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Hello, happy customers! As a fellow business entity, we understand the importance of getting your company name out there and gaining visibility. If you know what SEO means (Search Engine Optimization) then you know that the more your business’ name is published online, the easier customers can find your company through an online search.

Would you like to take a moment to talk a bit about yourself for the good of FREE publicity? Wouldn’t it be nice to give your company more visibility without doing anything more than filling out a form?

You don’t need to track a publisher. You don’t need to figure out how to format your story. You don’t need to pay anyone. And, you don’t need to hunt down a writer or editor. All you have to do is fill out the simple Success Story form, and Socket Mobile does the rest in these simple steps:

1. Fill out the 5-question form and send it back to us – No need to practice your lines since you already know your company. That’s the easy part.
2. Socket Mobile proofreads your answers – Think of us as your makeup artist as we make sure you look good for the public.
3. Socket Mobile gets your final story version and approval before publication – We want to make sure you’re in-love with the Success Story as much as we are.
4. Publish and Promote! – Socket Mobile shares your company story on our website, social networks (multiple times), as well as our newsletters.

That’s it! A simple solution to getting your business’ name circulated and gaining more traction on your website.

Socket Mobile Success Stories (aka Case Studies) are beautifully compiled works centered around one protagonist (a Socket Mobile product user) and one supporting character (Socket Mobile) to create an invigorating story that tells the world how one company met another company, and how they both changed each other’s business for the better.

The idea is that our customer shares their story with us, and we in-turn share that story with the world.


Learn about The Benefits of a Good mPOS System
Learn about the Differences Between Basic Mode and Application Mode

We know you rely on your barcode scanners to keep operations running smoothly. But when you’re juggling multiple things at once – often literally – dropping a scanner is almost inevitable. And so are the negative effects of the elements and the wear that comes with everyday use. 

That’s why we’re happy to announce the release of FlexGuard, our custom molded sleeve for the S700, S730, S740 and S760 scanners. FlexGuard provides extra protection against the dirt, drops and bumps of daily usage. Its high-quality, washable silicon is strong enough to resist tears, cracking and over-stretching. It’s lightweight and comfortable to hold. We’ve even designed it so that you can plug in the charging cable and attach a lanyard or wrist strap without removing FlexGuard. 

Here’s an overview of its features:

• High-quality silicone – Resists tearing and provides extra protection against scratches and drops 
• Washable 
• Slim, light design adds minimal bulk or weight to the scanner  
• Temperature resistance – FlexGuard won’t crack in most operating conditions but stays elastic and comfortable 
• 90-day warranty 

Protect your investment and keep your organization running! The FlexGuard joins the full array of scanner accessories we already offer, including charging stands and holders.

Using barcodes strictly for scanning barcodes while shopping or for inventory management are a thing of the past. A simple code that has gone from 1D to 2D, scanned on paper and then scanned on screens, has become a pervasive necessity for every single item that we purchase or use. Who knew that from a mere grocery store, our everyday barcodes would evolve so much in the way they’re used and the industries that they are used in.

Shopping/Inventory

When stores’ traffic increased and the demand for products grew, it was imperative to keep accurate inventory well stocked by tracking how much you carried and which items were in demand. When manual counting became too time consuming and too inaccurate, the barcode was born. The first UPC (Universal Product Code) barcode was scanned in 1974. Buying groceries from the local market changed forever from that point on. (See Logistics Solution)

Ticketing

Whether an event is big or small, whether you’re traveling, or whether you’re using a discount, tickets are distributed and collected easily with the help of barcodes. When purchasing tickets online, printing or showing an online screen shot of your ticket on a smart phone is all possible thanks to the inclusion of barcodes on those tickets. Mobile ticketing has become a popular and convenient means of saving and using tickets – they’re harder to lose when saved online, save paper, and they are conveniently saved on the mobile device you carry around everywhere you go. 

Medical Field

Though most people associate barcodes with merchandise and purchasing, the fact that barcodes provide individuality (code, date, lot, location, etc.) to every single object opens the door to so many more possibilities, including the medical industry. Accurately identifying individuals is crucial when it comes to handling patients and their medications. Medical charts can be lost or misread, but scanning barcodes with patients’ medical information reduces human error by incorporating the use of this technology. (See Healthcare Solution) 

Barcode Gaming 

Yes, barcodes can even be used for gaming. With enough imagination, apparently you can turn anything into a game. Most of the games’ concepts revolve around scanning random barcodes to unlock monsters, spells, or weapons for battling.

