How To Choose A Barcode Scanner
The wrong choice could cost you…
Having a barcode scanner that’s not working properly could cost you in the long run. Incorrectly scanned barcodes can result in poor customer relations, long lines at checkout, frustrated staff, and legal sanctions. Consequently, many retailers are now implementing a variety of procedures that were developed to help achieve and maintain accuracy. According to Retail Council, one of those adopted rules is where the scanned price of a product at checkout is higher than the price displayed in the store, however, the lower price will be honored. So it’s worth checking your existing scanners for accuracy or upgrading to a new one.
Damaged or dirty barcode? No problem!
According to Made How, older scanners may use a single-line laser beam and could have trouble reading a torn, damaged or dirty barcode. Newer omnidirectional scanning technology uses a series of straight and curved scanning lines in varying shapes like a starburst, a Lissajous pattern, or other multi-angle arrangements. They are then projected at the barcode and one or more of the scan lines will be able to cross all of the symbol’s bars and spaces, no matter what the orientation.
Omnidirectional scanners almost all use lasers. Most of them use a single rotating polygonal mirror and an arrangement of several fixed mirrors to generate their complex scan patterns.
Omnidirectional scanners are most known as the horizontal scanners in supermarkets, where packages side over a glass or sapphire window. There is a range of different omnidirectional units available at sites like Shopify, which can be used for various scanning applications. These applications range from retail where the barcodes are read only a few centimeters away from the scanner, to industrial conveyor scanning where the unit can be a couple of meters away from the code. Omnidirectional scanners are also better at reading poorly printed, wrinkled, or even torn barcodes.
Pardon my reach, sir!
Instead of straining to move a heavy or bulky item up to a scanner, it’s easier to take the scanner to the item. Why not ask customers to leave the heavy items on their shopping carts and simply walk around to scan them with a wireless scanner? A cordless barcode scanner is powered by an internal battery and transfers data wirelessly to a terminal. Not only is it less work for the customer, but your cashiers will have less repetitive stress injuries and be happier. Here are a few more ways to reduce injuries. Postal Employee Network suggests thinking about the following questions, if you answer no to any, the activity may be a potential source of injury:
Are items within easy reach?
Are keyboard supports adjustable?
Can the cashier work with items at about elbow height?
Can the display be read without twisting?
Are all edges smoothed or rounded so the employee does not come into contact with sharp or hard edges?
Are objects easily scanned the first time?
Are objects scanned without twisting hand motions?
Can cashiers scan heavy/bulky/awkward items without lifting them?
Is the scale, conveyor, and horizontal scanner plate all the same height?
Is the scanner plate clean and unscratched?
Does the cashier have an anti-fatigue mat and/or footrest?
Can the bagger adjust the height of the bag stand?
Do bags have handles?
Can the bagger put bags into carts without leaning over the check-stand or twisting their back?
A number of procedures to deal with issues like these are laid out by OSHA.
Time is money, how long will a barcode scanner remain broken
Since a broken scanner is going to cost you money the longer it`s not working, make sure you have a plan for how to get it fixed quickly. The company you bought it from should have a support phone number or website with troubleshooting tips, for example here are some from Shopify:
WIRELESS BLUETOOTH SCANNER
Make sure that:
The scanner is fully charged
The device the scanner’s paired with is in range (10 meters or less)
The Bluetooth setting on the paired device is toggled to On
The pairing completed successfully (check your scanner setup.)
OTHER SCANNERS
A dirty or wet cover to the laser (red plastic piece) may cause the scanner to miss the scan
Check if the barcode is wet or damaged
Very strong Electromagnetic pulses can cause lost scans, such as from an x-ray device or an electromagnet
Coupons or labels printed on a PC have incomplete or missing lines in the bar code because of a dirty print head.
There could be a computer error
Worry now, instead of later when customers are lined up waiting
Point-of-sale scanning is perhaps the most challenging bar code scanning application in use today. Supermarket scanners represent the most advanced design of the various types of bar code scanners, because of the particular difficulties associated with reading bar codes on oddly shaped items or items that may be dirty, wet, or fragile. Making the right choice today will mean you will have less to worry about later!
