Sample scannable barcode fields

This article covers how you can use alternative scannable barcodes to track and identify their samples.

Written by Leslie T

Last published at: September 12th, 2023

There are 4 optional custom scannable fields that can be used in addition to, or as an alternative to the Launchmetrics Barcode when scanning. These must be enabled by your Launchmetrics Customer Success Manager.

These can be incredibly useful if you already have a barcode printed & applied to your inventory. You can simply import the data and begin scanning your samples seamlessly.

Any of these fields can replace the Launchmetrics Barcode, or simply be added to your Sample Label template.

Note that the standard Launchmetrics Barcode cannot be turned off or removed from your platform.

 

Custom Barcode 

  • Can be used for any type of product code. 
  • Can be used at the Master List level or Inventory level. 
  • The system will allow duplicate samples of this field. 
  • Can be aliased

 

External SKU 

  • This field is essentially the Master list Unique Identifier. Sometimes this field is used as a Master List “Key” which may be more broad or more specific than an actual SKU.
  • Can be used for any product codes but is only available when Master List is enabled
  • While you can have multiple inventory samples with the same External SKU, you cannot have multiple Master List samples with the same External SKU. 
  • Can be aliased

 

External Serial 

  • This field can only be used at the Inventory level
  • The system will not allow duplicate samples with the same External Serial
  • A global field which means that any changes will cascade to all departments and all historical data.
  • Can be aliased

 

External RFID 

  • This field should be used to uniquely identify a specific sample using their RFID scannable tag.
  • This field can only be used at the Inventory level
  • The system will not allow duplicate samples with the same External RFID
  • This field is a global field which means that any changes will cascade to all departments and all historical data.
  • Can be aliased

 


 

Limitations

There are some limitations to be aware of when planning to implement these fields

  • When exporting these samples in sample manager, it's not possible to export these fields as barcode images, only text values. This can be overcome by exporting to Excel, then using a formula to generate the barcode image.

 


 

Field comparison chart

Field name Available in Master List Available in Imported/Inventory Allows Duplicates? Special uses
Custom Barcode Yes Yes Yes, all places  
External SKU Yes Yes but only when Master List is enabled Only at Inventory level Acts as the Master List unique identifier
Custom Serial No Yes No  
External RFID No Yes No Is the only field that is scannable by the RFID scan gun.