PDA Barcode Scanner

Wanting to buy a PDA barcode scanner for your retail business? A PDA portable barcode scanner can really streamline your business and save you a lot of money down the road.

PDA barcode scanners are used widely in a range of industries today. Some of which include hospitals, retail shops, warehouses and manufacturing facilities. These PDA barcode scanner units are also often used by courier services where delivery confirmation is required.

"PDA" stands for portable data assistant and they run on several different operating systems like Windows CE, Pocket PC, and DOS. What is great about PDA’s is that they not only help you manage your data and inventory but they also can be utilized as a portable barcode scanner. Do not underestimate these little computers, as they’re not only powerful devices but they’re built to be quite rugged and durable.

There are many makes and brands of PDA barcode scanners that you can purchase in the market today and choosing the right portable barcode scanner solution for your business really depends on the functionality you require. Each kind of PDA comes with it’s own barcode scanner software or platform and operating system and each one works quite differently from the other. Several examples are the Pocket PC and Palm.

Regardless of which PDA bar code solution you choose, they will really help you stay on top of things and create a more efficient workflow for your business and save you lots of time - after all, time is money isn’t it?

The PDA barcode scanner has modernized businesses where manual counting of stock or inventory was required. Because the PDA is so compact, light and easy to use, you can accurately and easily keep track of your inventory just by scanning the bar code on a label or a box and wirelessly send the bar code information to a PC or upload it’s information to the internet where co-workers or customers can quickly access the new data. For instance, a courier service could pick up a parcel from a drop point, scan the item and immediately the item’s information and location would be uploaded where a customer could track his or her parcel online.

PDA scanners also help keep asset tracking more accurate and minimize any potential human errors, they truly are a life-saver for any business. Depending on your needs and your budget, the price of a PDA with barcode scanner functionality can vary.

Here are some recommendations for you:

The Symbol MC50 PDA Barcode Scanner

This very sleek, light and small PDA unit is one of the most popular models of a portable barcode scanner on the market today. It offers great performance along with phone and internet capabilities. It also has wi-fi built-in so you can connect to a local area network and sync your bar code information with your PC.

The Symbol MC50 runs on the Windows Mobile 2003 operating system and is well-optimized in terms of stability and speed. The MC50 can be used in so many ways and can also be configured to be used with a keyboard and a credit card reader.

This wireless barcode scanner is also one of the most rugged and has been tested extensively to be sure it can handle some extreme bumps and drops. It even comes with an elastic strap that you can add on to the back of the unit that goes around your hand and reduces the likelihood of you dropping the device.

It comes with optional GPRS functionality as well for businesses that need to track their inventory on the move.

Falcon 4220 - PSC Bar Code Scanners

This is one of the latest PDA barcode scanner units available on the market. It uses the Windows CE version operating system and is suited for most businesses in retail and warehouses where stock keeping on a large scale is part of everyday operations.

It comes with a 3.5" display that has superb clarity even in direct sunlight and let’s you use a stylus for input (it also has capabilities for handwriting recognition). This PDA barcode scanner has been tested by the manufacturer and drop-tested from heights of 1.2 m, so it not only looks rugged, it is really extremely durable too. The Falcon 4220 is also built to be dust and moisture proof for use in harsher environments.