Bar code scanners are designed to read imprinted bar / matrix code symbologies. Bar code scanners can be slot card scanners, fixed mount scanners, or hand-held scanners.
Bar code software identifies or decodes bar code symbology, generates output strings corresponding to barcode values, creates bar code fonts, prints bar codes, and/or performs tracking, etc.
Computers are programmable electronic devices that accept data, execute prerecorded instructions, perform mathematical and logical operations, and output results.
Data collection terminals are portable or handheld devices that are used to input, read, and/or log data. They often have barcode and wireless data transmission capability.
Fixed mount bar code scanners are designed to manually or mechanically read items passed by their scan windows. Unlike hand scanners, they are affixed to a single location.
Hand held bar code scanners are used typically as inventory or point of sale (POS) devices. These scanners are passed over bar codes manually to read data. They often have a gun or wand design.
Kiosk and POS printers are used with kiosks and point-of-sale (POS) systems such as electronic cash registers (ECR) and electronic funds transfer (EFT) devices.