Barcode Scanner
 |
 2 cuecat Barcode Scanners  US $12.00
|
 Apex II COAPII12BKST Wireless Barcode Scanner | Data Collection Terminal | US $19.99
|
 Datalogic Gryphon 4400 Bar Code Scanner US $100.00
|
 EVO Barcode Scanner US $30.00
|
 SYMBOL LS4278 WIRELESS BARCODE SCANNER BLUETOOTH CORDLESS MOTOROLA US $35.00
|
PDA Barcode Scanner Training: 5 Essential Tips
The user who scans a barcode must be able to identify any issues with scanning and rectify them during the scanning process in order to prevent problems further down the supply chain. Likewise, knowing how the PDA barcode scanner works is only really the sure-fire way of rectifying problems in the first place.
Here are 5 top tips to help you manage your users and ultimately a barcode scanning operation.
Top Tip #1: Understanding barcode scanner interface
Probably one of the most important and often overlooked aspects of using a barcode scanner is understanding how the PDA scanner works. This is especially important when we mention the words Pocket PC and Palm. Even though a Palm barcode scanner might operate differently from a Palm barcode scanner, there are some differences (and similarities) which allow management of both types of barcode scanner easier.
For example, a Pocket PC barcode scanner will integrate well with Word and Excel, a massive plus if you need to inventory stock manually or make notes and later transfer them to a PC. Of course, a small resolution on your Pocket PC may pose a few problems when editing a document, but most Pocket PCs (and Palm's) that support a resolution higher than 320x320 will make its operation much easier.
In addition, it's important to know the different types of input available for your barcode scanner. Most Palm and Pocket PC barcode scanners offer the ability to write on the PDA using a stylus just as you would use pen and paper. However, the PDA barcode scanner may need calibrating to suit individual users, which may be a problem if a number of people are using the same barcode scanner. For most PDAs, using the keyboard onscreen is only the other option unless you have a built in keypad (which most PDA barcode scanners now do).
So, when choosing your PDA barcode scanner, consider the functionality, compatibility and issues that may be raised when implementing a PDA barcode scanner in your organisation. Pocket PC barcode scanners integrate much better with everyday applications such as Word, although types of user input, such as the stylus method or built in keyboard, are common between both the Pocket PC scanner and the Palm barcode scanner.
Top Tip #2: Knowing connectivity
Back in the day, PDAs could only really communicate with other PDAs and PCs via infra-red or serial COM (gasp!). The late 1990s brought wireless, although that really only became popular in the early 2000s when laptops came down in price and a demand for mobile connectivity went up. During this time, Bluetooth became popular with mobile phones and for short range networking, this method was both convenient and easy to set up.
Since a PDA barcode scanner is a cross between a phone and a PC as well as taking a small form factor, both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi is now prevalent on even the cheapest models. Since everything is networked one way or another these days, it is deemed unacceptable for a user to travel over to a computer after scanning, for example, to input the data or transfer the inventory file manually.
Is there anything else you need to know other than to get a PDA with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi? First of all, battery life certainly needs to be considered since these kinds of wireless connectivity do take a lot of battery power. A Palm barcode scanner is more desirable in this department since it takes much less battery life than a Pocket PC barcode scanner. However, both can transfer data over a wireless network to a host PC for inventory management (which should be able to receive data wirelessly itself).
Making sure you find a model that has all types of connectivity will save your skin in the long run. For example, the Motorola MC70 barcode scanner is great for all kinds of scanning and connectivity and can even be used to make calls. Such a device would need extensive training in order to get the most out of it, however, since there are many features that can make scanning and everyday usage much easier.
Top Tip #3: Scanning Procedures
Just like any type of barcode scanner, process of scanning your barcodes is also very important. In terms of software, look for the ability to control how much information users can edit. Ideally, item information should not be altered but the inventory ID might need changing if it was read incorrectly by the PDA scanner. In addition, standardise the scanning procedure by providing a small guide on the relevant fields to edit and any information that might need to be added manually. Top Tip #4: Understanding the Barcode
Understanding the type of barcode you are scanning (termed symbology) will not only help your users scan the correct barcodes but also allow you to choose the right PDA barcode scanner. Most PDA scanners now scan with CCD technology, meaning that a camera is used to capture the image which is then interpreted by the software. This allows much more flexibility than a laser barcode scanner, which can only scan in a linear fashion. Using a CCD PDA barcode scanner, you can scan 2D barcodes as well as the more traditional 1D linear barcodes.
Before purchasing your PDA barcode scanner, make sure you choose the correct scanner based on the specification of your barcodes.
Top Tip #5: Dealing with User Errors
Suggest ways of scanning the barcode to users. Usually, laser PDA barcode scanners are faster than CCD scanners, although recent advances in technology means this gap is closing all the time. As a result, errors should not be that much of a problem. However, there may be times during transit that the barcode becomes unreadable or damaged. Using top tip #3, create a reference guide to the fields that need to be filled and offer advice on inputting information if the barcode is not scanned correctly.
