Automated Data Collection

Automated Data Collection (ADC) is also sometimes referred to as Data Collection or just Bar Coding. Although it should be noted that not all Data Collection devices necessarily require bar codes to be used. Data collection procedures may range from the quite simple to the very sophisticated.

Bar Codes

There are two major styles of bar code: One dimensional and two dimensional. One dimensional bar codes are quite common and come in different symbologies such as Code 93, Interleaved 2 of 5 and so on. The type of symbology you use may be determined by the bar codes given to you by your suppliers, or industry group, and/or by the nature of the product codes that must be bar coded. Two dimensional bar codes allow you to store more complex information but typically require more sophisticated (and expensive) scanning equipment. For more information on this topic see: Bar Coding.

Bar Code Scanners

There are two major bar code scanner technologies commonly in use: laser or CCD. Lasers are the most flexible as they can normally scan bar codes from greater distances, and also very large bar codes. CCD scanners generally have to be placed quite close to the bar code in order for the bar code to be read, however they are a cheaper technology. The area that the CCD can scan is a fixed size, so it should not be smaller than the largest bar code you may need to process.

Keyboard Wedge Scanners

These types of scanners plug into your keyboard and send scanned codes as keystrokes into your application. CAPITAL treats the codes arriving from your scanner the same as those typed in manually. Wedge scanners can therefore be used throughout the application simply to save data entry time, wherever it may be useful to do so. These types of scanners may be connected via a cable extending from the keyboard plug into the back of the device, or the scanner may be cordless or "wireless", with information transferred via a local receiver.

Data Collection Terminals (DC's)

A data collection terminal is a device used to store information. It may be sophisticated computer in its own right, or merely a basic data storage unit. Data collectors often include integrated bar code scanners in addition to a key pad for punching in letters and numbers. There are three broad styles: gun style, where the device looks like a laser scanner with a keypad and small LCD display. Hand held; these look like oversized pocket calculators, and PDA style. PDA style scanners may be actual Personal Digital Assistants which have been modified to include an in-built scanner and special software. In some cases the scanner may be supplied separately from the Data Collector and plugs into a port on the Data Collector.

Batch Collection Versus Wireless or RF

Data Collectors that work in batch mode store and collect information which is uploaded or downloaded to a computer. Batch mode can be very useful for performing certain tasks, such as stocktakes. It might also be used to scan all items that have been received from a supplier's delivery. The scanned data could then be uploaded into CAPITAL.

Wireless or RF technology sends information back and forth between CAPITAL and the Data Collector to allow for up to the second feedback. However, you must have sufficient coverage in your warehouse to make use of this technology to ensure that the device is always within range of a receiver. The advantage of using wireless/RF technology is that operators do not have to make trips back to their computer to upload or download information. However, wireless/RF hardware that provides live information transfers is more expensive to implement.

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