Barcode Beasties (Android App) – scan barcodes to release monsters for battling. Holidays, like Halloween, have limited time monsters available for that day.

Barcode Wars (iTunes) – “Scan barcodes, fight monsters, battle for greatness! The Skeletal Dragon Abassy has released a horde of Monsters into the world.”

Skannerz UPC Scanner Game – a handheld game/scanner with screen and controller buttons to scan barcodes and release monsters.

These games use smart phone cameras or handheld gaming devices for scanning and playing. Though barcode gaming is not the most popular of games, there is a cult following of gamers who continue to seek new versions when systems become out of date or are no longer applicable with the current technology or OS.

Barcodes Evolve

In a nutshell, barcodes are mostly used for tracking items; they track inventory, deliveries, access and attendance. By tracking products, services are improved all around - happy customers lead to returning customers, which lead to profitable businesses. While alternate scanning uses are derived (i.e. gaming), how much further can barcodes evolve?

From 1 Dimensional to 2 Dimensional, barcodes really haven’t changed that much. The appearance may be parallel lines, square module perimeter patterns, or even plain numbers, yet they still work the same, though one type may carry more information than another.

Some may argue that the next evolution of barcodes is unfolding with RFIDs. Though they’re technically not barcodes, nor do they replace barcodes completely, some businesses are managing to swap barcodes for RFID tags in their inventory usage. RFID’s usage stems from the same principle – possess a unique code to individualize a particular object, animal, or even person. RFIDs could even be considered the invisible cousin of the barcode - the future of scanning. While that remains to be seen, one conclusive fact remains – our future will include more and more coding/tagging of items, animals, and people in our lives, ensuring we know the identification and location of almost everything tangible.

Remember the days when it seemed like every coffee shop, pizzeria and sandwich shop had a rewards card you could bring in to get stamped or punched with every purchase? After 10 punches, you’d get a free coffee/sandwich/slice. If you were diligent about bringing those cards each time, the rewards could pay off quickly. Think again to all the times you had to hold up the line as you dug through your wallet searching a stack of cards for the right one. Not so fun. 

However, with everything else that’s gone digital, why not shift those loyalty and membership programs likewise? As a retailer, imagine the convenience for you and your customers of enabling rewards/points to be collected with a simple tap-and-go of a cellphone. We recently introduced the SocketScan S550 to help with just such a thing. 

The S550 is a contactless membership card reader/writer that facilitates tap-and-go smart card and NFC applications. That means retailers can take their loyalty and membership programs digital to give consumers an in-store experience that’s as easy and frictionless as shopping online. No more need to shuffle through a seemingly endless stack of rewards cards just to earn that free slice of pizza. Instead, a quick tap-ang-go will record information digitally without hassle on behalf of the consumer or the clerk. 

Digitizing these types of programs also allows for the collection of data that can be used to deliver consumers’ personalized offers based on their past purchases and buying behavior. This in turn encourages further loyalty, creating new ways for customers to interact with your brand, earn and spend points and become brand advocates. In fact, research from Accenture has found that 91% of consumers are more likely to shop with brands and companies that recognize and remember them.

Despite what it might seem, with giants like Amazon continuing to expand, people still like shopping in actual brick-and-mortar stores. The bulk of consumers (71% according to First Insights) are more likely to spend $50 or more when shopping in store. That’s compared to 54% of those shopping online. It’s clear then, that the in-store experience still matters, and that harnessing loyalty is just as important than ever before. The mode may have changed – from paper punch cards to tap-and-go digital solutions – but the end goal is still the same. 

Want to learn more about how the S550 can help you harness digital loyalty and improve the customer experience? Read: Introducing the new S550 Contactless Membership Card Reader/Writer.  

Are you wondering which Bluetooth barcode scanner is going to be the best fit for your app? There is no one-size-fits-all barcode scanner anymore. Bulky, thin, corded, cordless, attachable, durable, high-end… your options are almost endless. If you want to get the best bang for your buck and streamline your production (no matter what it is), then you need to have a crystal-clear understanding of your scanning needs and how they are compatible with your scanning application. 

Are you scanning inventory? Retail purchases? 

