Many businesses are now turning to technology to help them deal with the many pressures that companies face. One such piece of technology is a barcode scanner. These can help you with inventory, sales and many other processes. If you have decided to invest in these scanners, you need to know which ones will be suitable for your company and its needs.
Knowing Your Needs and Effective Planning
Before you begin to see what types of handheld scanner you need, you have to see which ones will be the best for the role you want it to do. If you can put this planning in place, then you should be able to tell with some certainty which ones you need.
Along with knowing what your business needs handheld scanners for, you need to be aware of the requirements. These handheld terminals will require training for your staff to use them effectively. You might also need to prepare part of your office or warehouse so that they can be stored and charged securely.
Repairs are also a consideration, so you will need to arrange for handheld terminal repair in the UK so that you won’t be without any devices for too long.
Pen or Wand Barcode Scanners
These types of barcode scanners are usually unsuitable for many of the bulk scanning that you will need. The reason being that they need to scan the entire length of the barcode for it to read the code. This takes more time and therefore will be less efficient than the scanners that can read the entire barcode at once.
For small situations, you could consider using this type of scanner, but the uses would be limited, and have no advantage over other scanners.
Stationary or In-Counter Price Scanners
These are the types of scanners that you commonly see in the supermarkets or other stores. They are great at scanning multiple items in a row and are usually highly accurate. However, they can be costly, ranging from hundreds to thousands, so you will need to have the budget for this type of scanner.
If you are in a business where you are processing many items with customers, then this type of scanner is worth considering. Because these scanners are stationary, you will need to see if you have the room available to accommodate this type of device.
Handheld Scanners (Pistol Grip Style)
There are actually three types of technology used in handheld scanners, CCD, linear and laser. All of them perform the same function, but can handle barcodes differently. Laser scanners can read barcodes at long distances. CCDs are good for short-range scanning, and linear are more accurate.
Handheld scanners are a good idea if you have to scan larger items, as they are easy to move around. They can also be purchased at a reasonable price if you are on a limited budget. The most important consideration is choosing the right technology for the use so that you are getting the most from the devices.
Wired or Wireless Barcode Scanners?
With new technology always being developed, barcode scanners have evolved to now include wireless versions. They use Bluetooth to link up with a base station that then updates the computer system.
The decision to choose wired or wireless barcode scanners depends on what they will be used for. If you need to move around large objects or reach areas beyond where the wired scanners can go, then the wireless versions are the best option.
It is important to see if your area where you will be using these scanners is suitable. This will form part of the planning that will determine what type of scanner you need, and if there are any limitations which will need to be considered.
Together with the hardware, you will also need to have software for the scanners to use. This may also require training for your staff and an assessment to see if it will be compatible with your existing software.
Conclusion
There is no doubt that barcode scanners save a lot of time and energy. They streamline the process and make it easier to keep track of stock and supplies. It is important to remember to complete a full assessment of your needs before you choose which barcode scanner is best for you.