by Howard Brule

Product barcodes are read by barcode scanners in more everyday situations than most of us realize. One of the most familiar uses of this technology is with barcodes on product packages at grocery stores. When we buy something a bar code scanner scans and reads the barcodes on each package. Product information such as product name and unit cost is automatically read and processed by the stock control system. A short description and the amount of each item is automatically added to your bill as each new item is scanned.

When the stock control system tallies a purchase, no matter what is actually sold, the inventory records in the central database are simultaneously modified to record the fact that the item has been purchased. If your inventory information was correctly entered into the system when you set it up, inventory control occurs without the need for manual counting or recording of purchases.

In a small business setting implementing such a system starts with stock control software where information about inventory items is stored. Bar code scanners are used to input data into the stock control system. Each time an item passes in or out of inventory it is scanned and the appropriate change of status is recorded in the inventory database.

Such a system can even create unique bar codes for items that do not already have them. For new items a unique bar code is generated by the software, and then a bar code printer is used to print a bar code label that is then affixed to the item.

These are the top three kinds of bar code scanners that are used today:

1. Wand Scanners - The least expensive type of bar code scanner is the wand system. And even though it is less expensive, it still is a great choice for most uses. Typically wand prices are a tenth of laser gun prices and about a fifth of CCD scanner prices.

The wand system works very well most of the time, and is is the cheapest kind of bar code scanner. As far as cost is concerned, one of these wands will cost 1/10th as much as a laser gun, and about 1/5th as much as a CCD scanner.

However, wand scanners are limited in their operation. To succeed in obtaining a proper reading, the wand has to be positioned correctly with respect to the bar coding label. It is necessary as well to slide the wand along the label neither overly rapidly nor overly slowly. Wand scanners are limited by their resolution requirements too. If a bar code’s resolution is too fine, then the wand won’t be successful in scanning it properly. For instance, a 5 mil bar code cannot be read by a 10 mil device. You must remember that when you go out to buy a wand scanner.

2. CCD Scanners - CCD stands for charged coupled device. This type of scanner normally costs less than a laser scanner, and it is a very accurate alternative system for scanning bar codes. Both the wand scanner and the CCD reader have to be in physical contact with the bar code if they are to read the label. However, the CCD reader doesn’t have to be moved, waved, or slid across the label like the wand scanner. The user can just touch the reader to the bar code and pull the trigger to activate the scanner.

Of all the different types of bar code scanners, CCD readers are considered the most straight-forward to use. They are manufactured in widths that start at about 2 and go up to 4 inches. A CCD reader is expensive compared to a wand (about four times the cost), but is a bargain compared to the laser scanner (about one third the cost).

A promising new technology similar to CCD is called FFO (Fixed Focus Optics). These scanners are non-contact readers, which means they can read bar codes from as much as 20″ away. They will also be able to read two-dimensional bar codes as they become more popular.

3. The Laser Scanner - More sophisticated high volume applications use laser scanners to read and record bar codes. The bar code label is scanned quickly by a laser scanner using a beam of light. This means that there is no need for the bar code label to touch the scanner, and the scanner isn’t portable. Since scanning occurs when the object is simply held in front of the scanner, item scanning is essentially automatic.

Such a system has benefits in a variety of situations. For instance, because the scans are accomplished with great speed, it is possible to embed laser scanners inside of conveyor systems. When items pass by rapidly, scanning takes place automatically. In a retail environment, the clerk merely moves each item over the glass to engage the scan. Such a system can easily keep pace with a clerk who simply moves objects from one side of the scanner to the other other. Laser systems are much more rapid and accurate than any other widely-used alternative.

When choosing a bar code scanner and an inventory control system, it is important to take into consideration the ability to adapt new scanning technologies to your system as they become available. This will allow you to keep your system updated without having to upgrade or replace the entire system in the future.

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