Dec 07/Jan/08

Perhaps more appropriate to retail applications than fulfilment as such, this new scanner from Datalogic could nevertheless have applications in smaller warehouse applications - for instance, in inventory counting, packing or kitting operations.

Known as the QuickScan Mobile, the device works on narrow-band rather than spread-spectrum wireless technology, using Datalogic's cordless STAR-System radio technology, which is said to be most secure of its type for narrow-band applications.

The scanner has a wide 40 ft working range. The QuickScan Mobile reader is targeted at small-to-medium businesses where it is crucial to have one device capable of performing many tasks.

In retail and office applications, wireless scanning has been slower to take off than in industrial environments. However, Datalogic cites research by Venture Development Corporation, a leading auto-ID analyst, which suggests that over 23 per cent of the barcode reader market has already gone cordless or expects to go cordless within the next year. Datalogic says that as a result, sales of cordless handheld scanners are likely to outpace sales of corded scanners over the next few years.