The secret of barcode reading efficiency: why should you reach for a scanner rather than a smartphone?
The use of barcodes has become an essential part of everyday life. Special readers have always been used to read them. Nowadays, there is a new trend - many people use their smartphones for this purpose. However, using a scanner to read barcodes still brings several advantages over a smartphone.
- Speed and reliability
Barcode scanners have only one job - to accurately and reliably decode the barcode, which means they are much faster and more reliable than smartphones. Readers have greater sensitivity and can read codes in a variety of conditions, such as low light. Traditional mobile phone cameras can also decode barcodes, but they can fail in more challenging conditions.
- Wide range of code types
There are many types of barcodes, and some of them can be difficult for smartphones to read. However, readers have a greater ability to recognize different types of barcodes, including the newest and most complex ones. For example, the DPM code (Direct part marking) is a special code that is applied directly to parts during manufacturing using lasers or stamping machines. These codes can be more difficult to decode in harsh environments, but specialized barcode readers with special illumination can overcome these challenges quickly and reliably.
- Long distance reading
Long-distance barcode reading is already standard in many areas of logistics. Smartphones are rarely up to this challenge. If you want to read barcodes at a distance of more than half a metre, you can just put your smartphone on the table. Scanners are designed specifically for this purpose and are much more reliable and faster in this area.
- Battery life
Using your smartphone as a reader can have a negative effect on battery life. Readers usually have a large battery and are designed to last for many hours of continuous use.
- Durability vs. working environment
In industry and logistics, you often work in environments that may be unfavourable to a smartphone, for example, they may be dusty or humid. Using dedicated barcode scanners is much more beneficial in the long run than using smartphones. These readers are designed to last for many years and to be resistant to bumps, drops and dust. They are designed for everyday use in industrial environments and have a longer lifespan than conventional mobile phone cameras.
- Cost-effectiveness
Readers are usually more affordable than new smartphones. If you only need to use a reader occasionally, it may be more cost-effective to invest in a reader than a new smartphone.
- Industrial use
Dedicated barcode scanners are an essential part of many industrial applications. For example, they are used in manufacturing, logistics and warehousing, where readers are used to quicklyand reliable barcode reading on production lines, pallets or boxes. In industrial applications, it is very important to have a reliable and accurate barcode reading system to ensure fast and accurate data collection.
- Work efficiency
No more playing games on smartphones during working hours :-) As we wrote at the beginning of this article - barcode scanners have only one job - to accurately and reliably decode the barcode!
Turn to CODEWARE, you will be faster and error-free code reading and save time, nerves and money.
