Intermec EasyCoder 301 Operating instructions

ERPLabel

™

for SAP

™

R/3

®

Installation & Operation

P/N 1-960481-00

Edition 1

November 1999

ERPLabel for SAP R/3

ERPLabel v. 2.0 for SAP R/3 – Installation & Operation Ed. 1

1

Contents

Table of Contents....................................................................... 1

Introduction ............................................................................... 2

Copyright Information ............................................................... 2

Trademarks ................................................................................ 2

Requirements ............................................................................. 3

• System....................................................................................3

• Printers ...................................................................................3

• SAP R/3 .................................................................................3

Installation ................................................................................. 4

Working Modes ......................................................................... 5

• Host Mode – Host Stored Label Format.................................. 4

• Stored Mode – Printer Stored Label Format............................ 6

Choosing Working Mode........................................................... 7

Installing Printer Drivers ............................................................8

Setting Up Printer Drivers ..........................................................9

Label Design..............................................................................9

Defining Variable Data ............................................................ 10

Advanced Use of Variables...................................................... 13

Using Variable Data in Label ................................................... 14

Test Print – Host Mode ............................................................ 15

Storing Label in Printer (Stored Mode only) ............................ 15

Making Output File for SAPscript............................................ 16

• Host Mode............................................................................ 16

• Stored Mode ......................................................................... 17

Setting Up Printer in SAP R/3.................................................. 18

Using the Label Files in SAPscript........................................... 18

How does the printing work in SAP R/3 .................................. 19

General Limitations ................................................................. 20

Printer Setup ............................................................................ 20

Fingerprint – Host Mode .......................................................... 20

Direct Protocol – Host Mode.................................................... 23

Direct Protocol – Stored Mode................................................. 26

IPL – Host Mode ..................................................................... 27

IPL – Stored Mode................................................................... 30

Using ERPLabel Setup ............................................................ 31

Using ERPLabel Test Print ...................................................... 35

Making a Table of SAPscript Variables ................................... 37

Error Messages ........................................................................ 38

ERPLabel v. 2.0

for SAP R/3

Installation & Operation

Edition 1, November 1999

Part No. 1-960481-00

ERPLabel for SAP R/3

ERPLabel v. 2.0 for SAP R/3 – Installation & Operation Ed. 1

2

Introduction

ERPLabel is a tool to cut down implementation time of bar code

label printing in SAP™ R/3

®

ERP Systems. It will also eliminate

the need for output management middleware products in many cases.

The product will reduce implementation cost, as no middleware is

required. The implementation is also faster, since there in no need

to learn programming with a printer command language. ERPLabel

will provide output files that are used in SAPscript. These can be

used without any manual editing, making the procedure quick and

easy.

Maintenance cost is reduced as there is no middleware or separate

bar code printing system to maintain, as the printing will use the

main R/3 system.

Information in this manual is subject to change without prior no-

tice and does not represent a commitment on the part of Intermec

Printer AB.

lished in Sweden.

EasyCoder, Fingerprint, and LabelShop are registered trademarks

of Intermec Technologies Corp.

SAPscript and R/3 are registered trademarks of SAP AG.

ERPLabel for SAP R/3

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3

• LabelShop PRO 4.21C or higher

• PC running Windows 95/98 or NT 4.0.

• Hardware requirements – standard for respective operating system

• EasyCoder 201, 301, 401, 501, 501 XP, 601, 601 XP, 3240, 3400,

3440, 3600, 4400, 4420, 4440, 4630, 4830, 7421.

• SAP R/3 release 3.0A or higher on any operating system with

SAPscript.

Requirements

System

SAP R/3

Printers

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Prior to installing ERPLabel, you must have to LabelShop PRO

installed.

1. Put the disk 1 in your diskette drive.

2. Locate the Install.exe file using the Explorer, or run from the

Start – Run prompt.

3. ERPLabel will now automatically locate the current installation

by of LabelShop PRO.

