Barcode is also widely used for asset management in companies. In this case, the information stored is about the employee and about where these can be found quickly. This eases the process of managing inventory assets and fixed assets for the company. Keeping a track of the inventory production and stocks keeps the organization informed about the whole transaction, inventory, leftovers and theft. It can help them remove the excess stocks and maintain a good turn-over ratio.
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What is a Barcode Scanner?
A barcode scanner is a simple device that helps to read this code and matches it with the information stored in the database. Both barcode and barcode scanners are an essential part of every business or trading organization. It plays an important role in increasing the efficiency of a business.
Barcode scanners can read the linear barcode which is a combination of vertical lines and blank spaces. The number of characters this can store varies from 20-25. This can be detected using a simple barcode scanner. There is a light source which reads the lines and spaces.
To store more information, barcode use both vertical and horizontal lines. This can be detected using an advanced scanner. This has moving parts along with a very strong light source.
Varieties of Barcode scanner
There is a wide range of barcode scanners available in the market today. Production has risen, so has the demand for this product. All you need to figure out is the expectations and requirements you have from a barcode scanner as per your unique business practices. But, before you derive a conclusion out, regarding the kind of barcode scanner you wish to purchase, let’s have an insight on the classification of barcode scanners and also, how the barcode types are different from each other.
1. Laser
This is the most popular type of scanner and you usually come across such scanners more than often in your daily life. Barcode consists of black and white spaces or stripe-like images which are read by this barcode scanner. This is done by reflection reading with the help of a red diode. If you wish to go for the most cost-effective option, these barcodes will fulfill the requirement. However, these barcodes are only capable of being able to read standard linear (1D) barcodes.
As the laser beam passes from the barcode scanner, it is able to read barcodes from a distance of 2 to 12 inches away. But, there are some special models which have a higher intensity level and can read barcodes from a distance as far as 20 feet and even beyond. Talking about the advanced scanner, there are the Wasp Barcode Scanners, which can actually read barcodes from an impeccable distance of 35 feet away.
This class of scanners is the most frequently bought option because they cost considerably less than their peers. But, the drawback here is that they have a limited capability and quite rigid with the few features they provide. Something which is expected when the prices are low!
2. Linear Imager
The similar characteristic of linear imager scanners to that of the laser scanners is that both of them are capable of reading only the 1D barcodes i.e., the standard linear barcodes. However, the linear imager works in a different way and different technology as compared to the laser scanner. These scanners usually take a picture of the barcodes and then carefully visualize it to extract the information out of the code. They don’t work in the laser’s way of reading the reflection of barcodes which is the reason why they work faster, because they are actually visualizing an image. This, as a result, increases the efficiency in terms of processing of the scanner and also the resulting time consumption.
These scanners can actually operate at dim light surrounding because they do not need reflections of any kind. These scanners are also a better option because they would work and extract information out of even worn and torn barcodes or damaged or of slightly lesser quality.
Linear imager scanner actually provides better performance as compared to the laser scanner in a price range which is nearly just the same. If you compare the prices of both the scanners, you will find no difference in the same with better performance displayed by the linear imager scanner. This is a major reason why these scanners have become a widely preferred choice over the laser scanner.
3. 2-Dimensional Area Imagers
The technology and the process of processing the barcode used by 2D Area Imagers Scanner are the same as the Linear Imager scanner i.e., it captures a picture of the barcode and then analyzes it. The differentiated feature of these scanners is that they can read any kind of barcodes, an added advantage over the standard linear barcode. To be precise, 2D Area Imagers Scanner can read and visualize 1D, stacked and 2D barcodes.
Another great ability these scanners possess is in regards to the orientation. It is usually for the laser and linear imager scanners that the barcode’s indicator needs to be in a horizontal fashion for the scanners to be able to read the barcodes. This is an exception for the 2D Area Imagers scanners though, these scanners click a picture which is a lot more detailed and captured in an intelligent manner following which they can actually read codes from literally any direction or orientation.
