In order to use the barcode scanning option for the HomeSource P.O.S., it will require a few different items:
A printer capable of printing barcodes. While a simple inkjet or laser printer will work, they will use an entire piece of paper per label, and are not practical. We recommend a dedicated barcode printer that can print various size labels. Traditionally printers in this class will be restricted by width, and the widest labels we support are 4 inches.
An iOS device with a camera capable of running at minimum iOS 15 or later.
Label media of either 1x3, 4x3, 4x6, or 4x8.
While our minimum requirements are basic, we do have a “best” setup we recommend, but it is entirely up to you.
Printers & Media
Below you will find a list of recommended printers, and the respective media needed to operate them. We recommend buying at least one printer per warehouse, but depending on your volume, you may need more than one.
We DO NOT endorse ANY specific vendor. You are free to search the part numbers and buy anywhere online.
We have included two types of printers. The difference between the two are simple:
The thermal transfer label uses a ribbon to press the ink onto a label
A direct thermal printer heats up ink present in the label and brings it out onto the label. What option is “best” traditionally is based on five factors:
How much sun exposure your warehouse or showroom floor has
How hot, or cold your warehouse is
Your average age of your inventory
Cost of media along with qty of media
Cost of printer
All labels will fade over time, but the amount of sun exposure, and heat they are subject to will make that process accelerate. A thermal transfer label printer will be more expensive, and you will need to buy the ribbon, but over time, the cost of the media will actually make the total cost of ownership cheaper as direct thermal labels tend to be a little more expensive.
One last thing to take into account is how the printer will connect, and how many people need to print to it. If the printer is to be shared amongst multiple people, you may want to invest in a network capable printer. We recommend it, but if you know it will only ever need to connect to one machine to print and you aren’t concerned with how to setup shared printers, then you can always go for the USB option. Know that if the computer connected to the printer via USB experiences an issue, you will NOT be able to print form another workstation without completely moving and setting the printer up again. If it is setup via the network, you can install it on any machine connected to the same network and capable of installing the printer.
Thermal Transfer
Hardware/ Media | Description | More information |
Zebra ZD4A042-301E00EZ | Zebra ZD421 - Desktop Printer, Zebra ZD421, Thermal transfer, 203 dpi, 4 ips, USB/USB Host/Ethernet/Bluetooth, ZPL/EPL/EZPL, 4-inch, Standard Tear, US Cord | |
Zebra ZD4A042-301W01EZ | Zebra ZD421 - Desktop Printer, Zebra ZD421, Thermal transfer, 203 dpi, 4 ips, USB/USB Host/Wi-Fi/Bluetooth/Modular Connectivity Slot, ZPL/EPL/EZPL, 4-inch, Standard Tear, US Cord, US/Canada | |
Zebra 10005852 Barcode Label | Zebra Z-Perform 2000T - Labels, Zebra, 4" x 3" Thermal transfer Paper Label. 890 labels/roll | |
Zebra 01600GT11030 | Zebra 1600 Wax - Printer Ribbons, Zebra, Wax Ribbon, 110 mmx300m (4.33"x984'), 1600, Standard, 25 mm (1In) Core |
Direct Thermal
Hardware/ Media | Description | More information |
Zebra ZD4A042-D01E00EZ | Zebra ZD421 - Desktop Printers, Zebra ZD421d, Direct Thermal, 203 dpi, USB, USB Host, Ethernet, BTLE5, US Cord, Swiss Font, EZPL | |
Zebra ZD4A042-D01M00EZ | Zebra ZD421 - Desktop Printers, Zebra ZD421d, Direct Thermal, 203 dpi, USB, USB Host, Modular Connectivity Slot, BTLE5, US Cord, Swiss Font, EZPL | |
Zebra 10010032 Barcode Label | Zebra Z-Perform 2000D - Labels, Zebra, 4" x 3" Direct thermal paper Label. 840 labels/roll |
Scanners
While the HomeSource PocketScan program runs any iOS device that supports iOS 15 or greater, there are some devices that are “better” suited than others.
Think about how busy your warehouse is, and keep the following questions in mind:
How many trucks are you receiving a day?
How many trucks are getting filled for delivery each day?
How many people are touching your inventory in your warehouse?
How high are your items stacked?
How many items are in your warehouse at any given moment?
The reason we ask these questions is because depending on your answers to these questions, it may change your mind on what you need.
For scanners, we have a few options
Use the built-in camera on your iOS device.
Use a third party bluetooth scanner in conjunction with your iOS device
Use a third party case with scanning built in
The built-in camera is a great choice for any warehouse, and it is especially great when we need to add a new scanner to the team because something broke, or we have a larger task in front of us like physical inventory. It gives us the most flexibility to add devices when we need it, but it is also the “slowest” of the options you can use. While we have personally inventoried 50,000 plus sqft warehouses with just a camera, there are faster ways to do it. The camera will be required for each scan, and sometimes you have to get pretty close to the label in order to scan it. We really would recommend using a dedicated third party scanner if your units are stacked, or possibly require to be scanned from afar. It is also important to note that the camera will generally use more power than some other options, so battery life should be kept in mind.
Using a third party bluetooth scanner is a good upgrade to the normal camera, as it does allow you to scan items from afar, (about 6 feet) does not require the camera for each scan and will use less battery life than the camera. It is important to note though that it will require you to keep multiple devices charged and you will need to use both hands to scan. The bluetooth on the scanners is not as interchangeable as one would think either as depending on the device, connecting normally requires scanning a specific barcode that is provide with the unit (VERY easy to lose). It is however a fairly cheap upgrade and it will make you more efficient and cut down on scanning time. As a point of reference, we can scan roughly 900 pieces out for delivery in about 50 minutes (not including the physical picking)
The third option is to use a third party case with scanning built in. While this option is the most expensive, it also the most efficient and fastest option you can use with PocketScan. For a point of reference, we were able to scan a 15,000 sqft warehouse with about 800 pieces that were triple stacked in some places in about 35 minutes. The scans will reach the furthest, (advertised up to 40ft, but I find 25 ft to be more reliable) it will only require one hand to operate, and the device will charge your iOS device while it is being used, wirelessly (wireless charging capable device required). It is also important to note that the third party case option is NOT limited to just one type of device, but can be used on any iOS device that supports the OtterBox uniVERSE Case System.
Below you will find a list of scanners for options 2 or 3.