Barcode scanners or barcode readers are electronic devices used for reading printed labels. These devices consist of light source, light sensor and lens that translate ocular impulses into electrical impulses. Almost all these devices contain a “decoder” circuitry that analyzes the image data of the barcode. The sensor provides the image data and sends the content of the barcode to the output port of the scanner.

Kinds of Barcode Scanners

There are different kinds of barcode scanners depending on the method employed. The methods of scanning are usually distinguished by the amount of required operator manipulation. Below is a detailed list of scanning methods.

First is the pen type reader. It needs the operator in order to swipe the pen onto the code.

Next, we have the handheld readers, considered semi-automatic. With this scanning method, the operator does not need to swipe the item though he or she must position the scanner near the item’s label.

There is also the fix-mount reader. This method of scanning is done by laterally passing the item’s label over the scanner or reader. It is used for automatic readings. This method does not need any operator although the code target’s position must match with the reader’s imaging capability.

The fourth type is reader gates. It is used by positioning the code under the gate for a short period of time. It enables the scanner to sweep and capture the code successfully.

Types of Housing

The packagings of the readers are distinguishable from one another. A handheld scanner or reader has a typical trigger button and a handle for switching the light source on and off.

The wand or pen scanner is a barcode scanner shaped like a pen. It reads the code when swiped.

The stationary scanner is a fixed device. This can either be a table or wall-mounted scanner. The barcode is passed beside or under the wall or table. It is very common in supermarkets and other retail shops.

The fixed position scanner is an industrialized barcode reader used so as to identify the products during its logistics and manufacture. This is commonly seen on conveyor tracks in order to identify pallets or cartons needed to be routed to another shipping location or process.

Yet another application of this scanner is the joining of checkweighers and holographic scanners in order to detect the barcodes of any placement or orientation as well as the weight of the package. This kind of system is generally used in farm automations and factories for shipping and quality management.

PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) scanner comes with a built-in barcode scanner or an attached barcode scanner. A good example of this scanner is the Grabba. It is a useful accessory to your PDA device.

The automatic reader is an office equipment used to read barcoded documents. It also processes at high-speed or about 50,000 per hour. An example of this reader is the Multiscan MT31.

Barcode Scanner Products

There are so many models but we discuss here only three. First is the ID Tech Econo-Scan Scanner. This has a rugged design suitable for an industrial environment. This has a superior decoding of all the popular symbologies. It costs 74 US dollars.

Second is the Metrologic Scan Pal 2 Barcode Scanner Wireless. It is a portable and lightweight data terminal designed for everyday use. It costs 512.10 US dollars.

And third example is the Symbol LS 2008 Barcode Scanner. This is an innovative handheld scanner that provides performance features at a very low price. If you buy this product, it has a 5-year warranty. The product costs 135 US dollars.

Big companies like Bell & Howell, Microtek, Epson, Xerox, Ricoh, Kodak, HP, Panasonic, Canon, Visioneer and Fujitsu make super fast scanners. Each one of them has several models that you can select depending on your requirement and budget. It could be confusing for you to decide on which scanner to go for. First, you must check out all the various options available in your budget. Then compare them alongside their price and find out which one is the best for you. Let me give you some pointers that will help you to select high speed scanners for your office:

1. Features: All the available scanners have various features and options. Some are flat-bed scanners, some are manual where you need to feed in the documents manually. Others are the auto-feed scanners that take in the paper on their own. You have to determine what features you need in your scanner and select the model depending on that. I would suggest you make a list of options that you would like your scanner to have and then select the model that meets the list.

2. Document Size: Find out generally what is the size of the documents that you will be scanning. Mostly all scanners can scan only documents up to 8.5 x 14″ size. Few models can scan up to 11 x 17″. Therefore, you have to find out what is the document size. This will help you to go for the right model rather than investing in the scanner and then realizing that it is of small size.

3. Double/Single sided: Find out if you have printed the documents that you will be scanning on one side or both sides. To scan double-sided documents, you will need a ‘duplex’ scanner. In case you have frequent scanning of double side documents, buy the scanner according to your requirements.

4. Software required: Certain scanners require specific software to function. Therefore, you must find out that your software will support the scanner you are about to buy. If it does not and yet you want to go ahead, then find out how much will be the cost to install the required software.

5. Company: Try to select a scanner from a reputed company. There are plenty of minor companies also making super fast scanners but their functioning is not good in the end. They only exist to make a quick buck and flee the market. A known company for making good quality scanners will never let you down as far as the performance goes. It is like buying an asset for your company and you do not want to compromise on that.

6. Warranty: Most of the good companies offer a long-term warranty on their scanners. Go in for the one that provides maximum warranty. Also, ensure that they have a good customer service set-up so that you do not have problems in future. In case you are looking for good high speed scanners for your organization, do your research well and take sound decisions for your company.

