Summary: A motion-picture equipment manufacturer (maker of the Oscar- and Emmy-award-winning Steadicam) bundled WinWedge with its film key-number barcode reading system so that scanned data from an RS232 barcode scanner flows directly into whatever database its customers already use — eliminating both manual typing and custom software development.
The Challenge
Motion picture film carries bar-coded key numbers along its edge that identify specific scenes and takes. In a typical workflow, film is transferred to video, edited in video, and the film is then cut to match — which means key numbers must be logged accurately into a database during transfer and editing.
The manufacturer built a special RS232 barcode scanner to read these key numbers, but its customers then faced the classic last-mile problem: some were reading the numbers visually and typing them in by hand; others were paying to develop custom programs just to move scanner output into their applications.
Basically – film scenes are tracked directly from barcodes on the film into a computer database using WinWedge
The Solution
The manufacturer standardized on WinWedge. The scanner’s serial data passes through WinWedge, which parses and reformats it to match each customer’s existing database software, then delivers it as keystrokes or via DDE into that database. Because WinWedge works with any Windows program, every customer kept the applications they already owned — and the manufacturer stopped hearing requests for custom integration software.
“I feel the WinWedge greatly enhances the desirability of our equipment,” said Jim Bartell, an engineer at the manufacturers. He was especially pleased with WinWedge’s “ability to ‘edit’ the incoming data to match existing software requirements,” adding, “I wish I had thought of it!”
The Results
- Eliminated slow manual typing of key numbers — and the transcription errors that came with it
- Eliminated custom software development for every customer installation
- Compatible with every customer’s existing Windows database
- Completely transparent to the operator — data simply appears where it belongs
How You’d Set This Up Today
This remains one of the most common WinWedge patterns: an equipment maker bundles WinWedge so its RS232 or USB device works instantly with whatever software each customer already runs. Most modern barcode scanners connect by USB some using a native USB protocol and others using RS232 over USB.
With the RS232 over USB option the driver creates a virtual RS232 COM port (such as COM 5) and WinWedge communicates with that. The work flow is unchanged and WinWedge offers much more powerful data parsing, filtering and application control than a dumb “native USB” connection. The latest versions of WinWedge and WinWedge Pro fully support Windows 10/11.
Collecting Data from Your Own Instruments?
Whether you’re logging barcode data into a database or bundling data collection with equipment you manufacture, download a free WinWedge trial or call (800) 722-6004
- Transparent to user
- Eliminated need for custom software
- Compatibility with any Windows platform
- Ability to parse and filter data
If you manufacture RS232 output instruments and your customers keep asking how to get the data into their various systems, a WinWedge reseller solves it for you. And TALtech can provide all the support! Contact sales@TALtech.com for more information. We’ve supported OEM partners for over 30 years.
Originally published in our application archives · Updated August 2026