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FSM Mobile App - Barcode Scanning

  • 10 November 2021
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Background:

We at Electrolux implementing IFS FSM as our Field Service Management platform including FSM Mobile App for Field Service Technicians. Currently using FSM6u10. 

Requirement: 

I, as a service technician, want to be able to record spare parts I consumed/used on a consumer/customer site by simply scanning the barcode on the spare part packet, instead of manually typing the long 14 digits part id.

Questions:

  1. Is the FSM Mobile App only supporting the Barcode Scanning functionality with a 3rd party free open source app for Android?

  2. Since the 3rd party app is no longer supported by original developers, how in future IFS would provide warranty support for the 3rd party open-source app since FSM product documentation doesn't specify if the 3rd-party software is supported i.e., maintenance support covered by IFS in case of product upgrades, android upgrades, etc. so to ensure the barcode scanning functionality continue to work.

  3. And if the app is removed by 3rd party itself or by Google from the Play Store, how then IFS going to support us in the situation since this business requirement functionality/feature to be delivered is covered under our SOW between Electrolux and IFS?

  4. And what does it mean on the Enterprise Infrastructure Security by connecting a business app with a 3rd party open-source app?

  5. How the ads, bugs fix, data handling, privacy, GDPR laws, etc. will be handled in the 3rd party app by IFS ensure full transparency and safety to us at Electrolux?

  6. Is the FSM Mobile App not compatible with Android native Camera App like iOS native Camera App supports for both Barcode Scanning and OCR reading? 

  7. And is the FSM Mobile App not supporting the integration out-of-box with IFS own Barcode Scanner apps?

 

Anyone out there from IFS partner or customer or R&D or Product team ever handled this requirement/delivery? Highly appreciate every response and reply. 

 

Thank you!

 

/Shubham

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Best answer by Lee Pinchbeck 11 November 2021, 09:43

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Lee Pinchbeck
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Hi @ag.shubham17,

FSM Mobile allows for using the rear camera on the mobile device when running on an Android device.

This is accessed by long pressing the field.

It is only when using FSM Mobile on a Windows device that the long press does not work and a third party product is required.

As long as you are not using Windows Mobile devices then you can use the built in functionality and avoid the third party issues.

Kind regards,

Lee Pinchbeck

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Hello @Lee Pinchbeck 

Thanks for the quick response.

Below is the information project provided.

…

Hi,

This is for the clarification regarding the Barcode application that is being used, this is an Open source application and library which has its source released to the public.

You can also disable the permissions that you don’t see fit, leaving only the camera permission.

If you have concerns regarding this application, you can disable the “ENABLE_BARCODE_SCANNING” and utilize a different application available in the market by copy pasting the text to the input field of the FSM application.

The permissions are explained in the Playstore app detail page. Also you can obtain more information from the FAQ - https://github.com/zxing/zxing/wiki/Frequently-Asked-Questions

App used by FSM https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.zxing.client.android&hl=en&gl=US

Regards,

Jevin

…

Do you consider the native camera app could be configured to be used without the need of support of a third party app in Andoid 11 OS?

 

Regards

/Dimuthu

Lee Pinchbeck
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@Dima My understanding is that the barcode function activated by a long press on the field comes packaged with baseline FSM and as such is supported by IFS. Whilst it may come from an open source program you do not have to install a separate program for it to work so the support is the same as the rest of the FSM application. If it breaks it is covered for IFS to correct it.

Any discussion beyond that is getting it to specific project issues which should not be discussed in the Community. It should be directed to the IFS Project Manager who can then pull on the internal resources required to answer the query in a specific way for that project.

 

Currently reading: The Way of Kings - Brandon Sanderson
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Hi Lee, 

Thanks for the update!

One comment about the installation. Here is two screenshot from my own phone (android):
 

  1. Installed FSM Mobile application
  1. Open the application and long press on the screen
  2. Select scan barcode

 

 

 

As you can see in the screenshots above the FSM Mobile application doesn’t include the bar code scanner directly, but ask you to download it.

Clicking on Yes links me to google playstore https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.zxing.client.android, meaning we have to install a third party application to get this to work. 

But based on your comment above I understand that IFS will support also this app in case e.g. a future Android version breaks the barcode scanner? 


Regards
Jimmy 

Lee Pinchbeck
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Hi @AccJimmyA,

IFS will not necessarily support that particular third party barcode app from working but in the event that it would break then IFS would support correcting the issue so that the barcode functionality within FSM is still possible.

It would depend on the nature of the break and what caused it what action would be taken.

Kind regards,

Lee Pinchbeck

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Hi Lee, 

Ok - since the barcode scanner is critical for Electrolux daily business - can the app be included in the FSM application so that all technicians doesn’t need to install this third party app? 

 

 

Regards

Jimmy

Lee Pinchbeck
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Hi @AccJimmyA,

That is a project specific ask and, as mentioned before, cannot be tasked via the Community. You can add this as an idea in the Ideas section of the community for future development but that has no urgency associated with it and is for general ideas for improvement.

It is best to follow this up with the IFS contact for this specific project for them to discuss this further.

Kind regards,

Lee Pinchbeck

Currently reading: The Way of Kings - Brandon Sanderson
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@Lee Pinchbeck  Thank you for your inputs. 

 

@Dima @AccJimmyA Based on inputs provided by Lee, can we not just enable the native camera app for Android to do the required barcode scanning; instead of connecting with a 3rd party external app?

And if this native camera app api connection is not working as it should with FSM mobile app, is this something you can further take with IFS R&D if this is not functioning as per Lee inputs for it should work yet it doesn’t work. 

 

Thank you!

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@Lee Pinchbeck It appears the third party app is no longer available on newer android updates. This means we have no scanning possibility on android devices now. Is there a workaround?

rodrigocivil18
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Especialistas, e aí?

Também estou experimentando exatamente o que você descreveu acima. Como você contornou esse problema?

rodrigocivil18
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ZXing barcode scanner has been deprecated with android 14. Therefore, R&D has integrated the new Google ML Kit Barcode scanner to the FSM android mobile app. This was rolled out to customers with UPD25. Consequently, this feature will be available to any customer who has UPD25 or a later version.

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