4. The proposed path will be displayed. Press Yes if it is OK.

If you want to install it into another path, press the No button. You

will get a dialogue where the desired path can be entered.

Note:

The search will not include network drives. If LabelShop PRO

cannot be found, a manual search will be required.

Installation

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ERPLabel can store label formats locally in the printer – “Stored

Mode”, or in the host system – “Host Mode”

Each method has advantages, which are described below.

Host Mode - Host Stored Label Format

• The printer uses the host to send the complete label and data.

The major advantage is that no application specific data is stored

in the printer, so additional printers can be added or moved in the

R/3 system without having to prepare the printer.

• True Type fonts can be used for fixed texts and is sent as graphic

data.

• Fixed Graphics are sent to the printer at printout.

• As Host Mode sends all data for every printout, the printout can

be slower than Stored Mode, depending on the layout of the la-

bel. If graphics is included on the label to throughput is lower

than when using Stored Mode.

• The throughput also depends on the speed of the communica-

tion interface between the host and the printer. Using large graph-

ics with slow serial communication or slow WAN links can give

un-acceptable performance. Stored Mode is preferable for such

applications.

Working Modes

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Stored Mode - Printer Stored Label Format

• Can store label formats in printer for optimised throughput. Ideal

when using slow communication lines

• Graphics stored in printer.

• True Type fonts can be stored in printer

1

for use with fixed or

variable data.

• Host sends variable data only, minimum overhead.

• As Stored Mode only sends the variable data for the printout, the

printout is faster than Host Mode.

• If graphics are included on the label, some printers require Stored

Mode as SAPscript can not send the graphical data in the re-

quired format.

• Stored Mode requires some more work and administration to

keep it running, as each printer in the system needs to have the

stored formats loaded prior to printing from the SAP R/3 sys-

tem.

Working Modes,

cont'd.

1

/. On selected printer models.

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The preferred working mode depends on the printer to be used, the

application and preferences.

1. Decide which mode to use. The available options are shown in

the table below.

2. Locate the printer model to be used. Some printers support both

Fingerprint and Direct Protocol. If you do not use graphics Di-

rect Protocol is preferable.

3. Follow the instruction for the selected mode.

Hints

• Try Host Mode first. If the result is acceptable, stay with that.

• If you need to print large graphics printout, and are using slow

communication lines, try to use Stored Mode.

Printer/ Language Language Host Mode Stored Mode

EasyCoder 201 II,

401, 501, 501 XP, Fingerprint Yes No

601, 601 XP

EasyCoder 201 II,

301, 401, 501, Direct Protocol Yes Yes

501 XP, 601, 601 XP (no graphics)

EasyCoder 3240,

3400, 3440, 3600, IPL Yes Yes

4400, 4420, 4440,

4630, 4830, 7421

Choosing Working

Mode

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LabelShop supports a full range of Intermec printers, while

ERPLabel works with most of the printers.

To install your printer from the File-Printer menu or press the printer

icon.

This will display a list of your currently installed printers.

Make sure the Thermal printer button is selected and press the

Add button. This will bring up the dialogue below.

Select SAP Support to display the printers supported for SAP.

Choose the printer you want to use for SAP R/3 and the appropriate

port. Use Direct access for locally connected printers.

Hint – Fingerprint or DP printer?

• Direct Protocol printers can be found by the DP mode suffix.

• Fingerprint printers do not have any suffix.

Installing Printer

Drivers

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To get a correct output to SAPscript, the printer driver settings must

be set up properly, or you may get an unexpected result.

Detailed descriptions are available in the following chapters:

• Fingerprint – Host Mode Appendix A

• Direct Protocol – Host Mode Appendix B

• Direct Protocol – Stored Mode Appendix C

• IPL– Host Mode Appendix D

• IPL– Stored Mode Appendix E

Alternatively you can call up a pre-defined empty label that con-

tains the correct settings.

