Install and Configure Symbol DataWedge

Owned by Darcy Curtin
Last updated: Jul 24, 2014
3 min read

Follow these steps to install and configure the Symbol DataWedge application.

Version Warning

This page is relevant only to DataWedge 3.1 and ActiveSync 4.5.

You can check for newer versions of DataWedge here

Step-by-step guide

Motorola Symbol handheld computers require installation and configuration of the Symbol DataWedge application in order to tie the bar code scanner into the browser that the NLINK ADC to SAP Solution uses to present data to the users.

DataWedge is a utility that allows you to add advanced data capturing capability using barcode scanning and serial port communication to any application without writing code. It runs in the background and handles the interface to both built-in and attached barcode scanners and serial ports. The captured data is converted to keystrokes or copied to the clipboard and sent to the target application as if it was typed on the keypad.

Prerequisites

In order to exchange data with the handheld computer the DataWedge application must first be installed on a local computer. The DataWedge application is then installed onto the handheld computer using Microsoft ActiveSync.

The following software must be installed on the local computer prior to installing DataWedge.

  • Microsoft Windows XP or Microsoft Windows Vista Operating System.
  • Microsoft ActiveSync 4.5 or higher (for Windows XP only).
  • Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 (required by Remote Configuration over ActiveSync component)

Install DataWedge

  1. Execute DataWedge.msi on the local PC.
  2. This will install DataWedge onto that PC and at the time of installation if a mobile computer is connected to the PC through Microsoft ActiveSync, the installer will automatically deploy DataWedge to the mobile computer.
  3. Once installed, the Install DataWedge option can be selected from Start Menu > Motorola DataWedge to deploy DataWedge onto multiple mobile computers.

The mobile computer may prompt you to choose a location to install the DataWedge application. Select the most appropriate option (for example, \Application).

The mobile computer may then require you to select Install to complete the installation.

Configure DataWedge

After successfully installing DataWedge, a DataWedge Tray Icon shows up on your device tray:

Use this tray icon menu to start/stop DataWedge and to access basic/advanced configuration options.

Enable Barcode Scanning

  1. Select Basic Configuration (Default Profile: Profile0)
  2. Select Barcode input... (the first option in the menu)

  3. This will take you to another screen where you should see a check mark next to “Pico Imaging ..” (or “SSI Scanner Driver” depending upon which model of mobile computer you have).

  4. Select Pico imaging .. (or SSI Scanner Driver) and that should take you to another menu.

  5. Make sure there is a check mark next to “1. Enabled” on that page and then select Back.

  6. Leave the rest of the settings as default.

Send Enter / Tab on Scan

When the barcode is scanned we want the data to be passed to the browser into the appropriate field. In order for this to happen automatically, the data needs to populate the field and then generate an Enter key press event, followed by a Tab into the next field.

  1. Select “Basic format” from the main menu. When selected, DataWedge configuration moves to the basic format plug-in main menu page.
  2. To send a Tab after scanning, make sure that Option #6 “Send TAB key” is selected.