How Groz-Beckert scans barcodes in SAP Fiori apps on the factory floor

Groz-Beckert is the world’s leading provider of industrial machine needles, precision parts and fine tools, as well as systems and services for the production and joining of textile fabrics.

Mobile SAP Fiori apps in Groz-Beckert’s smart factory

As part of the Smart Factory, Groz-Beckert is introducing mobile devices on the production floor to replace stationary PCs. In this context, the focus was increasingly placed on SAP Fiori apps, which are based on the JavaScript/HTML5 framework SAPUI5. One of the most important functions of those SAP Fiori apps is barcode scanning to quickly record information such as production orders or machine numbers.

The SAP Fiori app serves as a central access point for all apps that are relevant for employees in production processes.

Why barcode scanning on the factory floor is demanding

Depending on the use case, dirty barcodes have to be scanned from printed papers, labels or digital screens, often in less than optimal lighting conditions.

Groz-Beckert had tried for a long time to optimize scanning with other libraries, without much success in terms of speed and accuracy.

Barcode scanning in SAP Fiori apps with STRICH

To enable other developers to easily integrate the STRICH Barcode Scanning SDK into Fiori apps, Groz-Beckert wrote a separate SAPUI5 library that acts as a wrapper around STRICH. The wrapper already includes a popup in which the image of the camera is rendered, and pre-parameterizes STRICH so that it can be used optimally for most use cases at Groz-Beckert.

One example is an app used for warehouse management to identify the shelf location in which the logistics employee provides materials for an operation. To create the assignment, the employees scan two barcodes in succession, one on the order paper and one attached to the warehouse shelf.