Monthly Archives: May 2017

Use Of Barcode Scanners Is On The Rise

A recent report, “Barcode Scanner Market: Global Industry Analysis and Opportunity Assessment, 2017-2027,” released by Future Market Insights (FMI), takes a look at recent, current and projected trends in the barcode scanner market. The major takeaway form the report is that the use of barcode technology is increasing at a significant rate. The use of the technology is rising in a variety of industries, with notable growth occurring within the retail and manufacturing industries. To most observers of the barcode technology industry, the report comes as no surprise. Over the past decade, more businesses than ever before are purchasing barcode scanners, while others are renting barcode scanners for seasonal, temporary or trial purposes. Not only does the FMI report observe a general upward trend going forward, it also comments on the specific reasons for the more widespread adoption of barcode technology. Here is a look at some reasons why businesses are incorporating more barcode technology into their operations and why they are projected to continue doing so in the future.

 

Fewer Errors

 

Tracking data using barcodes and barcode scanners has proven to result in fewer errors than when using manual data entry systems like spreadsheets. Current barcode software makes it easy to transfer the scanned data into spreadsheets so that companies can still perform all the data-oriented tasks they’re used to, only with the added benefit of more accurate numbers. As mentioned above, the greater accuracy is helping to improve the efficiency and bottom lines of many companies in the retail and manufacturing sectors. The report points out, though, that the sector benefitting the most from this accuracy going forward is the healthcare industry. Professionals in the healthcare industry—from pharmacists to physicians to those in administrative roles—are using barcode scanners to cut down on medication errors and greater analyze data related to things like the manufacturing dates of medication.

 

healthcare-barcode-scanner

 

Less Manual Labor

 

Because of the improved accuracy involved in collecting data with barcode scanners, there is a concurrent reduction in the costs associated with the manual labor of data entry. This doesn’t necessarily mean jobs will be eliminated; often, the quick, accurate data provided by barcode scanners simply frees up workers to focus on other tasks and thereby improves the overall efficiency and bottom line of a company.

 

Data Analytics

 

Another reason for the increasing use of barcode scanners is the increasing effectiveness of data analytics. Data is only as valuable as the tools used to work with the data. Thanks to data analysts and data analysis software can do more with data than ever before, from incorporating it into their marketing strategy to increasing the efficiency of their supply chain. As a result, data is more valuable than ever. As a company is able to access it more quickly, it becomes more valuable; as a company is able to better ensure its accuracy, it also becomes more valuable.

 

Going Forward

 

One interesting prediction noted by the report is a shift toward camera-based barcode readers. Currently, most scanners use laser technology to read barcodes, but this may change going forward. While laser scanners are expected to maintain the largest share of the market, camera-based readers will become more popular. As with other forms tech hardware like computers and cell phones, there will also be a continued trend toward smaller sizes. Hand-held scanners are also expected to rise in effectiveness and popularity going forward.

Pros And Cons Of Barcode Scanners

More industries than ever before are learning about and reaping the benefits of barcode technology. As the science of data analysis evolves, so does the value of fast, accurate data collection. Though barcode technology has been around and has been used successfully in certain industries for decades, the revolution in the way we think about and use data has afforded new respect to barcode technology. Professionals in industries from manufacturing to healthcare now see barcode technology as the conduit between their professions and the data necessary to improve the efficiency and success of their missions.

 

As anyone who has scanned a QR code understands, smartphones and tablets are beginning to offer apps that scan barcodes; the advantages that come with scanning barcodes from a smartphone or tablet are considerable because it allows the data to be quickly stored, transferred and acted upon. While these apps will continue to develop, barcode scanners are still the most effective hardware for mining the valuable data stored in those black-and-white barcodes. For companies who understand how to use data to improve their operations, barcode scanners are one of their most valuable tools. As more people use barcodes, more people are learning about barcode scanners. They’re learning about what can go right with the devices as well as about what can go wrong. Here is a look at some of the benefits and drawbacks of barcode scanners, regardless of the industry in which they’re used.

 

Pros

 

The main benefit of barcode scanners is going to be different from person to person and from business to business. Each of the main benefits of barcode scanners, though, work together synergistically to improve the efficiency of business operations. The main general benefits are error reduction, inventory control and times savings. Barcode scanners have been proven to reduce the human error that is inherent in any data collection process. Inventory control is another benefit, as barcode scanners help provide real-time information about the current status of a company’s overall inventory or the specific inventory of certain items at certain stages of a business process. Not only are barcode scanners more accurate than manual entry, they are a quicker alternative as well—limiting the amount of time a business must devote to this process and freeing up time for other areas.