Following empty labels are included:

Fingerprint

e_fp.lab Empty label for Fingerprint Host mode

Direct Protocol

e_dp_h.lab Empty label for Direct Protocol Host Mode

e_dp_s.lab Empty label for Direct Protocol Stored Mode

IPL

e_ipl_h.lab Empty label for IPL Host Mode

e_ipl_s.lab Empty label for IPL Stored Mode

The label design for SAP is done just like any other label design,

but there are a few things to keep in mind, to make it work smoothly.

Fixed text: Can use printer resident or True Type fonts. As

True Type fonts are transmitted as graphical

bitmaps, the printout is slower.

Variable text: Only printer resident fonts can be used.

Lines/Boxes: Supported

Bar codes: Fixed and variable supported. Use printer bar

codes only

Graphics: Use fixed graphics only.

Setting Up Printer

Drivers

Label Design

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When using variable text fields in the label, it is preferable to use

the variable field names as used in SAP.

Define the variables by going to the Object-Variable menu.

Add each of the variables by defining an Import field. In the Name

field, change the default name (e.g. Import0) to the field name (e.g.

Part_No).

Note:

Variable names cannot contain following characters:

&+-*/<>=^%,!”

Variable names cannot start with following characters:

0123456789

Maximum length of variable name is 34 characters.

If you want to use a name with a hyphen (“-“), e.g. SY-NAME, it

can be entered as SY_NAME, using an underscore character in-

stead. The ITF file for SAPscript will then be changed so that the

underscore character is replaced by a hyphen.

If you want to use the underscore character, this must be entered

as a double underscore “__”, e.g. as SY__NAME. This will be

converted to a single underscore character.

Note:

Other variable types than Import are not possible to use, as

SAPscript does not support them.

Defining Variable

Data

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Defining Variable

Data, cont'd.

Go to the Field properties by pressing the button (or double click-

ing on the field).

In the Input tab, give the field a sample value, so that the screen will

show some typical data.

ERPLabel for SAP R/3

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Press the Output tab. Set the maximum length to the field length,

Defining Variable

Data, cont'd.

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ERPLabel can build combined variables. This is particularly useful

when building e.g. bar code strings that should contain a string a

data from various fields.

To start a combined variable the special start character “\” is used.

E.g. If you want to print a variable that contains:

Data Sample data

Prefix AA

Product_Group SW

Part_No 11-300200-02

Define the variables by going to the Object-Variable menu.

Start with the Attention character \ (Backslash).

Fixed data to be written as normal text. SAP field names to be writ-

ten with in [brackets].

In this sample: \AA[Product_Group][Part_No]

In the event this is required, the ITF file has to be edited manually

after the creation.

Advanced Use of

Variables

Note:

Variable names cannot contain

following characters:

&+-*/<>=^%,!”

Variable names cannot start

with following characters:

0123456789

Maximum length of the variable

name is 34 characters. If more

complex expressions or format-

ting is required, this must be

manually edited in the generated

ITF file or by using ABAP calls

to build specific local variables,

as described in the SAPscript

documentation.

ERPLabel for SAP R/3

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To add a variable text to the label, press the T/X button on the tool

bar.

Select the desired variable from the list, e.g. Part No.

The text object will now be placed on the label area. To move it to a

different location, select the Arrow tool and move it to the desired

location.

To set the font type, size etc., select the Arrow tool and double click

on the object.

To add a variable bar code to the label, press the Bar code/X button

on the tool bar.

The bar code object will now be placed on the label area. To move

it to a different location, select the Arrow tool and move it to the

desired location.

To set the bar code symbology and the parameters, select the Arrow

tool and double click on the object.

Hint:

If you want to predefine variable names to make it easy to re-use,

please see page 37 “Making a table of SAPscript variables”.

Using Variable

Data in Label

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When the label has been completed, it is time for a test print, prior

to getting the label into the SAP R/3 system.

Print the label by using the Print Icon on the tool bar, the Menu File-

Print (short-cuts Ctrl-P or Function key F6).

