How 2D Barcode Scanning Can Benefit your Business
Scanning Basics: From Laser to Imager
Whether you’re aware of it or not, barcodes are one of the most influential technologies of the 20th century. The simple black and white bars you find on every product have helped usher in a level of efficiency that has allowed for large scale tracking around the globe. Many businesses would not be possible to run without the humble barcode. Keeping track of anything accurately is almost unimaginable without barcodes.
Historically, laser-based scanners were used to read barcodes. These laser scanners are still found in many applications today. While there have been advances in the speed and accuracy of laser scanners, the technology is still essentially the same it was when it was first developed in the ‘70s.
Today however, there are two technologies used in readers for barcode scanning: lasers and imagers. Imagers offer several improvements over the traditional laser while also providing important new capabilities, such as being able to read 2D barcodes. Imagers may have been used only in special cases in the past, but today, the advantages they provide over lasers can help improve almost any scanning application.
New Skorpio X3 Mobile Computers with Improved 2D Performance
Datalogic has announce that the highly successful Skorpio X3 mobile computer product line has been further enhanced with improved 2D performance and a new keypad option.
Regarding the improved performance of the 2D feature, both depth-of-field and decoding speed have been significantly improved in order to provide the best state-of-the-art solution.
Datalogic is pleased to expand the number of available standard 2D configurations offering a wide variety of pistol grip models, now featuring an extended battery pack by default to support scan-intensive 2D applications.
Cognex Dataman 300 Selected by Leading Warehouse Automation Company
Cognex announced that it has received purchase orders totaling more than $3 million from a U.S. based designer of logistics automation systems. The customer will integrate Cognex DataMan(R) 300 barcode readers into numerous shipping and distribution centers for a major retailer.
The DataMan 300 with Hotbars image analysis technology offers reliable reading of 1-D barcodes that lasers cannot read, including damaged, distorted, blurred, scratched, low height and low contrast codes. It also reads codes presented in any orientation, multiple codes within the same image, and 2-D codes such as Data Matrix and QR codes. With no moving parts to wear out, the DataMan 300 also offers exceptional reliability, lower maintenance and longer product life. DataMan’s real-time performance feedback also provides customers with the ability to make immediate adjustments for process improvements.
Motorola’s New DS4800 Retail 2D Imager
Your store represents your brand. You take pride in its design. The ambiance it creates is a big part of your customer’s experience, and you’ve worked hard to make sure they feel it the moment they walk through your doors. With the DS4800 Series, you can extend that customer experience right to your POS. This innovative bar code scanner offers style without compromise, marrying impressive design and leading-edge technologies with the enterprise reliability and functionality that you expect from Motorola Solutions.
DENSO’s New AT27Q-SB 2D Bluetooth Scanner
DENSO announced their new AT27Q-SB handheld barcode scanner, the latest addition to its AT20Q-Series high-speed devices. The AT27Q-SB offers scanning of 2D barcodes, such as the QR Codes, as well as 1D barcodes. Bluetooth 2.1 technology enables wireless communication with mobile devices, including smartphones and tablets, in addition to traditional PCs.
A high-speed shutter eliminates the effect of camera shake, so barcodes can be scanned from any direction within 360 degrees, for increased operator efficiency. Advanced anti-reflection technology allows reliable reading of barcodes on the LCD screens of mobile phones.
Top Honeywell Scanners – Infographic
With a long standing history in imaging technology, Honeywell has been providing some of the most capable and aggressive scanners available today. From handheld corded units to fully rugged cordless and presentation models, Honeywell has a scanner to fit the needs of any application. This infographic is a great overview of Honeywell’s most popular and widely used models.
For assistance finding the right Honeywell scanner for your needs, contact us at Barcodes Inc.
Socket Launches Competitively Priced 2D Apple Certified Barcode Scanner
Socket has announced the upcoming availability of a new addition to their 2D barcode scanning product line – the Socket Bluetooth Cordless Hand Scanner (CHS) 7Qi, a small and sleek wireless barcode scanner for the Apple iPad, iPad mini, iPhone and iPod touch. The scanners also support Android and Windows devices. The new 7Qi has similar performance standards and features of Socket’s current ruggedized 2D barcode scanner, Model 7Xi, but uses the same colorful housing of our other CHS models. The 7Qi is attractively priced at an MSRP of $429 and Euros 393, making it highly competitive in the 2D scanning market.
The 7Qi is available in red, yellow, blue and gray. These colorful barcode scanners enable businesses to enhance corporate branding in retail point-of-sale (POS), field sales and service, and other customer-facing applications needing both 2D and linear barcode scanning capabilities.
Introducing the New Datalogic QuickScan QD2400
Interested in a 2D imager that offers quality scanning at a price that won’t hurt your wallet? The QuickScan QD2400 2D imager combines excellent performance, reliability and ergonomic design all in one affordable product.
You can feel the power, speed and durability of this imager at the POS. Pick up the QuickScan QD 2D imager and try it out:
Evaluating Barcode Reading Technologies: Laser vs. Imager
Choosing the right barcode reading technology is fundamental to achieving optimal performance from a data collection solution. As new symbologies and technologies are developed, the choices are more varied than ever. There has been much debate on the merits of laser-based and camera-based barcode readers, and in fact, some have asserted that only image-based readers should be considered for new automation applications.
Should laser barcode scanners be considered “obsolete” technology and are imagers (camera-based readers) the only viable technology for today’s applications? While imagers have seen increased use due to the growing adoption of 2D symbols such as Data Matrix, laser scanners still set the standard for accurate, high speed barcode reading in many applications. The optimal barcode reading solution will be dictated by the specific requirements of an application.
Top Intermec Barcode Scanners
Intermec has been a leader in data capture technology for over 40 years now and provides scanning solutions for every business size and type. From batch collectors to 2D Imagers, they have a scanner to fit any application requirement. With a focus on reliability and high performance, you can always count on Intermec scanners.
This infographic is a great overview of the current line of Intermec scanners and will help clarify the functionality and best use cases for each.
