Scanners

Barcode Scanners

Optimedia Labs sells handheld barcode readers and accessories. USB barcode scanners are common throughout the supply chain. They’re used in retail, warehousing, logistics, grocery, library, healthcare, and transportation environments for a wide range of purposes. Scanners can scan numerous barcode formats including UPC codes, QR codes, ISBN codes, postal codes, and many more.

Using Barcode Scanners

Handheld USB barcode readers can be placed in a cradle (sold separately) when not in use and then quickly retrieved to scan an item’s barcode label or, in some cases, a smartphone’s displayed barcode. Barcode scanner stands are also available for hands-free operation. When in presentation mode on a scanner stand, the barcode is placed in front of the barcode reader, which is helpful in mail rooms, event entry, movie theaters, security stations, and other settings where hands-free operation is desirable.

Whether in presentation mode or handheld, barcode scanners are commonly used for:

-   Inventory management

-   Shipping and receiving

-   Logistics tracking

-   Food tracing

-   Manufacturing applications

-   Asset management

-   Library book management

-   In-store gift registries

-   Store checkout

-   Healthcare applications

-   Boarding passes for buses, airlines, and trains

-   Concert, movie, and conference tickets

-   Conference badges

-   Employee badges

-   Access control

-   Postal applications

Barcode Types

There are many different barcode formats in use today. For example, barcodes that appear on products, movie tickets, books, packages, and letters look and act differently. Some are made up of a series of black vertical lines (known as 1D barcodes) while others are made up of two-dimensional shapes and symbols (known as 2D barcodes).

The familiar UPC code is a 1D barcode format as are ISBN barcodes, EAN barcodes, Code 128 barcodes, Postnet barcodes, Codabar barcodes, GS1 DataBar barcodes, and MSI/Plessey barcodes to name a few.

QR codes are a good example of 2D barcodes. Other examples include Datamatrix barcodes, PDF417 codes barcodes, and Aztec barcodes. 2D barcodes can hold much more data than 1D barcodes, making them popular for more intensive barcode scanning operations where more data must be stored.

Understanding the type of barcodes you need to scan is crucial in selecting a 1D or 2D scanner. Check out our selection of 1D and 2D handheld barcode readers, barcode scanner stands, and barcode scanner cradles below.