When you are satisfied with the result, make sure the file is saved.

If the printer driver was set to Stored Mode, an additional dialogue

will be displayed as described below.

If you are going to use the Stored Mode, you will have to store the

current label layout in the printer.

This is done while printing the current label to the connected printer.

It works slightly different depending on the printer attached.

When Direct Protocol is used

You will be prompted for a layout name.

Enter a suitable name. Remember this name, as you will need to

enter it when saving the script for the SAPscript.

Note:

If you use a name of a current layout it will be overwritten.

When IPL is used

The layout will refer to the number selected in the driver settings

(in the Forms tab).

Note:

If the printer contains a layout on the current store position it will

be overwritten.

Test Print –

Host Mode

Storing Label in

Printer

(Stored Mode only)

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The SAP R/3 system requires a specific output format (ITF file) to

be used. This is generated by LabelShop by the command “File-

Generate an output file for the printer”.

Host Mode

Make sure your label file is saved to disk.

Select the Template SAPHOST.POC. A dialogue will appear.

Save the file with your desired name on a location where the

SAPscript can reach it. By default the Print directory of LabelShop

is proposed, but it can be changed at will.

LabelShop will create a ITF file with the same name, but with the

extension ITF. The original file will be deleted. E.g. if you created

the output file sap_addr.pof, LabelShop will generate the file

sap_addr.itf.

Making Output

File for SAPscript

Note:

The current label name file with

the POF extension is proposed

by default. The name must be a

short file name, i.e. 8 characters

plus a 3-character extension.

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Making Output

File for SAPscript,

cont'd.

Stored Mode

Make sure your label file is saved to disk.

Select the Template SAPSTORE.POC from “File-Generate an out-

put file for the printer”. The following dialogue will appear.

Save the file with your desired name on a location where the

SAPscript can reach it. By default the Print directory of LabelShop

is proposed, but it can be changed at will.

LabelShop will create a ITF file with the same name, but with the

extension ITF. The original file will be deleted. E.g. if you created

the output file sap_addr.pof, LabelShop will generate the file

sap_addr.itf.

When Direct Protocol is used

You will be prompted for a layout name. Enter the desired name.

Enter the same name as entered when the layout was stored when

printing. If a different name is given, SAPscript will not be able to

print out properly.

When IPL is used

The layout will refer to the number selected in the driver settings

(in the Forms tab).

Note:

The current label name file with

the POF extension is proposed

by default. The name must be a

short file name, i.e. 8 characters

plus a 3-character extension.

ERPLabel for SAP R/3

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18

A standard printer is used – there is no special application running.

Set up the printer in standard configuration using the appropriate

port (serial – UART or parallel port).

For details on the setup of the printer driver in SAP R/3, please

consult the OSS Note Number 137069 (DP/FP) or 183777 (IPL).

A few steps will be required to use the ITF files in SAPscript.

• Upload the label file to SAPscript

• Adjust the SAPscript form

• Create an output device for the label printout

These steps are described in detail in the OSS Note Number 137069

and 183777.

For SAPscript setup, please note following:

• Define the specific device type to be used for the upload method,

LB_UBI for Fingerprint/Direct Protocol and LB_NT for IPL

printers.

• For printing, use a plain ASCII driver, e.g. Generic Text driver in

Windows

• Remove all Windows except MAIN

• To avoid unwanted break characters, use largest possible window

size, e.g. A3 or Legal. in Landscape mode.

Setting Up Printer

in SAP R/3

Using the Label

Files in SAPscript

ERPLabel for SAP R/3

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If you have defined a Intermec EasyCoder in your R/3 system, e.g.

“P501”.

SAPscript will in runtime merge the defined ITF file with the data

from your R/3 database and send it to the spooler as an OTF file.

The printing will be made using a specific device type used for the

“upload method”, which is the technique utilized by ERPLabel.

The generated spool file is handled by the Generic Text Driver of

the Operating System.

How does the

printing work in

SAP R/3?

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