Collector - Can you use camera to scan barcodes?

[Center_City_DistrictPhiladelph]

Collector - Can you use camera to scan barcodes?

We are looking into adding unique barcodes to each asset in the city that we maintain with integration with feature services hosted on ArcGIS online using the Collector App. I have come across this articlehttp://blogs.esri.com/esri/arcgis/2014/06/15/do-more-with-collector-using-barcode-scanners/#comment-...by @Jeff Shaner that shows that you can purchase seperate barcode scanners to use with collector but wondering if collector can use the camera that is already on the iPhone or iPads that we use in the field daily?

I know that there are many apps which have the ability to scan barcodes and pay or get additional information on items (Apple Store App) and there are plenty of QR code readers out there that the iOS devices can use. How can I use that technology that would scan a bar code, pull up the feature and location within collector and edit attributes the attributes of this barcode.

Thank you !

[PatriciaMoehring]

Brandon: It looks like Richard Hughes is using Socket Mobiles Scanner. Seems pretty straight forward. We’re all in the same boat, more functionality on a single device! Field guys dream!!!

I’ll keep you posted on what we actually do.

Thanks,

Patricia

GIS Specialist

O: 513.228.3242

F: 513.933.7208

M: 513.505.5227

E: pmoehring@lebanonohio.gov <mailto:pmoehring@lebanonohio.gov>

[SashaLockamy]

For Android devices, I am able to use the barcode keyboard scanner by Tec-it.  There is a free trial.  THe actual app is $3.99. I am able to use it in order to scan a barcode from my android smartphone, and it then automatically translates barcode text into the entry field. This way I am able to scan a barcode on an asset in the field and have the label number populate in the field within the ArcGIS collector app. I don't know if they have an equivalent app for Apple devices.

[PatriciaMoehring]

Sasha:  Thank you for the info.  The field guys really like this -- saves their fat fingers from hitting the wrong keys!

[SimonFeatherstone]

I am trying to migrate some of our business from Fulcrum to Collector, but the stumbling block is barcode scanning which the fulcrum app has natively and uses the internal camera in the device. Is there going to be proper native internal camera barcode reading in collector any time soon?

[Jack_Zhang]

Had this request 5 years ago. What I still don't quite understand is, Survey123 can use the built-in camera as barcode scanner, many free mobile Apps can use built-in camera as barcode scanner, why Collector can't. 

[SanneMikkelsen]

Vote up:-) https://community.esri.com/ideas/14709 

[DerekLaw]

Hi Jack,

FYI, this functionality is on the Dev roadmap for the new, next generation Collector for ArcGIS (Aurora) app.

Hope this helps,