iOS is a hardware-specific operating system developed by Apple Inc. The company released the first iOS version in 2007 for iPhone. Statistics indicate that there are more than 1 billion iPhone users today. Moreover, the number is growing every year, with iOS being the second most commonly used mobile operating system after Android.
iOS for Barcode Scanning
The iOS interface is pretty user-friendly and straightforward. Hence, you don’t have to struggle while using its features, even after a version upgrade.
iOS is a powerful entity, and today, there are more than 3 million apps available on the Apple Store.
You’ll also find various iOS barcode scanner apps to perform barcode scanning on the go. With so many people using the iPhone, there are many ways you can use iOS for barcode scanning.
Since iOS for barcode scanning offers robust security features to keep viruses and malicious codes at bay, you don’t have to worry much about the safety of your data. Not to mention, it is way more secure than an Android smartphone.
iPhone offers an in-built QR code scanner, but it cannot scan other 1D and 2D barcodes used in different industries.
It becomes crucial to have an iOS barcode scanner app that supports all standard barcode symbologies and reads tough barcodes in challenging environments.
You can either download a barcode scanner app from the Apple store or look for a barcode reader SDK to build an iOS barcode scanner for your business. The latter option is the best for enterprise use as you can customize the settings using the iOS barcode API.
Before discussing more on an iOS barcode scanner SDK, let’s take a look at the three most common use cases where you can use iOS for barcode scanning.
Retail Operations
Barcodes are an inseparable part of retail. For streamlined inventory operations or providing better customer service, barcode technology is critical for retail. In addition, since so many people use smartphones today, it has helped provide ease of access and mobility in in-store operations.
The store employees no longer have to remain fixed at one spot to provide information to the customers or for checkouts. Using an iOS barcode scanner can quickly take payments or fetch information about a specific product to provide better customer service.
The Covid-19 pandemic further augmented barcodes in retail to provide a contactless shopping experience to the customers.
Store owners and brands came up with the idea of allowing shoppers to add the products by scanning the barcodes on the tag and performing self-checkout without having to stand in long queues. This way, customers don’t need to contact a store employee or other shoppers while at the store. Instead, all they need is an iOS barcode scanner for faster and safer checkouts.
In addition to providing better customer service and faster checkouts, iOS barcode scanner apps help streamline multiple retail inventory operations.
Tracking inventory with an iOS barcode scanner is safe, convenient, and low-cost. They are better than handheld barcode scanners that need to be charged on time — and lack mobility.
Traditional inventory management systems rely on PCs and workstations. Also, an employee always has to be present on the workstation for inventory tracking. With an iOS barcode scanner, inventory professionals can fetch inventory details directly from the warehouse, making the workplace more productive.
Covid-19
Different brands and companies started using barcode technology to battle the Covid-19 pandemic, from healthcare to retail. As a result, organizations came up with innovations and ideas to revolutionize processes to minimize contact.
The healthcare sector amplified the use of barcodes to ensure patient safety amid the ongoing pandemic.
Most healthcare companies started using barcode technology to develop Covid-19 testing solutions to help manage users. With the iOS barcode scanner, healthcare professionals can accurately verify a patient’s identity and reduce the chances of errors for Covid-19 testing.
Similarly, they can perform other crucial tasks such as medication authenticity tracking by scanning the Data Matrix codes on the prescribed medication, specimen tracking and tracing, etc.
The iOS barcode scanner also helps healthcare staff browse through the inventory status and updates for better inventory and asset tracking.
Parcel Tracking
Parcel tracking involves recording the recipient’s name, the time and date of the shipment arrival, and the destined location. By using barcode technology, parcel tracking can be done more accurately and efficiently.
To keep data secure and perform fast barcode scanning — an iOS barcode scanner is the best option.
Logistics professionals can quickly fetch information by scanning barcodes on different parcels. Since time is critical in this field, it’s best to choose an iOS barcode scanner that can quickly scan many barcodes at a time. This way, time will be saved, and productivity will be boosted.