Do you scan in bulk? Do you scan single items at a kiosk? Or, do you have a mobile business that keeps you on the road? Do you juggle multiple devices or tools?

With a variety of barcode scanners on the market, the right solution for your business is reliant on the industry you work in, as well as the type of code you are scanning with your POS system for your company. 

Choose the right POS and scanner combination to fit your business’ needs. Understanding which barcode scanner works best for your app depends on your business plan. 

Imagers – 1D Barcode Scanners

There’s nothing wrong with basic. 1D is the most popular and well-known barcode, which means it’s the most basic and widely used barcode. Consequently, it’s usually the most inexpensive option, as well. If a work environment doesn’t have any additional needs or peculiar working environments, the basic 1D scanner for 1D barcodes is the best bet for simplistic barcode scanning needs. 

Lasers – 1D Barcode Scanners

Fast-scanning reaches higher points, tight corners, through plastic and glass – laser barcode scanners are the superheroes of scanners. They’re speedy and can reach places other scanners can’t. But even a superhero has a weak spot, and for lasers, their kryptonite is reading on screens. No one’s perfect. Not even Superman. 

QR/2D Barcode Scanners

Two-dimensional, aka QR, barcode scanners are highly versatile pieces of machinery. Not only do they scan QR codes, but they also scan one-dimensional codes, covering all bases for a business. Socket Mobile likes to refer to this as “future-proofing” a business’ scanning needs because a company may use 1D today, but what’s to stop them from using 2D tomorrow? With a 2D scanner, users can scan 1D or 2D barcodes on screen or on paper. Though you can’t claim any device is faultless, a 2D barcode scanner’s limitations are hard to find.

QR codes are widely known with their versatility and popularity being used for widespread marketing campaigns and incorporating barcode art within the codes. QR codes are even utilized in manufacturing warehouses because a 2D barcode holds roughly 100 times more characters than a 1D barcode for text. They also have the ability to store voice and image information, which a 1D code is not capable of doing. (See Reasons to Choose 2-Dimensional Barcode Imager). 

Attachable Barcode Scanners

These handy, dandy barcode scanners eliminate two-handed usage. For people who are attempting the balancing act that includes a mobile device (smart phone or tablet) along with a barcode scanner, they may find their hands are too full to do anything else. Ever tried holding a device in each hand, then grabbing a piece of inventory? Three items for two hands eventually leads to something falling to the ground. 

Enter the attachable scanner. 

The attachable barcode scanner was made for mobility. It’s small, compact and lightweight. The addition of an attachable barcode scanner turns two devices into one. When a scanner is attached to a smart device, users’ smartphones become a form of Swiss army knife for mPOS systems. (See: Top Reasons to Choose an Attachable Barcode Scanner)

Bluetooth POS Compatibility

Not all barcode scanners are the same and neither is every POS is the same. Socket Mobile creates barcode scanners with Bluetooth to give users the freedom of movement when connected to their POS system, inventory app or other applications. There are many POS systems to choose from that are compatible with Socket Mobile’s Bluetooth barcode scanners:

• Square recommends Socket Mobile scanners for wireless connection. The Square POS app includes native support for the scanner.
• ShopKeep provides native support for Socket Mobile scanners. Socket Mobile scanners are the only wireless scanners ShopKeep recommends.
• Shopify provides native support for Socket Mobile 1D and 2D barcode scanners, which Shopify recommends for fast and accurate scanning. 

The Socket Mobile Stock Count app is one application that enables users to scan barcodes and then use that scanned information within the app. Software like Stock Count saves users both time and energy with wireless scanning. 

The Breakdown

The benefits of Bluetooth barcode scanners are not just an option; they have become a necessity. There are plenty of options of barcode scanners and POS systems to meet the individual needs of a business. Depending on the company, a business may need two or more different types of scanners – a basic 1D for the front end of the store and maybe a laser for the back end of the warehouse with high shelves. Break down your individual needs to establish which barcode scanners will provide the best solution for your company.

Socket Mobile is continually innovating to provide solutions that meet or anticipate evolving market needs. New tap-and-go solutions provide the ability for application partners to provide a loyalty solution using the tried and trusted “tap and go” mechanisms that Apple Pay and Google Pay has provided the payment world. We keep our application partners top of mind as we consider new products to include in our growing portfolio of data capture and delivery solutions for enhanced productivity. With all this in mind, we are happy to announce our latest product, the SocketScan S550 - a contactless membership card reader/writer, designed to facilitate tap-and-go smart card and NFC applications. 