The answer is actually very simple, that is with the use of the innovative technology slide scanner. This scanner is used in reproducing hard copies from old negatives. Moreover, the innovative technology slide scanner is capable of producing high resolution 5 megapixel photos out of 35 mm films. Furthermore, this scanner features an automatic color balance which enhances the images to perfection. To top it all, images can be stored directly to the computer, or any storage device for future use.

The innovative technology scanner is perhaps one of the most amazing discoveries of the new generation. Aside from its portability, this scanner is also equipped with a USB cable and PC software which works excellently with Windows XP or Windows Vista. In addition, images can be edited and personalized according to your preferences.

Today, there are a number of 35mm slide scanners in the market that choosing the best one seems a little difficult. In order to choose the best slide scanner though, you must compare the features and capabilities of the various 35 mm slide scanners that are available in the market.

One of the most popular 35 mm slide scanner is the Stratford Labs film and slide scanner. This scanner is lightweight and is very portable. This scanner comes with a tray such that preparing negatives and slides is very convenient. Images are immediately scanned as soon as the button is pressed. Like most other slide scanners, the Stratford Labs scanner has a resolution of 5 megapixels.

Another popular slide scanner is the Plustek Opticfilm 7500 which is an advanced scanner with a 7200 x 7200 dpi optical resolution. This feature allows the production of crisp and clear images. Moreover, this scanner is very easy to operate with its three buttons which are for the power, intelliscan, and quick scan respectively. This scanner also allows the editing of pictures and images.

Finally, if you are looking for an affordable quality scanner, Nikon 2000 slide scanner is the perfect choice. According to most photo enthusiasts, this scanner scans images faster than most scanners. Moreover, the images produced are at 2700 dpi which produces vivid and bright colors. In fact, the colors of the images are just like the original images. What is more amazing is that the colors that you see o the monitor are actually the same colors that will be assumed by the printed images. Indeed, the Nikon 2000 slide scanners are one of the most preferred slide scanners today.

If you are planning to buy scanners, just read reviews and get updated information about scanners. It pays to be informed about the choices available and their features. There are many types of scanners available in the market. Also many leading brands are offering scanners in all kinds of types and all price ranges. There are low price scanners too which offer basic functionality. It is important for you to understand their basic features and functionality before you shell out cash to purchase one.

Types of Scanners

You can make a choice from the many type of scanners available in eth market. These types include flatbed scanners, sheet-fed scanners, hand-held scanners, film scanners and the multifunction devices. Flatbed scanners are the choice of most of the users because of its easy functionality and usage. It is like a copy machine in which you place a paper on the slab of glass under the cover. Multifunction scanners are called all-in-one because they have printer, scanner and sometime a fax machine all together. Sheet fed scanners are less popular because you can scan things from a book as you have feed in single sheet at a time.

Most of the scanners are bundled with image-editing software which can help you once you copy an image into the computer. Some scanners are equipped with OCR or optical character recognition software to convert the printed documents into the text which you can edit.

When you search online scanners are available in many brands. Some of the best scanners are offered by the companies like HP, Cannon, Epson, Benq, Microtech, Xerox and Umax. It is for you to make a choice!

Choosing A Suitable Barcode Scanner For Your Needs: -
There is a wide range of barcode scanners designed to support various requirements. You can identify the suitable one by the technology used for scanning, the amount of user intervention required while operating it and other features. The major types of bar code scanners are summarized below.

Laser Barcode Scanners:
Laser barcode scanners are very popular as they offer great preciseness and visibility as it can read a barcode at any angle. It has the advanced technology that reads the barcode from long distance, even in bright light. A laser barcode scanner is suitable for you, if you need to deal with special applications such as high density or long range scanning in retail and healthcare industries.

2D Barcode Scanners:
2D barcode scanners are the latest type of barcode scanners available today. They scan more information that is arranged in small area using 2D barcodes that has squares, dots or other symbols. Besides, 2D Barcode Scanners can also read 1D barcodes or linear barcodes. As a result they are gaining popularity and treated as an investment because of their versatility and the future-proof technology.

Retail Barcode Scanners:
Retail barcode scanners can be used throughout the retail supply chain process from factories to retail outlets. There are two types of retail barcode scanners – In-counter and On-counter barcode scanners. In-counter barcode scanners are used in retail outlets with high sales volume and on-counter scanners are used in stores that have limited space on the counter.

Fixed Mount Barcode Scanners:
Fixed mount barcode scanner is fixed at a predetermined position where it scans the items when they are moved from its focus area. They are ideal for high speed scanning along conveyors, as they get scanned automatically without user’s intervention. This enables large number of barcode scanning in less time.

