How do I connect my barcode scanner to my PC?

There are traditional two ways to connect a barcode scanner to a PC:

1. Keyboard Wedge: this is the most popular method. The scanner is cabled between the keyboard and the PC and anytime you scan an item the data is typed into your system just like you typed it in from your keyboard. The keyboard is still active. No software is required. Limitations are that the end user must be in the correct field in your program when doing the scan or the results may cause your program to do something unexpected. Also the scanner is powered by the keyboard wedge so a power supply is not necessary. You may experience some problems if you connect a keyboard wedge scanner to a laptop computer.

2. Serial Port: Scanner is cabled to the serial port on your PC. A communications library is required by your application, such as the ($200), to read the data from the scanner through your serial port or an end user product such as the . These options require a certain level of setup and programming to achieve but it gives your application more control over the data retrieved from your scanner. A power supply for the scanner is required.

Please review these products, and if you have any other questions, refer to our Barcode FAQ lists, send e-mail to , or call us at 303-340-3404.

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