Barcode scanning¶
Scan products, locations, LPNs, and serial numbers with your phone's camera, and know what to try when a barcode won't read.
Before you begin
You need a device with a camera, and camera permission granted to your browser. See Camera permissions if you haven't set that up yet.
What you can scan¶
| Barcode | When you scan it | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Product — UPC-A, EAN-13, and similar retail formats | Receiving, picking, inventory adjustments | Zora identifies the product and shows its details |
Location — custom codes, for example A-01-A | Putaway, picking, cycle counting | Confirms you're at the correct location |
LPN (License Plate Number) — custom codes, for example LPN-123456 | LPN receiving, LPN picking, container movements | Identifies the container and shows its contents |
| Serial number — manufacturer barcodes | Receiving serial-tracked items, picking serialized products | Records the identity of that specific item |
How to scan¶
Camera scanning¶
- Open the scanning screen in your workflow.
- Tap the camera icon or Scan Barcode.
- Point the camera at the barcode. It activates automatically.
- Hold steady. Zora scans as soon as it detects the barcode — no need to rush.
- Wait for the confirmation: a green flash or a beep means it worked.
Manual entry¶
Use this if camera scanning fails.
- Tap Manual Entry or the keyboard icon.
- Type the barcode number carefully.
-
Tap Submit or Search.
Zora processes it the same as a scanned barcode.
Scanning best practices¶
Lighting¶
| Good lighting | Poor lighting |
|---|---|
| Bright, diffused light (overhead lights) | Direct sunlight — causes glare |
| Natural daylight (indirect) | Very dim warehouse areas |
| LED task lighting | Harsh shadows across the barcode |
Camera position¶
Hold the camera 6–12 inches from the barcode. Closer than that and the image blurs; farther and the barcode gets too small to read.
Hold the camera perpendicular to the barcode — angling it causes distortion. Keep the barcode flat, not curved or wrinkled.
Barcode condition¶
Wipe a dirty barcode with a dry cloth, and smooth out wrinkles before you scan. Report a damaged barcode to your supervisor, and use manual entry if it's illegible.
Camera permissions¶
The app needs camera permission to scan barcodes.
Permission belongs to your browser
Zora runs in your browser, not as an app installed from an app store. There is no "Zora Tech" entry in your phone's app list, and camera permission is not found there. It is granted to the browser you use — Safari or Chrome — and then to this site within that browser. The steps below reflect that.
First-time setup¶
- The browser prompts you to allow camera access the first time you tap a scan button.
-
Tap Allow.
The camera activates for scanning.
Two things must both be true: the browser itself is allowed to use the camera, and this site is allowed to use the camera within that browser.
If permission was denied¶
Safari asks once. If it was denied or dismissed, the page can't ask again — scanning fails silently.
- Open Settings → Safari → Camera.
- Set it to Ask or Allow.
- Return to the browser and fully reload the page — an already-open tab keeps the old decision.
If that doesn't help, the block is site-specific:
- Open Settings → Safari → Advanced → Website Data.
- Find and remove the entry for the site.
- Reload and allow the camera when prompted.
Home screen app asks separately
A version added to the home screen is a separate context. Granting camera access in Safari doesn't carry across — the home screen app asks again on first use.
- Tap the padlock or tune icon beside the address bar.
- Tap Permissions (or Site settings).
- Set Camera to Allow.
- Reload the page.
If Chrome itself lacks camera access, grant that first in Settings → Apps → Chrome → Permissions → Camera, then repeat the steps above.
- Click the padlock beside the address bar.
- Set Camera to Allow.
- Reload the page.
Where several cameras are attached, pick the intended one in the scanner's camera switcher.
Why the camera won't start at all¶
If nothing happens when you tap scan and you were never prompted, the page is almost certainly not in a secure context. Browsers only expose the camera over https:// or on localhost.
Check the address bar shows https:// and a padlock. A site reached over plain http://, or by a bare IP address such as http://192.168.1.40:5173, can't use the camera no matter what permissions are granted.
