Choosing the right barcode scanning hardware can be crucial for efficient inventory management. This article explores the various types of scanners available, such as laser and optical scanners, and provides guidance on selecting the most suitable one for your needs.

Barcodes can be scanned in Katana by:

A dedicated scanner in the web-browser Katana
Smart device camera through Katana's Shop Floor App

Items and batch numbers need to have physical barcode labels to scan barcodes. Read more

Setting up a dedicated barcode scanner

The first thing you'll want to do is make sure a dedicated barcode scanner is connected to a device running the Katana app.

All simple USB and Bluetooth scanners will work with Katana as long as they're compatible with a device's operating system. Some tested scanner brands that work are Zebra, Honeywell, and Datalogic.

A list of tested models:

ZEBRA Barcode Reader LI2208 - supports 1D barcode
Honeywell Eclipse 5145 - supports 1D barcode
ZEBRA DS2208 - supports 1D and 2D barcodes
Datalogic QuickScan QBT2400 - supports 1D and 2D barcodes and can be wireless, make sure it comes with a dock to connect it to a computer

Read more about 1D and 2D barcodes here.

Note: Out of the box scanners sometimes behave a little differently than how it is designed to work in Katana, but they will still work. Use this simple guide as an example for any scanner in this list. Scan 1-3 barcodes (depending on the model) and it should be programmed to work as expected. All scanners have their own codes in the user manual. The key is that the scanners need to click enter after scanning a code.

Types of barcodes that can be scanned

Barcode scanning technology is mostly divided into 2 categories:

Laser scanners (like the first 2 models listed above)
1. Benefits
  1. Performance in low light conditions
  2. Reliable reading results
  3. Generally faster-scanning results
  4. If multiple barcodes are closely packed, you can sharply aim at the desired barcode
  5. Most affordable scanners
2. Drawbacks
  1. Only scans 1D linear barcodes
Optical scanners / area imagers (like the 3rd and 4th models listed above)
1. Benefits:
  1. Can read 1D and 2D barcodes
    (If you need to scan a QR code, this is your option).
2. Drawbacks
  1. Wide area of image scanning — if multiple barcodes are packed together, aiming at the correct one can be difficult
  2. Poor performance in low light conditions (many scanners do have built-in light to overcome this)
  3. More expensive than laser scanners
    
    Note: Optical scanner technology has evolved rapidly in recent years. The more expensive models are nearly on par with laser scanners and offer the future-proofing of scanning all kinds of visual codes.
Smartphone camera via Katana Shop Floor App.
1. Benefits
  1. Since the Shop Floor App is usually used with smart devices, there's no need for a dedicated scanner.
2. Drawbacks
  1. Reading barcodes may take more time
  2. Limited capability of recognizable barcodes (all common EAN, UPC, and GS barcodes can be read)
  3. Low light capability is dependant on the smart device camera
  4. Barcodes have to be scanned at relatively close proximity. The best results are achieved between 4-8 inches (10-20cm) from the 1x2 inch (2,5x5cm) size barcode label

Your feedback is invaluable. Let us know your thoughts on this article or anything in Katana you'd like to see improved: [email protected]