| If you own a business and have difficulty tracking your | | | | have the complicated decoders the higher priced ones |
| stocks, you should get a barcode scanner and | | | | come with. |
| software to improve efficiency. A barcode, or | | | | To use a handheld scanner, you simply move it at a |
| universal product code (UPC), is a label for an item | | | | constant speed across the barcode. For a |
| which a scanner can read. These UPC barcodes | | | | non-handheld scanner, you move the item under the |
| were invented to help grocery stores keep track of | | | | scanner. Using barcode scanners is very simple and |
| their inventory and speed up the checkout process but, | | | | the newest ones are ergonomic so they stay |
| soon after, many other uses were discovered. | | | | comfortable, even if you have to use them all day long. |
| UPCs are registered with the Uniform Code Council | | | | Types of Barcode Software |
| (UCC) and a new manufacturer can apply to the UCC | | | | There are different kinds of barcode software, |
| for permission to use UPC. This costs the | | | | meaning that barcode scanners can carry out different |
| manufacturer an annual fee and he will get a six digit | | | | tasks. Here are some examples. Barcode scanners |
| manufacturer identification number. Every twelve digit | | | | can track both fixed assets, such as laptops or legal |
| UPC code contains the manufacturer identification | | | | case documents and inventory such as mass goods. |
| number as part of the code. | | | | Scanners use software to integrate barcodes into an |
| A UPC symbol will contain both a machine-readable | | | | existing database. Some scanners can print barcodes |
| barcode and a human-readable twelve digit UPC | | | | on labels, which is useful for labeling shipments for |
| number. The manufacturer number is the first six digits, | | | | example. There are also many other types of scanner |
| then you have the item number and then the check | | | | software for different purposes. |
| digit. This digit is attained by performing a calculation on | | | | Some Good Barcode Scanners |
| the first digits. When using barcode scanners, if the | | | | Symbol barcode scanners are easy to use. The |
| check digit is incorrect, this means the scanner has not | | | | Symbol LS 2208 which is a great value handheld |
| scanned the barcode successfully and must rescan it. | | | | scanner and the LS 3408 series scanners which can |
| Some barcode scanners connect to a USB port or | | | | read barcodes up to forty five feet away. |
| PC keyboard as a terminal, so there is no need for an | | | | HHP barcode scanners have a very good reputation. |
| external power supply. The barcode terminal scans | | | | The HHP Hand Held Image Team 3800 is a durable, |
| the data, which in turn is sent to the PC as if it had | | | | hand held scanner which can be used in bright sunlight |
| been typed on the keyboard. This makes using | | | | as well as indoors. This scanner can read barcodes up |
| scanners quick as well as simple. | | | | to three feet away and is small, light and comfortable |
| Handheld barcode scanners are useful for reading | | | | to use. |
| barcodes and using scanners is easy. Some barcode | | | | Using barcode scanners is quick and easy to learn. |
| scanners have inbuilt decoders which are capable of | | | | There are many different scanners to choose from |
| reading different barcode symbologies. The lowest | | | | and newer barcode scanner technology is being |
| priced barcode scanners on the market often do not | | | | developed all the time. |