For developers
A local development server reached from a phone over the network hits exactly this. Start it with VITE_ENABLE_HTTPS=true to serve over HTTPS, then accept the self-signed certificate warning on the device.
Troubleshooting¶
| Problem | What to try |
|---|---|
| Barcode won't scan — dirty or damaged barcode, poor lighting, camera not focused, unsupported format, or wrong distance | Clean the barcode. Move to better lighting. Adjust the camera to 6–12 inches. Hold steady for 2–3 seconds. Try manual entry as a backup |
| Camera not activating — permission not granted, the app doesn't have focus, or another app is using the camera | Check camera permissions (see above). Close other apps using the camera. Restart the Zora Tech app, then restart your device |
| Wrong product scanned — you scanned the wrong barcode on the package, the item has multiple barcodes, or a barcode is linked to the wrong product | Confirm you scanned the product barcode, not a shipping label. Check the product name matches the physical item. Report a product data error to your supervisor. Use manual SKU entry instead |
| Scanning is very slow — poor internet connection, low device performance, or an outdated app | Check your WiFi or cellular signal. Close background apps. Update the Zora Tech app. Restart your device |
Advanced scanning¶
Scanning several items in a row¶
The scanner closes after each successful read, so scanning a dozen items means reopening it a dozen times. There is no continuous or bulk scan mode.
When you have a lot to get through, it's usually quicker to keep the scan window open on one hand and work steadily through the items, checking the cart at the end rather than after every scan.
Items with more than one barcode¶
Some products carry several barcodes on the package:
| Barcode | Scan it? |
|---|---|
| Product barcode | Yes — this identifies the SKU |
| Shipping barcode | No — this is carrier tracking |
| Manufacturer code | No — this is internal to the supplier |
Which barcode?
Scan the product barcode — usually the largest one on the package. Ignore shipping labels and carrier barcodes unless you're specifically told to scan them.
Barcode formats supported¶
| Category | Formats |
|---|---|
| Standard retail | UPC-A (12 digits, North America), EAN-13 (13 digits, international), UPC-E (8 digits, compact), EAN-8 (8 digits, small packages) |
| Industrial | Code 128 (general purpose, variable length), Code 39 (alphanumeric), Interleaved 2 of 5 / ITF (numeric) |
| 2D | QR Code, Data Matrix (compact) |
Format not scanning?
Try manual entry, or ask your administrator to confirm the barcode format is supported.
Performance tips¶
To scan faster: keep the camera lens clean, hold steady rather than shaky, learn where the barcode sits on common products, pre-position items for easy scanning, and use good lighting — task lights help.
To improve accuracy: check the product name after each scan, double-check quantities on important items, scan a barcode twice if you're unsure, report unclear barcodes so they get fixed, and fall back to manual entry when you're not confident in the scan.
Scanning without a signal¶
The camera itself works without internet — it will read the barcode and show you the number.
A scan with no signal is not saved
Reading a barcode is not the same as recording it. Looking the item up, and anything you then do with it, needs a connection. There is no offline queue: work done with no signal fails and is not sent later.
Get back into coverage and scan again.
Barcode printing (for administrators)¶
Generate product barcodes¶
- Go to the Products page.
- Select a product.
- Choose Print Barcode Label.
- Choose the label size and printer.
- Print the labels.
Generate location barcodes¶
- Go to the Locations page.
- Select a location.
- Choose Print Location Label.
- Print it and attach it to the location.
Generate LPN barcodes¶
- Go to the LPNs page.
- Create a new LPN or select an existing one.
- Choose Print LPN Label.
- Attach it to the container.
Safety tips¶
Protect your device and yourself
Use a protective case. Avoid scanning in wet conditions unless the device is waterproof. Stop and scan — don't scan while walking. Stay aware of your surroundings in the warehouse.
For ergonomics: hold the device comfortably rather than straining, take breaks to rest your eyes and hands, bring the barcode up to the camera rather than bending down to it, and use two hands — one to hold the device, one to position the item.