Introduction
Essential Parts of a POS System
- CPU and Monitors
- Cash Register
- Barcode Scanner
How Does a POS Barcode Scanner Work?
- Black and White StripesRepresent Numbers
- The Numbers Underneath Are Not Random
- Barcode Scanners Can Recognize White and Black Lines
Benefits of Using the Barcode System in Your Shop
- Allows for more efficient transactions
- Reduces Human Error When Making Sales
- Makes It Easier To Do Inventories
- Is Easy To Install and Use
Different Types of POS Barcode Scanners in the Philippines
- CCD Scanners
- Laser Scanners
- Image Scanners
Helpful Tips When Purchasing a New POS Barcode Scanner in the Philippines
- Think how you´re going to use it
- Consider the Price
- Buy Only From Trusted Stores
Conclusion
Providing You With High-Quality POS Barcode Scanners in the Philippines
Introduction
A point-of-sale (POS) system is used in many establishments, but they are most commonly found in groceries, malls, restaurants, pharmacies, and other retail shops. This electronic system allows cashiers to quickly list down all the products being bought by a customer. Store managers, meanwhile, can quickly learn about the number of available stocks for each item.
One of the most important parts of the whole system is the barcode assigned to each item. However, for your POS system to work properly, you need to have a high-quality barcode scanner. That is what we offer here at EC Line. Contact our partner store, Grand Tech Int´l Ent. Corp., to purchase a new POS barcode scanner in the Philippines.
Essential Parts of a POS System
When buying a POS system for a retail shop, many people recommend purchasing a whole set at once. This is the best way to ensure that all the components, possibly made by the same manufacturer, will be compatible with each other. However, if you want to save a bit, it is also possible to assemble the whole system on your own. You just have to purchase all of the essential parts, which are:
CPU and Monitors
The core of the modern POS system is the CPU and monitors. Without these parts, the whole system will not function at all. After all, the CPU is responsible for running the POS software that you are using. The monitors, meanwhile, are there to display sales data. When assembling your whole POS system, it is a good idea to have two monitors: one for the cashier and another one for the customer.
Cash Register
Cash registers, sometimes also called cash drawers, are used to store bills and coins that your customers pay for the products they buy. Copies of receipts, credit card documents, and other transaction documents are usually also stored there. The drawer will open with a single click of a keyboard and produce that high-pitched bell sound. That “ding” was traditionally used to prevent employee theft.
Barcode Scanner
With an electronic POS system, you do not have to manually write the list of products bought by a customer on paper. Instead, you just have to scan the barcodes on each item, and the computer will accomplish everything else for you, like display transaction information and print receipts. This is why a barcode scanner is an essential part of the whole system.
Barcode scanners are sometimes mounted on a table, which can be more efficient for cashiers in groceries and other large retail shops. Hand-held scanners can be a little harder to use, but they and more affordable. Learn more about the price of a POS barcode scanner in the Philippines. Contact Grand Tech Int´l Ent. Corp. today! We sell high-quality POS devices manufactured by EC Line.
How Does a POS Barcode Scanner Work?
While barcodes were invented in the late 1940s, they were never actually used for commercial purposes until the early 1970s. After all, it was only around that time when the first high-functioning scanners were developed. However, even though barcodes have been used in the retail industry for quite a while, the way they work still baffles many people. There is no magic behind it, but the process can still be a bit complex.
Black and White Stripes Represent Numbers
Barcodes look like a set of black and white stripes with varying thicknesses. The truth, however, is that each of those vertical lines has the same width. Some of them appear thick because they are two or more lines of the same color placed beside each other.
Each line represents a binary digit (0 or 1), which the computer translates to actual data. Once the numbers are read, the information that the code corresponds to will be shown on the monitor.
The Numbers Underneath Are Not Random
While it is true that computers are designed to process things faster, it does not necessarily mean that they are entirely without flaws. In rare cases, the barcode might be unreadable for a variety of reasons. When this happens, the cashier can simply input the numbers to the computer to show the data about the product.
