Do You Need a Corded or Cordless Barcode Scanner?

In a recent blog post, a few AIDC experts debated whether it makes more sense for retailers, restaurant operators, healthcare providers and others to install hands-free barcode scanners in their facilities or give workers and customers handheld scanners. Yet, we realize many of you are also weighing the pros and cons of corded versus cordless scanners as you plan your next technology upgrade.

Are you interested in learning more about Industrial Handheld Barcode Scanner? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!

You might be asking, &#;What&#;s the difference between handheld/hands-free and corded/cordless?&#;

Well, the choice between a handheld or hands-free scanner is based on whether you can bring barcoded items to the scanner or need to bring the scanner to the items being scanned. And the decision to go with a corded or cordless scanner has to do with your connectivity needs. Do you want the scanner to be tethered with a cord so it is restricted to a particular station? Or do you need a truly mobile scanner, in which a cordless scanner with Bluetooth® capability is best?

We have reconnected with Amanda Barkan and Brian Walters, and asked Ron Ethe to join the conversation, so we can further breakdown the benefits of cordless versus corded barcode scanners:

Your Edge Blog Team: In the past, corded scanners dominated the scanner market. Is that still the case? Or do you see a shift toward cordless scanners now that industries are under more pressure to increase the speed and efficiency of tasks?

Ron: Cordless scanners are certainly becoming popular. For example, in-aisle and backroom inventory scans are being conducted at a higher frequency than ever, and regular price checks and updates rely on both item and shelf label scans. Though some store associates may have rugged mobile computers with built-in barcode scanners in hand to complete these types of tasks, associates dedicated solely to inventory counts may only need a cordless handheld barcode scanner to be most efficient and successful at their jobs. But I wouldn&#;t say we&#;re going to see everyone &#;cut the cord,&#; so to speak. There are still many instances where cordless scanners aren&#;t needed.  For instance, occasional scanning of small items likely wouldn&#;t require Bluetooth flexibility.

Your Edge Blog Team: What about in healthcare? Wouldn&#;t cordless scanners almost always be the preference considering how barcode scanners are used at the bedside and beyond? Or do you find there are still valid use cases for corded scanners?

Brian: Generally speaking, cordless scanners are now more prevalent in healthcare environments than corded scanners, especially at the bedside. With infection prevention at an all-time high, many hospitals see cordless scanners as a way to minimize cross-contamination, as clinicians don&#;t have to worry about cleaning a cord that may come into contact with multiple surfaces or accidentally touch a patient when being used. Of course, all of our healthcare scanners can be disinfected to medical grade standards, and there is both a blog post and website that explain what to use and how to clean the scanners thoroughly. But there is a strong case for cordless scanners in many healthcare settings given this strong focus on infection prevention.

That said, there are still some cases in which corded scanners might be a viable, and even preferable, option. For example, corded scanners are still commonly used at patient admission stations and in labs. Some scanners used at patients&#; bedsides are still corded, too. The form factor really depends on the preference of clinicians and decision makers, as well as budget.

Your Edge Blog Team: What would you say to those who are worried about cordless scanners walking away?

Amanda: We have a feature called Virtual Tether which helps prevent cordless devices from being misplaced. The scanner will sound an alarm, blink and vibrate when it gets too far from its base. There&#;s a great overview of how it works and its benefits in this blog post from our colleague Greg Carras.

Your Edge Blog Team: Are there any other differences in functionality besides the maneuverability aspect?

Brian: There is a difference in how edge data is sent back to information systems. A corded scanner is connected by a cable somehow, often via USB, RS-232, TGCS (IBM) 46XX over RS-485 port or even a Keyboard Wedge. So, it&#;s a wired data transmission. But cordless devices can send data via Bluetooth directly to the host system, or to a cradle which is still cabled to the host system. The latter is more popular. Either way, the good news is that organizations have the flexibility to push this data in real time or batch the data depending on their needs.

Ron: I know some customers also ask about the power capacity of cordless scanners since they aren&#;t always plugged in and recharging. However, there is a wide range of options available, including supercapacitors and batteries. Even better, the Zebra DS Series offers swappable power sources so you don&#;t have to choose. Additionally, if anyone has "cordless concerns" related to battery management, we have smart batteries that tell you about battery health so you can take preemptive measures to recharge or replace batteries before performance starts to lag.

