Barcode scanners comes hand and hand with barcodes. These are basically the hardware that read the barcodes. Barcodes are those vertical lines with numbers at the bottom that you see on every item that you buy. These are very helpful because with just a single unique code contains elaborate details about the item. So when these barcodes are input in the database, especially during transactions, its translated to the data about the item on screen. Without barcode scanners, these codes would need to be input manually by typing in the numbers which cannot only take a lot of time but also gives a huge room for error. What the barcode scanner does is it automatically reads the barcode that is placed in front of it and automatically translates this through the software as a text file.

Hand held barcode scanners have two effective uses when it comes to reading barcodes. One would be when performing sales transactions and the second is updating the inventory.

For the first hand held barcode scanners are often used to perform sales transactions. The good thing about hand held barcode scanners is you can use it as a fixed barcode scanner and as a movable one. Hand held barcode scanners come with a stand which you can mount on the counter and then mount the scanner there. This can provide a stable sales transaction procedure because the scanner stays in place. So all you need to do is hover the item to the scanner one after another. However, this can be difficult when the item that needs to be scanned is huge and heavy to bring up to the counter. In these instances, you can remove the scanner from the stand and bring it over to where the barcode is placed. With fixed barcode scanners, you cant do this and that means the barcode has to be typed in manually.

Hand held barcode scanners are not just for transacting sales. You can also use it for updating the inventory. Just like in transacting sales, all you need to do is put the barcode in front of the scanner. So when, new deliveries arrive, you can immediately input the new items quickly and place it on sale right away. You can also use this when you are running a detailed inventory count. You can scan the items in the stock room and even the specific items in your store such as signage, posters and chairs. This makes the inventory count faster which lessens your closed hours due to inventory. It makes your inventory tasks efficient and fast which allows you to focus more on making sales.