The S550 combines the latest 13.56 MHz contactless technology with Bluetooth 5 connectivity. The goal is to help retailers digitize their loyalty and membership programs, since consumers increasingly expect an in-store experience that is as easy and frictionless as shopping online.

The S550 supports ISO 14443 Type A and B smart cards, ISO 15693 tags, MIFARE®, FeliCa® and most NFC tags and devices compliant with ISO 18092 standard. This makes S550 ideal for a broad range of solutions, such as hands-free verification for physical and logical access control and inventory tracking. The S550 supports two Bluetooth modes: HID Keyboard Emulation, for native app support, and App Mode for customer app development using our capture SDK interface.

With a compact design and a rechargeable lithium-ion battery for power, the S550 is extremely portable and convenient for use anytime, anywhere with most Bluetooth-enabled smartphones and tablets. 

• Works with iOS, Android and Windows® Bluetooth-enabled devices
• Meets Accessory Design Guidelines for Apple devices (Release R7) – Compliant with Apple, Android and Windows product recommendations.
• HID (Keyboard Emulation) profile available for native app support.
• Capture SDK available for custom app development.
• Reading – Fast NFC and RFID Reader (HF tags, labels, smart devices).
• Writing – Write/Encode, lock, unlock tags.
• Long-Lasting Battery - Power to last up to 16 hours.
• User Feedback - Intuitive LED indicators  let users monitor battery, Bluetooth connection and scanning status at a glance. 
• HID Mode (default) - No software installation required when using the NFC and RFID Reader/Writer in Bluetooth HID mode.
• Application Integration – Socket Mobile’s Capture SDK enables easy integration in your applications to improve business productivity with fast, efficient and reliable data transfer over Bluetooth wireless technology.
• Wireless (Bluetooth) - Reading for iOS, Android and Windows mobile devices with long-range Bluetooth connection of 330 feet (100m).
• Easy Updates - The S550 firmware can be updated over Bluetooth using an iOS or Android app. A library of PCSC Models and Reader templates is also provided to simplify designing with RFID technology.
• Designed and assembled in the USA
• Developer Support Available
• 1-Year Warranty

The Socket Mobile Capture SDK gives Socket Mobile’s application partners the ability to support these new tap-and-go capabilities. If you’re a developer, please go here for more information on our new S550 Contactless Membership Card.

Technology is no longer something we just interact with – increasingly it’s also becoming part of what we wear. From “smart purses” that prevent you from overspending to fake nails that could be used as subway cards, the possibilities for wearable technology are endless.

The smart watch that communications with your cell phone is just one example of how functionality and fashion are colliding in the technology world, taking personalization beyond the color of your phone case.

Continued technological advancements have made the tiniest RFID chips and beacons possible, opening the doors to things like an acrylic nail equipped with an RFID chip to enable its use as a subway token. At Socket Mobile, we are constantly thinking about new ways we can use our technologies and the data our devices capture. What if in the future, our data capture products – equipped with near field technologies – could actually scan that nail for a customer? Imagine paying a bill, literally using the tip of your finger.

Wearable technology has its roots in fashion – think LED adorned clothing – but the concept itself brings a number of functional and efficient possibilities that go beyond looking fly. How many times have you or someone you know lost or nearly lost their debit or credit cards? Having it embedded into wearable technology could vastly reduce the risk of loss or theft (not to mention save you the hassle of having to carry a bag or wallet.)

Beacons, GPS technology and scanners underpin all of these possibilities, collecting information that’s then used to provide the wonderful experiences that wearable technology offers. Though people may not see or notice the discreetly hidden beacons in stores, those are what communicate with objects like a smart purse, notifying the purse when it’s within range, which then alert the bag’s owner with lights and vibrations.

Who knew that one day fashionistas would be working alongside the tech industry, or that computer science grads would be creating gadgets worn on the runway? The seemingly cold, metallic world of tech has merged into the fashion industry. Somehow, the mix has been made. Somehow, two worlds have collided and are creating new standards for both.

Gone are the days when consumers simply walked up to a cash register to pay for goods or services. Today, many businesses are using mPOS (mobile point of sale) systems to better serve their customers, not to mention improve tracking inventory and simplifying the entire buying process for customers and staff. But, it's important to pick the right system for your business.

