From warehouses to supermarkets, logistics to airports, our modern automatic workflows would not be possible without barcode scanning. The potential of this technology is far from exhausted, as enterprises strive to stay competitive, driving demand for even faster and more accurate barcode scanning solutions.
In this article, Scanbot SDK presents six essential features a barcode scanner should offer – features that elevate workflows to the next level.
Traditionally, barcode scanners were dedicated devices, either stationary or handheld. However, classic linear laser scanners and imagers lack the flexibility of software-based solutions.
This is why enterprises are increasingly relying on mobile barcode scanning apps. Modern smartphones and tablets, with their high-resolution cameras and powerful processors, offer an effective and user-friendly alternative to traditional scanning tools.
Software-based barcode scanners are not only flexible and intuitive, but they also come equipped with advanced features such as Augmented Reality (AR) overlays.
These features make barcode scanning easier, faster, and more versatile than ever before. By integrating a barcode scanner SDK into your mobile app, any smartphone or tablet can become a powerful scanning device. There is a device strategy for every enterprise, ranging from the cost-saving BYOD to the administration-friendly COPE.
When selecting barcode scanning software for your web or mobile application, consider the following six features:
Multi-Scanning
The ability to scan several barcodes simultaneously is incredibly useful in inventory counting or last-mile delivery. This feature saves time and ensures that all necessary barcodes are scanned, regardless of type, effectively eliminating issues with missed or duplicate scans. In industries such as manufacturing, transportation, or retail, where high volumes and varied types of barcodes are common, a fast, accurate barcode scanner with broad coverage of all common 1D and 2D barcodes is essential.
Batch Scanning
If employees are wasting time starting new scanning processes for each barcode, a Batch Scanning feature is crucial. Batch Scanning allows for the continuous scanning of multiple barcodes without stopping, removing friction from the scanning workflow and ensuring faster, error-free data processing in the backend. This is particularly beneficial in high-volume use cases like shipping, where multiple products or loads can be scanned without pause.
Scan & Count
Sophisticated inventory management and warehouse operations require up-to-date inventory data. A Scan & Count feature dramatically improves counting speed and accuracy, helping maintain accurate stock levels. By capturing all barcodes in the viewfinder at once and instantly presenting the scanning results and total count, this feature, when combined with modern drone technology, plays a vital role in warehouse automation.
AR Overlay
For scenarios involving a large number of barcodes, previewing their contents before capture is beneficial. An AR Overlay displays a real-time overview of a barcode’s content in the live view before capturing it. AR pop-ups provide information about the individual barcode, such as type, scan date, and value. For specific use cases, the tool can be set to analyse only a particular barcode type.
Pick by Scan
Warehouse picking becomes more efficient with a Pick by Scan function in barcode scanning software. This feature surpasses paper pick lists by showing employees what items to pick, where they are stored, and the required quantity. Immediate visual confirmation during barcode scanning, and real-time stock updates by connecting the software to the ERP system, further streamline operations.
Easy Integration into Existing Software
Optimising workflows and reducing human error involves providing intuitive barcode scanning tools to employees and customers without spending months on development. Therefore, select barcode scanner software with easy implementation. The key is to choose a developer-oriented SDK that can be integrated within days, complete with detailed documentation, example apps, and ready-to-use UI components, allowing developers to build a working prototype within hours.
Fast and Reliable Barcode Capture with the Scanbot Barcode Scanner SDK
With the Scanbot Barcode Scanner SDK, enterprises gain a fast, accurate, and reliable data capture tool. The SDK supports all common 1D and 2D barcode types, offering one of the broadest coverages on the market.
Powered by computer vision algorithms and machine learning models, the Scanbot SDK enables barcode scanning in 0.2 seconds with 98.7% accuracy. Designed for real-world conditions, it handles blurred and damaged barcodes from almost any angle, even in poor lighting.
It also scans extremely small barcodes or those over a meter away. The Scanbot SDK offers unlimited scanning for a flat annual fee, making it ideal for any industry with high-volume barcode scanning needs.
Read the full blog from Scanbot SDK here.
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