Scanning Inventory: Your Options and Benefits

Scanning inventory occurs through a variety of devices. The style you choose really depends upon the nature of your business.

One of the most common scanners is a handheld device that’s very straightforward; you simply aim and scan the barcode. Many of them are cordless, allowing you to easily transport them, and some offer a stand so you can use them hands-free.

Presentation scanners also are hands-free. They sit on a countertop and offer a wide area for scanning, so you don’t have to be as precise with your aim. Presentation scanners are most often found at retail stores and allow employees to scan several items quickly at the checkout counter.

Some companies prefer the convenience of a mobile computer for scanning inventory. While the typical scanner needs to be connected to a PC before you can use it, a mobile computer is an all-in-one device that you can take with you on the go.

In-counter scanners do just what their name implies. This type of scanner is built into a countertop for quick and easy scanning. You most often find in-counter scanners at grocery stores.

Fixed mount barcode scanners allow for high-speed, high-volume, hands-free scanning, often through a kiosk or on a conveyor line.

Regardless of which tool you use for scanning inventory, the decision to implement inventory management software is a smart one. A lot of companies out there continue to rely on Excel spreadsheets to track their inventory data. Because that data is changing on a constant basis, it’s very easy to overlook an item or inadvertently enter an incorrect number, which can throw off your record-keeping efforts.

Maintaining reliable and accurate records, and having access to rich and meaningful inventory data, are all vitally important for several reasons. First, you want to carry enough inventory to keep your customers happy, but not so much that you’ve got excess items sitting on your shelves and possibly becoming outdated or spoiling. And, of course, on the flipside, you don’t want to be so conservative with your estimates that you face an early runout situation, which could cost you your loyal customers. You need a means to plan for seasonal variations and other conditions. Another factor to consider is that your inventory has a direct impact on your taxes. You can deduct your inventory from your tax liability, so you’ll want to be certain you’re relying on accurate figures.

The time to implement inventory management software is now, before a crisis occurs. Asset Panda’s inventory management platform makes scanning inventory incredibly easy. Powered by free mobile iOS and Android apps that sync with the cloud, Asset Panda gives you 24-hour access to real-time data, and it even includes a mobile barcode scanner, so you won’t need any additional hardware to use it. You can add as many users as you’d like, which empowers you to get all of your stakeholders into the communication loop for maximum accountability and accuracy.

Using our online store, BuyAssetTags.com, you can have durable tags and labels produced for your critical inventory. You’ll eliminate loss and theft while you save time; your employees will no longer have to spin their wheels trying to hunt down items. You’ll be able to make informed decisions about your inventory, create custom reports for deeper insight and rest easy knowing that you’re being a responsible steward of your bottom-line resources.

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The best way to learn what Asset Panda can do for scanning inventory and other aspects of your business is to try this powerful, yet flexible and intuitive tool free for 14 days. To learn more or get started, go to assetpanda.com