The SalesThumb mobile app can read the barcode on a bottle, box, or label and jump straight to the matching item in your inventory catalog. If nothing matches yet, you can create a new item with the barcode already filled in. Inventory is part of the Growth and Pro plans.
Who can scan
The scanner opens from the Item Catalog screen, which is for owners and managers who have permission to manage inventory. Owners, admins, and managers have that permission by default, but a shop owner can remove it for a specific person. If you don't have access, the catalog shows "Manager access needed."
If your plan doesn't include inventory, the Inventory screen shows "Inventory isn't enabled" and the scan button isn't available.
Opening the scanner
- Tap the round thumb button at the bottom of the screen to open Go to, then tap Inventory under Operations.
- Tap Item catalog.
- Tap the camera icon in the top-right corner of Item Catalog.
The first time, the app asks for camera access. Allow it so the scanner can read barcodes.
Scanning a product
- Aim the camera at the product's barcode and keep it inside the bracketed box on screen ("Aim at the product's barcode").
- When the barcode is read, your phone vibrates and the code appears in a panel at the bottom with "Looking up…".
- The result appears in the same panel:
- Item found. You'll see the item's name and brand. Tap View item to open it.
- No match. You'll see "No item matches this barcode yet." Tap Create new item to open the new-item form with the Barcode field already filled in. Add a name and anything else you need, then tap Create item.
- To scan something else, tap Scan again.
If the lookup fails because of a connection problem, you'll see "Couldn't look up that code" with the reason. Tap Retry.
To close the scanner, tap the X in the top-right corner.
Typing a barcode instead
If the barcode is torn, wrinkled, or won't read:
- Tap Can't scan it? Enter code manually near the bottom of the camera screen.
- Type the number printed under the bars (the UPC or EAN).
- Tap Look up.
The result works the same way as a camera scan.
Barcode types the scanner reads
The scanner reads the codes usually printed on shop-supply packaging:
- UPC-A and UPC-E
- EAN-13 and EAN-8
- Code 128 and Code 39
- QR codes
Adding a barcode to an item you already have
Scanning only finds items that already have that barcode saved. To add one to an existing item:
- Open the item from Item Catalog.
- Tap the pencil icon to edit it.
- Enter the code in the Barcode field.
- Tap Save changes.
Each barcode can belong to only one item in your shop. The Item Catalog search box also searches barcodes, so you can type part of a code to find an item without the camera.
Related articles
- Adding a non-film inventory item (chemicals, pads, tools, PPE)
- Editing, adjusting stock, and archiving an inventory item
- Scanning a VIN with the VIN Scanner
Frequently asked questions
Q: Which plan includes barcode scanning?
A: Barcode scanning is part of inventory, which is included on the Growth and Pro plans.
Q: Who can use the barcode scanner?
A: Owners and managers who have permission to manage inventory. Owners, admins, and managers have it by default; a shop owner can remove it for a specific person.
Q: What happens if I scan a barcode that isn't in my catalog?
A: The app says “No item matches this barcode yet.” Tap Create new item to open the new-item form with the Barcode field already filled in.
Q: What if the barcode won't scan?
A: Tap Can't scan it? Enter code manually, type the number printed under the bars, and tap Look up.
Q: Can two items share the same barcode?
A: No. Each barcode can belong to only one item in your shop. Different shops can use the same barcode for their own items.