Managing IT assets efficiently often requires scanning barcodes to track and record inventory. Instead of buying expensive barcode scanners, you can use your smartphone as a free and effective alternative. With the SCANPET app on your Android phone and UltraVNC software on your computer, you can easily scan barcodes over a Wi-Fi connection and send the data directly to your IT Asset Management system. Below is a step-by-step guide to help you configure and use this setup.

Requirements

To begin, you need the following:

1. SCANPET app installed on your Android device (available on Google Play Store).
2. UltraVNC software installed on your desktop or laptop.
3. Both your smartphone and computer connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

This setup allows your mobile phone to act as a Wi-Fi barcode scanner, automatically sending scanned codes to your computer.

Part 1: Configuring Your Computer

First, install and configure the VNC server on your computer. You can use any VNC server, but UltraVNC is recommended for best compatibility. Download it from the official site: UltraVNC Download.

After downloading, run the installer and follow the prompts until installation is complete. Once installed, go to the Windows Start menu and open UltraVNC Server. After a few seconds, you’ll notice its icon appear in the system tray, indicating that it’s active.

Right-click the UltraVNC tray icon and select Admin Properties or Edit Settings (depending on the version). Set the port to 5900 and choose a password for the connection.

⚠️ Note: The VNC protocol supports passwords of up to 6 characters only.

Once configured, right-click the UltraVNC tray icon again to view your computer’s IP address. You’ll need this address, along with your password, to connect your smartphone later.

Part 2: Setting Up Your Mobile Device

On your smartphone, open the SCANPET app and go to Preferences → Wi-Fi section. Enter the same port number (5900), the password you set in UltraVNC, and your computer’s IP address. You can find your computer’s IP by hovering your mouse over the UltraVNC icon in the taskbar — for example, it might look like 192.168.0.101.

Once these settings are saved, your phone is ready to communicate with your computer.

Using SCANPET as a Wi-Fi Scanner

On the SCANPET main screen, you’ll see two key buttons: Connect Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi Scan.

• Connect Wi-Fi: This option connects your mobile device to the VNC server running on your computer.
• Wi-Fi Scan: After the connection is established, use this option to scan barcodes. The scanned data will instantly appear in the active window on your computer — whether it’s Excel, Word, Notepad, or your IT Asset Management application.

Simply open your IT Asset Management system, place the cursor where you want the barcode data to appear, and start scanning.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

If SCANPET fails to connect or transfer data:

• Ensure you have the correct version of UltraVNC installed.
• Verify that the IP address and password are correct.
• Keep your password to 6 characters or fewer.
• Temporarily disable firewall or antivirus software if the connection fails.
• Make sure the Wi-Fi signal is strong.
• Ensure an application (Excel, Word, etc.) is open and active with a blinking cursor to receive data.

By following these steps, your smartphone becomes a powerful and cost-effective barcode scanner for seamless IT asset management.