subject: Small Business Must Embrace Barcode Techology [print this page] Barcode technology is the business owner's best friend. It can simplify and streamline a business operation, allowing the owner to work faster, better, and more accurately. Everything from taking inventory to point-of-sale activity can now benefit from the use of scanners.
While barcode technology has previously been identified mainly with large corporations, it is now coming into the price range of small businesses. Many small company owners are surprised at how affordable these systems are and how easily they can be integrated into a business.
Scanners and printers are not big pieces of equipment, so there is virtually no disruption when it comes to installation. In most cases, they can easily fit on a desk or counter without crowding. They plug right into a computer's USB port and send data as if it were typed on a keyboard, and newer models generally read all the current codes.
One advantage of today's barcode systems is that they are designed for specific sizes and types of business. Because early versions were made for large enterprises, the first attempts to address the needs of small businesses tended to be scaled down versions of those big, complicated ones. Small business owners today have the luxury of purchasing quick and easy-to-use ones that are tailor-made for their operations.
Many of the early problems of this technology now have been worked out. For instance, laser scanners can now read damaged symbols or stacked barcodes better than their predecessors, ensuring quicker and more accurate data entry. This problem, which caused frequent annoyance and inefficiency in older scanners, is no longer an issue with newer systems. Many laser barcode models also have a high tolerance for movement, allowing you to move faster and still get an accurate reading.
Scanners are getting a lot lighter and more ergonomic these days, which is an important point if you're using them for long periods of time. They're also more durable than they used to be, so getting dropped on the floor a few times shouldn't cause any damage.
Mobility is no longer a problem either. Cordless barcode scanners can go anywhere, and you never have to worry about getting tangled or tripping over the wire. This makes them practical for jobs like warehouse inventory where the user has to move around a lot, and with no cord for potential trip-ups cuts out a possible cause of accidents.
With all these improvements, any type of inventory can be kept track of with wireless barcode scanners. Businesses where merchandise is stacked in small spaces that are hard to reach with cumbersome cord scanners, can now be inventoried quickly and easily with the cordless models.
Laser scanners can generally get an accurate reading up to twenty-nine inches from the barcode, so you won't have to take as many steps as you once did. The days of walking around with a clipboard in your hands are over, and your records will be more accurate than ever before. This wonderful new technology can help any small business move up to the next level of productivity and efficiency.
