About DataWedge

DataWedge 8.2

Overview

Zebra DataWedge provides the capability for any application on the device to acquire data from various input sources (such as barcode scanner, MSR, RFID, voice, and serial port) and manipulate the data as needed based on simple options or complex rules. Available out-of-the-box with every Zebra Android device, DataWedge can easily be configured to automatically provide data capture services within any particular app; to use a particular scanner, reader or other peripheral device; and to properly format and transmit data to the right app.

There are 2 approaches to capture data:

  • No-code - eliminates the need for any programming or app modification by capturing and processing data with the use of DataWedge profiles configured from the user interface.
  • Application development - develop data capture apps based on one of the following approaches:
    • Minimal code - basic method to retrieve data from intents (commonly used with general Android programming) with the use of a broadcast receiver without the need for finer control of scanning activity or data processing. Refer to basic intent sample app.
    • DataWedge APIs - programmatically control, modify and query the DataWedge configuration settings and operations through Android intents without concern of the underlying hardware.

See the Get Started guide, which discusses both approaches, common use cases, and DataWedge features and functionality.

See the Programmer's guide on for guidance on use of the DataWedge intent APIs and best practices.

See Usage Notes and Behavior for information on DataWedge use and behavior.

The appearance of sample app screens displayed throughout this guide can vary by DataWedge version, Android version, and screen size.


Important Information

NextGen SimulScan

NextGen SimulScan consists of major SimulScan capabilities migrated to the internal scanning framework accessible through DataWedge and DataWedge intent APIs. These capabilities are supported on certain Bluetooth scanners and all Zebra devices with built-in imager and/or camera running Android 8.x Oreo and higher. For Zebra Professional-series devices, such as TC21 and TC26, NextGen SimulScan requires a Mobility DNA Enterprise license. NextGen SimulScan features (formerly part of SimulScan) are:

  • MultiBarcode - acquire multiple, unique barcodes in a single scan session and deliver scanned data either immediately or after the specified number of barcodes per scan is reached. Options currently available:
  • Document Capture - retrieve barcode data from documents, and/or capture partial or entire images of documents based on a Document Capture/NextGen SimulScan template. Contact your local Zebra sales representative for assistance to create a Document Capture/NextGen SimulScan template.
  • OCR - OCR was not migrated from legacy SimulScan and is not supported in NextGen SimulScan. However, OCR A/B, the feature that captures travel documents, is supported.

See SimulScan Migration Alert for more information on the legacy SimulScan features that have been migrated to the scanner framework used by DataWedge.

Voice Input Options Deprecated

The following Voice Input features are deprecated and discontinued in Android 13 and later:

  • Data capture start option - Start phrase
  • Data capture start phrase
  • Data capture end phrase

As an alternative, Zebra recommends using the PTT button to trigger voice capture.

Reporting Deprecated

DataWedge Reporting (not to be confused with Instant Reporting from MultiBarcode) is deprecated and discontinued in Android 13 and later. As an alternative, Zebra recommends using the following DataWedge intent APIs to identify the supported scanners and parameters:

  • Enumerate Scanners - generates an index of scanners available on the device.
  • Get Config - retrieves the PARAM_LIST settings, or the supported parameters, from the specified Profile; returned as a set of value pairs or a Plug-in config bundle. See Get Barcode Parameters for sample code.

Supported Devices

Supported external scanners and imagers:

  • DS2278
  • DS3608
  • DS3678
  • DS8178
  • LI3608
  • LI3678
  • RS507
  • RS4000
  • RS5000
  • RS5100
  • RS6000

Language Support

DataWedge has been approved to run on device operating systems localized for the following languages:

  • English
  • French
  • German
  • Italian
  • Spanish
  • Simplified Chinese
  • Traditional Chinese

For more information about approved languages or to download a localized operating system, please contact Zebra Technical Support.


New in DataWedge 8.2


Version History

Added in DataWedge 8.1

Added in DataWedge 8.0

Added in DataWedge 7.6

  • Added Dutch Postal 3S and Finnish Postal 4S decoder support.
  • New Report Decoded Barcodes option for MultiBarcode decoding.
  • RFID input is disabled in Profile0, DataWedge's default generic profile. Previously it was enabled by default.
  • Improved look and feel of user interface. Refer to Settings and DWDemo.
  • Image Capture Mode option from Reader Params is removed due to changes in the scanner framework.
  • Support for SimulScan API is deprecated - SimulScan support will be removed from DataWedge beginning with Android 10 Q device support.

Added in DataWedge 7.5

Added in DataWedge 7.4

  • New Enterprise Keyboard Configuration feature introduced in DataWedge 7.4.44.
  • DataWedge 7.5 and later versions only support Android Oreo (v8.0) and later.
  • Introduced voice capture activation by PTT (push-to-talk) button with new Data capture start option.
  • Added new DPM support for barcode reader and SetConfig API.
  • Enterprise Keyboard option visible in the DataWedge profile screen is an upcoming feature for future use.

Added in DataWedge 7.3

Added in DataWedge 7.2

Added in DataWedge 7.1

Added in DataWedge 7.0

New updates are identical to DataWedge 6.9.

Other Changes

Added in DataWedge 6.9

Other Changes


Added in 6.8

Other changes

The SimulScan Input Plug-in default template is now "Default - Barcode4.xml"


Added in v6.7

  • This version supports devices running Android Lollipop and higher only.

  • Supports multi-barcode input for simultaneous acquisition of more than one barcode at a time.

  • Enhanced inter-character delay function allows a delay to be specified for all characters or for multi-byte characters only.

  • AimType now supports Press and Sustain function continues a decode session until the Beam Timer is expired, barcode is decoded or the read is canceled.

  • A Dynamic Templates parameter allows the number of barcodes to be specified (from 1-99) for decoding on a form when using SimulScan Dynamic Templates.

  • A new IMPORT_CONFIG API allows Config and Profile settings files to be imported using an intent.


Added in v6.6

  • New serial input options allow DataWedge to specify communications parameters for a scanner or other device connected to a serial port and used to acquire data.

  • Import Reporting displays the results of imported databases and Profiles, allowing administrators to easily identify source/destination differences and make adjustments to compensate.

  • A new SET_REPORTING_OPTIONS API provides control of Reporting features with intents.

  • The SET_CONFIG API now configures multiple plug-ins with a single intent action.

  • The SWITCH_SCANNER API now supports friendly device names with a new extra.


Which Version is Installed?

To determine which DataWedge version is installed on a device:

1. On the device, locate and tap the DataWedge icon in the Launcher screen or App Drawer: Launcher icon for DataWedge 6.x

2. Tap the "hamburger" menu. The DataWedge menu appears:

3. Tap About. The "About DataWedge" screen appears. The DataWedge version number is highlighted in the image below. Notice that the Scanner Framework version also is shown.
The "About DataWedge" box showing version numbers

4. If the DataWedge version on the device is different than that of this guide, return to the TechDocs tile page and select the appropriate version from the drop-down menu in the DataWedge tile.

It also might be helpful to visit the Zebra support site and download a device-specific Integrator Guide for reference.


Related Guides: