Don’t Just Scan This — Find Out Why You Need Scanners for Your Business

  • October 4, 2018
  • Blog

If you think about it, our lives are defined by the things we scan and swipe. Our groceries get scanned so we can eat, our ID’s might be scanned to enter our workplace or school, tickets are scanned at bus and train stations and airports, and our debit and credit cards are scanned or swiped with magnetic card readers whenever we purchase anything. From lotto scanners to license scanners, a ton of information is exchanged every day. For burgeoning businesses or businesses that require field work, equipping your employees with the right kind of tools is important. Barcode scanning, mobile payment options, and portable magnetic card readers can all set them up for better results, services, and sales. Portable scanners can help businesses reduce paper waste and save money — the average office workers use about 10,000 pieces of paper annually. So let’s talk about what you need to be set up for success.

The Power of a Scan 

The definition of “scan” is varied, as you’ll see if you search for a definition. It has many different applications in different fields. However, the prime function is more or less the same: to capture and process information. With a lotto scanner, for example, you can check to see if your numbers are the winning ones, just by scanning the barcode on your ticket with the lotto scanner.

A magnetic card reader will read the magnetic strip on your credit card or ID card, which can have information like account number and your name stored. A passport scanner will verify your passport and a ballot scanner helps us vote in every election. Without scans, things would take much longer to be processed and verified and overall accuracy would be lower.

What Functions Do Scanners Provide in Our Everyday Lives? 

There are countless ways scanners help us go about our day-to-day.

For example, most retailers will need a magnetic card reader and a barcode scanner, at the minimum, in order to conduct sales. If field service work is done, the right technology can help promote efficiency. Barcode scanning, mobile payment options, and RFID (radio-frequency identification are among the most helpful and widely used.

Airports and other transit stations would need passport scanners, license or ID scanners, magnetic barcode readers, kiosk scanners, and more, since they’re processing many different kinds of information at one given time.

Offices may find document scanners the most helpful, to help them process paper documents and digitize their files. It can help cut down the amount of filing space needed in the office, ensure that files aren’t lost permanently if the hard copy goes missing, and groups things in an easy to find location.

Government agencies or security teams may use specialized scanners to trace fake ID’s or root out fraudulent activity. Ballot scanners are used every election to tally votes and determine our public officials. Scanners are also used in hospitals and other medical institutions to identify potential or current health issues in the body that our eyes can’t see.

In short, the applications for scanners are nearly limitless.

How Do I Find the Best Products on the Market? 

Research is key here. Whether it’s a lotto scanner or a ballot scanner, you want to make sure that you’re working with the best there is. Thanks to the Internet, you can track down reviews and testimonials for products that you’re considering and look into the reputation of the manufacturer or company to make sure that you’re getting a high-quality product. There also might be an industry standard or a particular type of scanner in your field that’s spoken highly of, which is always a good indication of a top-notch product.

Be prepared to spend a little more — though it’s not always true, the old saying, “You get what you pay for” is usually true. For best efficiency and fewer headaches, be willing to put out a little more for a good product.

Scanners help us be more efficient and accurate in almost every facet of our lives. Investing in a good quality scanner for your business’s purposes is a smart move.