When a barcode is not recognized in the Production View, the iCat mobile app provides two types of feedback:
Audio Feedback: A loud negative scan sound alerts you immediately that the barcode is not recognized. (Keep device volume turned up.)
Visual Feedback: The scan result appears in red, flashes red, or displays a red barcode string, indicating the item cannot be found in your active inventory.
If you see or hear these indicators, the barcode is not in the system and requires troubleshooting.
1. The Packout Was Not Successfully Uploaded
If the Packout was never fully uploaded—or the upload failed mid-way due to screen lock or an internet drop—the barcode data never reached iCat.
As a result, Production cannot identify the barcode.
How to Fix It
Upload the Packout completely.
Refresh the Production View.
Scan again and begin transferring the item.
2. The Item Was Never Cataloged
A technician may occasionally place a barcode on a box but forget to catalog the item.
In this case, the barcode exists physically but does not exist in the iCat database, so the system cannot recognize it.
How to Fix It
First ensure the Packout upload is complete.
Set the item aside.
Catalog it properly using the Packout App.
Re-upload the Packout.
Refresh the Production View and transfer the item.
3. The Barcode Cannot Be Read
If the barcode is printed incorrectly, damaged, or printed using software other than Adobe Reader, the scanner may not be able to read it.
How to Fix It
Set the item aside and transfer it last.
After all recognized items are moved, the unassigned item becomes easy to identify.
Select the item in the system and choose Reprint Barcode from the action menu.
Apply the new barcode label.
Transfer the item to its destination.
4. The Item Is No Longer in Inventory
The Production View only displays items currently on hand.
If the item has already been delivered back to the customer, its barcode will not appear in the active inventory list.
How to Fix It (to scan delivered contents)
Open the Smart Search Filter.
Filter by Jobs with Delivered Contents.
Select the job you are working with.
Exit the Smart Search Filter.
You will now be able to scan delivered contents for that job, even though they are no longer in warehouse inventory.
Summary
Most “barcode not recognized” issues fall into one of four categories:
Packout was not uploaded
Item was never cataloged
Barcode is unreadable or damaged
Item is no longer on hand
Using the steps above will resolve nearly all scanning errors in the Production View.