Extra leading zero when scanning UPC barcodes

Symptom

Users of Intermec handheld scanners may get an extra leading zero when scanning a UPC barcode. By default, most Intermec scanners are set to transmit UPC-A as EAN-13 and to transmit the Lead and Check digit for UPC-E and UPC-A. 

Cause

The leading character is being added because the configuration in Intermec Setting is configured to transmit UPC-A barcode as EAN-13.  To do this a zero is added to the beginning of the 12-character UPC-A data to make it a 13-character EAN-13 data.

Solution

To drop the leading zero in Intermec Setting the parameter ‘UPC A xmit as EAN 13’ has to be unchecked.  To get this setting follow these steps:

  1. Open Intermec Settings.
  2. Select ‘Data Collection’.
  3. Select ‘Internal Scanner’
  4. Select ‘Symbologies’
  5. Select ‘EAN/UPC’
  6. Look for the parameter ‘UPC A xmit as EAN 13’ and uncheck the box.
  7. Select OK and exit out of Intermec Settings.

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