Can a HP Scanner recognize Barcodes?

[TimCinDenver]

Hi all, new guy here. I use this model to scan repair orders (R/O) at our Auto Repair Shop.  Each R/O has a barcode at the bottom and is supposed to be able to be used as an identifier for each separate R/O Number. I enabled OCR and while that allows me to open the scanned document in Word, this is not what I need. I would like to scan a stack of R/Os  with their supporting documents (Parts Invoices, etc) and basically create a file for each file, based on the R/O number in the Bar Code. I know this technology is available, I just wonder if I am asking too much of this scanner? This will allow me to Scan as a Batch, knowing that each separate R/O and all back-up will be separated and differentiated by the info in the barcode.  Any thoughts?  Thanks!  Tim

[Dragon-Fur]

@TimCinDenver 

Observation

The printer is incapable of "reading" anything beyond basic onboard translation, that is, translating whatever data it is sent into printer language for the purpose of putting that data onto paper. 

In the case of something scanned, the printer can (usually) translate and save that data as a document file or an image file.

Details on how the data is sorted, filed, and named are controlled by the software you use to submit the job to the printer.

Bar Codes, in and of themselves, are specialty data.  Sometimes these don't even print properly unless the data is printed as an image.  When the printer cannot understand what it "sees", you get back blank areas, errors, gibberish, or other weirdness.

I believe you need a software program that can read scanned bar code data, create the file structure and file names for the data, and then save the data according to a naming scheme either built into the software or using file name suggestions from the operator (user / person directing the software).

So, the printer is OK - it just lacks the ability to understand and translate what you intend.

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[TimCinDenver]

Thanks for the note - makes complete sense. Do you know of any software products that might be able to achieve what I am trying to accomplish?  My search begins today.  Thanks again, Tim

[Dragon-Fur]

@TimCinDenver 

You are welcome.

No, sorry.  Anything I look up is going to be just that, the result of a search.

Honestly, I might even be spouting wishful thinking - I can imagine the need for such software so I imagine someone having written it.

Instead of the printer being used to scan - it seems the wrong tool for the job - consider software that uses a camera (say from a phone, iPad, for example) that scans barcodes and translates the data into a file structure that is saved to the device.

Stay safe.

Thank you for participating in our HP Community.

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If the answer helped resolve your issue, Click "Accept as Solution" .