If you’re on the market for a barcode scanner our post today can help. There are lots of different options on the market today, so choosing the right one for your business is important.
6 Top Barcode Scanner Features
Below you will find the top 6 features for barcode scanners. Understanding these will help you choose the model that is right for you.
Wireless Connectivity
Before you buy anything you will want to make sure the barcode scanner you are looking at has the 
right connections. What you need will depend on how you plan to collect and input data. Do you collect data in real-time and use a cloud-based inventory system? If so you will need a wireless connection to the internet. If you have employees who travel, a broadband mobile connection will be required. Real-time barcode scanning can help keep your inventory up to date and is also visible to everyone on the system. If you don’t transmit data in real-time with a cloud-based system, you can choose Bluetooth instead which is also used for real-time and batch processing.
Wired Connectivity
Wired barcode scanners are also important and you will need to make sure that the scanner you choose is compatible with the computers you use. Scanners using wireless data transmission will usually have wired connections too so make sure you check before you buy.
Screen
Not all barcode scanners come with a touch screen or a display screen. When you are deciding on the type of barcode scanner you need it is important to decide whether or not you need a screen and what it should display. Barcode scanners with screens can do a lot more. What you need will depend on the tasks you have to perform.
Portability
Portability can often be a big determining factor when buying a barcode scanner. You need to consider the environment it will be used in. Will the barcode scanner be travelling? Do you require a unit that is durable, water resistant, can be used in extreme temperatures, portable? These are all questions you need to ask. There are scanners that are built for all different working conditions so consider everything before making your choice.
Barcode Reader Type
Will you be scanning 1D or 2D barcodes? 1D barcode reader scanners are linear and represent data with parallel black bars and numbers, for example, Universal Product Code (UPC) barcodes. 2D barcodes have vertical and horizontal data such as a QR code. The main difference between the two is the amount of data they contain. A 1D barcode can only contain between 20 and 25 characters, while a 2D barcode can have up to 2,000 characters.
GPS
A barcode scanner with GPS can be useful if you have items that move around. As you scan, the GPS will locate the item. For example you might scan industrial equipment into a warehouse and the scanner will detect the location and enter it into your system.
We hope this article on barcode scanner features will help you make an educated choice when purchasing and of course, if you have any questions you can get in touch with our experts at any time who will be happy to answer your queries.