BARCODE SCANNERS: BUYING GUIDE FOR BEGINNERS

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BARCODE SCANNERS BUYING GUIDE FOR BEGINNERS
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Most retailers, today, have their business built
around barcodes. Without barcodes, the label
industry would not have experienced the growth
that it has over the past 20 years. With
inventory management being a crucial part of
running a successful retail business, retailers
big or small, need an efficient barcode system to
take control of their inventory and save money,
time and manual work.
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This barcode scanner buying guide is for
retailers who are looking for comprehensive
information to understand the need for barcode
scanners, different types and implement the right
solution for smooth inventory management.
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• To choose the right scanner, you need to identify
  your specific needs like
• Where do you intend to use the scanner in a
  rugged outdoor environment or indoors?
• How often will it be used?
• How will the scanners be used?
• What kinds of barcodes does your business use?
• Does your business application demand
  connectivity to a PC?

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Understanding where and how you will be using the
scanner will help you decide what scanner type,
form factors or other options you will need to
run your business efficiently.
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BARCODE SCANNER TYPES
The type of scan engine your scanner uses will
affect its performance. If you are not sure what
type of scanner to look for, have a look at these
three main types that work well with most
businesses.
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Laser This one is the most well-known scanner
type, uses a red diode laser to read the
reflectance of the black and white spaces in a
barcode. Laser only reads standard linear (1D)
barcodes and is most cost-effective solution than
other types. Standard laser scanners can read
from a few inches to a foot or two away based on
the size of the barcode.
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Linear Imager Similar to laser ones as they also
read 1D barcodes. But instead of reading
reflected lights from the laser, they take a
picture of the barcode. Then, analyse the image
to take out the information from the code.
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When it comes to reading messed up printed or
damaged codes, linear images does the job pretty
well. In fact, for applications that need a bit
aggressive scanner, counting on the linear imager
will not disappoint.
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2D Area Imager This one too captures an image to
analyse, just like linear images. But unlike
linear imager, 2D area imager can read any type
of barcodes. 1D, stacked and 2D barcodes are all
supported by a 2D imager. This type can take a
more detailed image and read a code in any
direction, not like the laser and linear imager
types that reads the barcodes with specific
orientation only.
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With their quality skills and aggressive reading,
2D area imager are becoming intensively popular
in all industries as it speeds up scanning
applications and expands the ways in which
barcodes are used.
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FORM FACTORS
Once you will understand which type of scanner
can best suit your environment and ease your
operational functioning, the next in the line to
figure out is what form factor that scanner will
be. The popular gun-style and in-counter scanners
are used mostly in retail and grocery store. But
beside these, there are five main form factors
for scanners, and each offer distinct advantage.
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• Handheld scanners are the most common one and
  easy to operate. Simply aim the scanner at the
  barcode and pull the trigger. Handheld scanners
  come in a wireless form to increase your mobility.

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• Presentation scanners are made for hands-free
  scanning and intended to sit on a counter-top and
  dont necessarily need to be picked up or held
  while reading barcodes. You will find these
  scanners at retail checkout mainly since it is
  easy to scan many items quickly. Just present the
  barcode product in front of the scanner and it
  will read it automatically.

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• Mobile computers, provides more autonomy in
  reading the barcodes since both the PC and the
  scanner are in a single device. These are perfect
  for applications that require true mobility like
  inventory management and asset tracking.

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• In-counters are similar to presentation scanners,
  and though you need to keep the barcode in front
  of the scanner, these are designed to be embedded
  into the counter-top, the one you have seen at
  grocery stores and self checkout lines.

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CONNECTIVITY CORDED VS CORDLESS
Every barcode scanner has to communicate with a
PC to transmit the information available on the
barcode into the current software. Being a common
type of scanner used by retailers, corded
scanners are easy to set up, normally interfaced
with a PC through a USB connection and will be
your most reasonable option.
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Cordless scanners (or handheld), function the
same way like a corded scanner except this
cordless ones communicates to a base station
wirelessly and are connected to your PC through a
cable.
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Your PC does not really require wireless support
as the scanner and cradle handles and keeps
everything together. You just need to plug the
cradle, pair the scanner to the base and you are
all set to scan barcodes.
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RUGGEDNESS
Irrespective of your environment, ruggedness is
something you should consider, always. Because
scanners are mistreated in a standard environment
and they will not be able to withstand it. That
is why, it is better to choose a more rugged
option as it helps you save time and money in the
long run.
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To deliver performance and durability in any
rugged environment, industrial barcode scanners
work best.
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Wrapping Up
With such comprehensive information available on
barcode scanners out there, it is important to
gather information only from the right sources
and connect with the best suppliers to buy
barcode scanners in Australia. Besides,
understanding how you will use the scanner and in
which environment, helps make the decision-making
easier.
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Contact Us
POS Sales PO Box 7921 Baulkham Hills BC NSW
2153 Email sales_at_pos-sales.com.au Phone 1300
026 062