Select the right hardware for apps from Insight Works

Dynamics 365 Business Central applications from Insight Works allow users to simplify operations. Depending on the specific Insight Works application, you may need additional hardware, such as a laptop, barcode scanner, label printer, or other equipment.

Often asked the question is: “What hardware should I use with my apps?” There is no shortage of hardware to choose from, so this decision can quickly become overwhelming. Don’t eat, though. In this article, we’ll help simplify the decision-making process so you can feel confident that you’re on the right track.

Insight warehouseAnd WMS Express, and the Advanced Inventory Inventory The app from Insight Works allows users to scan barcodes to manage warehouse operations. Barcodes are scanned using a laptop computer equipped with a scanning engine. The laptop connects directly to Business Central, so the interaction of the laptop and Business Central is in real time.

There are five primary factors to consider when choosing a laptop. and this is:

1. ruggedness
2. scanning range
3. camera
4. form factor
5. price

Please check”How to choose a laptop to use with Business CentralTo better understand these factors. Alternatively, you can watchHow to choose barcode scanners for business central” Video.

What we recommend
Laptop manufacturers Datalogic, Honeywell, and Zebra offer a range of hardware depending on your specific needs. To view the range of devices that work well with Insight Works apps, please visit https://www.dmsiworks.com/shop/mobile-computers/.

If you find the choice of hardware to choose from confusing, head over to the article referenced above to help provide some clarity.

What we do not recommend
We do not recommend the following device options:

1. USB or Bluetooth scanner connected to a laptop or tablet. This is a heavy option and makes it difficult to work efficiently within a warehouse setup. It is difficult to work if one hand is busy holding a scanner and the other is holding a laptop. Even if the computer or tablet is seated in a cart, the screen is often not in your field of view to confirm actions.
2. A consumer class smartphone. Phones do not have scanning engines; Instead, they use the camera to process the barcodes, so the scanning process can be slow. Smartphones won’t match the durability of a purpose-built laptop. Laptops can handle 4 to 10 drops depending on the model you choose. Finally, smartphones are not comfortable, so working a shift can cause pain and fatigue. Note that the Insight Works apps do not support Apple’s iOS operating system.

For those using Warehouse Insight, WMS Express, or Advanced Inventory Count applications, there may be times when you will need to print a barcode label to attach it to a product or package.

There are plenty of label printer options that range in price and features. Features of the printer include wireless connectivity, printing on various types of label cards, color or black and white ink, among others.

Insight Works carries popular label printer options when used with Insight Works applications. You can view the selection here: https://www.dmsiworks.com/shop/?swoof=1&product_cat=printers.

The dynamic ship The app from Insight Works allows users to manage their outbound shipments within Business Central. Dynamic Ship users will log in directly to Business Central and work with the application via Business Central Windows or the web client.

When it comes to the package management feature of Dynamic Ship, users need to scan barcodes to carry out specific orders and scan product barcodes while they package items.

Charging stations are usually located within a fixed warehouse location, which means that a computer station connected to Business Central will usually suffice. In other words, a laptop is not required.

When it comes to scanning barcodes at a stationary charging station, all that is required is a simple handheld scanner. Although other options may be available, portable scanners usually interact with a computer via a USB cord or wirelessly with Bluetooth.

Another variable to watch out for is scanning 1D, 2D, or 1D and 2D barcodes. You will need to make sure that the barcode scanner you choose can process the type of barcode you plan to use.

To view the specific scanners we recommend, please visit https://www.dmsiworks.com/shop/?swoof=1&product_cat=handheld-scannes.

Dynamic Ship allows users to print shipping labels directly from Business Central. Printing labels will require a printer, and while your typical office printer can get the job done, using a purpose-built industrial label printer tends to help simplify your process. The label printer prints quickly and on sticky labels. To view the specific label printers we recommend, please visit https://www.dmsiworks.com/shop/?swoof=1&product_cat=printers.

