The Scanner is a quick lookup screen for barcode scanners and typed codes. Scan an item barcode, a bin code, a shipment number or a carrier tracking number and SolaStock tells you what it is and links you straight to it.
It is built for handheld USB or Bluetooth scanners that act like a keyboard: the cursor is always in the scan box, and each scan ends with Enter. The Scanner only looks things up — it never changes stock. To receive, pick, count or move stock, open the document from the result.
Where to find it
- Sidebar: Operations → Scanner. URL
/inventory/scanner. - Breadcrumb: Scanner.
- Permission: View stock balances — every SolaStock role has it.
Screen tour
| Element | What it does |
|---|---|
| Scan box | Large input, focused when the page opens. Placeholder Scan a barcode, bin label, shipment number, or tracking number. |
| Lookup | Runs the lookup (Enter does the same). Shows Looking up… while busy. |
| Result panel | Heading Item, Bin or Shipment with details. |
| Error panel | No match or Lookup failed. |
After a successful lookup the box clears and the cursor returns to it, ready for the next scan. After a failed lookup the code stays in the box so you can correct it.
What it looks for
The code must match exactly (no partial matches). SolaStock checks, in this order, and shows the first match:
- Item barcode — any barcode on an item or variant (primary, Internal, EAN, UPC, QR). SKUs are not looked up.
- Bin — a bin's code (e.g.
A-01) or its stored barcode, in warehouses you can see. - Shipment — shipment number, carrier tracking number or label number.
Results
Item
| Field | Shows |
|---|---|
| Item | Name, linked to the item page. |
| SKU | |
| Tracking | Not tracked, Lot tracked, Serial-number tracked, Lot and serial-number tracked. |
| Barcode type | Primary, Internal, or the format (EAN, UPC, QR). |
Bin
| Field | Shows |
|---|---|
| Bin | Code, linked to the warehouse page. |
| Warehouse | Name · code. |
| Type | Receiving, Storage, Picking, Packing, Shipping, Quarantine, Damaged. |
| Barcode | The bin's barcode, or the code you scanned. |
Shipment
| Field | Shows |
|---|---|
| Shipment | Number, linked to the shipment. |
| Carrier | Carrier · service. |
| Tracking | Tracking number. |
| Status | Draft, Posted, Cancelled, Label created, In transit, Delivered, Delivery exception. |
Errors
| Message | Meaning |
|---|---|
| No match — "No item, bin, or shipment matches that scan." | Nothing has exactly that code (or the bin is in a warehouse you can't see). |
| Lookup failed — "The scan could not be looked up. Try again." | Connection or permission problem. |
Tasks
Identify an unlabelled product
- Open Scanner and scan the product's barcode.
- Click the item name to open its page: stock by warehouse, movements, photos.
Check a bin
- Type or scan the bin code, e.g.
A-01. - Click the bin code to open its warehouse; use the Floor map and Stock tabs.
Printed bin labels carry the text warehouse code-bin code (e.g. DXB-MAIN-A-01), which does not match a bin code. If a label scan returns No match, type the bin code. If two warehouses use the same bin code, the Scanner shows the first one; open the warehouse you need from Warehouses.
Find a shipment from a courier label
Scan the tracking number on the parcel; click the shipment to see its lines and status.
Make products scannable
Add barcodes on the item's Barcodes tab (see Items), and print item labels from Details → Labels → Print labels. Those printed item labels scan directly.
Other scanning in SolaStock
- Items → item → Barcodes → Scan lookup — barcode-only lookup for items (Scan a barcode and press Enter).
- Serial number fields on stock documents accept scans: "Scan or type a serial number, then press Enter"; Scan mode gives a larger input for handheld scanners; duplicates are skipped.
Permissions
| Action | Owner / Admin | All other SolaStock roles |
|---|---|---|
| Use the Scanner | Yes | Yes |
| Bin results | All warehouses | Assigned warehouses only |
| Item and shipment results | Yes | Yes (opening a shipment in another warehouse is still refused) |
Worked examples
Example 1 — Quick identify
Sara Khan scans a box with barcode 194253401234. Result Item: iPhone 15 Pro 256 GB, SKU IP15P-256, Tracking Serial-number tracked, Barcode type Primary. She clicks through and sees 8 available in Jebel Ali.
Example 2 — A receiving-dock session
Khalid, Warehouse Manager at Dubai Main:
- Scans courier tracking
1Z999AA10123456784→ No match (it's an inbound supplier parcel, not one of your shipments). - Scans the carton EAN
0194253401241→ Item iPhone 15 Pro 256 GB, Barcode type EAN. - Scans bin label
DXB-MAIN-R-01→ No match; typesR-01→ Bin R-01, Dubai Main · DXB-MAIN, Type Receiving. - Opens Goods Receipts and receives the purchase order into bin
R-01. - Later a customer calls about an order; he scans the label on the returned parcel → Shipment SHP-1007, Aramex · Express, Status Delivered.
How it connects
- Items and barcodes: Items. Bins: Warehouses. Shipments: Sales & fulfillment.
- To act on stock: Purchasing, Transfers, Adjustments.
Tips & common problems
| Problem | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Scanning a SKU finds nothing. | SKUs aren't looked up. | Add the SKU as an Internal barcode. |
| Bin label scan → No match. | Label text includes the warehouse code. | Type the bin code. |
| Nothing happens on scan. | Scanner not sending Enter, or focus left the box. | Click the box; configure the scanner to add Enter. |
| Bin found in the wrong warehouse. | Same bin code in several warehouses. | Use unique bin codes. |