The application of barcodes has increased these days in various fields. The barcodes can be termed as an optical machine readable representation of data. This shows certain data on certain products. The barcodes are used to track the data and information of a particular item and record them. Barcodes are nothing but small labels which are printed by means of a barcode printer. Zebra printers are one of the commonly used printers in the world. The data on these labels is read by scanners or readers. Different scanners are also available these days which include Symbol barcode scanners, HP laser scanners and so on. The data then has to be put into a computer or an operating system.
The operating system is selected based on the scanner technology. Many configurations of systems are available and used in barcode systems. The basic types include single-user, multi-user, local area network, and portable systems.
Single-User System:
A PC connected with a barcode scanner attached is termed as a single-user system. A wedge is to be used for simulating the keyboard input. Some connectors such as DIN connector or a PS/2-style keyboard connector can be used. A serial port can be connected and used as a software wedge for sending data into keyboard buffer. Variety of software wedges are available for a variety of operating systems.
Multi-User System:
This system is most commonly used type of the barcode system. Several serial posts are connected to a single PC or other computer system to multiple readers, terminals or both. A single session is run by each terminal on the multi-user operating system. Multi-user operating systems such as UNIX or DR Multi-user DOS have to be available for working with such systems.
Networks:
Networks work in a way that several single-user systems are connected together for sharing data. Graphics-based and text-only applications can be run by networked PCs. These are highly expensive. However, security has to be maintained for the systems.
Portables:
Portables are in use in conjunction with computer system for a barcode application. These can be used with single-user, multi-user or network systems. An own operating system and program is there for each portable. A custom program is needed in order to collect item, location, and quantity data. Some programming tools are sold by many companies that help non-programmers also to develop certain applications.
The operating system is selected based on the scanner technology. Many configurations of systems are available and used in barcode systems. The basic types include single-user, multi-user, local area network, and portable systems.
Single-User System:
A PC connected with a barcode scanner attached is termed as a single-user system. A wedge is to be used for simulating the keyboard input. Some connectors such as DIN connector or a PS/2-style keyboard connector can be used. A serial port can be connected and used as a software wedge for sending data into keyboard buffer. Variety of software wedges are available for a variety of operating systems.
Multi-User System:
This system is most commonly used type of the barcode system. Several serial posts are connected to a single PC or other computer system to multiple readers, terminals or both. A single session is run by each terminal on the multi-user operating system. Multi-user operating systems such as UNIX or DR Multi-user DOS have to be available for working with such systems.
Networks:
Networks work in a way that several single-user systems are connected together for sharing data. Graphics-based and text-only applications can be run by networked PCs. These are highly expensive. However, security has to be maintained for the systems.
Portables:
Portables are in use in conjunction with computer system for a barcode application. These can be used with single-user, multi-user or network systems. An own operating system and program is there for each portable. A custom program is needed in order to collect item, location, and quantity data. Some programming tools are sold by many companies that help non-programmers also to develop certain applications.
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