Whether we notice it or not, barcodes are being used all around us in more applications than ever today. From tracking products throughout their life cycle to advertising and even video games, there is a wide range of barcodes fit for any way you can think of using them.

This handy infographic shines some light on the 2 main categories of barcodes, 1D vs. 2D codes, and what their benefits and uses are. It’s a great primer to see how you can use barcodes in ways outside of the retail check-out lane.

You’ll find that no matter what data you are trying to track or encode, Barcodes, Inc. can help you find the right printer, labels, scanners, and mobile devices to get the most out of any barcode.

Datalogic’s new RIDA DBT6400 2D area imager is a cordless device with Bluetooth connectivity to be used in connection with mobile devices. The elegant and stylish design is small, pocket-sized and fits perfectly into the palm of a hand. This light weight device, with Datalogic’s patented ‘Green Spot’ technology for good read feedback easily connects with tablets, smart phones, laptops and computers – with an omni-directional camera for superior data capture on all 1D/2D codes.

The DBT6400 RIDA imager is available in a standard as well as a Disinfectant Ready version which has an Anti-Microbial coating.

• The standard version targets retail applications including traditional or mobile POS, assisted sales, shelf replenishment, price verification, inventory management and more.
• The healthcare version is equipped with a disinfectant-ready and anti-microbial enclosure making it ideal for bedside point-of-care, disposable inventory management, sample tracking, laboratory use and more while helping to prevent cross-contamination.

Key Features

• Palm-sized form factor
• Imager reads any 1D or 2D bar code
• Bluetooth wireless technology
• Lanyard and holder included with each purchased unit

Zebra’s TC8000 is the ground-breaking all new warehouse mobile computer designed to deliver revolutionary productivity increases in the warehouse. In fact, on average, it saves 14% per worker versus traditional form factors. It’s like gaining an extra hour of productivity, per worker, per day.

Designed to face the user while scanning, the larger screen eliminates the need to tilt and verify each scan, increasing efficiency on every scan. It’s the only device on the market that simplifies how your workers physically use the device and interact with your warehouse application.

Brother has announced the launch of the new RuggedJet 2 Series, two-inch mobile label and receipt printers. The company’s first 2-inch format printers are the most compact, lightweight, and notably versatile printers in their class, incorporating the rugged durability and rock-solid reliability which have made the existing RuggedJet lineup popular.

Designed to wirelessly print both labels and receipts, the RuggedJet 2 was engineered to meet the varied and rigorous demands of today’s mobile environments. Available in four models, the printers support Bluetooth and Wi-Fi technology, in addition to iOS, Android, Windows mobile and Windows operating systems capability. Of special significance is the IP54 certification and 8.2 ft. drop protection, and advancements in speed and power further differentiate the new series.

The RJ-2050 and RJ-2150 models are the first in the 2-inch category to feature both Apple MFi certification and Apple AirPrint compatibility – allowing easy wireless printing from iPhone, iPad and iPod touch.

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With Zebra’s TC70/TC75 you can work more efficiently and better serve your customers by giving your employees enterprise-class handheld computers that survive life in the field or shop floor, communicate and access information in real time.

The TC70/TC75 is the professional-grade Android device built from the ground up for the enterprise.

With all imager based scanners, the default decode mode is the full area of the decode window, so it will decode whatever barcode it sees first. This makes it difficult sometimes to target a specific barcode when the barcodes are close together.  We can help using the below features:

• Centering(AKA pick list mode or center decode): This feature narrows the scanner’s field of view to make sure the scanner reads only those barcodes intended by the operator.
• Aimer Delay:  Turns on the aimer for a split second before the scanner scans. This allows time for the operator to position the scanner over the specific barcode before the barcode is scanned.
• CodeGate:  Similar to Aimer Delay except the aiming beam is on all the time, but scanner won’t scan until scanner button is pressed or specific time passes.

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The DS4308 does it all – 1D or 2D, electronic or printed on paper labels or plastic cards, even if the barcode is dirty, scratched or poorly printed. With PRZM Intelligent Imaging inside, your workers can capture barcodes as fast as they can pull the scan trigger. And that means no more Point-of-Sale exceptions that can turn into longer lines, longer wait times and lost sales. The DS4308 is a new class of scanner to meet the needs of modern barcode applications.

Your environments couldn’t be a tougher place for scanners to survive. Drops to concrete, spills, dust, heat, cold, rain, snow and more. This is why Zebra developed it’s new 3600 series of ultra-rugged scanners. When it comes to industrial strength for your most challenging environments, the 3600 Series is in a class of its own. Built to a unique set of specifications, the nearly indestructible 3600 Series is dust proof, spray proof, waterproof and more, designed to handle everything your environment and your workers dish out every day.  You won’t find a tougher scanner.

It’s still surprising to see that there are still NiMH (nickel–metal hydride) batteries being used in some non-industrial Bluetooth scanners

Cons of NiMH batteries include:

• NiMH suffers from “memory effect.” Memory effect describes the specific situation in which NiMH batteries gradually lose their maximum energy capacity if they are repeatedly recharged after being only partially discharged. The battery appears to “remember” the smaller capacity.
• High self-discharge rate.  NiMH batteries lose their charge as they sit.
• It takes longer to charge them.
• Cannot operate at extreme temperatures. At extreme temperatures, NiMH voltage output will drop.

Advantages of NiMH:

• It’s cheaper.

Advantages of Li-Ion:

• Smaller and lighter.
• Faster recharge.
• Minimal discharge when not in use.
• Temperature tolerance. It can tolerate low temperature and warmer environments compared to NiMH cells.
• It is not susceptible to voltage depression, aka memory effect.

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Brother has announced that its RuggedJet 4 Wi-Fi handheld receipt and label printers now support Apple AirPrint wireless technology. AirPrint from Apple allows users to wirelessly print from iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch devices directly to RuggedJet 4 printers with ease.

Built-in AirPrint compatibility allows instant printing from iOS devices without the need to download or install drivers or interfaces and simplifies the RuggedJet user experience, making the thermal printer even easier to use. Moreover, all existing RuggedJet 4 Wi-Fi printers are backward compatible with AirPrint via a simple, free firmware update available from Brother.

With AirPrint support built in, an organization’s application developers benefit in that they do not have to spend time programming the printers or dealing with installation and set-up. Businesses and government agencies benefit as well by gaining device flexibility and the agility to future-proof their technology investments.

With the RuggedJet 4 certification complete the RuggedJet 2 will be the next MFi certified printer in October 2016 followed by the RuggedJet 3 in December.