Buying Guide: choosing your barcode scanner
Every business has specific needs when it comes to barcode scanners. Depending on the type of barcodes you use (1D, 2D, QR codes, etc.), your usage environment, your preferences regarding connectivity or battery life, recommendations will vary. Some companies prefer scanners compatible with their inventory management software. Others opt for new scanners that staff can quickly learn to use.
In any case, you’ll encounter key market brands like Honeywell, Zebra, or Symbol Motorola. To choose your barcode scanner from these references, you’ll need to compare different models, including new or refurbished scanners. How do you make your selection? As a specialist in professional IT equipment management, Codeo guides you in choosing your barcode scanner. If you still have doubts after reading, we’re happy to provide further advice.
What criteria should you consider when choosing your barcode scanner?
Your business has specific needs that your new barcode scanner must meet. Before purchasing or renewing this type of scanner, list your requirements:
- What type of connectivity does your company’s IT system use: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB, 4G, 5G?
- In what environment will you use your barcode scanner: retail store, hospital/clinic, warehouses, construction site? Barcode scanners have different levels of resistance to shocks, humidity, dust, and heat.
- A challenging environment also requires a responsive maintenance service in case of a breakdown. What repair time do you want in case of a malfunction?
- Do you need particularly high battery life with high-capacity batteries? Do you want additional batteries with battery chargers to optimize the use of your barcode scanners and ensure 24/7 operation?
- Should your staff quickly learn to use the scanner? In this case, the ease of use and ergonomics of the scanner impact your choice: do you want a scanner with a physical keyboard that’s easier to handle, or a fully touchscreen one that can be slipped into a pocket?
Questions to ask before opting for refurbished barcode scanners
Choosing your barcode scanner also depends on your budget, maintenance needs, and ecological ambitions. To decide between a new or refurbished scanner, ask yourself the following questions:
Do you need to ensure a certain uniformity between your existing IT equipment and your new scanners?
If so, refurbished barcode scanners are ideal. They allow you to complement your IT equipment with one or more brands your staff already knows. In these conditions, no training is needed: your employees know how to use the equipment. There’s no need for software adaptation either: since the hardware is identical, no application updates are required, and the installation will be “plug & play” on your barcode scanner.
Do you want to limit the budget for purchasing your barcode scanners?
If the budget is a criterion for choosing your barcode scanner, refurbished ones represent an interesting option. Investing in a refurbished device offers performance comparable to new, at a price 20 to 50% lower.
Is your company committed to a serious CSR policy?
Corporate Social Responsibility tends to push your choice towards refurbished devices. Refurbished barcode scanners reduce your carbon footprint. They produce much less CO2 than the manufacturing of new terminals. Buying refurbished scanners also ensures compliance with environmental regulations like the UK’s carbon reduction targets.
Do you want to ensure effective maintenance in a very demanding environment?
Refurbished barcode scanners extend the life of your IT equipment. Tested, repaired, cleaned, and retested for quality control, they can come with a one-year warranty, extendable up to five years. In case of a malfunction or breakage of your barcode scanner, we can provide a replacement the day after the incident is reported, ensuring continuous activity without downtime.
When to buy new barcode scanners?
There are situations where you may prefer new barcode scanners. Changing standards that render your terminals obsolete and evolving operational needs may lead you to favour new equipment. We also advise choosing new barcode scanners in the following cases:
- To completely renew your fleet of barcode scanners. Manufacturers typically offer additional discounts on large volumes, which you can benefit from.
- Investing in new equipment from a reputable manufacturer will allow you to resell this equipment with residual value in a few years.
- Choosing new barcode scanners also gives you access to regular and more recent software updates.
Codeo’s support for your barcode scanners
As a specialist in professional IT equipment, Codeo advises you in choosing barcode scanners suited to your needs. One of our specialties is selling refurbished scanners as reliable as new, while offering much more attractive prices. However, we also offer rental, maintenance, and IT equipment buyback services.
Barcode scanner rental allows you to handle peak activity periods requiring more equipment for your teams or seasonal workers. By renting, you access a wide catalogue of brands and generations of equipment, such as Zebra, Datalogic, Symbol Motorola, and Honeywell. You also benefit from personalised, multi-site installation as we take care of installing and configuring the software you use.
On the maintenance side, Codeo ensures the repair of your barcode scanners by qualified technicians. We manage your entire fleet of scanners – whether they’re on a single site or in your subsidiaries across Europe – from 20 to 5,000 units to repair. Our Helpdesk Service remains constantly available and finds solutions tailored to your needs. We provide you with an extranet portal, personalised procedures, a dedicated buffer stock, and many other options to ensure the operational condition of your IT equipment and limit usage interruptions for your business.
Your purchase of new barcode scanners comes with the problem of storing old obsolete models? Codeo buys your dormant stock of terminals. This avoids storage costs and the loss of value of your IT equipment. In addition to obtaining a trade-in value for your old barcode scanners, you also reduce your carbon footprint by contributing to the circular economy. The equipment we buy back will either be refurbished or recycled, respecting resources perfectly.
Have questions about managing your barcode scanners? Contact us!
