Over the past decades, Barcode scanning has evolved a lot and moved drastically out from the original supply chain. Now the Barcode Scanners are mostly used for reading and scanning barcodes.
Various Scanner manufacturers have created hundreds of barcode Scanners and embedded faster scanning features to scan barcodes in demanding environments. It is very difficult to match business needs with a barcode scanner but one needs to decide whether they need a particular device for the purpose or not. But according to analysis reports, Symbol barcode scanners have grown in stature and popularity than any other brand.
The use of barcodes has been drastically increasing since they are extremely easy to use. They also reduce the chances of any stress injury involved when manually entering data.
Scanners complete only one part of the entire barcode application since they pass on the information to the system which processes the numbers which are sent. Record and interpretation of data is useful and important too.
Barcodes are important to track movement of an item. It also provides the number of the items in the inventory and used especially in retail stores, product warehouses and different manufacturing lines.
Many factors need to be taken into account before deciding a barcode scanner:
- The environment is an important element while deciding a scanner. It is necessary for the gadget to withstand rain, temperature changes or incessant drops on concrete floor. The need of these scanners has to be ascertained on how these scanners will be actually used.
- Volume and size of the goods have to be known and a scanner for the same needs to be chosen. For small products, a simple portable handheld scanner would be helpful. Larger packages would require an omni-directional pattern barcode scanner especially long range scanners.
- Use of one-dimensional or two-dimensional codes will also help determine the right scanner for you. Nearly every multi-line scanner or imager can decode the 2D codes. Don't overbuy in this regard.
- Operator mobility is an important element in deciding a scanner since if most items will be handled at a workstation, the tethered devices would help. Cordless ones are required only if the workers need freedom to capture data from items strewn across the entire warehouse.
- Budget scanners are the least expensive handheld barcode scanners with limited range and durability. The corded ones are good industrial scanners which boast of quick decode performance while the costlier ones in the industrial laser scanners segment are durable and rugged with long-range scanning features. Omni-directional handhelds are great for scanning barcodes in different aspect ratios.
- Warranty and service options need to be ascertained before buying any of the barcode scanners. Extended maintenance contracts should be opted for if available for the devices.
Symbol barcode scanners are perfect for most users and also strive to answer each of the points mentioned above. They have a huge range of scanners available for every need and setting. With a little consideration of what you actually need for your warehouse, you can close down on some options within your budget. You can even test them before you buy them.
