You’re correct: scanning in BC typically comes down to three approaches. Here’s how they stand in the latest versions:
Mobile / Tablet Client (Camera Scanning)
The Business Central mobile app (iOS/Android) can use the device’s camera as a scanner.
Microsoft has been steadily improving this — it works out-of-the-box with pages like Item Journal, Warehouse Picks, and Physical Inventory Journals.
Good for lightweight operations, but not suitable for high-volume warehouse use.
AL Triggers & Customization
You can write AL code to react to barcode input in OnValidate triggers of fields (e.g., “Item No.”).
The scan itself is just treated as typed input, so you don’t need “scanner-specific” code unless you want to handle GS1 barcodes, prefixes, or scanning logic.
This option gives you the most flexibility if you want to extend Transfers or Phys. Inventory Journals.
External Scanners (Zebra, Honeywell, etc.)
Recognized scanners (like Zebra devices) act as input devices and can “wedge” scanned data into BC fields, either via keyboard emulation or via custom apps (browser-based).
For warehouse-grade scenarios, Zebra scanners are preferred — rugged, faster, and often come with DataWedge or SDKs to configure how scans get pushed into BC.
Many partners build custom barcode scanning apps (usually as a BC web service + Zebra device UI). This is especially common if you want offline capability, custom workflows, or GS1 parsing.
Yes ✅ — these are still the main categories today. Microsoft hasn’t added a fully integrated “warehouse scanner app” in standard BC; instead, they continue to improve mobile scanning and leave industrial-grade use cases to partners or custom solutions.
That said:
Standard camera-based scanning is fine for basic stock counts or ad-hoc transfers.
Zebra/industrial scanners remain best for high-volume environments.
AL customization is still the backbone if you want to tailor the experience.
If you already have Zebra scanners:
They are better suited for Transfers and Physical Inventory than just using phones, especially in a warehouse setting.
Zebra’s DataWedge can send scans straight into BC fields (browser or app).
You can also leverage custom AL logic to process scans correctly (e.g., skipping lookup popups, auto-validating quantities, handling errors quickly).
So — Option 3 (Zebra) + AL enhancements (Option 2) is usually the sweet spot for your scenario.
✅ Recommendation for you as a BC consultant:
Test scanning on your Zebra with the standard BC web client (or mobile app in kiosk mode) — see how cleanly scans land in the “Item No.” and “Bin Code” fields.
Extend journals with AL code to streamline the scan-to-post flow.
If your customer needs more advanced workflows (e.g., GS1 barcodes, label printing, or offline support), then consider partner apps (e.g., Tasklet, Insight Works, or custom-built Zebra UI).
Would you like me to sketch out a sample AL customization for Phys. Inventory Journals that reacts to a barcode scan (auto-fills Item + moves focus to Quantity), so you can see how lightweight Option 2 + Zebra can be?
Hi Tris15,
Barcode scanning in BC has matured significantly, and your understanding of the three scenarios is still valid in the latest version. Microsoft continues to support all three approaches, each with its own strengths depending on your operational setup.
Here’s a breakdown:
BarcodeReceived
If your Zebra devices are already deployed, Scenario 3 is likely the best fit. It offers deeper integration and better performance for high-volume scanning tasks. Just ensure your devices are configured to send Android intents and that your AL code is listening for them correctly.
Helpful Reference Barcode scanning in mobile app – Microsoft Learn Use AL-controlled barcode scanning – Microsoft Learn Scan barcodes with BC mobile app – Microsoft Learn Barcode scanning with Zebra devices – Dynamics Community Print and scan barcodes in BC – Yzhums If you find this helpful, feel free to mark this as the suggested or verified answer. Cheers Jeffrey
Business Central doesn’t have built-in barcode scanning, but you can enable it in a few ways:
So yes, these three options are still valid. If you already have Zebra scanners, option 3 is usually most suitable for transfers and physical inventory.
✅ Mark this as the verified answer if helpful.
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