Your Edge Blog Team: During our last discussion, we concluded that most organizations don&#;t have to choose between handheld or hands-free scanners anymore thanks to new hybrid and convertible scanners that can transform between form factors. So, does that mean they don&#;t have to choose between corded and cordless scanners anymore, either?

Brian: Technically, yes. The Zebra CS60 Series Scanner can convert from corded to cordless &#; and handheld to hands-free modes &#; within seconds, making it extremely versatile. Convertible barcode scanners can accommodate and adapt to many different workflows.

Your Edge Blog Team: Are these adaptable scanners the right option for everyone, though? Are they the &#;one-size-fits-all&#; solution for businesses that need scanners to verify people&#;s identities, tickets and memberships or process loyalty points and payments?

Amanda: They are ideal for situations where you may not know what you will need next and desire that flexibility. But there are still very valid use cases for more traditional handheld barcode scanners, too. There isn&#;t a one-size-fits-all approach to barcode scanning.

Your Edge Blog Team: It sounds like those who decide it&#;s time to cut the cord can do so confidently knowing they won&#;t lose any functionality. And those who aren&#;t quite ready to cut the cord have the option to install corded or hybrid scanners.

Brian: That&#;s right. Zebra has a broad portfolio of options to meet every customer&#;s scanning needs. We&#;ve mentioned a few here and in our last blog discussion, but there are many more.

Contact us to discuss your requirements of Access Control Barcode Scanner. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.

Your Edge Blog Team: What advice do you have for those who are ready to cut the (scanner) cord? What should they look for in a cordless scanner?

Amanda: They should look for cordless devices with advanced features such as smart batteries to manage battery health, power gauges that show charge status at-a-glance and on demand, as well as swappable power sources that can adjust with changing needs. It&#;s also important to confirm that a variety of charging cradles and accessories are available, including cradles that can be mounted to a wall, desk or countertop and those that can be used to enable presentation scanning.

Your Edge Blog Team: In other words, prioritize &#;power.&#;

Ron: Exactly. Devices must be able to power through long shifts without needing to recharge, and no one can afford for their device to die suddenly because the battery was draining unnoticed.

Brian: Along those same lines, it&#;s also important to choose devices with a Virtual Tether feature so they don&#;t accidentally walk off the premises or get misplaced. Scanner availability and uptime are critical to the front-line workers for whom these devices are intended. And be sure you choose a scanner with AutoConfig, as it will make it so much easier for your operations managers and IT teams to adapt the devices to different workflows as business demands change.

Amanda: It&#;s also important that you understand the device management requirements for each scanner and the tools available to ease that burden on IT, operations managers and even end users. Scanners, like other devices, need to be routinely configured, secured and updated, and their performance and health must be monitored. If you are using Zebra scanners, you can feel good that you&#;ll have what you need to capably manage the devices with minimal in-house resources. The DataCapture DNA tools we&#;ve developed are specifically designed to ease device (or fleet) deployment, management and more. We have a lot of information on our website about these capabilities because, from our perspective, they are just as critical to our customers&#; return on investment as the scanner&#;s usability, flexibility and longevity.

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Related Insights:

Handheld scanner solutions are specifically designed for automatic data capture applications and process automation throughout the customers&#; entire value chain in the retail, manufacturing, transportation & logistics and healthcare industries. Handheld scanners offer outstanding performance and reliability through the different scanning options: linear or area-imaging technologies. The standard, rugged, or antimicrobial enclosure allow their use in any environment, and their ergonomic design make these scanners easy to use also for long period. 

The wide range of Datalogic general purpose handheld readers offer an assortment of choices for most of data collection activities. Product sets propose corded and cordless options together with best-in-class reading technologies, ready to solve current and future needs and applications.

From digital or printed 1D and 2D barcodes, to Direct Part Marking (DPM) or Digimarc&#;, Datalogic offers handheld scanning solutions for every barcode reading application.

Whether your application requires a quick reading performance, ease of installation and use, accuracy and reliability, Datalogic has you covered.

