QR Codes
Every Equipment record in ELTON automatically receives a unique QR code. The built-in label printing feature allows you to print these QR codes along with relevant equipment information (e.g., model name, serial number) on adhesive labels. You can then attach these labels to your equipment for easy scanning and identification.
The mobile app uses these QR Codes to link the physical equipment to the correct record in ELTON. You may use QR Codes or barcodes to attach and identify equipment.
- On-demand printing.
- QR code linked to SFDC record ID.
- Up to 6 human-readable fields can be added.
- Easy to organize print jobs by assigned user.
- Prints on readily available Avery stock mailing labels.
- Generally lower durability (may require protective coatings).
- Only works on production installations, not sandboxes.
If you wish to use QR Codes there is a basic label production system in ELTON. You must first set up a Custom Setting that ELTON uses to determine the data displayed on the labels. ELTON standard labels are designed to be printed on Avery 5162 or equivalent label stock. These labels are 1 1/3” X 4” and are 2 across, providing 14 labels per sheet.
The label layout is not editable, but the data displayed in the 6 text fields is controlled by a Custom Setting.
- Go to Setup > Develop > Custom Settings.
- Find Equipment Labels and click Manage.
- Apply these values:
- Name must be set to Equipment Labels.
- Field 1 – 6 can be set to the API Name of a field in the Equipment object or an entered string. You can check fields API names on Setup > Create > Objects > Equipment.
Click the Save button to finish.
From the Equipment tab, use the check-box controls to select the available Equipment records you wish to produce labels for. Use the check box above the column to select or deselect all rows.
- Click the Print Equipment Labels button. A short message will be displayed explaining the process.
- A PDF file with the labels will be produced. You can print the PDF onto the Avery 5162 label stock.
When the PDF is generated some PDF viewers scale the PDF slightly during printing. Print these pages using the Actual Size option. Chrome and some PDF viewers will default to Fit to Page; make sure this box is unchecked.
If the basic label production included in ELTON is not sufficient for your label requirements, you can create custom labels. First, you need to create a spreadsheet file containing the necessary data to make QR code labels. Second, use a label software to create the labels. This tutorial will show how to create labels with the Brother P-Touch system, an excellent combination of printer and software offered at a very competitive price.
- OnSalesforce, go to Reports.
- Click the New Report button.
-
Navigate to the Other Reports > Equipment and click the Start Report button.
Drag the Columns you would like to use on your labels into the report frame. You must include the QR Code Equipment ID field. (do NOT include the QR Code field as this is a URL to generate the QR Code and should not be placed on the label) Typically Equipment Name, Manufacturer, Model, and Serial Number are also included. This makes it easier to locate the correct piece of equipment during the labeling process.
- When you have the data you desire click the Run button.
- When the report is displayed click the Export Details button.
- Accept the defaults (ISO-8859 & Excel Format) and click the Export button.
- Your browser will download a file with a name that begins with “report” followed by some numbers. Save that report into a known location. You may wish to rename the file to a more meaningful name such as ELTON QR Codes.xls
- 10. Due to minor changes in the layout of Excel files and to remove the report footer information, open this file in Excel. You will receive a warning about the file layout, accept the warning, and proceed to open the file.
Select the cells at the bottom of the report that contain the footer information and right-click to Clear Contents of those cells.
- Now save the clean version as a current Excel file (.xlsx), by selecting File, Save As. Enter a name for the file and Select the Save as Type to be “Excel Workbook (*.xlsx)."
- Click the Save button.
- Open the Brother P-Touch Editor.
- Select the correct printer and label size and click OK.
- Under the File menu, select Database, then Connect.
- Using the Open Database dialog click the Browse button and select the file you saved in the previous section on exporting the data.
Click the Open button.
- Back on the Open Database dialog, click the Next button. Select the main worksheet which should have the same name as the file.
- Click the Next button.
Click in the label area of the screen to activate the label controls. Now build your label by using Insert > Database Field repeatedly until you have the data positioned on the labels as desired. You may change font sizes and many other attributes by selecting an item and right-clicking, then selecting Properties.
- Once you are happy with your label design, save the layout and run the print job.
