FlicWatch Developer Newsletter

October 12, 2006

Quick Links

Events

Symbian SmartPhone show
Oct 17-18, 2006
Excel Centre, London

If you are going and would like to meet, please let us know.

http://www.symbiansmartphoneshow.com/2006/

Mobile Business Expo
Oct 31-Nov 3, 2006
Hyatt Regency, Chicago, IL

If you are going and would like to meet, please let us know.

http://www.mobilebusinessexpo.com/

WebmasterWorld Publishers Conference aka PubCon
Nov 14-17, 2006
Las Vegas Convention Center
This is a great show to be immersed in Search Engine Marketing and Web Publishing

If you are going and would like to meet, please let us know.

http://www.pubcon.com/

Chocolate Festival 2006
Oct 14-15, 2006
Nordiska museet next to Djurgarden bridge, Stockholm, Sweden

For those that tell us the Flic Scanner looks good enough to eat we suggest the Chocolate Festival.

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Are there other events you think we should know about? Events you should know about?

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Product Spotlight – Scanner Application Integration Roadmap

Microvision and Microvision partners provide various ways to integrate bar code scanning into data collection applications.  No matter what your platform or what level of integration you need, Microvision can provide a solution path.  The table below demonstrates the breadth of Flic Scanner integration capability. 

WEDGE software is the simplest way to integrate, as the Wedge Application manages the user interface, the connection to the scanner, and the forwarding of information as keyboard input to the host operating system.  Using Wedge Software, application providers and end users are able to instantly bar code enable their application.  Different versions of wedge software can provide extra features that provide greater control over the bar code data and how it interacts with applications.  See the article on Comparing Wedge Software.

API / DRIVER software provides the application developer with a simple and consistent way to integrate bar code scanning.  Much of the scanner interface is managed by the API and sample programs are provided to demonstrate implementation.  Applications that can benefit from extended scanner features or greater control over the bar code data can use one of the API’s provided for scanner integration.

The SCANNER I/F is the native scanner language and data protocol.  For the experienced developer, Microvision provides documentation on all scanner commands and features and provides support to developers who want the greatest control over their bar code application. 

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Flic Product Spotlight - Microvision eCell for BlackBerry™

Microvision eCell for BlackBerry Extends Office Document Workflow to BlackBerry Users

Microvision has released Microvision eCell for BlackBerry which includes eCell software from Dynoplex and the Flic Cordless Scanner.  BlackBerry users can now scan bar codes into Excel™ compatible spreadsheets fully transferable to their PC. Want to sync real-time? Send the file via BlackBerry email to colleagues or personnel.

This solution allows businesses of all sizes that rely on paper or spreadsheet based processes to track assets, take inventory, record activities, and more. Spreadsheets can now be extended to the BlackBerry and made more useful through bar code data input. The central office no longer has to wait for act on important and timely information brought in by field personnel on handwritten forms or disconnected devices.

This product bundle is great for developers facing make versus buy decisions who want to bring immediate value to BlackBerry users they support.  Learn more »

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Flic Tip – Handle Both Tethered/Batch and Cordless Connections with One Software Application!

Recently, Microvision released Scanner Wedge for Windows software. This software allows Flic Laser Bar Code Scanner users to scan into any Windows application using a Flic Cordless Scanner or a Flic Tethered/Batch Scanner. Previous to this product users had to download two separate Flicware applications to accommodate tethered/batch and cordless scanners. Scanner Wedge for Windows allows users to more easily connect and start scanning using either of Microvision’s Flic Scanners!  Scanner Wedge for Windows is included with the purchase of a Flic Scanner or Flic Cordless Scanner.

Download Scanner Wedge for Windows Mobile!

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Flic Developer Resources

Developer FAQ
App Note
Case Studies
Take advantage of this Special Coupon to Evaluate the Flic Scanner for your Application.
Integrate the Flic Scanner into your application. Request the SDK
Check out the Compatibility Matrix. 
Report device compatibility issues or successes.
Flic Support. Need Help?
Company Information
Newsletter Archives

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Flic Fact – Microvision Provides Three Paths to Connect the Flic Cordless Scanner to a BlackBerry Handheld

Are you a developer looking for high-performance, integrated scanning solution for your existing application? Or are you simply looking to scan bar codes into a spreadsheet application? Need something in between? No matter which category you fall into, Microvision provides you a path to Get Connected!

Scanner Wedge for BlackBerry – This software collects data from your Flic Cordless Scanner and then injects it (as a keyboard would) into any active application on your BlackBerry. Click here for more details.

Scanner Driver – Scanner Driver is a lightweight version of Scanner Wedge that is available for integration into any application that accepts keyboard input. Bar code scanning integration made easy. Scanner Driver is a component of Microvision SDK for BlackBerry and will be available before the next issue of the FlicWatch Developer Newsletter.

SDK for BlackBerry – The SDK’s rich feature set affords developers maximum flexibility to integrate the Flic Scanner into any application. Also includes integrated documentation and sample applications. The SDK for BlackBerry is currently in Beta.  At this point we are not expanding the beta pool.  Thank you to those are are currently participating. This will be available before the next issue of the FlicWatch Developer Newsletter.