Barcode Scanners Can Recognize White and Black Lines
Using barcodes makes everything more efficient, but you need a scanner to read those stripes and transfer the information to the computer. The scanner is used to flash laser light onto the barcode to distinguish white lines from black ones. Once it is done, the device will translate it to binary digits and immediately transmit the information to the computer.
All of these things happen in just about a second, especially if you are using high-quality barcode scanners and fast computers. If you want to purchase a new POS barcode scanner in the Philippines, contact Grand Tech Int´l Ent. Corp. today. We sell top-of-the-line electronic products, including all kinds of POS machines manufactured by EC Line. Get in touch with us today for more information.
Benefits of Using the Barcode System in Your Shop
There have been a lot of improvements in the barcode system since its inception in the 1940s and its first commercial use in the 1970s. However, while there have been so many developments in the system, the main reason they are being used remains the same. They offer quite a lot of benefits to the retail store managers and business owners, such as the following:
Allows for More Efficient Transactions
The first barcodes were invented to make each transaction more efficient (and thereby eliminate long lines in grocery stores). This is exactly what happens when you have a barcode system in place. With each sale, you no longer need to list down items being bought and manually compute their total cost. All you have to do is scan the codes and press a few buttons, and your computer will do the rest.
A barcode system cannot totally eliminate long lines in grocery stores. What it can offer, however, is an increase in the productivity of cashiers. They can serve more customers because they are doing less work per transaction.
Reduces Human Error When Making Sales
Without a barcode system, cashiers will have to do longhand computations, which is prone to miscalculations and other kinds of human errors. Even if they can use calculators, it is hard to tell if they can actually press the right key and input the right numbers 100% of the time. Since cashiers handle cash, any mistake may spell trouble in the long run, so it is best to reduce errors as much as possible.
By putting up a functional barcode system for your shop, you can eliminate human errors in each transaction. Cashiers no longer have to compute total costs manually, so there is virtually no room for making mistakes. However, they still need to be careful when scanning items to ensure that everything a customer buys is accounted for.
Makes It Easier To Do Inventories
Cashiers are not the only ones who will benefit when you install a barcode system for your shop. Those who do the inventories can easily monitor the number of items in stock. Since everything is automated, the computer will store all the data about your products, including their current supply in your warehouse. When one of your products is bought, the system will automatically update the number of your stocked items.
In more advanced systems, a notification will flash on your monitor if some of your products are almost sold out. This way, you can immediately replenish your supply and avoid having “out of stock” items in your store.
Is Easy To Install and Use
Setting up a barcode system at your retail store is fairly easy. Just like any other digital equipment, the scanner comes with an installer when you purchase it. If it doesn’t have one, it’s possible that the setup wizard window will just pop up on your screen. It often automatically happens once you plug the machine into the USB port of your computer. Simply follow the instructions shown on the monitor to prevent yourself from making any crucial mistakes. You will be alerted when the installation is successful.
After the installation, you can use any text editing application on your computer to test if the barcode scanner is working. If the reading is successful, the barcode numbers should appear on the screen. Once you’ve determined that your new scanner is functioning properly, feel free to try it out using your retail store’s accounting program. Configure its settings as necessary to ensure that your barcode system works well with your existing programs.
If you encounter any problems with the installation process of your new barcode scanner, do not hesitate to contact its manufacturer or the management of the store you bought it from. It’s also a good idea to ask experts to help you set up your new device. This is one way to ensure your barcode system will run smoothly so you don’t encounter any major problems once you’re already using it for your customers.
Different Types of POS Barcode Scanners in the Philippines
As POS systems evolved, so did barcode scanners. Before, the only type available was pen scanners, which required you to slide the unit across the barcode. They’re pretty hard to use because they need to be swiped at the right speed. Additionally, they don’t work unless the scanner is in direct contact with the code itself. Pen scanners are almost obsolete today, but they used to be the most affordable option out there.
