The Boom in Barcode Scanners

With the many advantages of wearable devices — from optimizing processes to improving workers' focus to reducing error — it's easy to see why there's been a massive boom in the implementation of barcode scanners across a variety of businesses. 

A new report from Reportlinker, a firm offering expertise in artificial intelligence, machine learning and NLP technologies, shows there's no signs of demand slowing down.

Between 2022 and 2027, the company expects the global industrial barcode scanner market to accelerate at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of over 9 percent during the forecast period. 

The report, which provides a holistic analysis of the industrial barcode scanner market, cites several key drivers of the global industrial barcode scanner market, including the rise in adoption of wearable barcode scanners in the manufacturing industry and the increased deployment of mobile workforce. 

An additional central factor is the evolution of Industry 4.0 (also called the Fourth Industrial Revolution or 4IR) driven by the rise of data and connectivity, analytics, human-machine interaction and improvements in robotics.

This report shows the use of wearables with the same functionalities as traditional barcode scanners as a  primary impetus driving the industrial barcode scanner market growth over the next few years. Additionally, growing demand for rugged industrial barcode scanners and increased use of big data with data captured from barcode scanners is predicted to cause a sizable uptick in demand.

The Benefits of Barcode Scanners

A staggering 70 percent of operating costs go to receptive tasks — such as picking, putting away and general duties that come with order fulfillment. Wearable devices, like rugged barcode scanners, designed to optimize these processes, can significantly decrease labor costs, increase your bottom line and greatly improve worker safety.

Smoother, Cost-Saving Workflow

As our operations grow increasingly complex, it's important to have visibility across your workflow. Automation, provided via barcode scanners, lets you track your products and processes, hone in on errors, and tap into your inventory with accuracy. The time it takes to execute small, essential functions can quickly add up. Devices like barcode scanners boost efficiency, saving you time — and money — by decreasing labor costs.

More Satisfied Employees

Rufus WorkHero rugged, easy-to-use wearable scanners increase worker comfort and ease, so employees can easily embrace the new technology. Plus, the scan triggers are also ergonomically placed, unlike consumer devices, making scanning quick and comfortable. 

In our experience, Rufus WorkHero helps warehouse operations improve productivity up to 230 percent — and keeps workers happy, with 99 percent employee satisfaction. Plus, Rufus WorkHero scanners are rugged, and easy to use, reducing training time 400 percent, compared to traditional legacy devices. 

Additionally, scanners boost employees' ability to focus on the task at hand (instead of constantly switching between clipboards), and the hands-free design provides a wider range of motion.

Improved Safety

Beyond saving money and time, barcode scanners are a key component to improving worker safety. Since customers expect speedy shipping times to come standard with their orders, more warehouses and fulfillment centers are feeling the pinch of delivering packages, intact and on time.

The increase in demand of two-day (or less) shipping, touted by Amazon, has led to unsafe working conditions at the retail giant as employees rush to fill orders.

While Amazon reports its injury rate is trending down, facility-level data released from the U.S. Labor Department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), shows otherwise.

Last year, Amazon workers were injured at a rate of 6.9 for every 100. The Strategic Organizing Center (SOC), a league of labor unions, examined OSHA’s new data and found that in 2022, Amazon workers were seriously injured at over twice the rate of other warehouses. 

The Smart Solution

Equipping your employees with the right tools can automate critical business processes and provide inventory visibility and accuracy, increase warehouse productivity (up to 50 percent), while improving safety by allowing employees to operate, hands-free.

Rufus WorkHero offers a variety of wearable barcode scanners that are both effective and ergonomic. Additionally, familiar Android devices with automatic barcode pairing help your employees onboard quickly and reduce training time.

Rufus WorkHero, combines Rufus Labs industrial wearables and cloud enterprise software to bring the most advanced productivity suite to the supply chain workforce. Rufus Labs is the only company to offer wearable tech and workforce analytics software on a subscription basis, ensuring that Rufus customers are equipped with the latest technology that increases warehouse productivity, safety and accuracy, at no additional cost.

Ready to join the boom in barcode scanners without a massive overhaul of your workflow and budget? Rufus WorkHero provides wearable barcode scanners and rugged Android devices, a robust software dashboard suite for management, and support for one monthly subscription cost. No hidden fees, starting at just $99/worker.