We have used Symbol LS4278 with great success. Of course they are not cheap but I think you can get them for around $200 to $300. They have a great range and are very reliable.

On 10/2/2014 1:36 PM, Fred Taylor wrote:
Jeff,

Any recommendations on an inexpensive wireless scanner?

Fred

On Thu, Oct 2, 2014 at 1:33 PM, Jeff Johnson <[email protected]> wrote:

On 10/1/2014 2:52 PM, Mike Copeland wrote:

All,

I have a problem with end users hand-keying information that should be
scanned with a barcode scanner to improve accuracy.

Here's the gist of the issue...
Every piece of inventory has a barcode sticker on it representing a
unique serial #, always 8 characters long.
(My application offers a way to reprint the barcode label in case this
label gets torn, damaged.)

What I need to force, somehow, is that the # represented on the barcode
label MUST be scanned by a simple barcode scan gun connected to the
computer.

As ya'll know, all the scanner does is convert the barcode data into
standard keyboard keystrokes and stuff the data into the keyboard
buffer...really fast. In other words, a very fast, very accurate typist.
But most importantly, the CORRECT # is input (so that the correct inventory
item is recorded as 'processed.')

The problem is that the users hand-key the number at the prompt...and
frequently hand-key it wrong.

So, to try to stop the hand-keying I removed the human-readable text
under the barcode on the label. So now, you either scan it or you learn to
read barcode by eye. One would hope/think that this would have solved the
problem...but no.

Now (by watching security video footage) we find that they are
1. opening Notepad
2. scanning the barcodes, which enters the barcode data in human readable
form, obviously
3. then hand keying the data into my application when they should use the
scanner.

And...errors are being made regularly. And, yes, training, threats, etc.
have been tried.

 From the application's viewpoint, the only difference between a barcode
scanner providing input and a human typing on a keyboard is the speed with
which the data is input.

So, my last-ditch idea to force scanning and negate hand-keying is to,
somehow, use a timer on the input. Set the timer to a short time, like 1
second, which is faster than 99% of humankind can type 8 characters. Start
the timer on the first keystroke and when the timer fires again if the
length of the input is less than 8, clear the input...because they're not
scanning.

My question, is this nuts? Is there a better way? Am I barking at the
moon? Begging for problems? Any other Ideas?

Thanks for feedback.

Mike Copeland


Lot to read here, but I tried to read most of it.  Did I read that you
tried wireless scanners?  I have a point of sale application that includes
a massive parts inventory.  They have two wireless scanners and they can
scan orders, do price checks and stock checks while walking around the
entire area.  They also use them to take inventory.  They scan everything
and it has been working reliably for about 10 years.

I understand the part about stacking the boxes and then doing the
paperwork, but with a wireless scanner the input goes directly into the
application in real time.

HTH

--
Jeff

Jeff Johnson
[email protected]
SanDC, Inc.
(623) 582-0323
SMS (602) 717-5476
Fax 623-869-0675

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