The M5900 Portable Data Terminal is an ultra-versatile, high-performance barcode reader that is easy to use. To set up this data terminal for use with the RTA Fleet Management Program, follow these few simple steps. |
Do Not Plug the USB Cable into the Data Terminal at this time!
Step by Step guide
The Setup Wizard will appear.
When installing software. This will create the communications connectivity between the M5900 and the Computer using the USB cable. This will need to be installed on each PC terminal that will use the M5900.
The program will default to installing the program in C:\Program Files\AML folder. RTA recommends checking the “Everyone” button.
While at this screen it’s important to turn on the M5900 and plug it into the USB cable. This will assign the M5900 to your computer’s USB port.
After installation of the software and the M5900 is connected with the USB cable, the computer will recognize the handheld and you will see the icon appear in the taskbar. |
PC Setup:For each computer that will download data from the M5900, it must have a directory called: C:\TEMP If the PC already has that directory, the users will need permissions for the directory to Modify, Read, Write, Execute. If the PC does not have the directory, one will need to be created, and users need permissions to the directory. The M5900 is programmed to download all data files to the C:\TEMP directory, it MUST exist. |
Running the Programs on the M5900: To access the handheld programs,
The M5900 will allow you to have multiple data files for a single program. For example, when performing an inventory count, you may have multiple stocking areas. You can create a data file for Stocking Area A, and create another data file for Stocking Area B. If no files exist, you will be prompted to "Create New"
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Uploading Data from the M5900 to a Computer:
****DO NOT select “SEND ALL”, if more than one data file exists for a program!**** ****If you do, each data file uploaded will overwrite the prior data file!****
For example in the image above: In the M5900 Parts Inventory program, there are two data files, “A1” and “A2”. Select one or the other of the data files to process first. If "A1” is selected first, upload this file, then go into RTA and run the Tricoder Parts Inventory (PC) program. After completing the data for “A1” in RTA, Go back into the M5900 and upload data file “A2”, then in RTA run the Tricoder Parts Inventory Program (PC) and complete the process for the “A2” data.
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Uploading Data into RTA: Below is typical of the upload screens in RTA for the handheld.
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Deleting or Erasing Data Files from the M5900: Uploading data from the M5900 does not delete the file, nor are you prompted to delete the file after uploading. The data files remain in the M5900 until you delete them. The following instructions are how to delete the data file(s) from a program. ****Note: It is recommended that you delete the data files from the M5900 when processing is completed, so not to run out of memory.****
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Setting Date and Time: It’s very important to verify and/or change the date and time to your time zone.All data at the time it’s entered in the M5900 is time stamped with the M5900’s date and time. When the data is uploaded into RTA, RTA uses the date and time that it was time stamped, therefore it’s important that these dates are correct.
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Non-Portable Mode: Non-Portable mode allows the user to connect the M5900 to the computer with the USB cable, and when a barcode is scanned the handheld transfers the data to the PC, where the cursor is residing, simulating a keyboard entry. You can access Non-Portable mode with either the M5900 Program Generator software or Softcom32 software (optional). Below is instructions using Softcom32. Initializing Non-Portable Mode -
The M5900 is now in non-portable mode. You can scan barcodes and the barcode numbers will appear where the cursor is flashing, on the Computer screen and on the M5900 screen. Exit Non-Portable Mode -
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The M5900 handheld comes pre-loaded with the RTA data collection programs, all options are documented below. These programs are used to capture hundreds of data transactions, which can then be uploaded into the RTA system. To access the programs and collect data, see the previous section above entitled “Running the Programs”, if more instructions are needed.
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