6 Types of Product Barcode Scanners and How to Home in on What's Right for You

What's Barcode Inventory?

Barcode-based inventory management relies mainly on alpha-numeric codes or barcodes. These unique codes printed on product labels hold substantial data that's relevant and useful to businesses. Barcodes are scanned by devices called barcode scanners that interpret this encoded data. Barcode scanners may be wired or wireless.

With barcode scanners, inventory management is made efficient, precise, and speedy, and product information such as weight, manufacturing date, price, expiration date, name of the manufacturer, etc. can be read easily. Products can be counted and recorded, and stock levels updated without hassle, in real time, and with a high degree of accuracy.

Data interpreted through barcode scans is sent to software on a computer or handheld device, and presented in a comprehensible form on the computer or mobile screen. Modern software is cloud-based, which lets users view inventory information in real time, even when they are far from the stock-take location. Product data can also be accessed anywhere, and on any handheld device.

The most ubiquitous barcodes are the one-dimensional (1D) ones, which consist of black vertical lines on a white background. Product information is contained in the space between the lines and can be interpreted by barcode scanners.

Two-dimensional (2D) barcodes are more sophisticated, consisting of dots, squares, as well as other patterns, and pack massive amounts of data in a very small space. QR codes are one of the best examples of 2D barcodes and customers can often scan these codes themselves on their mobile phones, to view digital menus or to make payments.

Barcode Inventory- Hardware and Software

A barcode-based system for inventory management consists of hardware such as barcode scanners/ readers, computer terminals/mobile devices, and printers. It also contains supporting software.

In situations where manual processes are neither efficient nor quick, barcode systems are utilized to automate data collection. Barcodes consist of 8 to 12 alphanumeric or numeric characters separated by black and white bars. These codes display specific information about a product.

Barcode labels for products and assets can be created using a printer. The label is then stuck to the product and a barcode reader or scanner uses LED light to scan the barcode. As discussed earlier, these scans decipher the coded information, which is sent to the computer terminal/mobile device and displayed on the screen in a manner that can be understood by the user.

The barcode scanner may be connected to a computer or mobile device with a cord or wirelessly.

Inventory management software solutions loaded into computer/mobile systems receive the data produced by barcode scanning. Software apps may also be downloaded onto a smartphone or tablet and the camera of the mobile device can then double up as a barcode scanner, precluding the need for a separate scanner. With barcode scanning apps, product information can quickly migrate from barcodes to your mobile screen. All you have to do is open the app and point your camera at the barcode. It's that simple!

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Barcode Scanner Type No. 1- Fixed Mount Scanners

These scanners usually use lasers to read one- and two-dimensional barcodes, apart from direct part-marking barcodes (printed on a product directly instead of a product label), in high-speed environments.

As their name suggests, these systems are installed in a fixed spot and are able to read barcodes on objects as they pass by rapidly and in large volume. These scanners are frequently incorporated into big, automated data processing systems and may be mounted at specific angles, locations, and distances, allowing them to read barcodes quickly and with exceptional accuracy, for example, on fast-moving conveyor belts.

Employees do not need to hold fixed mount scanners when they scan objects. This hands-free process increases worker output. The scanners are compact and can be installed easily in tight spaces.

Fixed mount barcode scanners can be used to read QR codes on mobiles too. They can also be used to read DPM barcodes for the purpose of tracking and tracing products.

Barcode Scanner Type No. 2- In-counter Barcode Scanners

In-counter scanners are stationary, much like fixed mount scanners. They are typically integrated with retail point of sale (POS) counters and can swiftly read barcodes on products that move over them without the need to point the barcode scanner or triggering device at the product.

Due to their widespread use in both self-checkouts and cashier lanes at most big retail stores, in-counter scanners are well known to most consumers.

Apart from reading product barcodes, these scanners may also be used to make sense of coded data on coupons, loyalty cards, and mobile phone codes.

Barcode Scanner Type No. 3- On-counter Scanners

These scanners are also called on-counter scanners They rest on counters instead of being built into counters and read barcodes that are 'presented' to them by users.

Much like in-counter scanners, presentation scanners can read over a wide area and don't need users to hold or trigger them.

On-counter barcode scanners and in-counter barcode scanners are frequently used together, especially in supermarkets and retail stores, in customer self-checkouts and cashier lanes.

Barcode Scanner Type No. 4- Handheld Scanners

This scanner can be corded or cordless, and includes the batch scanner as well. Designed like a pistol with ergonomic handles and triggers, it requires the user to only point the device at a barcode to activate it.

Other handheld scanners are designed like a television remote, with buttons for triggering the device.

Much like fixed mount and presentation scanners, handheld scanners minimize the need for users to move objects for scanning.

Wired handheld scanners are usually integrated with retail POS systems and are either made to rest on mounts or held in the hand for accessing barcodes on big, bulky, or heavy objects.

Wireless handheld barcode scanners, on the other hand, make use of Bluetooth technology or radio frequency for transmitting data in real time to bar or restaurant inventory management software.

Bluetooth-enabled scanners may be integrated with computers or mobile devices like tablets and smartphones.

Barcode Scanner Type No. 5- Mobile Computer Barcode Scanners

These are often mistaken for handheld barcode scanners and combine both a PC and portable barcode scanner's functionality. They allow users to scan products and view data wherever they may be located.

The pistol-style design of mobile computer scanners resembles handheld scanners, and includes a small screen and keyboard. The processing power of these scanners is substantially high. Most of them use an internal memory to store information and also can wirelessly communicate through Wifi, mobile data, or WLAN.

These scanners are powerful and easy to use. They're typically deployed for price-checking, Asset Tracking, buy-online-pickup-in-store (BOPIS), and so on.

Scanners designed like tablets and smartphones work like tablets and smartphones, and can be adopted by store employees without the need for extensive training.

A mobile computer barcode reader typically makes use of camera-based, not light-based technology, and can fit into a user's pocket.

Barcode Scanner Type No. 6- Wearable Barcode Scanners

These scanners combine the hands-free convenience provided by fixed scanners and the mobility offered by handheld scanners. They can be as basic as point-and-shoot, trigger or reader style, or can have keypads, displays, processors, and so on. They frequently make use of Bluetooth technology to communicate with larger systems.

Wearable scanners use hook-and-loop closures to be tied on the hand, finger, wrist, or arm of the user. They can also be head-mounted, offering audio functions and optical displays.

Users need not use their hands for scanning, and time and effort invested for stooping, scanning, and putting the scanner down can thus be saved. Wearable scanners are designed for rugged use.

How to Select a Scanner That's Right for You

Inventory management can be sped up with the correct barcode scanner.

You should pay special attention to the Ingress Protection (IP) rating of your device if you operate in a busy restaurant or bar where there is a high likelihood that the barcode scanner may be dropped, accidentally fall into a vessel of water, or be exposed to dust.

These ratings demonstrate the degree of resistance an electrical device offers to liquids and dust, and are standards developed by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). Two digits make up an IP rating; the first represents the degree of protection against solid particles, while the second shows the degree of protection against water. Ensure that the scanners you select are at least IP68 rated, meaning they are water- and dust-proof.

Barcode scanners must also be selected keeping the operating environment in mind. If they are to be used in a warehouse with poor lighting, they need to have low levels of brightness. Increased brightness is required in work environments that are well lit.

Moreover, the keys on the scanner need to be ergonomic as well. They ought to be big enough for bar and restaurant employees using gloves to accept payments or count product stocks comfortably.

The barcode scanning distance and the type of code involved must also be considered. If you need to scan objects from a great distance, scanners with an extended range must be used.