The indicator need not be essentially aligned in the same direction as the barcode, as they can intelligently read barcodes from any direction, i.e. portrait or even landscape. Being able to read barcodes multidimensional is referred to as being omnidirectional by many manufacturers. The emergence of the scanner’s name is from the processing way, similar to the linear scanners, capturing an area.
These scanners visualize the images in a detailed fashion and alongside the additional benefits and features; they are frequently gaining recognition in the industrial sector in order to speed up the scanning applications procedure and also to increase barcodes usage in a number of other ways.
Another great significance of these scanners is that they can read barcodes off any surface, be it on computer screens, product labels or adhesive label barcode.
4. CCD Barcode Scanners
CCD here is referred to as Charge Couple Devices and these scanners are made up with placing a miniature sensor in the front-end of the readers. These scanners work by producing a waveform which gets in contact with the bars and spaces resulting in the decoding of the information from the barcodes. The decoded information is then forwarded to a computer.
5. Pen Readers and Barcode Wands
You may refer to these scanners as a combination of both the technologies because the tip of the scanners is made up both by placing a light source and also a photodiode. All the user needs to do is, drag that particular tip on a barcode following which a waveform will be produced which fits onto the spaces in between the bars. This would decode the information and then pass it onto a computer system.
Form Factors
We are sure by now you would have already figured out which kind of barcode you are in need of. It is time we move further and take the next factor into consideration, which is the form- factor. The form factor here means the kind of shape the scanner would be in. The most basic shape for a barcode scanner is the gun style scanner and the in-counter scanner which can be found all around you in various stores you visit on a daily basis. But there actually are 5 popular form factors possessing an individual set of merits and demerits, which would differ according to your need and use.
1. Handheld
The most commonly used scanners is the handheld one. They are absolutely easy to use and operate and are the best for the work they perform. The way of using this scanner is to aim it directly at the barcode and click on the trigger present in the model. These scanners come as wired and also cordless. The cordless one is in demand because of the absence of issues related to the wires and also increased mobility.
2. Presentation
These scanners are not meant to be held by hand as they are supposed to be placed at the countertop, facilitating handless operation. One does not need to pick the scanner and do the job and therefore it does not need any kind of triggers. These scanners are omnidirectional in nature which makes it easy for them to read barcodes in any direction. These scanners are capable of covering a wide area reading, a downside of the handheld scanners which are unidirectional. This is the reason why they are actually used mostly in the retail and departmental outlets where bulks of products need to be scanned. Since there is a reduction in the need for aiming, they are able to scan a lot of items absolutely quickly. All, the user needs to do it, bring up the item’s barcode in front of the scanner and the scanner would do the remaining job.
3. Mobile Computer
It is usually that other scanners need to be connected to the computer system, but for the mobile computers, both the PC and the scanner are present in the same device. They are embedded with a lot of features which are more than what the basic scanners do. One can move the scanner around easily since there is no connection or equipment required. These systems work in the fashion of saving the information gathered in internal storage or by sharing the same via Wi-Fi or WAN network. These scanners are used in places like industries where high mobility is required in order to keep a check on inventory management and asset tracking.
4. In Counter
These scanners are similar to that of the presentation scanner in the way they are placed on the counter and how a product’s barcode simply displayed in front of the scanner will read the barcode easily. The difference is, they are meant to be placed on the countertop. These are vastly used in the grocery store and self check-out stores with most of the models embedded in the POS line.
5. Fixed Mount
Speaking in terms of specialization, these scanners occupy the top position. Because of the largely automated system integrated within them. They are not integrated with any kind of buttons or triggers to scan and are to be placed up against a conveyor line or kiosk. They are always switched on and have sensors which trigger external controllers. The models available in the market vary and they vary in terms of the speed they can work at.
Know your Business Requirements
As mentioned before, it is the first thing you must consider while buying a barcode scanner. Here are some examples of how the nature of your business may have an impact on the barcode scanner you need. Durable and rugged scanners are the priority of the utility companies in order to stand grounded in extreme weather conditions. War