Why and How to Use A Barcode Scanner

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When you hear the word “barcode scanner” you probably envision the contraption at your local grocery store that reads those black lines on the box of cereal when it’s dragged across it as you’re checking out. Barcode scanners are capable of so much more than just reading the price of a product in the store. In fact, barcode scanners are impacting businesses and organizations of all shapes in sizes in ways they never dreamed to be possible. From providing substantial time savings to financial benefits, companies are realizing the value in these once overlooked additions to their asset tracking needs. And the answer to the question for the not-so-tech-savvy of how to use a barcode scanner? It couldn’t be more simple!

Barcode scanners have come a long way and thanks to today’s asset tracking technology, they are useable on tools that employees already carry -- smartphones and tablets. Gone are the days of ordering expensive handheld scanners that were passed from one employee to the next and transferred between facilities – sometimes never to be found again. It was very common for these scanners to be lost or misplaced. In a situation like that, how were employees supposed to track assets or check them in or out if they couldn’t find the one tool assigned for that specific task? If one was lost or damaged, they cost a substantial amount to repair or replace. Again, another costly factor that ate away at the bottom line -- and then on top of that, staff was short on a needed tool while it was out of commission for repair or a new one was being ordered.

Today’s barcode scanners capture all the necessary and most up-to-date data on an asset for its entire lifecycle. Asset tracking software comes with associated mobile apps that allow users to turn any smartphone or tablet into a fully functional barcode scanner. With one simple scan of a barcode, the scanner sends data to the affiliated asset tracking software and allows all eligible users to access and maintain the data anytime and from anywhere. From where an asset is and who has it, the check in/check out status, and a complete maintenance history, it’s all in the palm of your hand whenever you need it. The fact is that when it comes to asset tracking, companies need to bring all of their stakeholders into the communication loop and this one simple tool is capable of doing just that.

There are so many great benefits to the use of a barcode scanner as part of an asset tracking platform, but these are probably the most widely recognized:
  • Cost savings. No additional hardware cost because the scanner is downloaded to employees own smartphones or tablets.
  • Smartphones and tablets are usable virtually anywhere. This is useful with employees out in the field who travel from location to location and need instant access to data on particular assets.
  • Speed and reliability. Barcode scanners scan faster than manually typing information into an online spreadsheet. And that scan reduces the potential of errors from a mistyped letter or number, especially when there are many assets that need to be entered.
  • More than just scanning. Barcode scanners don’t just “scan” – they provide a wealth of detail about the entire lifecycle of an asset.

One of the most valuable features of Asset Panda and its asset tracking software platform is the integrated barcode scanning function that is included in the mobile app. Asset Panda users are finding that there is no need to purchase expensive barcode scanning devices and any user with a mobile device can quickly search, update and maintain accurate asset records.

To upload new assets, it’s as easy as using your own mobile phone or tablet and opening the app, which is available on both iOS and Android devices. Asset Panda is completely flexible and customizable, working they way you need it to. Users are able to set up custom fields, actions like notifications and alerts, link groups of data and generate reports. You can monitor check-in/check-out status, pull up lease/purchase, service contract and insurance information, review maintenance schedules, and even create work orders. Because the apps sync with the cloud, you have the assurance that the data provided is both real-time and accurate – which helps prevent errors, penalties and wasted time and money.

See why so many companies around the world have empowered their employees to learn how to use a barcode scanner with Asset Panda. Get started today with a free 14 day trial. Visit www.assetpanda.com for more information.
By:

Audra London

Audra London, founder of Conceptual Communications, LLC, has over 10 years of writing, public relations and marketing experience and serves as an expert on press releases, media relations, feature writing, web content and marketing copy.

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