Low-Price Barcode Readers with Memory for Physical Inventory

 Go Back to List of FAQs  Previous  Next

Alternative, Low-Price Barcode Readers

 

 

To take physical inventory you can bring merchandise to the computer and scan the barcodes directly into Shopeeper or you can walk around the store collecting barcode scans into a data collector unit, then later upload the unit's memory into the computer.

 

"Historically,” barcode data collectors were very expensive (up to $1600) and complicated.

 

More recently, there have been some very low-price multi-function barcode readers with data-collecting features and we tested some of them, such as the Taotronics TT-BS030 and TT-BS032 and a similar model from YouThink.

 

The exact models we tested can't be found anymore, but other ones on the market may be almost identical.

Generally they are called 3-in-1 barcode scanners with "storage" or "inventory" mode and with laser beam reading light.

 

E.g. here are two recently available models that we have NOT tested ourselves but which sound as if they have the same functionality and appear to be laser-based.

http://tinyurl.com/NadamooBarcode

 

http://tinyurl.com/InateckBarcode

 

They add a hands-free scanning holder, which could improve its utility at point of sale.

 

The prices are low enough that you could get a few and have several people collecting barcode counts simultaneously. (But test one before getting several.)

 

These laser barcode readers can work in "Normal" or "Direct" mode as a regular at-computer barcode scanner for direct entry of Sku numbers into Shopkeeper on screens that are waiting for a Sku to be typed or scanned such as the sales screen or physical inventory screen.

They can connect to the computer by a USB cable or  wireless Bluetooth or with their own wireless "dongle" (which is more reliable than BlueTooth.)

But whether wired or wireless, "Normal" or "Direct" mode feeds barcode numbers immediately to Shopkeeper and is not for walking around the store collecting counts.

 

These units can also be used wirelessly in "storage" mode, aka "Inventory" mode where you walk around the store capturing and storing barcodes into the scanner's internal memory. Afterwards, you link or connect the reader to your computer and upload the list to the computer which Shopkeeper then reads in all at once.

 

- - - -

Note that before you start taking physical inventory, be sure to scan the "CR" (Carriage Return) On configuration barcode in the reader's booklet so that each Sku is stored on a separate line in the text file.

But if you ever use the barcode reader in "direct" (non-storage mode) straight into Shopkeeper, you want the Carriage Return option turned Off.

 

To download the barcode reader's memory, open Notepad in Windows and scan the "Transfer" configuration barcode in the booklet. That should fill your notepad document with a list of Sku numbers.

After you are sure you have saved the Notepad text file (and preferably also successfully imported the list into Shopkeeper's Physical Inventory screen), clear the reader's  memory by scanning the "Clear Data" configuration barcode so that you can go back out and collect more Sku counts.

 

To be sure you're on the right track, start with a small test of a dozen Sku's. You don't want to scan 10,000 items and find the it wasn't configured correctly !

 

These are not the exact instructions, but the reader will come with a user guide.

 

Any web links in these notes may be out of date, but you could likely find the products by searching the names and models.

 

There are a number of similar readers with similar descriptions - i.e. You'd look for

- Laser beam readers are more reliable for tiny jewelry tags.

 (However the product listings don't always make it clear if the barcode reader is a laser beam reader or the CMOS / CDD (glowing beam) reader.)

-Wireless Barcode Scanner Laser Hands-free Storage

- USB and Wireless 2.4 GHz radio adapter.

 

The help topic for Physical Inventory is on this page in the Shopkeeper FAQ list.

 

http://www.jewelryshopkeeper.com/help/vjs/faq/?physical_invetory_procdure.htm

 

- - - - - - - - -

 

Before using the reader as a regular at-computer reader, you want to scan the "Disable CR"

configuration barcode in the reader's setup booklet. That's  because Shopkeeper screens

don't expect to receive an "Enter" key after the Sku number.

- - - - - - - - -

 

We've tested the reader only briefly with a limited set of tags so can't vouch for its longevity or reading accuracy

with barcodes of various qualities, but given its data collector capability and easy data transfer and low price there's not much downside.

 

We don't use or sell any barcode readers so we don't provide tech support for them, so be sure to keep and consult the barcode reader manual. However they seemed fairly straightforward.

 

- - -

 

Note that the "Classic" wired reader, the Metrologic Voyager 9540 has been well proven over many years and while it does not have data collector features, it has a benefit for point-of-sale in that it has a hands-free feature. Store it in its stand and you can simply present a barcode and it auto turns on and reads the tags.  This can also be used for physical inventory - but only where you bring the inventory items to the computer to be scanned directly into Shopkeeper.

 

Note that more expensive data collector readers still exist and while they may be more complicated, they have built-in screens which can show you what barcodes you've read, which may be helpful if you have a hard time tracking which items you scanned.

 

With the lower-price barcode readers without a screen, you have to pay attention to which tags beeped correctly and you may want to use Post-it notes to mark which trays have been read.