Cable Box Tracker Manual

Check Out / Check In

Units are checked out to technicians at the beginning of their day. On their return, unused units are checked back in along with defective units and equipment picked up from subscribers. Units that were installed are noted along with the subscriber account number.

The first step is to select a technician and click Check Out to display the next screen:

Scan the barcode serial numbers (or MAC addresses) of the equipment that is to be checked out to the technician. Each time a number is scanned it will appear on the list of units at the right of the screen. To remove a unit from the list, simply scan it a second time. To start over completely you can click Clear, but be careful as this will erase the entire list. When all of the units for the technician have been scanned, click Save to post the entries to the database. A posting report (below) will pop up in a separate browser window confirming that the units have been checked out. If a unit cannot be checked out (already checked out to another technician, for example) the problem will be noted on the posting report. You may wish to print the posting report and save it as a permanent record.

Once the items are posted, click the Equipment Control Sheet button to display this report:

The Equipment Control Sheet lists all of the units currently charged out to the technician. This includes any units previously checked out but not returned or otherwise accounted for. If each technician handles units for more than one client, the report is divided into separate pages for each client. Print a copy of this report for the technician to note field installation details. You may wish to print an extra copy for office use. The report has blank spaces for recording the serial numbers of units picked up in the field.

The barcodes on the report are very useful during the check in process. In order to print the barcodes, you will need to download and install the Code 39 barcode font (use the Download Barcode Font button on the Company Administrator's Main Menu).

When the technician returns at the end of the shift, begin the Check In process by going to the first Check Out/Check In screen, selecting a technician, and clicking the Check In button. This will display the Check In screen:

Begin by scanning the serial numbers (or MAC addresses) of unused equipment being returned. These units should already be listed on the Check In screen; as you scan each one, its status will change from Checked Out to Returned. If a unit is being returned because it is defective, mark the Defective check box.

If a checked out unit has been installed, click the Status field to change from Checked Out to Installed and enter the subscriber account number. To speed up the check in process you can skip the subscriber account number and enter it later using the Subscriber Accounts button on Main Menu.

Checked out units will continue to appear until they are installed or returned. If a technician loses a box, click the status twice to change it to Misplaced. This will remove the unit from the Equipment Control Sheet, but the system will keep track of the responsible technician if the unit is eventually written off.

If a unit has been picked up from a subscriber, scan the serial number and it will appear in the next blank slot at the bottom of the form. To remove it from the list simply scan it again. Mark the Defective check box if appropriate. By default, picked up units are automatically flagged for return to the client. If a picked up unit should be held in local inventory for re-issue, mark the Return to Stock check box.

When all entries have been made, click Save to post the information to the database. A posting record will pop up in a separate window and confirm all of the entries; any problems will be noted on this report. You may wish to print a copy of the posting sheet for a permanent record.