Bar coded systems run the gamut from simple, stand-alone printers producing a few labels as needed to complex, networked computers and printers operating around the clock. Study each client's needs to determine what type of bar code system is ideal for them. If so, the customer may need a system that transmits data collected by bar code scanning devices over radio frequencies immediately. But if the customer only needs updates daily or weekly, a less expensive batch system that collects data in portable terminals and transmits it later in blocks to a host computer may be suitable. Don't forget to verify.
Verification is a critical part of a bar code sale.
Manufacturers and customers can use portable or on-line equipment to check the quality of printed bar codes and their read rates. The equipment decodes and measures key characteristics to identify any variations that may impede scanning and reading. School your sales reps. Go to seminars and classes devoted to bar code technology. SCAN-TECH, a conference held in September, covers automatic data capture systems, including bar coding.