Use this article to understand barcode scanning on a Stackably terminal. Scanning is simple: scan an item and it goes into the cart of a New Order, with no need to find the product on the screen and tap it. Everything after the scan, from the cart to checkout, works exactly as described in New Order on the terminal: ringing up products and checking out.
Which terminals and scanners can scan barcodes?
Barcode scanning works on the P3 MIX, the T3 and the D3 Pro. There are three ways to scan:
Sunmi 2D Handheld Scanner – a handheld scanner that comes with its base. Point it at the barcode and pull the trigger. Sunmi lists it as reading 1D and 2D barcodes and QR codes. Works with the P3 MIX, T3 and D3 Pro. More details: Sunmi 2D Handheld Scanner product page.
Sunmi Blink 2 scan box – a stationary scanner that sits on the counter next to the terminal and connects by USB. The cashier passes the item over it. Works with the P3 MIX, T3 and D3 Pro. More details: Sunmi Blink 2 product page.
P3 MIX built-in scanner – the P3 MIX has a built-in camera that works very well as a scanner, so a P3 MIX can scan items with no accessory at all. Sunmi describes it as an integrated professional scanner that reads 1D and 2D barcodes. More details: Sunmi P3 MIX product page.
The P3H does not scan. The P3H has a camera, but it is not used as a scanner, and the P3H does not take add-on accessories, so neither scanner can be attached to it. A business that needs barcode scanning should use a P3 MIX, T3 or D3 Pro. For the full lineup see the Stackably hardware guide.
Is there anything to set up or turn on?
Nothing on the terminal. There is no setting to switch on: when the scanner is plugged in, it is live.
The scanner itself is programmed by our team before it ships. A barcode scanner has settings of its own that control how it reads a barcode and what it sends to the terminal, such as whether a leading zero on a UPC code is kept or dropped, whether the check digit at the end is included, and which barcode formats it reads. These settings are changed by scanning special configuration barcodes, not through the Stackably software. The scanner must be set so that the number it sends matches the barcode number stored in the product's SKU field, otherwise a scan will not find the product.
What to expect during setup. As part of setting up a scanner, our team will reach out and ask for a few sample barcodes from products you actually sell, for example clear photos of the barcodes on a handful of items. We use them to program the scanner for your products and confirm that a scan brings up the right item before the hardware ships, so it is ready to use when it arrives. If you later add products whose barcodes look different from the samples, for example a different length or format, and they do not scan, contact support and we will adjust the scanner's programming.
What does the scanner match against?
The scanner matches the barcode against the SKU field on the product in Shop+. For an item to be scannable, its barcode number must be entered in the product's SKU field. The quickest way to do this is Add by UPC, which fills in the product from its barcode; see Add by UPC and the SKU field.
Variants have their own SKU. A product with sizes or colors can store a separate SKU for each combination, so scanning the barcode on a Medium Blue hoodie adds that exact variant to the cart. See Variant stock, SKUs and images.
Modifiers do not have a SKU. Modifiers (add-ons and options) cannot be scanned on their own, which is standard for point-of-sale systems. They are chosen on the screen after the product is scanned, as described below.
How does scanning work at checkout?
Scanning works in New Order. Scan an item and it is added to the cart, exactly as if you had tapped its tile on the New Order screen. You do not need to open New Order first: if you start scanning from the terminal home screen, the terminal creates a new order and adds the scanned item to its cart.
Scanning the same item again raises the quantity. Scan a second bottle of the same water and the line in the cart goes to a quantity of 2, rather than adding a second line. In the example below, the Water Bottle was scanned twice and the Ceramic Mug once, so the Water Bottle tile shows a 2 and the cart button shows 3 items.
Items with modifiers. If the scanned product has modifier groups attached, such as a required choice or optional add-ons, the scan takes you straight to the modifier selection step, the same screen you would see after tapping the product's tile. Make the required choices, add any optional add-ons, and the item goes into the cart. See Creating a modifier group for how required and optional groups are set up.
Items with variants. When each variant has its own SKU, the scan adds that variant directly, with no size or color to pick.
From here the order is a normal order: open the cart to adjust quantities or remove a line, tap + Add More to scan or tap more items, leave the order open, or tap Payment to check out. Every step is covered in New Order on the terminal.
Can I use the scanner outside of checkout?
Yes. The scanner also works during a stocktake in the Inventory Hub, where scanning an item identifies it the same way. Stocktakes are covered in their own articles; this article is about scanning at checkout.
Common questions
Can I scan barcodes on a P3H? No. The P3H's camera is not used as a scanner and it cannot take a scanner accessory. Use a P3 MIX, T3 or D3 Pro.
Which scanner should I choose? Both do the same job. The handheld scanner suits counters where the cashier picks up the scanner and points it at items; the Blink 2 scan box suits counters where items are passed over a fixed scanner. A P3 MIX can also scan with its built-in scanner and needs no accessory.
Do I have to turn scanning on? No. A plugged-in scanner is live. Our team programs and tests the scanner before the hardware ships.
Why is Stackably asking me for sample barcodes? So we can program the scanner for the barcodes on your products and confirm that a scan brings up the right item before your hardware ships. A few clear photos of barcodes from items you sell is all we need.
Does scanning work in Quick Sale? No. Scanning is for New Order. Scanning from the home screen starts a New Order automatically.
Why does nothing happen when I scan an item? First check that the item's barcode number is in its SKU field in Shop+ (or, for a size or color, in that variant's SKU); the scanner only matches against SKU. If the SKU is right and the item still does not scan, the scanner may be sending the number in a different format from the one stored, for example with or without a leading zero. Contact support and we will adjust the scanner's programming.
I scanned the same item twice. Why is there only one line? That is expected: a repeat scan raises the quantity on the existing line to 2.
Can I scan an add-on or a modifier? No. Modifiers do not have SKUs. Scan the product, then choose its modifiers on the screen.
How do I get the scanner? Scanners are added to a P3 MIX, T3 or D3 Pro order through your agent. See the Stackably hardware guide.