Frequently Asked Questions

1. How is SoftBars different from other barcoding software?
SoftBars, like many other barcoding products, allows for the addition of a variety of barcodes to common documents. Unlike other products, however, SoftBars allows for the easy insertion of barcodes WITHOUT the need for complicated formulas or outside tools to format the barcode. SoftBars takes care of all the necessary calculations - from start and stop characters to check digits and encoding. All you have to do is supply the data.

2. What platforms does SoftBars run on?
SoftBars currently runs on all Microsoft Windows-based operating systems from Windows 95 to Windows XP. Plans are to expand SoftBars to also support IBM AIX, Sun Solaris, HP-UX, and other UNIX flavors, as well as IBM mainframe systems and Linux.

3. What printers will work with SoftBars?
SoftBars will work with most printers supporting the Hewlett Packard PCL printing language. It is also possible that SoftBars will be ported to support PostScript printers as well.

4. How can SoftBars make my work easier?
SoftBars assists Windows applications by installing TrueType fonts in a variety of barcode symbologies – all accessible from a “drop-down list” for most applications. These fonts can be sized right in the application. For applications without a drop-down list, SoftBars supports the use of escape sequences.

With SoftBars, you don’t need to worry about formatting the barcodes. SoftBars takes care of everything. All you have to do is supply the data. SoftBars does the rest.

With SoftBars, you no longer need to worry about the formatting - no worry over checksums and other formatting hassles. SoftBars takes care of everything. All you have to do is supply the data; SoftBars does the rest.

5. Can SoftBars operate in a client/server atmosphere?
Absolutely. As long as the print server can have SoftBars installed on it, all the clients using the print server will be able to print barcodes.

6. How many printers can SoftBars control?
A single license allows a user to print barcodes on PCL printers attached to a network on a single PC.

A server or multi-user license allows any number of PC's to print barcodes on an unlimited number of PCL printers. There is no need to purchase multiple copies of SoftBars for each printer, vastly saving on expensive hardware DIMM costs and licensing.

7. How do I set up SoftBars?
Simply download SoftBars from our website and run the installer. The SoftBars manager will pop up and allow you to select the printers you wish to become SoftBars Enabled printers. SoftBars recognizes most compatible PCL printers and highlights them in green. Toggle the printers to select them, then select enable.

Another simple mouse click installs the TrueType® Fonts for use by Windows applications.

8. Why is there a watermark or SoftBars logo on my documents?
The watermark indicates that you are using a fully-functional evaluation copy of SoftBars. To eliminate the watermark, you can purchase a license online, or call us at 1-888-752-9263 to purchase a license

9. I have purchased a license and the watermark still appears on my document. What do I do?
Phone our technical support line at (888) 752-9263. We will assist you in all your support needs.

10.I am not getting barcodes on my document, just the plain text data. What is the problem?
Make sure that the printer is enabled in the SoftBars Manager. If it is, then make sure the appropriate barcode font is selected in the application. If you are still unable to print barcodes, please contact customer support at (888) 752-9263.

11.When I am printing several barcodes on the same line, they all print as one barcode. Why?
Without some kind of separating identifier, SoftBars may be unable to detect the end of one barcode and the start of the other. To get separate barcodes, try one of the following:

• Slightly change the point size of the second barcode on the page, i.e., from 24 to 24.1. SoftBars will recognize that it is a different barcode.
• Put at least one character of another font in between the barcodes, i.e., a space in Times New Roman after the first barcode.
• If using PCL, you can send the command <esc>(3@ between barcodes to reset the font.
  

12. The barcode fonts do not appear in my Windows application
drop-down fonts list.
The fonts are installed using SoftBars Manager. Choose Fonts à Install. A message will appear stating that 29 fonts have been installed. They will now appear in the drop-down list.

13. What barcodes does SoftBars support?
SoftBars currently supports Code 39, Code 93, Code 128, UCC/EAN-128, UPC, Interleaved 2 of 5, and PDF-417 (2-dimensional) barcodes.

14. I currently use HP DIMMs in my printers. Will SoftBars work with my current applications configured to work with the DIMMs?
Yes. SoftBars is fully compatible with barcode data configured for HP DIMMs.

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