Linear barcodes—those patterns of black and white lines—revolutionized business information and launched data collection. However, as businesses grew, so did the need for more data. Data beyond a product name, price, and SKU. Denso Wave created the 2D barcode—a QR code—for Toyota’s production line, because a 1D barcode just couldn’t encode enough information. The 1D barcode handles about 25 characters; a QR code can contain as many as 4,000 characters in a small square made up of a pattern of even smaller squares. The laser technology that allows you to scan a linear code, however, doesn’t work on the more complex 2D barcodes and also doesn’t read barcodes from electronic screens, like mobile phones. You need a 2D imager, which also captures 1D barcodes.
While you may have invested in barcode scanners, you’ll need to move up to 2D imagers, just as you turned in your DVD player for a DVR player.
Is a 2D imager right for you? Check out these benefits.
- Capture both 1D and 2D barcodes from a paper, synthetic media, and electronic screens.
- Read barcodes that are smudged, scratched, damaged, or poorly printed. Some of Code Corp’s and Zebra’s rugged and ultra-rugged imagers will also capture barcodes that are covered with shrink-wrap or frost.
- An imager has omnidirectional scanning, so you don’t need to take to precisely align a single laser to the barcode, saving time and increasing productivity.
- An extended range 2D imager, you can grab barcodes from as far away as 70 feet, or as close as three inches. Which is perfect for retail, distribution, warehousing, manufacturing, and transportation and logistics.
- With one pull of the 2D imager’s trigger, you can capture multiple barcodes. In result, would significantly reduce the time it takes to process an inbound or outbound shipment.
- In addition to 1D and 2D barcodes, you can scan signatures, documents, images, direct part marks, and text. A 2D imager also supports Optical Character Recognition (OCR) to read characters on checks, passports, driver’s licenses, invoices, and more.
Huzzard Systems has partnered with Code Corp and Zebra, leading innovators in barcode technology. We understand the importance of operational efficiency in your business, and will guide you to the best choices for your business. Talk to us at Huzzard Systems to discuss the future of data collection!
Tags: Huzzard Systems, Code Corp, Zebra, linear barcodes, barcode scanner, 2D imager, QR codes, 2D barcodes, extended range 2D imager, ultra-rugged imagers, omnidirectional scanning