Provide your account representative with the answers to the listed questions along with a detailed description of your application and the working environment. By educating your representative on your application(s), they will be able to respond more quickly as well as introduce you to the latest scanning technologies and solutions to meet your applications.

• Examples of Data Collection Applications:
  Logistics; Quality Control; Pick & Place; Shipping Manifests; Inventory Management; Material Moves; Labor Tracking; W.I.P Tracking; Point of Sale

• Attended or Unattended Scanning:
  Will the bar code be presented automatically to the scanner? An example would be a cross docking sortation application where a bar code scanner automatically scanned the bar code on a package and then diverted the package to the appropriate dock.

• Hand Held or Fixed Position:
  Will you be bringing the bar code to the scanner or bringing the scanner to the bar code.

• Ergonomics:
  Will your work force want to use the scanner? It needs to be easy to use, lightweight, and comfortable. If the scanner will be used outdoors, can it be held easily if a worker is wearing gloves?

• Scanning Distance:
  At which distances will you need to scan the bar codes in your application? Will you need to scan cartons at a distance of one to two feet as well as pallets near the ceiling of your warehouse? Different scanners have different working ranges. They are typically divided into categories based on the x-dimension of the bar code. Scanners that read bar codes with x-dimensions under 0.006 inches are considered very high density symbols and are read with very high density scanners. Symbols with x-dimensions from 0.007" to 0.010" are high density symbols and are read with high density scanners. The standard scanner will typically read symbols with x-dimensions from 0.011" to 0.040". Long range scanners can read symbols with x-dimensions from 0.045" to 0.100" and these scanners are designed to work from several feet to several meters from the bar code.

Look for this type of chart to determine the working range of the scanner you want to use.