When you connect a compatible scale to Dynamic Ship, package weights will be automatically brought to Business Central and used when requesting shipping rates. There are many meter options on the market depending on the requirements of your process. When selecting a scale to interact with Dynamic Ship, make sure USB is enabled for the scale. Additional configuration is required to use a scale with Business Central, so please speak with a Microsoft partner for details.

The counter sales The app from Insight Works is a point of sale solution for professional sales representatives in commercial offices or sales counters. Devices commonly associated with Counter Sales include a bar code scanner and possibly a receipt printer.

Counter Sales is run from a fixed terminal. In other words, there is no need for a portable solution. Prerequisite is a standard computer running Dynamics 365 Business Central with Insight Works’ Counter Sales application. Counter Sales users will log in directly to Business Central and work with the application via Business Central Windows or the web client.

Counter Sales app is able to scan product barcodes during checkout process. All that is required is a simple handheld scanner with your computer. There are two variables to consider:

1. Wired or Wireless: Handheld scanners usually interact with a computer using a USB cord or wirelessly via Bluetooth.
2. 1D barcodes, 2D barcodes, or both: What type of barcodes do you need to scan? Make sure to select a scanner that meets your requirements.

To view the range of portable scanners that Insight Works recommends visit the site https://www.dmsiworks.com/shop/?swoof=1&product_cat=handheld-scanner.

A common practice for printing receipts from the Counter Sales app is to use a standard commercial grade laser printer. In some cases, users want to use a receipt printer. Receipt printers can be easily integrated with your computer. Insight Works does not contain any specific recommendations for the receipt printer; However, we can provide options, so please contact us.

Store Floor Insight It is a Manufacturing Execution System (MES) implementation of Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central. Shop Floor Insight allows employees to use barcode scanners or touch screens to speed up store data entry for time, materials, quality, and more.

A common question is, “What type of terminal do I need on the store floor to use Shop Floor Insight?” Below we’ll outline some options to consider.

The most common setup for a Shop Floor Insight station is a self-contained terminal station that is available on the shop floor. Depending on the size of your operation, you can consider multiple stations for easy access by all employees.

The device consists of a computer with a screen and a barcode scanner. While a mouse and keyboard are not necessary for Shop Floor Insight, they are usually required for device setup and maintenance.

There are many computer options to choose from. These include:

1. Standard Windows PC (with or without touch screen)
2. Chromebox or Chromebook
3. thin client
4. Stick PC

Which of these options will work, and what you choose to deploy will depend on your IT policies, how much you want to invest, and what makes sense for your specific environment.

The device can be placed on a central workbench or on a cart. Again, the location will depend on your specific environment. You’ll want to make your workstation accessible to whoever you want to access.

Some Shop Floor Insight users are considering tablets. Tablets are not recommended because the smaller screen limits the amount of information that can be displayed. In addition, Microsoft licensing for tablets can become very expensive. Finally, Shop Floor Insight doesn’t support Apple’s iOS, so consider a Chrome or Windows tablet.

The big advantage of Shop Floor Insight is the ability to scan barcodes to keep track of time. Of course, to scan a barcode, a barcode scanner is required. All that is required is a simple handheld scanner with your computer. There are two variables to consider:

1. Wired or Wireless: Handheld scanners usually interact with a computer using a USB cord or wirelessly via Bluetooth.
2. 1D barcodes, 2D barcodes, or both: What type of barcodes do you need to scan? Make sure to select a scanner that meets your requirements.

To view the range of portable scanners that Insight Works recommends visit the site https://www.dmsiworks.com/shop/?swoof=1&product_cat=handheld-scanner.

We hope this article provided some hardware-related instructions to accompany apps from Insight Works. While we have narrowed down the range of options available, the final choice will depend on your specific situation. If you’re still looking for additional guidance, please reach out to a Microsoft partner or the team at Insight Works.