 

rental-inventory-scanner

 

Cons

 

Obviously, barcode scanners cost money. For small businesses especially, a barcode scanner and the accompanying software that may be necessary for success can represent a significant investment. This is why a careful cost-benefit analysis must be conducted that considers the above benefits of barcode scanners and the value that those benefits will bring to a particular business. To mitigate the cost factor, many companies and organizations see leasing barcode scanners as an option either on a trial or temporary basis in order to get a better sense of their potential benefits. Like any piece of equipment, a barcode scanner may be subject to breakdowns and repair costs, and this should be factored into any potential cost-benefit analysis.

Why Trade Shows Matter

A greater proportion of business growth and sales than ever before happens online. Though these online sales usually happen without any face-to-face interaction between a customer and a representative of the business, the need to make connections with customers hasn’t diminished. Like sales, more business marketing than ever takes place online as companies invest significant amounts of money into learning how to create customer loyalty and develop a brand exclusively online. The primary factor in this shift toward online sales and customer acquisition is cost. Businesses are able to significantly cut down on their operating costs by operating partially, primarily or exclusively online; just think about the cost savings associated with not having to operate from a brick-and-mortar location. While this isn’t ideal for all businesses, many businesses that thrive online would find it difficult to exist without the internet.

 

One exception to the exodus away from in-person business toward online business has been trade shows. Trade shows have managed to maintain relevance and even grow in importance as the business landscape changes. The reason for this is that they offer businesses access to a large pool of customers who have already demonstrated interest in their product or service just by attending the trade show. The continued existence and relevance of trade shows is interesting because success at a trade show demands the traditional, in-person sales and marketing skills that are otherwise diminishing. As a result, businesses often need to shift their mindset prior to a trade show. As a way to begin doing just that, here is a closer look at some reasons why trade shows still matter.

 

tradeshow-scanners

 

Sales

 

One of the most difficult parts of selling business to business, either in person or over the phone, is simply making contact with a person who has purchasing authority. Prior to the internet, most of a salesperson’s time was spent trying to get in touch with the right people. Trade shows have remained relevant partly because they reduce a business’s dependence on jumping through these hoops. Recent statistics show that over 80% of trade show attendees have buying authority. To a salesperson whom is used to spending only 10% of their time communicating with someone with purchasing authority, a trade show is obviously an incredible opportunity.

 

Marketing

 

Greater percentages of marketing budgets, more than ever before, are allocated to online marketing strategies. At a trade show, businesses often have to shift gears and focus on in-person marketing strategies. Making an effective, memorable presentation is one skill that trade show attendees should hone prior to attending. Listening and follow-up skills are also important, as are choosing strategic giveaways or “party favors” that help leave an impression on those who check out a particular product at a trade show. All of these skills help to build a business’s brand with customers and within a particular industry.

 

Networking

 

Traditional networking skills are also important at a trade show. In fact, more sales happen after a trade show, as a result of interactions at the show, than they do at the trade show itself. There is modern hardware and software available now, though, that can help with this face-to-face networking. Tradeshow scanner rentals allow a business to scan the barcoded badges that attendees at trade shows often have. This scanning records and stores their information and makes the process of following up, building a relationship and making a sale a much easier process going forward.

Should Your Company Be Using RFID?

Whereas only recently RFID technology was considered a high-tech novelty, something that was more suitable for a futuristic science fiction movie than it was for a small or mid-sized business, more and more companies of all sizes are incorporating RFID technology into their businesses operations. Despite how common the technology has become, many business owners are still reluctant to use RFID. For some, this may be because being slow adopters of new fads and trends is part of the reason they’ve been so successful in business in the first place. For these people and others, the potential applications of RFID may not have been simply and clearly articulated to them. Generally, business owners with a track record of success possess the foresight and creativity to see how a technology can be applied to bring a benefit to their business. While RFID can certainly be understood at a highly complex, technical level, a broad overview of how others are using the technology can be a helpful starting point in understanding it. Here is a look at some uses businesses are finding for RFID technology.