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Flic Beat  - Affiliate Program Pays 8.5% on Flic Scanner Product Sales  $$$

The Flic Scanner has been integrated into applications ranging from wine inventory to evidence tracking.  The Simple and Affordable Flic Scanner product family enables price sensitive data applications that would otherwise remain paper based, inefficient, and unconnected. 

In response to continuing inquiries we are launching the Microvision Affiliate program. This program is targeted at companies who don’t wish to become hardware resellers but do wish to actively promote and get credit for Flic Scanner and related product sales.

There are 2 types of affiliates:

1. Those who have an application that works with the Flic Scanner
2. Those without an application but serve customers that would benefit by using the Flic Scanner and related products.

No matter which type of affiliate you may be—it is easy to leverage Flic Scanner momentum, get started as a Microvision Affiliate and increase your revenue.

Learn more now!

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Flic Fact – Change in Serial Number Format

Microvision recently modified the Flic Scanner serial number format to improve unit tracking and issue resolution for customers.  The old serial number scheme was a simple incrementing number.  The new scheme embeds a date code along with a sequence number. For this and other product notices please refer to Product Bulletins.

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You Ask, We Answer - How Can You Help a Newbie Like Me?

By Tony Cataldo

Question: I’m a new developer to the Flic Scanner.  What do you have to help me?

Well, let’s start with the Windows Platforms.  We have a Software Development Kit (SDK) designed to make integrating the Flic Scanner into your applications quick and painless.
The Flic SDK for Windows (or Software Development Kit) includes lots of useful developer-type stuff. The SDK includes several components including the Technical Manual, DLLs, demo projects, release notes, etc. The article describes the components of the Windows SDK package.

The core components of the SDK are the DLL files. There is one DLL for the Windows environment and one for the Windows Mobile environment. The DLL contains the functions used to interface to the Flic Scanner. Your application calls the DLL functions to manage connections, configure the scanner, read bar code data, and so on. The DLL functions, structures, constants, etc. create the Application Programming Interface (API) of the SDK. Many people use the acronyms SDK and API interchangeable, but this is incorrect. The API is how your application accesses the components of the DLL and the SDK refers to entire package of DLL, documentation, demos, etc.

The Microvision Windows SDK includes:

DLL Files

The DLL files are the core of the SDK. These files contain the interface components that allow your application to interface to the Flic Scanner. There is one DLL for Windows computers and another for Windows Mobile devices. When running your application you must place the appropriate DLL file into the system directory of your computer. Note that the specific location of the system directory varies depending on the version of the Operating System.

Flic Technical Manual

The Flic Technical Manual contains technical and programming details related to the Flic Scanner. The manual is in a Microsoft Compressed Helped format and contains a Table of Contents, Index, Search tab, and Favorites tab. The information is arranged by categories, topics, and sub-topics, with embedded hyperlinks to related topics and articles. CHM viewers are available for a wide variety of Operating Systems.

Demo Projects

The SDK also includes demo projects in a variety of languages. The SDK includes demos written for VisualC/C++ 6, Visual Visual Basic 6 (VB6), embedded Visual Studio 4 (eVC4), and Visual Studio .NET. The demos were written for C/C++ using MFC, C/C++ using WTL, C#.NET (PC and Compact), and VB.NET (PC and Compact). The .NET projects include a “wrapper file” that encapsulates the DLL API into an object-oriented format. All of the demos include the project files, header or wrapper files, and full source code.
There are no fees or licensing charges for using our demo projects. You can also freely use and copy any program code from the demo projects. Microvision supplies this information to make integrating the Flic Scanner faster and easier for developers. We would also be very interested in hearing any development success stories related to our SDK or demo projects.

Summary

The goal of the Microvision SDK is to allow developers to integrate scanning into an application in as little time as possible. Stay tuned for SDK releases on other popular platforms.

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Partner Spotlight – Comparing Wedge Software

One way to use the Flic Laser Bar Code Scanner with an application is by using Wedge Software. 

Wedge software allows users to instantly bar code enable any application. Wedge* software captures bar code data from the Scanner and presents it into the active application running on your host as though it were typed from the keyboard.

*The term wedge comes from the software being ‘wedged between’ the scanner and the application.

Microvision Scanner Wedge software provides basic wedge capabilities.  Premier Microvision partner, Serialio.com, provides both basic and full featured wedge software.  The table below compares wedge offerings available from Microvision and Serialio.com.  Click the table image to open full size in a new window.  For more detailed information visit our products section of flicscanner.com or Serialio.com

For an overview of Scanner Wedge please read Microvision releases Scanner Wedge Software in the Aug 2006 issue of FlicWatch. 

If you are a developer that offers development or connectivity software for the Flic Scanner or have Flic Scanner solutions available for commercial resale, please make sure that you are listed in the Solutions Guide. 

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Survey Results – Thank you!

Thank you to all who participated in the Developer Survey.  This is valuable input for us to keep this Developer Newsletter focused on your needs. 

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