These
off-line bar code reading devices go by
a number of other names: batch readers,
portables, mobile readers, or PDTs (portable
data terminals). In simple terms, they are all
mobile hand-held computers that have bar code
readers attached to or built into them. As you
can see from the pictures at the left, they are
available in a myriad of designs and form
factors.
This type of device allows the operator to go to
the bar codes, as opposed to tethered and
fixed-in-place scanners that force the user to
bring the bar codes to them! This means that
these types of readers can be used at great
distances from the host computer
system to record, collect, and potentially even process data. The
idea is that, on a regular basis, the data collected
in each device are uploaded to the host system
for further processing (i.e. in batches).
Relevant data can also potentially be downloaded
from the host system to the mobile device, if
the application requires it. This might comprise
a lookup file of valid part numbers or a list of
inspection tasks the system operator is to
perform, for examples.
Some mobile
batch scanner systems use character-based
operating systems that are proprietary or based
on DOS or Linux. The majority of the mobile terminals
that Aurora works with employ Microsofts
Windows CE (WinCE, Pocket PC, Windows Mobile,
etc.) operating system. The GUI (graphical user
interface) can potentially make the applications running on
the hand-held computer simpler. We
do, however, have a special place in our heart for the simple
and relatively inexpensive character-based
devices that are commonly much easier for
front-line workers to learn and operate.
Most batch
scanners employ a docking station or cradle as a
physical intermediary when exchanging data with
the host system. The interface is commonly
serial (either RS-232 or USB), with some
employing Ethernet TCP/IP. What is common among
all of them is that they typically create and
exchange flat ASCII files with host computer
systems. What is not common amongst them are
their levels of programming complexity,
durability, memory capacity, screen size and
layout, and other factors that greatly affect
their cost and usability in a given application
and application environment.
Many people seem
to think that you simply acquire one of these
things and begin to collect data with it! There
are two stipulations to consider before getting
your hands on one of these and using it with any
functionality:
Do you
have device-specific software to run in such
a device, or the ability to develop it? Many
of these devices require software
programming languages and compilers to
create the software that executes on them.
Once
you've collected the data and it's been
uploaded to the main system, does the
host-based software have the ability to
import the data? Many software programs can
import relatively simple data, such as a
parts or customer listing, but not
transactional data. Since mobile
scanning terminals are typically used to
record activities and transactions, the host
system must be capable of handling such
data.
Aurora Bar Code
Technologies
8944 182 Street NW, Suite 316 Edmonton, AB T5T 2E3
Canada
Phone: 800.689.7696 Outside of NA: 780.483.6025 Fax: 780.484.8767
