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OpenSpecimen supports printing labels for specimen. On configuring printing, OpenSpecimen generates and writes the labels as CMD or CSV files on the file system. OpenSpecimen does not actually print the labels. It only writes the required data in the file format understood by the printer automation software like Bartender, NiceLabel, etc. The print software Printer software like NiceLabel/Bartender can be configured to process read and print these CMD files in an automated fashion.
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For configuring the printing in OpenSpecimen please refer configuration section.
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It also writes the JSON files to a database table which can also be used to print labels. The CMD or CSV files is the most preferred and used method.
Below is the block diagram of the workflow:
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Q: Which printer software should we use?
A: BarTender Automation Edition is most recommendedand NiceLabel are two well known options. You are free to choose any other option as long as they support automated printing. Most of them follow similar approaches and should work with OpenSpecimen.
Q: OpenSpecimen requires the automation license running on a server or can it work with the desktop version?
A: It doesn't matter on which server/desktop the automation software is running. As long as the automation software is able to read the files generated by the OpenSpecimen software, it could be on any server.
Q: Does any user that would like to print labels from OpenSpecimen would need a separate printer?
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Q: How to handle printing from remote sites?
For sites which will operate OpenSpecimen remotely from multiple geographical locations, below are the options to handle printing:
Option 1: Via shared folder on the cloud like DropBox
For example, when user prints from 'Site A', OpenSpecimen sends label information into DropBox/SharedFolderA. BarTender is installed on a cloud server which is listening to this DropBox folders. The printers should also be accessible on the cloud so that BarTender is able to route the printing job to specific printer.
Option 2: Download printed labels file CSV from OpenSpecimen UI
By enabling 'Download Labels Print File' in 'Settings' of OpenSpecimen, users can download the CSV with labels information to be printed. This CSV can be manually fed to printer to print labels. Refer to 'Download specimen labels print file' section in 'Print Rules' wiki page for more details.
Q. Bartender Videos
Refer to the files below for help setting up a File Integration:
https://support.seagullscientific.com/hc/en-us/articles/227353867-Print-Document-Using-a-Data-File-Integration-Video-6-31-
https://support.seagullscientific.com/hc/en-us/articles/227354787-Print-Document-Using-Print-Command-Script-Video-9-40-
Also, we have two webinar with additional information:
https://support.seagullscientific.com/hc/en-us/articles/115004072388-Building-a-file-integration-using-a-CSV-file-38-26-
https://support.seagullscientific.com/hc/en-us/articles/115003215107-Building-a-file-integration-using-Print-Command-Script-27-58-
Q Sample output files
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