PDA Barcode Scanner

If you’re looking for a pocket pc barcode scanner, be prepared to pay more than you would for a regular bar code scanner.  While cheap barcode scanners can run you only $100-200, a pocket pc barcode scanner is likely to cost you around $2,000.

Now before you setup the pocket pc barcode scanner in your office or store, you’re going to want to make sure that everyone knows how to use this new piece of hardware to avoid issues popping up during normal operations of the device.  With that said, one of the first things you’re going to want to straighten out are the features of your pc barcode scanner and what it is able to do. 

A lot of these scanners will be able to interface with Word and Excel so that you can make manual changes on your screen.  When you input information into this, it is usually done via a sylus or a keyboard and in some situations, both are used.  One tip, try using a high screen resolution so that you don’t end up misreading any information; you’ll also want to make sure that the pocket pc barcode scanner works with all of the other pre-existing software.

Another thing to consider is the communication within the network.  When hand held devices such as this first came out, transferring data was something that had to be done manually.  So you would have had to hook up the scanner to the computer and then move the data to the network.  However, these days we don’t have to do that with the advent of Wi-Fi or Bluetooth technologies.  Do keep in mind though that using this will eat up the battery life fast so make sure you have some spare batteries around so it doesn’t interrupt the work you’re doing.

One additional thing to understand is how the pocket pc barcode scanner handles the type of barcode being scanned.  There are many different types of barcodes and each one requires it be scanned in a specific way.  For instance, there is the standard barcode which is a series of lines, this is easy enough and scanned with just the laser.  There are however newer systems that have a 2 dimensional system where it needs to be scanned with either CCD or picture capture technology.  Here the scanner takes a picture of the barcode and that is then converted into data.

Once your employees are properly trained in the use of the new pocket pc barcode scanner, this should limit the amount of user error and delays when operating the device.  Now as far as what kind of scanner to get, well, there are many different brands to consider, it would be wise to search the Internet and do some comparisons based on features and price.