Wireless and Portable Data Terminals

Within a warehouse, the most common issue is the distance that the barcode will need to be read from. Many readers can scan barcodes up to 5 metres away provided that everything is set up correctly. With the advent of Wireless Networking many areas of a warehouse that may have been a problem previously can be covered most effectively using a WIFI Portable Data Capture unit.

The first stage for putting a wireless network in place is to determine the physical layout and plan exactly what access is required taking account of any future requirements. It is important to ensure there are no blind spots and allow for the effect that products stored in a warehouse may have on the strength of the network wireless signal. A site survey will isolate any problem areas and with careful planning and positioning of antenna these can usually be overcome.

There is a vast array of Portable Data Terminals although not all include a barcode scanner with wireless capabilities and an operating system to facilitate a real-time interface with a multi-user networked database. As always, hardware salesman are keen to shift boxes although a superior solution will be had with careful selection of scanning devices, wireless or otherwise, and if these are sourced through the software application supplier then there will not be any issues of compatibility.