Warehouse operations reflect customer demand, so when customer demand increases, operations within the warehouse must increase at the same level to reach order fulfilment. As the operations increase, the warehouse has to change in order to keep up with the supply chain demand.

To increase inventory capacity and reduce the cost of storage space, one change may be generating additional shelf space. However, this requires putting boxes and barcodes out of reach and in awkward places, meaning standard warehouse technology is unable to perform the data capture at a required rate or standard. Extended-range barcode scanning solutions are now becoming more vital for warehouse operations, with investment being prioritised on more sophisticated scanning technology, as efficiency, accuracy and resilience are the key tools for a successful warehouse operation.

Extended-range scanners give warehouse operators the ability to capture product information with minimal effort required, ultimately saving time and reducing overall cost of operations.

Here’s 5 reasons why you should implement an extended-range scanner into your warehouse:

1. Speed

In order to increase productivity and overall efficiency, you require speed, and extended-range scanners are vital time savers. Their scanning function enables operators to hold down the trigger to identify multiple items, meaning scanning time is reduced for each product. If seconds are taken off each scan, this means additional minutes can be added to an operator’s day to achieve more, and essentially meet the warehouse demands during their working day.

2. Automatic Operation

Extended-range scanners generally use omnidirectional scanning technology, removing the need to align the scanner and barcode to perform the scan. This attribute is essential for when warehouses have to be vertically stacked, and again this will reduce time as operators don’t have to attempt various angles, go up ladders or waste time walking up and down the warehouse floor continuously to scan goods.

3. Continuous Performance

A warehouse environment isn’t the easiest to work in, with flaws such as bad lighting, and the buildup of dust and dirt on shelves covering up barcodes. Long-range barcode scanning technology will continuously provide first time capture, whether you’re scanning 1D/2D barcodes, photos or documents. The accuracy will also remain the same no matter the condition, or cleanliness of the barcode.

4. Resilience

In order for warehouse operators to have the correct equipment, scanning technology within the warehouse should be able to withstand the harshest environments such as extreme temperatures, liquid and chemical spills, being dropped at height, and dropped in water. Their tolerance and functionality should be unmatched even after several drops and spills. With ultra-rugged extended-range scanners you can rely on an utmost performance no matter the environment, and even after multiple drops to concrete.

5. Short-Range Capabilities

A common misunderstanding is that extended-range technology should only be used for barcodes that are out of reach, however these scanners provide an excellent performance for short range barcodes as well. A barcode that is a few centimetres away will still perform the same capabilities as a barcode 21m away. This banishes the need to purchase multiple devices, therefore securing accurate and rugged barcode scanning technology, all whilst improving your return in investment (ROI).

If you’re looking to invest in an Extended-Range scanner, it’s worth checking out Zebra’s MC3300 Mobile Computer. Zebra’s device that offers an unparalleled scanning performance for short, medium or long-range scanning, and is lightweight to provide warehouse operators with the utmost comfort. You can discover its data capture capabilities below.

You can find more videos regarding the MC3300 Mobile Computer here.

For more information on Zebra’s Extended-Range scanners, feel free to contact us.