Today, there are many other types of barcode scanners to choose from. Here are a few examples that you might want to consider:
CCD Scanners
Short for ge-coupled devices, CCD scanners use hundreds of tiny LED lights to capture the barcode image and translate it to data. They deliver accurate results, which means the chance of committing mistakes while scanning is significantly decreased if you use this type of barcode reader.
There are downsides to using CCD scanners, though. Each unit can be pretty costly, so it’s not the right choice if you’re on a tight budget. Additionally, a CCD scanner can only read barcodes that are very close to its face. If the barcode is more than 3 inches away from the device, the scanner might not be able to read it.
Laser Scanners
As the name suggests, these scanners use high-powered laser beams. They have a pretty complex structure inside because of the tiny components needed for them to work. Aside from the laser beams, these scanners have small moving mirrors, too. When the lasers are flashing, the mirrors will slowly move to reflect the beams. Then, the red lights will slowly sweep through the barcode to read it.
Even though they have very complicated mechanisms, laser scanners are still pretty popular in the retail industry. One of the reasons for that is its price. This type of barcode scanner is considered to be the most budget-friendly. Each unit comes at a low cost, but it still delivers very accurate results.
Additionally, laser scanners are fairly easy to use. They can read barcodes even if they are around 24 inches away. Some models are even designed to scan barcodes that are over 2 meters away.
Image Scanners
This type of scanner has a tiny video camera inside that captures and reads the code. Because image scanners take whole pictures of the code, the accuracy and speed of translating it to data both increase significantly. They can read the standard 1D barcodes and the more complicated 2D codes, which are also known as quick response (QR) codes.
The downside of image scanners, though, is their price. The cost of each unit can be pretty high, so they might not be the best option for small businesses and startups without much capital to spare. Image scanners are more often used in large retail shops to scan QR codes for online payments.
Helpful Tips When Purchasing a New POS Barcode Scanner in the Philippines
There are many things to remember when buying a new POS barcode scanner in the Philippines. Here are a few tips that might help you:
Think How You’re Going To Use It
If you plan to use the barcode scanner at the cashier’s desk, purchasing a simple model might suffice. Just be sure to take excellent care of it and read the manual carefully to prevent it from getting damaged.
A more sophisticated unit would be better for inventory purposes at warehouses. It’s best to find the most durable option that can withstand the environment of the facility. You might also want to purchase a cordless and battery-operated model so you can bring it anywhere inside the facility. Choosing laser scanners that can read barcodes from a considerable distance is a good idea, as well. This way, you can scan boxes stacked on the upper shelves without having to bring them down.
Consider the Price
The whole POS system, barcode scanners included, is a significant investment. That’s why not all retail businesses have the capacity to install one in their shop. If you want to have one in your store, it’s a good idea to find the most cost-effective option for you. Be sure to speak with experts to get helpful insights on how you can make the most out of your POS system and barcode scanner.
Buy Only From Trusted Stores
If you wish to purchase the right barcode scanner, be sure to find a reliable store, like Grand Tech Int´l Ent. Corp. We are a trusted distributor of POS devices in the Philippines, and the EC Line products that we sell are all high-quality. This means you can rest assured that the items you’ll purchase from us are durable and long-lasting. Feel free to get in touch with us today to learn more about what we offer.
Conclusion
Having a POS barcode scanner at your store has plenty of benefits, particularly in making your operations more efficient and reducing the chances of committing human errors. There are many types of barcode scanners to choose from, so it’s best to learn about each of them before you make your purchase. CCD and laser scanners are good enough if you only plan to read standard 1D barcodes. However, for more complicated 2D QR codes, buying an image scanner would be recommended.
Since POS barcode scanners are a great investment, be sure to perform proper maintenance on them. This prevents them from malfunctioning and prolongs their life span. Are you planning to buy a new barcode reader today? Feel free to contact us at Grand Tech Int´l Ent. Corp. Our company distributes EC Line products and sells high-quality POS barcode scanners in the Philippines. Reach out to us for more information about our available items.