LoMag for Android working online with SQL database using WiFi (or 3G / 4G)

Our application for Android "LoMag MSSQL Warehouse Program" allows you to convert almost any phone or tablet (with android) into a professional barcode scanner. The data is saved and read in real time envirnment to the LoMag database. With the Android system for online work based on the application, we can also use professional data collectors.

1. Requirements and Installation of the Application

The minimum requirements include phone, tablet or collector with android system version 4.1 or advanced. To efficiently read bar codes, it is recommended to use the device that must have a camera in Full HD (1920 x 1080) with the Autofocus function or a built-in barcode reader. In the case of dark rooms, it is recommended to light the bar codes by the flash.

The application is downloaded using the Google Play platform. To download the product, click or run the "Play Store" on your phone. In order to download the application you must have a free Google Play account and run the "Play Store" on your phone:

After approval, we select "LoMag Warehouse online + MSSQL" from the list and press the INSTALL, ACCEPT and OPEN button:

2. Configure the Connection of the Android Application to the LoMag Database

The LoMag database uses Microsoft SQL Server 2005 or newer libraries. In order to establish the connection between Android device and the database, these libraries must be installed and configured accordingly. The easiest way to do this; is to use Windows for LoMag. The program installer automatically installs and configures Microsoft SQL Server libraries on your computer. If we already have LoMag for Windows, then run 'Settings', move towards the network tab and select the third option. The computer acts as an "Authentication SQL Server". Please note the server name from this window:

If it was a standard LoMag installation along with SQL libraries, you do not need to change the login and password and other parameters. The LoMag program will automatically make the database available on the network, open the firewall port 1433 and confirm the completion of the configuration as below:

If at this point the program displays a message that the settings can not be changed, you must reinstall the SQL libraries or manually configure the SQL server to make the LoMag database available to the network. In case of problems, please contact us at service@longint.pl

After configuring the access to the database, we can run the application on Android and enter the name of the server that we noted earlier:

It is worth to mark the "save settings" and do not enter the server name again in the future. In addition, connect the device to the WiFi network. Press the "Connect" button:

After a few seconds, the login window should appear in front of user screen, only if the administrator has given some access, otherwise LoMag window will be opened.

If at this point the program displays the message that there is no possibility to connect to the database or logging in takes more than a minute, check the following:

• It happens that anti-virus programs block access to the server. Please turn off the firewall and antivirus program for a moment and try again.
• Press the search button next to the server name and check if the application finds the server behind the SQL database
• Try to use the server's IP address instead of the name.

2.1. Checking the server's IP address

In the console window, enter the ipconfig command and press enter. The IP address assigned to the corresponding network card will be displayed. If we have several cards and have been configured correctly to connect with the network, then the ipconfig command will display all currently available IP addresses.

2.1.2 Checking the IP address in the network and Internet settings

To display the settings window, right-click on the taskbar in the Internet connection icon (Wi-Fi) and select the Open network and Internet settings option.

The above operation will display a new window of settings in which the option to 'view network properties' should be selected.

In the network properties, find a connection named Wi-Fi and then read the value for the IPv4 address parameter in order to know the IP address of our computer in the network.

2.1.3 Connecting to the server using the IP address

Knowing the IP address of our server, enter it manually in the field Server name, the second option is to search for all available IP addresses in our network, and then select it from the list - you can do this by clicking on the search icon.
NOTE! We can configure internet networks in various ways. Sometimes it happens that after restarting the computer it will get a different IP address than it had previously. In the event of a connection error, check the current server address as shown in the instructions above.

2.2 Configuring the Firewall

By default, Windows has the enabled firewall function. The task of this software is to filter outgoing and incoming data to a computer via a network or the Internet. It may happen that the program will block connections for the device with the android application. The following step shows you to configure system firewalls for Windows 10 and 7.

2.2.1 Configuring the Firewall in Windows 10

There are several ways to run firewall settings in Windows 10, this manual will present the easiest method, in which you should use the search engine for Windows, located in the menu bar, and then enter the phrase 'firewall' in the search option.

Windows should return the results in which the first item will be an application called "firewall and network protection" - clicking this application will open a new window with the possibility to configure the security system for Windows 10.

Find the advanced settings item and start it.

With the standard installation of LoMag software, the Windows 10 firewall usually does not create rules so that the SQL database can accept external connections. For this purpose, in the Windows Defender settings for 'inboound rules', set a new one as shown below;

In the new rules wizard, select the program option and then press the next button.

The default installation of LoMag and its SQL database allows you to enter values ??in the path of the program '%ProgramFiles% (x86)\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL11.SQLEXPRESS\MSSQL\Binn\sqlservr.exe' - if you installed the SQL database in a different location, you must use the browse button and find the appropriate application on your computer's hard drive. To go to the next step, click Next.

In order for applications from the android system to be able to connect to the computer, you must allow the connection by selecting the first option in the next window and confirm the decision with the Next button.

In the next window, select all applications for the rule (set by default) and go to the next configuration step by clicking next. The last step is to enter the name and possible description. By clicking the save button, our filter will be added to the incoming rules for the Windows 10 firewall.

In this way, the position configured by us for the program with the specified location path has been added to the list of incoming rules

In the same way, add a second rule for the program with the path % ProgramFiles% (x86) \ Microsoft SQL Server \ 90 \ Shared \ sqlbrowser.exe by setting only another final rule name. Adding these two rules will enable the LoMag application for the android system to connect to the server with the still active firewall for other malicious software.

2.2.2 Configuring the Firewall in Windows 7

In the Windows 7 operating system, there are two methods for adding a rule so that the program can connect through the firewall. The first simplified way is to go to the control panel by clicking in the lower left corner of the start menu screen and selecting the Control Panel option. A new window will appear, in which you should click on the word System and security.

In the next window, use the 'Allow programmers to access via Windows Firewall' button.

Find the program you are interested in on the list and select the option of connecting to the selection field by passing the firewall for the selected network. If the program does not exist on the list - you can add it by clicking the appropriate button, which will open another window with a list of available programs. You can also enter its exact path on your computer's hard drive by using the browse button.

You can open the same window to add a new connection more quickly. By clicking on the start menu, then in the search field enter the firewall and click on the option 'Allow the program to access through the Windows firewall'.

The second way to add a rule to the firewall in Windows 7 is to click on the Windows Firewall option in the system and security window.

The current firewall status and connection properties with the current network will be displayed. We can enable or disable the firewall by clicking the appropriate button on the left. To go to the advanced firewall settings, select the last option on the left side of the menu.

Performing the above operation will allow a user to start a window from the firewall configuration instructions for Windows 10. Check whether the settings for the rule are correct or in the absence of it, add it in the same way as in Windows 10.

3. Description of available functions in the Android Application

After connecting the program with the database, enter the login and password defined in the LoMag for Windows program in the Users / User list menu. If users have not been defined press [OK]

In the next step, we choose the warehouse in which we will work. If we have only one warehouse, the following warehouse selection window will not be visible.