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The most common use of bar code scanners, and the one that most people are aware of, is the scanning of groceries at a grocery store. At the teller the bar code of each package is run past a barcode scanner that tells the system what the item is. The stock control system then feeds back item details and price information to the teller. The cost is automatically added to your bill.

At the same time the stock control system records the fact that you have purchased a can of soup or box of cereal, and the inventory tally maintained in the central database is reduced to reflect the fact that someone has purchased one of these items. Inventory control is more or less automatic, assuming that all the data was input correctly in the first place.

Consider a practical example of using this system. Suppose you own a small business, and are tracking inventory manually. You would typically total up your sales at the end of the day and update your records. This is a time-consuming and unreliable process. The use of a bar code system allows you to automatically update your stock control database each time an item is added or removed.

It is important that each item has its own unique bar code. Items that don't already have a bar code can have a unique one generated for them by the stock control software. You then use a bar code printer to print out the code which can then be attached to the item.

The three most prevalent kinds of bar code scanners available now are:

1. Wand Scanners - The least expensive type of bar code scanner is the wand system. And even though it is less expensive, it still is a great choice for most uses. Typically wand prices are a tenth of laser gun prices and about a fifth of CCD scanner prices.

The wand system works very well most of the time, and is is the cheapest kind of bar code scanner. As far as cost is concerned, one of these wands will cost 1/10th as much as a laser gun, and about 1/5th as much as a CCD scanner.

There are limitations to wand scanners, however. The wand needs to be held at a fairly specific angle when pointed at the barcode in order for it to scan properly. Also, the speed with which it is moved across the barcode can't be too fast or too slow. Additionally, there is a limit to the resolution of every barcode wand scanner. The scanner will not be able to read properly any barcode that has a resolution that is significantly smaller than the scanner itself. For example, a 5 mil barcode cannot be read using a 10 mil wand. When in the market for a wand scanner, it is important that this isn't forgotten.

2. CCD Scanners - CCD stands for charged coupled device. This type of scanner normally costs less than a laser scanner, and it is a very accurate alternative system for scanning bar codes. Both the wand scanner and the CCD reader have to be in physical contact with the bar code if they are to read the label. However, the CCD reader doesn't have to be moved, waved, or slid across the label like the wand scanner. The user can just touch the reader to the bar code and pull the trigger to activate the scanner.

Of the various types of bar code scanners, CCD readers are the easiest to use, and are available in widths from about 2 inches to 4 inches. A CCD reader is about four times the cost of a wand, but only about one third the cost of a laser scanner.

A promising new technology similar to CCD is called FFO (Fixed Focus Optics). These scanners are non-contact readers, which means they can read bar codes from as much as 20" away. They will also be able to read two-dimensional bar codes as they become more popular.

3. The Laser Scanner - More sophisticated high volume applications use laser scanners to read and record bar codes. The bar code label is scanned quickly by a laser scanner using a beam of light. This means that there is no need for the bar code label to touch the scanner, and the scanner isn't portable. Since scanning occurs when the object is simply held in front of the scanner, item scanning is essentially automatic.

Such a system has benefits in a variety of situations. For instance, because the scans are accomplished with great speed, it is possible to embed laser scanners inside of conveyor systems. When items pass by rapidly, scanning takes place automatically. In a retail environment, the clerk merely moves each item over the glass to engage the scan. Such a system can easily keep pace with a clerk who simply moves objects from one side of the scanner to the other other. Laser systems are much more rapid and accurate than any other widely-used alternative.

Regardless of which scanning system is best for your business right now, be sure to purchase stock control software that lets you implement other scanning technologies as the need arises.