Support for commonly used OS and mobile devices: For customer accessibility, it’s imperative to be compatible with the majority of your customers’ mobile devices. Their use of your POS system should run smoothly, inviting them for recurring visits to your establishment with the use of their own devices and operating systems (i.e. Apple, Samsung, Windows).

Efficiency and accuracy: Customers demand answers, quick service and response. A well-rounded POS system should equip employees with the proper tools to speed their services and maintain happy customers.

Additional training and support for staff: POS users need to be well-versed in the system. If staff can’t understand the system, then they can’t help run the service. When that happens,  customers can get impatient and look for business elsewhere. A good POS provider should be able to provide training and support for all users – whether it’s for troubleshooting or onboarding new users.  

Accurate and timely updates on inventory and stock levels: Stock levels at both online and brick-and-mortar stores should be easily accessible and viewed via the POS system you select.

Inventory accessibility to staff: When staff are working with customers, being able to easily and quickly check the availability of products is key. Customers must be kept satisfied while they wait for backorders or shipments from a warehouse. They’re apt to easily become annoyed with staff who have no idea whether item(s) are in stock or when said items will be available for purchase. This is where a POS barcode scanner can come in handy.

Analytics: Tracking popular products and sales statistics provides valuable insight. It lets you see whether more or less of particular products should be ordered, and what the current and changing trends are for new and old products.

Marketing campaigns: With all of the data collected from your POS system, that information can be used to improve business with new campaigns to promote particular services, products or sales. When selecting a POS system, it’s important to understand what data will be collected and how you can make the best use of it.

Flexibility and growth: Customers’ needs and desires change, which means so do products and services. If a business wants to thrive, it also needs to change with the times by remaining flexible, adding or altering services/products. The right POS for your business is one that can be adapted to changes and is an enabler of flexibility, rather than a hindrance.

Accept payments from most any popular payment method: Compatibility with your customers is key to sealing a deal. A customer may be in love with your product or service, but a sale can easily fall through if the payment method is uncooperative or doesn’t work. This should be considered table stakes when it comes to selecting a POS.

Email receipts: Our modern age allows for many conveniences, including ditching receipts that fill filing cabinets, overstuff wallets or are easily lost. Be sure your POS system offers the simplest of conveniences from a sale – an emailed receipt.

 

In an increasingly crowded POS market, it can be difficult to navigate all of the options. Using the above criteria can help ensure you select the right system for your use case, to ultimately keep your business running smoothly and your customers happy.  

At Socket Mobile, it’s our job to meet and anticipate our customers’ needs.  

Barcode scanners were originally developed with the purpose of data capture, to improve stocking, help ring up items and keep track of what’s been sold and what is still available on the shelves. With the expansion of barcode usage, the workforce began using their scanners in more diverse settings, which included harsher workplaces. That created a new for a stronger wireless barcode scanner. 

Socket Mobile’s original Durable barcode scanner was created with the intention of meeting the everyday demands of the barcode scanner and then some. Robust, able to withstand falls, tumbles and harsh environments, the Durable was made tough, so the only concern users had was their task at hand, not their tool in-hand. It was meant to be a help, not a hindrance. The fully programmable scanner was made with antimicrobial material, ideal for retail POS, field service, inventory management, asset tracking and more. 

But as our customers’ needs have changed, our barcode scanners must too. Meet the DuraScan^tm, an even tougher barcode scanner with an IP54 rating. It’s simpler to use, the battery lasts twice as long and it’s intuitive with LED lights. And no longer is gray the only color choice. The DuraScan comes in three different colors, Construction Orange, Safety Green and Utility Gray. It even comes in an NFC Reader/Writer edition as part of the DuraScan 700 Series.  

The DuraScan’s features include:

• Made from protective material with antimicrobial additives to help protect against harmful bacteria
• Long lasting battery: Power to last for two 8-hour shifts  
• User feedback: Intuitive LED indicators let users know battery, Bluetooth connection and scanning status at a glance
• Rugged design: Protection rating of IP54 for dust and water splashing protection; withstands multiple drops to concrete and repeated tumbles
• Wireless (Bluetooth® Technology) scanning for Apple®, iOS, Android and Windows® mobile devices
• Wearable: Includes lanyard/ belt clip for convenient access wherever you go

The Series 7 Durable has run its course and reached the finish line. Leaving other scanners in the dust in the early years, its time in the sun has now set. The Series 7 Durable passes the baton to DuraScan – the future in improved durable scanning solutions.