Linear Imager Barcode Scanners:
Linear imager barcode scanners are also called as CCD scanners, CCD long-range scanners or full array imagers. These scanners are durable and require less maintenance as they have no moving parts. They can read damaged or poorly printed barcodes including the barcodes under plastic film or covering. Their compact size and lightweight makes them ideal for office use.

Considering the above types and your requirements carefully while selecting the barcode scanner will help you make a smart decision.

The digital age demands that information and data be recorded and maintained electronically – sometimes in an electronic database to enable easy access and archiving. Hardcopy documents (also known as unstructured data) were previously only processed through manual data capturing. Now, through the introduction of advanced scanning technology, optical character recognition and document management software, this process is far quicker and requires less manpower.

Types of scanning equipment

Modern scanners offer customised solutions to both business and personal users. Scanners include sheet-fed, flatbed, desktop, enterprise and all-in-one devices. The majority of scanners can process A4 or A3 documents in either simplex or duplex format. Simplex scanning captures only one side of a page while duplex scanning captures both sides. Specialised scanners can accommodate varying document sizes; from passport photos to A0 size maps and other large documents.

Sheet-fed scanners and flatbed scanners process information from loose paper and books. Loose documents are loaded in bulk into a sheet-fed scanner’s tray and are processed automatically by the scanner, eradicating the need for manual paper feeding. Ultrasonic sensors detect double paper feeds. Scanning is stopped or an alarm is sounded if two or more sheets of paper are fed through the scanner, ensuring that there are no duplicate copies, missed pages or paper jams. This in turn allows for speed and efficiency. Flatbed scanners are used for items such as books, identity documents and photos, ensuring that scanned documents are clear and high quality. Combinations of sheet-fed and flatbed scanners are also available as a more economical solution to those with varied scanning needs.

Desktop scanners are small in size, yet can be used to process large amounts of information, all from a desktop! Models are available in high, medium and low volume capacity, meaning that a desktop scanner is available to meet most scanning needs. If scanning requirements are generally low, a business can economise by purchasing an affordable low volume scanner. Scanners can process documents at a high speed, with high volume scanners able to process 40 o 60 documents per minute. Even low volume scanners can process approximately 20 pages per minute.

Enterprise scanners are used by large organisations to process large volumes of documents on a daily basis – or to handle unique scanning requirements. Companies are able to link network scanners (a type of enterprise scanner) to a network for email distribution of data, allowing for quick circulation and access to information. The scanner’s network connection also allows scanned data to be saved to a database which is accessible through a server, enabling quick and easy access to information. Digital copying is possible with a network scanner that has been linked to a printer. This eradicates the need for expensive photocopy machines. Specialised scanners afford unique capabilities such as small document size scanning, portable scanning and book scanning.

All-in-one scanners (also known as multi-function products) combine the functionalities of a printer, scanner, copier and fax machine. All-in-one devices are especially suited to small offices where the required volume for data scanning is generally low and space is at a premium.

Benefits to business processes

Contemporary scanning equipment has a variety of features available for streamlining office procedures and projects. Easy user interfaces create greater functionality and enhanced settings, for example, pre-programmed email destinations allow documents and digitised data to be sent in an instant. Scanned documents are automatically cropped and straightened as they are scanned and can be converted into PDF and other formats. USB ports allow for easy connections and transferral of digitised data.

The use of document scanners with optical character recognition allows the processed documents to be searchable and indexable when stored in conjunction with management software. These features enable businesses to speed up operations because the indexing and easy search functions mean that documents are easy to find. Storing scanned data in an electronic document management system (database) makes finding data a simple and effortless procedure. Document management technology ensures that information is well managed and accessible via a customised network or web interface. Faster procedures save time which can then be spent assessing client work and creating a better service structure.

Scanning solutions at the 2009 South African national general elections

An example of the ability scanning software has to aid document management is the 2009 national and provisional general election in South Africa which was held on 22 April 2009. The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) was required to process the ballot papers from more than 20,000 voting districts around the country. The IEC used scanners and scanning software to assist them in reaching an accurate result in a short period of time.

Ballots were allocated unique batch numbers for particular voting districts. Once the voting stations closed, the ballot boxes from the voting districts were sent to 297 counting stations situated around the country. After being sorted and counted, the results were recorded on a results slip for each district which was then signed by an auditor and party political representatives. The results slips containing the specific district batch number were scanned to make digital backup copies.

The data was processed and indexed through the use of customised character recognition software in case batches of ballots were lost. This also proved that votes were counted. After indexing, the result was converted into a small file and sent to the IEC Results Centre immediately. The data was also sent to an IEC database for storage. This made the collation of the election results far easier to complete in a very short time.

Business scanners have become a necessity for the efficient management of large volumes of unstructured data and allow for any document to be scanned and converted into digital data, whether in book format or loose documents, small photographs or large images. Business processes can be executed in shorter time frames with greater success. This allows for better client service and improved customer satisfaction.