Software for generating & managing serial numbers ?

[CookieMonster]

Hi !

I am looking for software for generating and managing serial numbers - preferably macOS compatible, but not necessary.
Unfortunately, I have found surprisingly little on this topic.

I am looking for the following capabilities:
- Generate serial numbers with custom schemes
- generate barcodes for these serial numbers
- print serial nos. and barcodes in bulk
- save additional information for each serial number (such as test results, etc)

Thanks for your suggestions !

[nisma]

Can you elaborate the -generate serial numbers with custom schemes- and -what printer you want use- a bit more.

[SMTech]

The software that comes with label printers or indeed label companies (e.g Avery) is often quite capable of pulling serials from a spreadsheet or database to print them as numbers or barcodes. Both of those sources give you multiple options for a frontend to do other things with that data. You might find templates for Excel that handle Inventory management that suit or can be adapted to whatever it is you want.

[voltsandjolts]

Either that or custom software solution.
Sounds like the sort of thing you could knock up in python in a day.
There are ample libraries for reading/appending spreadsheets, generating QR codes & barcodes.
Coupled with your printer API (Zebra or whatever), boom, job done
Bit of effort but you get exactly what you want and its very adaptable.

[wilhe_jo]

I did some deno scripts around that... I just put all data (bt-mac and such) in a file... The parts of the serial are used for the path.

Zebra printers are nice. Cups runs with it, so no need for using an APi.
I use Glabels for my labels which uses gzipped XML files... So that's simple to modify by a script and printing is as easy as well

 Hope that gives you some ideas....

73

[Gribo]

You might want to consider the pro versions of these applications (Zebra Designer, Bartender etc). These usually add a database API, management features and custom queries.

[Kean]

I've done a number of projects implementing serial number allocation and printing as part of the production process, typically written in C# and using a label printer (Brother, Zebra etc)

Every project has been differnt because of the testing requirements, but one of the earlier ones is published on Github at https://github.com/moorescloud/HolidayTest1

This was for a early IoT product that ran Linux on an iMX233, and sent data to an ATmega328 for controlling a WS2812 RGB LED string.  The test code was used by the PCB assembler to test each PCB by programming the ATMega via ISP and then bootload the iMX via USB with test code to check all functionality.  It then programmed a unique serial number into the iMX one-time programmable ROM area, recorded results in a local database, and then show a green or red pass/fail status.  Finally on success it printed a barcode label to be stuck on the PCB via a USB connected Brother QL570.  The Windows app controlling it would display messages to indicate any failure to assist with identifying any required rework.

There was a second end of line test process used once the PCB was populated with SD Card and WiFi dongle and placed in its housing.  On first power up it would connect to an pre-defined AP over WiFi, and submit a simple HTTP request to a local web server which printed the barcode label for the box with serial number and MAC address using a Zebra "clone" label printer with partly pre-printed labels.  Again this code recorded the manufacturing info to be submitted back each day to management.  On successful label printing a flag would be set on the SD card filesystem so future boots would run the end user code.

Typically I use serial numbers starting with a 2 digit mfg year, followed by a 1 or 2 digit numeric or alpha batch code, followed by a multi-digit unique sequence number.  I tend to switch batch numbers or skip unique sequence numbers so as to help disguise actual production volume from end users or competitors.

ETA: Oh, and here is a little more info on the product/PCB: http://kean.com.au/oshw/Holiday/

[wilhe_jo]

Well, glabels is very, very rudimentary in this respect.

However, you can generate a CSV file in your favorite spreadsheet tool and use these in glabels to make labels out of them...

Anyways, the benefit of using a cups supported printer is that you could even use word to make labels

Having that said, these label software is fine for several use cases... But nowadays I tend to use some file format (SVG, glabels,...) I can easily modify by some script and which is easily convertible to PDF (cups loves PDF)... YMMV

73

[gnuarm]

I use a spread sheet.  I have a test fixture that is controlled by the PC.  The test program copies data into the Windows paste buffer which is then pasted into the spread sheet.  This file also captures the serial numbers. 

I use consecutive numbers for the product that is shipped.  The factory applies their own label with a serial number to track their internal matters.  My serial number is on a different label.  I like them to be consecutive so they can all be placed on the invoices as the starting and ending number of the sequence.