Most businesses today make use of barcodes for various reasons. But, what are barcode scanners used for? It doesn’t matter if you are keeping track of your company’s computers and other integral equipment; running a store where you need to keep a keen eye on your stocks and prices or own a warehouse requires a constant tally of piles of items, the barcode scanners are being used to help gather and tabulate the data you need. But what are these barcode scanners, and what makes them so important in the modern world?

Types of Barcode Scanners

Barcode scanners are available in different types, so you must first identify the one that will best suit your needs. The primary categories of scanners are 2D, laser, imager, and LED. All of them scan the barcode in their own unique ways.

Laser Barcode Scanners

Laser barcode scanners are known for being a very effective and popular choice. These scanners emit a thin red laser that accurately and quickly reads the barcode in a timeframe of 1 second. These can also read barcodes at a longer distance compared to their older LED counterparts.

LED Scanners

On the other hand, LED scanners are commonly seen in many shops.

2D Scanners & Image Scanners

2D scanners read barcodes in the form of an image before transmitting the entire code in the form of an image file in the database. It also applies to the image scanner. Each scanner is a bit tougher since they don’t have moving parts, making them withstand harsher conditions and more use.

Forms of Barcode Scanners

There are also different barcode scanners, and the one you choose will depend on the nature of your business and the type that best suits you.

Handheld Scanners

Checkout lines commonly use handheld scanners. These come with a handle with a trigger button that signals the laser or LED once pressed to read the item.

Pen Scanners

Pen scanners are smaller and look like ballpoint pens. These should be physically pointed and swiped across the barcode to get an exact reading. Although pen scanners can work well, they are not quite as time efficient.

Stationary Scanners

The stationary scanner is no doubt the most common type of scanner. These are mounted on a countertop and seen in grocery store checkout lines. Fixed position scanners are often used for bigger environments like manufacturing warehouses for inventory tracking or tracking destinations of items when they are shipped out to distributors or customers.

What are Barcode Scanners used for?

Barcode scanners undoubtedly play an important role in today’s society. From tracking inventory, scanners can also be used for other purposes. These prove to be useful in tracking invoices or paperwork, tracking customers, and even tracking employees. With these functions, business owners can look forward to improving performance and day-to-day operations with less stress and hassle than doing things manually. You can now shop for used barcode scanners by contacting Teletraders to get a better deal on a new scanner. Make sure you do your homework before settling for a specific scanner for your business. Contact Teletraders to offload your used barcode scanners today.