Re: Bar coding inventory
Jim Pattison
Description
Collection
Title:
Re: Bar coding inventory
Creator:
Jim Pattison
Date:
12/8/1999
Text:
Russell Dela Rosa wrote:
> I am looking for a bar coding system to better keep up with the inventory
> in my office. I would welcome any information (ie systems, manufacturers,
> software...)
> to help the inventory fiasco we face every day.
I am sending this to the group as a whole because I believe that the question you ask and
the answer I give may be of interest to everyone.
I wrote an inventory system using barcodes in DOS for an operation that is bigger than
what you would likely need. With that by way of background, I would say that I could be able
to answer some questions on barcoding operations.
For barcode printing, we went with the world leader in printers- Zebra. We got the
middle of the low end printers the Stripe 300 and it serves us well. Support is good,
although service is a bit tricky in the boondocks of Saskatchewan. You appear to be in
California, so it will not be as big a deal. I don't have the number for Zebra at my
fingertips, but the internal sales rep that I dealt with is named Orlon Calhoon and he gave
us help with picking out the right printer, media, ribbon and adhesive for our operation
(more temperature variance and abrasion than seen in normal offices). Zebra will be able to
help you locate a dealer in your area that you can work with.
For barcode scanners, we went with Intermec because their offerings met our needs. If
you are able to take a desktop computer or laptop to within 5 feet of where your inventory is
for doing audits etc, you will have a lot easier time than us in finding what you need. You
would be able to get away with a CCD scanner attached to the back of your computer. These
sell for $500 or less and they are commonly available.
Intermec has canned programs for most operating systems that will do what you what you
want. One that I recall evaluating was called Barcode Anything. Without hearing more of
your particular needs, I wouldn't hazard a guess if it would do what you want.
Another major competitor in the barcode scanner industry is Symbol Technologies. We
didn't look at too much of what they had because it didn't match our needs and their products
were more expensive than Intermec. That may have changed in the past 3 years.
I hope this is a help to you. If you need further information, please let me know.
Jim Pattison B.Sc CNA
> I am looking for a bar coding system to better keep up with the inventory
> in my office. I would welcome any information (ie systems, manufacturers,
> software...)
> to help the inventory fiasco we face every day.
I am sending this to the group as a whole because I believe that the question you ask and
the answer I give may be of interest to everyone.
I wrote an inventory system using barcodes in DOS for an operation that is bigger than
what you would likely need. With that by way of background, I would say that I could be able
to answer some questions on barcoding operations.
For barcode printing, we went with the world leader in printers- Zebra. We got the
middle of the low end printers the Stripe 300 and it serves us well. Support is good,
although service is a bit tricky in the boondocks of Saskatchewan. You appear to be in
California, so it will not be as big a deal. I don't have the number for Zebra at my
fingertips, but the internal sales rep that I dealt with is named Orlon Calhoon and he gave
us help with picking out the right printer, media, ribbon and adhesive for our operation
(more temperature variance and abrasion than seen in normal offices). Zebra will be able to
help you locate a dealer in your area that you can work with.
For barcode scanners, we went with Intermec because their offerings met our needs. If
you are able to take a desktop computer or laptop to within 5 feet of where your inventory is
for doing audits etc, you will have a lot easier time than us in finding what you need. You
would be able to get away with a CCD scanner attached to the back of your computer. These
sell for $500 or less and they are commonly available.
Intermec has canned programs for most operating systems that will do what you what you
want. One that I recall evaluating was called Barcode Anything. Without hearing more of
your particular needs, I wouldn't hazard a guess if it would do what you want.
Another major competitor in the barcode scanner industry is Symbol Technologies. We
didn't look at too much of what they had because it didn't match our needs and their products
were more expensive than Intermec. That may have changed in the past 3 years.
I hope this is a help to you. If you need further information, please let me know.
Jim Pattison B.Sc CNA
Citation
Jim Pattison, “Re: Bar coding inventory,” Digital Resource Foundation for Orthotics and Prosthetics, accessed November 2, 2024, https://library.drfop.org/items/show/213106.
