The Symbol LS2208 scanner is a very popular, lightweight, ergonomically designed barcode scanner used in conjunction with many point-of-sale (POS) software. However, before using the scanner with POS software, there may be some very simple programming steps that you will need to follow to get the scanner ready to go.
One of the first steps in programming a symbol scanner is programming the type of interface that you will use with the scanner. If you are using USB or Keyboard Wedge interfaces, you don’t need to worry about programming the scanner, as the scanners come pre-programmed to use these interfaces.
If you are using the RS-232 or IBM 46XX interfaces, there is a very simple step you must follow to program the scanner. In the LS2208 Quick Start Guide, in STEP 3, you will need to scan the appropriate barcode for a standard OPOS / JPOS or RS-232 interface. By simply pointing the scanner at the appropriate barcode and scanning it, you are programming the scanner to use that interface. The Quick Start Guide also has barcodes that you can scan for the PORT 5B or PORT 9B – IBM 46XX interfaces or to return to USB or Keyboard Wedge mode.
Once you have programmed the interface, the next thing you will need to program is the Enter key, carriage return / line feed function. This feature programs the scanner to add a carriage return / line feed character that will be sent to the computer at the end of each barcode that is scanned. This will eliminate the need for your cashiers to press Enter after scanning a barcode into your POS system.
To program the Enter key, the carriage return / line feed functionality into the scanner, all you need to do is simply scan the three barcodes found in the Quick Start Guide. There is also the option to add a tab key to the end of a barcode scan in the manual, and it is done in exactly the same way as programming the Enter key.