Since free barcode scanners do not provide a wide variety of features, finding a barcode scanner SDK will be the best option.
Most leading companies offer barcode reading SDKs that come with hundreds of APIs and a rich iOS barcode library to allow customization according to your usage scenario. Not to mention, you don’t have to spend days developing an iOS barcode scanner.
Barcode reader SDKs let you embed barcode reading functionality in an existing or new iOS barcode scanner app with just a few lines of code. With the best barcode reading SDKs, you can quickly perform tasks such as tracking, searching, and sorting parcels saving time and effort.
How to Choose the Best iOS Barcode Scanner SDK?
Using an iOS barcode scanner SDK is better than randomly choosing a barcode reader app from the Apple store. But, again, how would you know which barcode scanning SDK will be the most ideal for your business?
By choosing a leading iOS barcode scanner SDK, you can transform mobile phones into enterprise-grade barcode scanning and data capture tools. So, let’s discuss some features to consider in an iOS barcode scanner SDK–(from dynamsoftdotcom; sdk-mobile).
Great Speed:
Speed is crucial for most operations and industries. Leading iOS barcode scanner SDKs offer milli-second speed for mobile video streams. They can scan more than 500 barcodes in a minute.
Choose an SDK that comes with techniques such as camera control, frame quality filter, and frame queue to maximize efficiency and increase the decoding speed under interactive scenarios.
Impressive Accuracy
Just like speed, accuracy is critical too. Look for a barcode scanning SDK that offers a near-100 accuracy rate. You can go through the decoding algorithms and scan settings to understand how the SDK performs.
Good Platform Support
There’s no point in choosing an iOS barcode scanner SDK that offers good features but provides poor platform support. Instead, choose a solution that supports all recent versions of the iPhone, six or higher, and at least iOS 9.0 and above.
It must offer these frameworks, Xamarin and Cordova. Also, don’t forget to deep dive into the iOS barcode library, API reference, and user guide for better understanding.
Read Tough Barcodes
While crumpled and incomplete barcodes are standard in retail, a barcode may get damaged due to bad weather, mishandling, or an accident. The worst part is that most barcode scanners fail to read tough barcodes.
Incomplete, crumpled, wrinkled, curved, distorted, marked up, dense, or angled, the iOS barcode scanner SDK you choose must be able to scan all such barcodes. However, some leading vendors have devised technologies to scan tough barcodes without a hitch.
Work in a Challenging Environment
Like tough barcodes, challenging environments such as low light, glare, and shadow give a tough time to barcode scanners. Unfortunately, it’s hard to avoid a challenging situation.
Hence, choose an iOS barcode scanner SDK that is made to work well in all such conditions. For example, it should not struggle with glare or shadow while scanning a barcode in a room with poor lighting.
Offer Technical Support
While a leading iOS barcode scanner SDK won’t make you struggle, you never know what issue you may face while working with one. Hence, opt for a vendor that provides good technical support so that you can understand the features and functioning of the SDK and get your issues and queries resolved.
Timely Upgrades
Apple is known for providing timely iOS updates. Hence, the vendor that you choose must offer updates and upgrades to keep you running ahead in the competition. Updates also help fix bugs and errors for the smooth functioning of the barcode scanner.
Bonus Tip: Try Before you Buy
While it’s incredibly essential to consider these features in an iOS barcode scanner SDK, do not miss out on trying the SDK before purchasing. You can try the online demos and download free trials to see if the solution is perfect for your business.
Most leading vendors offer 30-day free trials to let you explore the features and build a dummy application. You should make the most of it to make a better decision. Also, compare different options and see which one’s the most suitable to cater to your business requirements.
Once you have implemented the iOS barcode scanner SDK into your business, you’ll see differences in a short time. It will boost efficiency, reduce errors and cost, save time, improve accuracy and thus, grow your business.
Image Credit: Provided by the Author; Thank you!
