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TAMobile Desktop

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What is it?

TAMobile 6 Desktop project allows the same CF.NET code to run on rugged Windows Embedded 6.X Handheld devices as well as Windows Desktop PCs.

TAMobile 6 Desktop supports barcode scanning via USB or Bluetooth devices, provided those devices are seen by the PC as USB HID keyboards.

Setup

Installation

  • Log into the AWS environment you wish to sync the simulator to (Production or Test).
  • Navigate to the Software Download page.
  • Click on the TAMobile 6 tab.
  • Within the Mobile Desktop Setup section, click the download button.
SoftwareDownloadPage TAM6Simulator.png


  • Open TAMobileSimulator_setup.exe to begin the install.
  • If Windows warns of an untrusted or unknown publisher, click through to confirm that the application should be installed. On Windows 8.X, you might encounter the SmartScreen Filter that looks like:
Windows SmartScreen - More info.jpg


On this screen, click More info text. This will show the following notification.

Windows SmartScreen - Publisher.jpg


Click the Run anyway button. Note: When installing from a production or client test environment, the Publisher should read TrackAbout, Inc.

  • If you encounter another installation security warning, as shown below, click Install.
Application Install Security Warning - No Publisher.jpg


This should result in an installation progress dialog and a successful installation.

ClickOnce Installing.jpg


  • The application will automatically start after installation.
  • To start the application in the future, use the "TrackAbout TAMobile 6 Desktop" shortcut in the TrackAbout Start Menu. Note: The installation does not install a desktop shortcut.

Pairing the Desktop Application to your Computer

NOTE If this is the first time the Desktop Application has been used on this particular device, you will be asked to input the Software Registration Key to pair the Desktop to your computer.

The steps to pair the application can be viewed here: Installing TAMobile

Software Updates

Once the initial installation is complete, it should not be necessary to download the installation file again - unless a complete uninstall and reinstall is required.

The application will check for updates each time it is started. If a new update is available, it will ask the user whether or not they would like to install it or skip it.

ClickOnce New Version.jpg

If the Skip button is clicked, the user will not be asked again to update until the next version is released.

Update Notes

  • If the user skips an update by mistake, it is possible to update the application by downloading the setup file from the Software Downloads page and executing it again. In this case, the user will not be asked if the application should be updated - it will happen automatically. It is not necessary to uninstall the application first.

Uninstall

To uninstall the TA Mobile Simulator:

  1. Go to Programs and Features on Windows 7 or later. On Windows XP, go to Add or Remove Programs.
  2. Search for TrackAbout TAMobile6 Desktop in the list of programs.
    TrackAbout TAMobile 6 - Programs and Features.jpg
  3. Double click the line item named TrackAbout TAMobile6 Desktop, or click Uninstall/Change.
  4. Select Remove the application from this computer to uninstall the application. All data will be lost upon uninstall.
    TrackAbout TAMobile 6 - Programs and Features - Uninstall.jpg

Barcode Scanning

The TA Mobile Simulator is able to scan barcodes in 2 ways. You may also type in barcode values, but this will be recorded as a KI (Keyed In) value.


  1. Alt+J: This will pop up a window allowing users to type in a barcode, then simulates a scan by sending it into the application.
    If this doesn't work, try to exit and restart the application.
    TrackAbout TAMobile 6 - Keyboard Scan.jpg
  2. Barcode Scanning Device: If you have a scanner attached to your computer, it can be used with the simulator. There are a few steps to take to make sure it will function correctly
    1. First, you will need to turn it on by opening config.ini and setting EnableKeyboardScanner=true.
    2. The scanner must act as a key wedge, that it, it should send all scanned barcodes as a string of characters as if they were typed on the keyboard.
    3. The scanner must not send any prefix or suffix characters. Some scanners will have a software configuration to change this, but many scanners will simply have a configuration barcode that you scan to change its behavior.
    4. To test the scanner, open Notepad and verify the scanned barcodes get output as text here, all on one line.
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