Imagine a salesperson speaking with an impatient customer who’s asking for a size 10 shoe that’s not found on the shelves. They’re rushing to the stockroom, their heart beating fast, a cell phone in one hand and a scanner in the other. What’s the likelihood that salesperson WON’T drop one of those juggled devices?

Imagine that your boss hands you a work phone for customer calls. You already carry a personal phone in your pocket at all times, and now you have the weight of a phone in each side pocket. Where do you put that handheld scanner for work? It’s cumbersome.

For reasons like these and others, an attachable barcode scanner offers a better, handier solution: 

Accessibility to smartphone features: Smartphones and tablets offer many features that simplify the work environment. GPS, notes, contact lists, camera, video calling abilities, email, and internet access are important, but so is the ability to attach a credit card-sized scanner to that multi-functional mobile device.

Two-in one device (mobile device and scanner): Carrying a handheld device, personal mobile and work phone is difficult to juggle when running around making sales and servicing customers. 

Real-time accessibility to inventory: With an attachable barcode scanner like Socket Mobile’s 800 series, it’s easy for salespeople to check on products in stock when customers ask for an item that is not readily available in-store. 

Small and light attachment: The 800 series is the length and width of a credit card. Not only is it one of the smallest barcode scanners available, but as a result, attaching it to your mobile device won’t weigh it – or you – down. 

Mobile compatibility: Use the mobile device you already have without worrying about compatibility or needing to switch devices. Socket Mobile’s 800 Series with Bluetooth® wireless technology offers native support with Android, Windows, and is certified by Apple® for iOS devices.

Ideal for mobile industries: Many work environments – and the activities within – are now mobile and on-the-go. Shouldn’t your barcode scanner be, too? An attachable scanner makes everything easier and more mobile - from retail POS, field service, inventory management, asset tracking and more.

 

(Learn more about the 800 Series DuraCase attachment - Empowering the Mobile Device Workforce with Socket Mobile DuraCase)  

A host devices’ camera is designed to take pictures, not to decode barcodes. Scanning barcodes requires a careful two-step process– first focusing the device’s camera on a barcode to be clear on the screen, and then scanning. The user then must toggle out of their device’s screen to view anything other than the scanned barcode. This affects the speed of the workflow. Every barcode must go through the same process – refocusing, then scanning.

Tests (conducted by Socket Mobile) prove using a phone application to scan a barcode can take 2-3 times longer than a barcode scanning solution. The process can take even longer with variables such as unsteady hands or in a mobile environment (i.e. moving vehicle). A phone’s camera does not focus easily because it does not have a designated aimer like a proper barcode scanner does. 

A device’s battery also drains faster on a phone than with a scanning app. Barcode scanning requires the phone taking images and supporting an application that decodes barcode data, which drains the battery faster.

In addition, toggling the same screen used for scanning barcodes and checking the list of scanned barcodes is a hassle and time-consuming.

The cost of application upgrades and the requirements for changing devices depends on the app. 

What can you expect from an application that uses a smartphone device’s camera for scanning? 

·       Cheaper setup costs

·       Slow solution – 2-3 times slower than a designated scanner

·       Costly overtime– Requiring 2-3 more people to complete a 1-person job

·       Drains device battery faster

·       No scanning aimer provided

·       Limited support on symbologies – Not all barcodes can be scanned, nor are the settings modified easily

·       Limited users – Each scanning session requires logging into an application that is not shared between users

·       Limited customization – An application is set with its own abilities and is therefore limited

 

With a Socket Mobile scanner, data can be transferred to your desired application with a simple point and press of the button. On the device screen, users can observe the data assigned to the corresponding barcode with no need to toggle back and forth between screens.  

Socket Mobile provides a range of options for handheld scanners, including scanners which allow you to connect to mobile devices. With this feature, Socket Mobile offers an ergonomic one-handed and long-lasting scanning solution, improving the convenience of a device's downloaded application. 

Using a barcode scanner that transfers data to a designated device via Bluetooth® wireless technology:

·       Cost-effective investment

·       Fast solution – 2-3 times faster than a scanning app

·       Long-lasting battery power – Up to two work shifts

·       Scanning aimer – Provides speedy/accurate reading

·       Dependable technology – Built specifically for barcode scanning jobs

·       Customization options – Select symbologies, vibrations and tones, modes, etc.

