Barcode Scanner
If you are a business owner, you’re looking for all the right tools. Especially when you want to keep everything organized including your inventory management. Can a barcode scanner be something you need?
This guide will go over the basic features you’ll learn about them. We’ll also provide you with a buyer’s guide featuring considerations that you’ll want to mull over for your decision. There are plenty of barcode scanners on the market, but you can choose one that works best for you.
If you are looking for a barcode scanner, keep reading. Let’s get to the good stuff and talk about the features right now.
Common features of a barcode scanner
Connection type
A barcode scanner can be wired or wireless. This will depend on your need for portability. Of course, portability will always mean wireless.
It’s always a good idea to consider a barcode scanner that will satisfy your needs in terms of connectivity. Wired or wireless may sound like a personal preference. But you’d be surprised that it can fulfill some of your needs.
You may be away from a register or desk and it may be a good idea to keep a barcode scanner handy. Especially when you will be somewhere other than your desk.
Scanning technology
For the longest time, lasers have been the supreme choice for those who use barcode scanners. However, the camera technology introduced to other scanners have made things a bit easier.
However, a barcode scanner will need to be accurate. Especially when it comes to processing the information acquired from the barcode itself. Inaccurate information can lead to inventory issues when the time comes to look things over.
Such inventory issues due to technical errors can be costly for your business. And yes, those costs can add up and you might not know it.
Compatibility
Today’s barcode scanners are often compatible with devices and other computers. So it’s important to find one that will be compatible with the operating system that you normally use. You can find a scanner that can work for your Windows or Mac computer.
Aside from the operating system, the compatibility should also focus on the relevant programs you’re using. It’s important that you consider which software you plan on using and whether it’s compatible with the tools you’ll be using including a barcode scanner.
If there is good compatibility, everything will be simple and streamlined. All the data will be found in a specific place on your computer. And that will help make inventory management much easier.
What to consider for a barcode scanner?
Now that you are aware of the common features a barcode scanner provides, we’ll be taking a look now at what you need to consider for a barcode scanner. You’ll want to be answering these commonly asked questions (by customers) that will help you decide which barcode scanner works best.
Let’s take a look now at the following below:
What kind of connection is best for me?
Connectivity will be more of a deciding factor than you think. Especially when you plan on using devices with wireless capabilities. Wired barcode scanners can provide you with the best accuracy.
However, the use itself may be considered cumbersome. Wireless scanners can be reliable and provide you with more flexibility than its wired counterparts. However, the potential for interference issues may arise at times.
What scanning technology will work best?
As mentioned, you have laser and camera scanning. Both of them can serve a purpose. Especially if the latter has the ability to scan something the way a phone might with a QR code.
With that said, you may hold accuracy to a high regard. So it could be a good idea to use a laser barcode scanner if you’re serious about keeping things accurate. Camera scanners can still do a decent job.
However, it’s technology to improve it and make it as accurate as lasers might be a ways away. But for its part, camera scanners can provide you with a great deal of versatility.
Is it durable?
Like any other thing you purchase, you want it to last a long time. Otherwise, you’ll end up buying another one and spending more money in the process. Since you’ll be operating in a busy environment, a barcode scanner will need to be durable enough to sustain frequent use.
A durable design along with a long battery life will stand out amongst the crowd. Especially if you are using a wireless scanner. It’s important to make sure that you charge your barcode scanner during a down period (such as when your business is closed for the night).
If the battery life is lengthy enough, it can handle a day’s worth of work. Take good care of it and it will certainly take care of you.
Is it compatible with my computer and other software?
This is where things get a bit tricky. It’s one thing to decide if a barcode scanner is compatible with an operating system. It’s another to see if it’s compatible with business software that you normally use on a regular basis.
That’s why it is important to consider choosing a barcode scanner based on your computer’s operating system. As for what software it’s compatible with, it depends on what you’re using. You may find something that can compile data so you can upload a file to database programs like Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets.
Final Thoughts
If you are looking for a barcode scanner, it’s important to find one that will satisfy your critical business needs. You’ll want to make sure it comes in handy every single day.
Be sure to use this guide to your advantage. While we have no specific brands to recommend, you’ll want to pay attention to the features and the kinds of benefits it offers. It all comes down to what you need in order to make running a business easier for you.
We hope this guide is useful and helps you find the right barcode scanner.
