How to Create and Use Business Hub Barcodes

Business Hub barcodes allow you to look up orders and update production statuses without using a mouse or keyboard. While this feature has been available in DecoNetwork for several years, it is often misunderstood or underutilized. This guide explains when barcodes make sense, how to configure them, and how to use them effectively within real-world production workflows.

In this article

• Prerequisites
• Why use Business Hub barcodes
• Step 1: Configure barcode settings
• Step 2: Create barcode action sheets
• Step 3: Enable barcodes on order worksheets
• Step 4: Define production statuses
• Step 5: Print and use order worksheets
• Best-practice tips
• Troubleshooting
• FAQs

Prerequisites

Why use Business Hub barcodes

• Look up orders quickly without a mouse or keyboard
• Update production statuses in areas where no computer is available
• Support shop-floor workflows such as presses, cutting tables, and packing areas
• Improve visibility into where jobs are in production

Step 1: Configure barcode settings

1. Go to Admin → Settings → Production & Order Settings → Business Hub Barcodes.
2. Configure the barcode layout:
   • Barcode size
   • Text size
   • Spacing and formatting

These settings control how barcodes appear on printed worksheets and action sheets.

Step 2: Create barcode action sheets

1. From Business Hub Barcodes, select Create Barcode Action Worksheet.

2. Choose only the actions relevant to that workstation.

   Common examples:

   • Mark item produced
   • Mark order shipped
   • Print packing slip
   • Print shipping label
3. Click Print Action Sheet.

Step 3: Enable barcodes on order worksheets

1. Go to Admin → Settings → Email & Order Templates → Order Templates.
2. Open an Order Worksheet.
3. Select the Settings tab.
4. Enable Show Barcodes on Worksheet.

Order worksheets are intended for internal production use and are the primary documents scanned throughout the shop.

Step 4: Define production statuses

1. Go to Admin → Settings → Production & Order Settings → Production Statuses.

2. Click Add Production Status to create a status for each step in your production workflow.

   Create statuses in the exact order they should flow.
3. Assign each status to applicable decoration processes.
4. Ensure each status is marked Active.

Examples:

• Artwork not ready
• Screens need developed
• Screens ready for press
• Job being set up
• Job started
• Job finished
• Ready for bagging & tagging

Step 5: Print and use order worksheets

1. Print worksheets when you create a purchase order.
2. When blanks arrive, match them to the printed worksheets.
3. Keep worksheets physically attached to the blanks through production.
4. Scan:
   • The order barcode to update order-level actions
   • The line-item barcode to update production statuses

Scanning a barcode automatically looks up the order or line item in Business Hub, allowing you to update statuses instantly.

Best-practice tips

• Use barcodes where there is no computer at the workstation
• Keep workflows simple for smaller teams
• Use internal line-item notes for production details (these carry forward to reorders)
• Print worksheets early so blanks never lose their job context
• Use large shared monitors to display Business Hub when multiple scanners are in use

Troubleshooting

• Nothing happens when scanning: Business Hub must be open in a browser tab.
• Production status not available: Ensure the status is active and assigned to the decoration process.
• Barcodes not visible: Confirm “Show Barcodes on Worksheet” is enabled.
• Incorrect actions appearing: Edit the barcode action worksheet to remove unnecessary actions.

FAQs

Can I receive blanks using a barcode scanner?

No. Receiving blanks via barcode is intentionally not supported. Verifying incoming goods manually reduces errors such as shortages or defects.

Can I use a phone or tablet as a scanner?

You can pair a Bluetooth scanner with a tablet or phone, but using the device camera alone is not currently supported for updating Business Hub actions.

Are production status changes timestamped?

Yes. Each status update is timestamped and can be used for production analysis and KPI tracking.

Additional Resources

• Business Hub Barcodes
• Using Barcodes in Order & Production Processing
• Barcode scanner actions are not working