If you are considering purchasing a handheld barcode scanner for your company or business, there are a number of key questions you should ask first.

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There are several considerations to take into account and by understanding and knowing these, they will help you to identify the best barcode scanner for your requirements. Below you will find 5 key questions you need to ask before purchasing a handheld barcode scanner.

5 Questions To Ask Before Buying a Handheld Barcode Scanner

1. Will you be using your handheld barcode scanner inside or outside? This question is a must because some handheld barcode scanners are designed for specific lighting. Some will work well in natural sunlight as well as in dim lighting conditions. If you require a handheld barcode scanner that will work outdoors as well as indoors you need to check the lighting specifications of the barcode scanner model you are considering.
2. What types of barcodes and symbologies will you be working with? If you work with barcodes that are faded or damaged you need to make sure the barcode scanner you choose is capable of reading imperfect barcodes. As well as this, there are several different categories of symbologies including 1D, 2D and postal barcodes so you need to make sure the device you choose is capable of decoding all the symbologies you will be working with.
3. How often will the device be used? If you will be using your barcode scanner for long periods of time or on an ongoing basis you need to look at the battery life and whether corded connectivity is required. Some barcode scanners can capture 60 images per second or more whilst others offer rapid continuous scanning capabilities without details. If you require the scanning of thousands of barcodes per day you need to make sure the handheld barcode scanner you choose has these capabilities.
4. Will the barcode scanner be exposed to harsh environments? If you are using your barcode scanner in less than ideal conditions for example outdoors in wind and rain, or for scanning products in dusty warehouses you need to make sure the device and model you choose is durable and designed for harsh environments.
5. What scanning distance will you need? Some handheld barcode scanners require you to be within a few inches of the barcode and this might not be possible. If you need to be able to scan from a distance this is a feature you need to look for. If you will be scanning barcodes up close you probably won’t have to worry too much, but again this is something that you should consider before making your choice.

We hope that these questions have proved valuable and will help you make a decision on the barcode scanner you require for your business. If you have any questions or need further advice on choosing a handheld barcode scanner, our experts are always on hand to help. Visit the contact us page for more information.

5 Factors to Consider Before You Start to Print Barcode Labels

In a previous post, we looked at how to choose the best software for label printing for your business. After it went live, we realized that selecting a software package is only part of the story. You also need to consider the barcode labels themselves to ensure they have the right features for the application where they will be used. 

If you have never used barcode labels before and are implementing a new system, you can choose a bar code label printing software package that will assist with inventory tracking. In a situation where you are updating your existing system used to print barcode labels, it is the perfect time to look at whether you can introduce some changes to increase your company’s overall efficiency.

Are you ready to implement printing barcode labels into your business now? To move forward, contact us online or call (330) 645-9959 to book an appointment with a Scanco Solutions Expert.

What to Consider Before you Print Barcode Labels

Barcode labels are one of the most popular options for managing traceable assets. They can easily be attached to items coming into the warehouse which will be held in inventory. Barcode labels are also used when shipping orders to customers. Before you start printing off labels, you will want to consider these factors:

1. Types of Assets to Be Tracked

If an inventory management plan is already in place, it will contain answers to questions you may have about which types of assets should be tracked using barcodes. If you don’t already have one, you will be dealing with inventory management as part of the overall plan. Think about all the assets you and your team manage, then decide which ones could be tracked using barcodes. You will also need to determine which areas in the warehouse (shelves, racks, or workspaces) would need labels or tags.

2. Environmental Conditions Where Labels Will Be Used

Since barcodes are frequently used in industrial applications, it is important that they are durable. These labels are also relied on by employees in manufacturing facilities to mark products as raw materials, packaged goods, and work-in-progress.

What is a Durable Barcode Label?

A durable barcode label is one that will stand up well to the conditions where it is placed. In a warehouse facility where it will be shielded from extreme temperatures, you may be thinking that the label will not be exposed to any harsh conditions. This is not necessarily the case. Even though the item carrying the label or its storage area is indoors, the label may still be exposed to the following:

• Abrasion
• Dirt and grime
• Moisture due to rain, snow, or ice
• Oil
• Salt
• Solvents and other chemicals

Barcodes used in facilities where these substances may be present must be durable so they can still be read for inventory purposes.

3. Regulatory Requirements for Tracking Materials and Equipment

If your industry sets out specific requirements for labeling and tracking materials and equipment, using durable barcode labels is a good strategy to ensure your business remains in compliance. Before making your final choice about buying labels, do research the relevant international, federal, and local regulations. You’ll want to ensure you are including all the required information before you print barcode labels.

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4. Estimated “Shelf Life” of Barcode Labels

Durability is an important feature when choosing labels from the point of view of convenience as well as cost. When the labels have a longer expected shelf life, they will need to be replaced less often, leading to a better overall value for the company.

5. Your Facility’s Layout

If this is the first time your team will be printing barcode labels, you will need to analyze the flow of items or raw materials as they come into your facility and make their way through the production or the order fulfillment process. This analysis will reveal valuable information about when barcode labels need to be used, how often they need to be printed, and where the printers need to be placed.

Advantages of Using Barcode Printers in your Business

When discussing the factors to consider before you start to print barcode labels, we would be remiss if we neglected to mention the advantages that a barcode printer can bring to your business.

1. Ease of Use

Barcode printers are quite user-friendly. They are easy to install and don’t require a lot of maintenance.

2. On-demand Printing

A barcode printer is fully capable of printing labels for your company’s requirements. It can handle a single barcode label or 100 in a batch with ease.

3. Cost-effective Option

Creating your own barcodes in-house is more economical than relying on a third party to produce them. For a product-based company, you will want to buy your own barcode printer and create labels as you need them.

4. Compact and Portable

Due to their compact size, barcode printers can be moved from one location to another within your facility with ease. Space is usually at a premium in warehouses and the printer’s small dimensions mean it can be set up at a workstation or in any other convenient location.

Sage Barcode Label Printing Solutions From Scanco

Scanco has the types of flexible solutions you need to automate your business and keep it running efficiently. Scanco Dashprint gives you everything you require to view and print labels in one convenient dashboard. The dashboard and label software connects seamlessly to your Sage ERP, which means your team will have all the necessary tools for unloading items and placing them in your facility in an organized manner.

When they are needed to fill orders (either on the manufacturing or distribution side), they can be located quickly. Items needed to fill customer orders can be picked, packed, and shipped to their destinations without delay. Consumers are interested in receiving their orders in a timely manner, and are definitely keeping track of how long their items take to get to them. This is a case where getting orders completed and out the door counts—but they have to be accurate.

Scanco Dashprint gives your team everything they need to print labels using one of the templates formatted for use with any printer brand or model available on the market. You can also choose to design your own barcode labels using one of the 33 Zebra file templates included.

The entire process is designed to match the speed of modern business. It is quick, easy, and convenient. You can’t afford to have any part of the process bogged down in technical difficulties or time-consuming training. Dashprint is easy to use and your team will be printing custom barcode labels in no time!

Ready to Print Barcode Labels With Scanco?

Scanco is your source for quality solutions tailored to your company’s specific needs. We work with small, medium, and large-sized enterprises regularly and we never make the mistake of assuming that if we have seen one type of business that the same issues and concerns would automatically apply to all businesses in that industry. To take the next step, contact us online or call 330-645-9959 to arrange an appointment with a Scanco Solutions Expert.

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