 

Asset-Tracking

 

Nearly all businesses that sell a product—and many that provide services involving equipment—have an interest in keeping track of the physical objects that make their business go. From products and equipment to assets, people, documents and anything else vitally important to a business, leaders need to effectively manage and monitor these items. RFID tags associated with individual company assets can provide an efficient, automatic way of asset tracking. Having a running, accurate assessment of assets is about more than just keeping track; it provides businesses with the flexibility to make quick, smart decisions going forward.

 

Traceability

 

RFID also allows businesses to more easily trace an item as it goes through the supply chain or goes through any sort of internal business process. By tracking a product’s movement through the supply chain, businesses are able to better maintain quality control throughout each individual stage of the process and more easily identify strengths and weaknesses.

 

Inventory Visibility

 

barcode-inventory-rentals

 

In the current hyper-competitive retail environment, it is more important than ever before for retailers to maintain inventory visibility at several different levels. RFID tags allow retailers to access up-to-date information about how much of an item is in stock, where it is displayed and how it is priced. The more accurate these totals are, the easier it is for retailers to analyze, compare and adjust these factors as necessary to improve sales. Many of the companies using RFID labels for inventory purposes also utilize barcode inventory rentals that allow them to rent the software and hardware necessary for optimum functioning of their inventory system.

 

Manufacturing

 

As the aforementioned section on traceability indicates, it is important to monitor each stage of a business process. This is perhaps most obviously seen in the manufacturing process. By assigning RFID tags and labels to parts, manufacturing plants—including automobile manufacturing plants—are better able to assess the strengths and weaknesses of their operations.  Implementing barcode software solutions that are customized to a specific business can do all this and more, even perform attendance tracking, inspections, and label printing.

 

Benefits Of Barcodes In The Healthcare Industry

Barcode software and hardware are well understood to have dramatically impacted the inventory management processes of businesses in recent years. The effects of barcode technology have extended into many different industries. In years past, barcodes have been considered to be something limited to grocery store checkout counters or businesses with inventories large enough to fill warehouses that necessitated an automated tracking system.

 

In recent years though, more and more companies in niche markets are investigating barcode equipment rentals to implement the technology into their business on a trial basis. Not only have barcodes developed to make this possible, but cloud-based data tracking software has evolved to a point where its capability and price point makes sense even for small businesses and industries that would not have traditionally considered barcode technology.

 

Bardoced Healthcare

 

barcoded-inventory-tracking

 

One of the industries that is finding greater use for the barcode is the healthcare industry. The effects of barcode technology in the healthcare industry are interesting because they have such a tremendous impact on peoples’ everyday lives. While awareness of the benefits of barcodes in some other sectors are limited to industry experts and business analysts, the barcoding of the healthcare industry is of interest to anyone who cares about the effectiveness of the modern medical system. Here is a look at how barcodes are being used in the healthcare industry.

 

Error Reduction

 

Research studies and statistical analyses have shown that barcoded inventory tracking systems produce fewer errors than manual-based data and inventory tracking systems. The benefits of this error reduction are obvious for businesses whose primary goal is to increase efficiency and thus promote business growth. In the healthcare industry, however, error reduction means a better quality of care for patients and can have a positive impact on the recovery of a particular patient. Increasingly, healthcare facilities are barcoding the medications they provide patients with the goal of reducing errors. There are several international standards that medical and pharmaceutical barcodes must be in accordance with, and many individual nations have developed their own standards to promote the safety and efficiency of medical systems.

 

Consistency

 

In addition to the potentially lifesaving efficiency and error-reduction offered by barcodes in the medical industry, the consistency they bring is also a benefit. The consistency is due to the fact that the same data on the production and shipment of medicine and medical supplies can now be accessed from many different locations. The healthcare industry is not a monolith; there are many different types of organizations involved in the care and treatment of patients. Because of barcodes, hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, non-profit organizations and other treatment centers all have access to the same data about the use and effectiveness of their different resources. As a result, these organizations can better collaborate and innovate to determine the most effective allocation and resources and treatment procedures.

 

 

Going Forward

 

The integration of barcodes within the healthcare industry only appears to be increasing. State-of-the-art intensive care units are even being designed and equipped to use barcodes and barcode scanners to keep track of equipment and activity in their vitally important workspace. Special dietary requirements that are common in medical settings are also more easily adhered to thanks to barcoded systems. The effects of the barcode and barcode equipment on the healthcare industry are sure to be noticed by more and more people going forward.