What to Look for in a Barcode Verifier

It is a natural assumption to think that all barcode verifiers are the same. They all perform the same basic function. The same thing can be said for a car, a dentist, or a restaurant–they are obviously not all the same.  You want a car that’s reliable, easy to use, and keeps you safe. You want a dentist who diagnoses, resolves, and prevents problems. You want a restaurant that is consistent, friendly, and trustworthy. Ultimately, you want value for your money.

Buy Initial Value

You want these same attributes in a barcode verifier. And perhaps a few more attributes as well.

A most basic requirement is reliability and competence. Like a car, you want a verifier that’s reliable and protects you. ISO compliance is a basic requirement in a barcode verifier, but not all verifiers have this certification. If you don’t ask, the sales rep probably won’t tell you—or you’ll get a complicated answer to your simple question. Beware!

A verifier should inform you about any issues with your barcodes that fall short of optimal standards. That doesn’t mean you want perfection. You don’t need perfection. You need information to see and solve a situation before it becomes a problem.

Not everyone is an engineer. Look for a verifier with a friendly and intuitive user interface. Ease of use shouldn’t sacrifice competence. A smart interface can automate many verifier settings. You don’t want to manually configure everything.

Buy Ongoing Value

You found the right barcode verifier—congratulations. You are not done yet. Just like your car, your dentist, and your favorite restaurant, you’re going to live with that verifier for a long time. Ask the sales rep what they will do if you have a problem or a technical question. What is their response time? How long is the warranty? What does it cover? What maintenance is recommended? Can you do it yourself, or does it require sending your verifier back to the factory? How long does that take? How much does it cost? Can you get a rental unit while your verifier is away?

The answers to these questions are important. Listen carefully. Equally important is the credibility of those answers. Do they inspire confidence? Do you trust them? Will you get the same answer when you have a critical question—or an emergency?

Full disclosure: we sell barcode verifiers and can help you get the right one. But maybe you don’t really need one yet. Or maybe ever. We are also a barcode quality and compliance testing service. You can get a verification report from us for as little as $25 (linear barcode) in about an hour.

Got questions? We can help. Contact us here.