock not being on.






Erratic behavior in cloud environment

This is no longer relevant in the System Five on Cloud that uses the Windows Desktop Client installation.

If you are in an invoice and set the data collector to send and it immediately tries to send to the invoice lines, or you are unable to direct scan to the invoice, the most likely cause is that you haven't set the RDS Shortcut to Apply Windows Key Combinations to “On this computer”.


Adjusting Brightness of Screen


On Main Screen cursor down to System and press the ENT key.
Press ENT key again to select System Set or press the 1 key.
Cursor down to Backlight: or press the 3 key.
Now cursor down to the brightness level you want or select the corresponding number 1 to 4.
Press ENT to save the changes or ESC to quit without saving.



Be aware that the brighter the display is, the quicker it will use up your batteries.
Press the ESC key twice to return to the main menu


To Turn Scanning Beep on / off


On the Main screen cursor down to System and press the ENT key
On the Set screen select option 1. System set and press the ENT key
Cursor down to 2.Beep Volume and press the ENT key
Select the loudness you want by pressing 1.Mute (no sound), 2.Small (quieter beep), 3.Medium, or 4.Large (loudest beep).
I found all of these beeps to be roughly the same loudness level with only a slight difference between small and large, but couldn't really detect any difference between Medium and Large. I did find the beep to be quite annoying, so I set it to Mute.

trohestar_data_collector.txt · Last modified: 2022/02/24 11:14 (2 years ago) by asegert_windwardsoftware.com