Handheld Scanners Common Applications

Whether your organization is looking to automate the data collection activity, to properly manage the warehouse inventory, to assure the correct traceability among the entire supply chain, to enhance check-out speed in retail environment as well as improve transaction accuracy and efficiency in the store, handheld scanners give a solution for a wide range of applications.

In the manufacturing market, they are crucial from shipping and receiving to Work In Progress (WIP) traceability, to configure and set up machines for operation. In retail environments, handheld scanners are fundamental to support the different configuration needs at the check-outs or to keep inventory accurate while providing useful business intelligence data for future planning and operations. Healthcare professionals rely on Datalogic barcode scanners during direct care activities, in order to guarantee a correct patient identification, medication verification and a comprehensive Electronic Medical Records (EMR) management. In Transportation & Logistics sector, industrial handheld scanners put automation in the hands of workers as they ship, receive, pick, pack, and palletize.

Common applications for handheld scanners include:

• Retail Check-Out
  C-Stores, pharmacy, non-grocery, fashion, DIY and many more have specific check-out needs dependent on their product mix and check-out configuration. Datalogic has a complete offering of check-out solutions for countertop and handheld use. These scanners provide fast, accurate, and reliable scanning for check-out at any retail enterprise. Furthermore, a wide range of versions with red illumination optics reads Digital Watermarking.
  
  

• Patient Admittance
  Electronic tracking of patients using barcodes increases the efficiency of treatments and helps to eliminate errors. Barcodes are attached to medical records and patient wristbands are used for identification from the admitting process through discharge. Handheld scanners deliver efficient and secure data by capturing and eliminating errors in data entry with patient file, tracking and follow up. Scanners with Disinfectant Ready and Antimicrobial enclosures are available to offer further protection against spread of germs and bacteria.
  
  

• Shipping and Receiving
  It&#;s a critical component of every Warehouse Management System (WMS). Handheld barcode technology allows companies to control inventory levels in real-time. These solutions are essential to help maximize the order accuracy loaded in the right truck, and ultimately delivered to the correct destination.
  
  

• WIP traceability
  From raw material to finished good, WIP traceability permits to track each unit throughout the manufacturing process. This means track accuracy, output, and other viable production metrics in real time.
  
  

• Inventory Management
  Handheld scanners keep inventory accurate while providing valuable data for planning purposes. Inventory tasks including receiving, stocking, cycle counting, and replenishing are completed effectively and efficiently using devices that are built to survive warehouse environments without causing worker&#;s fatigue.
  
  

• Put Away and Storage 
  Manual operations use forklifts to store goods on racks using Datalogic VMT, rugged handheld scanners and wireless technology. Automated storage and retrieval systems handle inventory of cases or totes, including refrigerated food items, with fully automated crane and conveyor systems. Manual operations use industrial handheld scanners at storage locations that hold break case inventory.
  
  

• Direct Part Marking
  DPM barcode used to permanently mark parts with product information (including serial numbers, part numbers, date, and codes) to allow the tracking of parts through the full life cycle, can be read exploiting an extensive line of scanners specifically designed to solve these types of applications.
  
  

• Order Fulfillment
  Whether processing single or multiple orders in virtually any packaging material, Datalogic solutions including handheld scanners can help ensure accuracy and timeliness.

Handheld Scanners Common Benefits

Handheld scanners offer several advantages to every company. The benefits span from lower TCO (Total Cost of Ownership) to easy and quick set up. The portfolio completeness allows Datalogic to find the best solution for every customers&#; application with the best price/performance ratio on the market.

• Accuracy  
  Eliminate human error and prevent unnecessary waste of resources.
  
  

• Efficiency
  Accelerate throughput and maximize productivity
  
  

• Quality 
  Increase the quality of product/service using barcode technology to control the manufacturing and distribution processes and inspect to ensure the best possible performance and outcome.
  
  

• Timing 
  Deliver on-time, all the time.
  
  

• Profitability
  Allow Datalogic to increase your profitability, reduce overhead, eliminate waste, and see real return on investment.
  
  

• Total Cost of Ownership 
  Additional value features as rugged enclosures, wireless battery charging system reduce the TCO and ensure maximum productivity.
  
  

• Easy Integration 
  Datalogic provides standard multi-interface connectivity options to let handheld readers to be easily set-up and installed in any kind of environment.
  
  

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