 

Although barcode scanning applications are reasonable and cost-friendly, designated barcode scanning devices prove to be a more usable, long-term option.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For more information on barcodes, read Why Barcodes are Used
For more information on the uses of RFID tags, read How are RFID Tags and NFC Used? 
Learn more Socket Mobile's RFID reader/writer: DuraScan D600

Business is booming and your small business is in desperate need of expansion. With a larger store, you’ll need a larger stock of inventory. How are you going to manage piles and rows of merchandise in a stock room with only wired barcode scanner tethered to a specific station?

A larger shop with more inventory also requires more staff to manage your new warehouse. Multiple users stocking and scanning barcodes require multiple barcode scanners for inventory management.

With so much space and so many more employees handling your products, how are you, the owner, going to keep track of what’s in stock and what needs to be ordered?

A wireless handheld Bluetooth barcode scanner can solve all of these problems and more.

Wireless Freedom – With Bluetooth connectivity, there are no wires to hold you down. You don’t have to remain in one stationary position or get tangled up when you try to move from one side of the room to another.

Access to Inventory Anywhere – A live barcode scanner plus Bluetooth connectivity keeps users connected to scanned inventory via wireless connection to the records you manage.

Expandable Inventory – With more freedom to move around, a warehouse or store can carry a larger inventory with easier capability of reaching and scanning rooms full of more packages.

Easy Scanning – Bulky or hard-to-reach items will no longer get in the way if a wire isn’t holding you down. Without wires, large packages are easy to maneuver around to find the barcode for scanning.

Hands-Free – With Socket Mobile’s small barcode scanners and included lanyard/belt clip, roaming around a store or warehouse with a Bluetooth scanner can remain hands-free while the scanner is latched around your neck, clipped to your belt, or kept in your pocket.

Switch Scanners – With Bluetooth connectivity and dependability, the scanner is no longer the main access point for inventory scanned. Easily switch from one scanner to another and continue maintaining the same batch of inventory.

Learn more about Socket Mobile's inventory solutions: Retail Inventory
See Success Stories using Socket Mobile's solutions: RollMore Using ShipHero and Pasatiempo Golf Club

Imagine scanning tickets for a special event. Hundreds of people flood in line, requiring multiple ticket-masters to check in patrons. Tickets were bought online, so some people printed their tickets while others saved the tickets on their smart phones. Some guests even have online coupons for their tickets, requiring a 2D imager to scan printed or on-screen tickets, as well as printed or digital coupon codes.

Imagine being an owner of a small chain of customized t-shirts. The main warehouse is stock-piled with shirts of varying colors, sizes, and styles just waiting to be personalized by customers. With such massive inventory from varying suppliers, numerous employees need to manage different kinds of barcodes - both 1D and 2D.

1. Versatile Form Factor:

   Every industry has individual needs for the packages they handle. A more mobile industry may desire an attachable scanner to access their phone’s features, while stocking a warehouse may only want a handheld device. Socket Mobile’s 2 Dimensional barcode scanners are available as handheld or attachable devices (700 Series or 800 Series).

2. Scans on Screens:

   Coupons, movie tickets, and applications are saved online, which are activated by barcodes. Instead of wasting paper, cell phones and computers save those barcodes, and 2 Dimensional scanners are able to read those codes without printing.

3. Reads Both 1 and 2 Dimensional Barcodes

   Whether your business deals with 1D, stacked, or on-screen codes, a 2D barcode scanner will read the code. The versatility of a 2D scanner is what makes it such a valuable device.

4. More Available Information:

   1D barcodes contain 20-25 characters while 2D barcodes contain up to 2,000 characters for text, voice, and image information.

5. Improved Product Trace-ability:

   2D images carry more data for more detailed tracing. Accurately tracing and checking inventory in-real time is easier with more information.

6. Reads Barcodes in Any Direction:

   Slanted, sideways, or upside down, scanning with a 2D scanner is more efficient. There’s no need to re-position the item, which saves time and energy.

7. 2D Imagers Read Damaged Barcodes:

   Unclear or worn barcodes naturally happen after packages are handled and passed around. Those seemingly unreadable codes are still readable with a 2D scanner.