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More info on PDF417
   Wikipedia

Scanner Sources
   Symbol Technologies
   800-722-6234

   Dietze Enterprises
   Specializing in
   conference lead
   retrieval
   800-266-9933

   System ID Warehouse
   800-397-9783

   Bartizan Data Systems
   Manufacturers of
   wired and wireless
   data management
   solutions
   914/965-7977
   914/965-7746 (fax)

PDF Encoder 19.0.1 is now available. This update provides compatibility with FileMaker Pro 14-19, both 32 and 64 bit versions. There is an upgrade charge from version 18. Please see "A Note From the Developer" below.

• Provides complete control over barcode dimensions and error correction, or let these parameters be chosen automatically
  
• Barcode image can be generated at any size or orientation, flipped or inverted.
• Micro-PDF barcodes may be produced when space is limited
• Macro-PDF allows large amounts of data to span several barcodes
• Automatic transcoding of FileMaker character set eliminates problems with international characters
• Automatic conversion to Windows line endings eliminates hassles with Windows-centric barcode readers
• Barcodes are generated as actual images (cross-platform TIFFs), and returned by a calculation directly into a container. No special fonts are needed!
• Runs natively on Mac OS X and Windows, with FMP 8 through 18.
  
• Ancient versions for FileMaker 4.2-13 are still available

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PDF417 Encoder, a FileMaker plug-in, provides the ability to print PDF417 bar codes from any FileMaker database. Unlike other bar code plug-ins, PDF417 Encoder does NOT require the installation of any special fonts. Barcodes are generated as images native to the platform. PDF417 Encoder provides full control over the size, shape, orientation, and error correction of the bar codes. Multi-bar codes and micro-PDF can be generated. Automatic transcoding of FileMaker's character set eliminates problems scanning special characters.

The latest PDF417 Encoder is optimized for Windows 10/OS 10.13/FileMaker 18, 32 and 64 bit versions. It will work back to Win 98/OS 10.6/FileMaker 8. Earlier versions are still available for all releases of FileMaker back to v.4.2. The current version is backward compatible with FileMaker scripts written for previous versions.

About PDF417
PDF417 stands for "Portable Data File 4-17", a public-domain two-dimensional bar code symbology developed by Symbol Technologies. A single PDF417 barcode can carry 1100-2000 characters of machine-readable data in a space no larger than a standard bar code. Unlike traditional one-dimensional bar codes which depend on real-time links to records in a separate database, the PDF417 symbol contains the record itself.

PDF417 answers the need to print, transfer, and re-capture large amounts of data inexpensively. It can exchange complete data files (such as text, numerics or binary) and encode graphics, fingerprints, shipping manifests, electronic data interchange (EDI) messages, equipment calibration instructions, medical information, and much more. It is used to document and label assets, inventory, parts (engineering history), hazardous materials (safety data). It provides a powerful communications capability - without the need to access an external database. And, for virtually no incremental cost, you can add a PDF symbol to the documents and labels you are already printing.

Think of PDF as an independent database with complete freedom of movement, traveling together with a person or on an item, object, package, form, document, badge, card, or label. It does what wired networks can't: allows you to immediately access your data regardless of location. Encryption is available as an option when additional security is required.

Moreover, because PDF417 is a machine-readable method of transporting data, it eliminates time-consuming and error-prone manual data entry. It functions as a paper-based computer memory that can be written once and read over and over again. And, as a universal machine language, it communicates with all host operating systems. PDF417 encodes full ASCII, numeric or binary data and it uses sophisticated error correction algorithms to keep intact 100 percent of the data - even when as much as half the symbol is damaged. It's self-verifying, so data errors can be detected and data integrity maintained.

PDF417 is the de facto standard 2-D symbology. In addition to its performance capabilities and application value in a wide range of industries, PDF417 technology is in the public domain and it conforms to industry and international "open" standards. For all of these reasons, PDF417 is emerging as the standard 2-D symbology by leading standards-setting organizations.

Equally important, any business, government agency or service organization must be assured of a low-risk, long-term return on its technology investment. Symbol's PDF417 scanning equipment can also read all conventional one-dimensional bar codes, assuring compatibility with your installed bar code systems.

Not only is PDF417 technology hard at work in a wide range of important applications, it has also been proven in independent testing. In reliability testing by the Ohio University Center for Automatic Identification, 32 million PDF417 characters were read without an error. Tests at the University of Pittsburgh proved PDF417 compatibility in high-speed overhead scanning and its readability even when symbols were damaged.

Unlike some new technologies, PDF417 doesn't require users to learn different procedures, abandon existing hardware or software, or commit to costly reinvestment in facilities or systems. A PDF417 solution can often be added with little change to current applications and it can make use of existing printers and other equipment.

It's compatible with all the same printers used to print 1-D bar codes, including laser, thermal direct, thermal transfer, ink jet and others - and all are widely available today. You can print on a wide variety of materials-paper, cards, labels, plastics, metals and others. You can even fax PDF417 symbols.

Because PDF417 can be printed in various shapes, users can create custom layouts for the requirements of specific applications. Symbols may also be printed at various densities depending on printing technology, scanner type, and application requirement.