Wedges allow different degrees of programmability. A simple wedge generally allows for a postamble, such as a carriage return to be added to a barcode. Most will autodiscriminate, that is , they will read all or most of the major symbologies without having to be programmed. More sophisticated wedges offer advanced features not found in simple wedges. More advanced wedges support input from multiple devices such as scales, magnetic card readers, handheld data collectors and barcode readers.
Wedges come in all different flavors.
There are Wand Wedges, CCD wedges, Laser Wedges and RS 232 Wedges. These integrated devices are often called , decoded out, this refers to the ability of the wedge to decode and transmit the data to the host without the requirement of an external decoder. Nonintegrated wedges generally offer enhanced programmability and input options not always available with integrated units. In addition, these wedges generally have a much broader range of attachment capabilities to PC's and terminals . Non integrated devices require an input source.