About the Author
Handheld Barcode Scanner Guide is a great resource on all types of handheld barcode scanners, including the innovative PDA barcode scanner.
|
|
Imaging Barcode Scanner - barcode scanner $349.99 HP Imaging Barcode Scanner - Barcode scanner - handheld - decoded - USB 2.0 |
|
|
barcode scanner $656.99 Symbol - Barcode scanner - handheld - 116 scan / sec |
|
|
Honeywell barcode scanner $189.99 Honeywell - Barcode scanner - handheld |
|
|
RealPOS barcode scanner $273.99 NCR RealPOS - Barcode scanner |
|
|
USB Barcode Scanner - barcode scanner $189.99 HP USB Barcode Scanner - Barcode scanner - handheld - 100 scan / sec - decoded - USB |
|
|
WDI4500 2D Barcode Scanner - barcode scanner $358.99 Wasp WDI4500 2D Barcode Scanner - Barcode scanner - handheld - decoded - USB |
|
|
WWS550i Freedom Cordless Barcode Scanner - barcode scanner $334.99 Wasp WWS550i Freedom Cordless Barcode Scanner - Barcode scanner |
|
|
SR61 - barcode scanner $873.99 Intermec SR61 - Barcode scanner - decoded |
|
|
WWS850 Freedom Scanner - barcode scanner $608.99 Wasp WWS850 Freedom Scanner - Barcode scanner - portable - Bluetooth |
|
|
WWS800 Wireless Scanner - barcode scanner $449.99 Wasp WWS800 Wireless Scanner - Barcode scanner - handheld - decoded - Bluetooth |
|
|
Digital Scanner DS6708-SR - barcode scanner $318.99 Symbol Digital Scanner DS6708-SR - Barcode scanner - handheld - decoded |
|
|
WWS450 2D Barcode Scanner - barcode scanner $646.99 Wasp WWS450 2D Barcode Scanner - Barcode scanner - portable - 100 scan / sec - 60 frames / sec - decoded |
|
|
WWS450H 2D Healthcare Barcode Scanner - barcode scanner $739.99 Wasp WWS450H 2D Healthcare Barcode Scanner - Barcode scanner - portable - 100 scan / sec - 60 frames / sec |
|
|
Wasp CCD Scanner BarCode Scanner HandHeld 633808091002 $175.15 Wasp CCD Scanner BarCode Scanner HandHeld 633808091002 |
|
|
LS4208 - barcode scanner $215.99 Symbol LS4208 - Barcode scanner - handheld - decoded |
|
|
CS1504 - barcode scanner $116.99 Symbol CS1504 - Barcode scanner - portable - decoded - RS-232 |
|
|
LS4278 - barcode scanner $536.99 Symbol LS4278 - Barcode scanner - portable - decoded - Bluetooth |
|
|
WDT 2200 - barcode scanner $749.99 Wasp WDT 2200 - Barcode scanner - portable - RS-232 |
|
|
SR61TXR - barcode scanner $654.99 Intermec SR61TXR - Barcode scanner - handheld - decoded - RS-232 |
|
|
SR30 - barcode scanner $219.99 Intermec SR30 - Barcode scanner - handheld - decoded |
|
|
SR61B - barcode scanner $843.99 Intermec SR61B - Barcode scanner - handheld - decoded - Bluetooth |
|
|
Magellan 2200VS - barcode scanner $535.99 Datalogic Magellan 2200VS - Barcode scanner - decoded |
|
|
Symbol LS4208 - barcode scanner $252.99 Symbol LS4208 - Barcode scanner - handheld - decoded |
|
|
Canon Scanner Barcode Decoder 4009B002 $431.01 Canon Scanner Barcode Decoder 4009B002 |
|
|
Canon Scanner Barcode Decoder $396.99 4009B002 Canon Canon DR-6050C Scanner Canon DR-7550C Scanner Canon DR-9050C Scanner Canon, Inc Scanner Accessory Scanner Barcode Decoder www.usa.canon.com |
|
|
WCS3900 CCD Scanner - barcode scanner $155.99 Wasp WCS3900 CCD Scanner - Barcode scanner - handheld - 45 scan / sec - decoded - keyboard wedge |
|
|
WCS3905 CCD Scanner - barcode scanner $165.99 Wasp WCS3905 CCD Scanner - Barcode scanner - handheld - 45 scan / sec - decoded - USB |
|
|
MS 335 - barcode scanner $76.99 Unitech MS 335 - Barcode scanner - handheld - 230 scan / sec - decoded |
|
|
LS 2208 - barcode scanner $149.99 Symbol LS 2208 - Barcode scanner - handheld - 100 scan / sec - decoded |
|
|
LS3408-FZ - barcode scanner $433.99 Symbol LS3408-FZ - Barcode scanner - handheld - 36 scan / sec - decoded |
|
|
LS2208 - barcode scanner $181.99 Symbol LS2208 - Barcode scanner - handheld - 100 scan / sec - decoded - USB |