Data collection terminal (TSD) Is a compact handheld device that fits in your hand and is equipped with a barcode reader, keyboard or touchscreen display. Terminal receives power from the built-in battery, has a sufficiently powerful processor and memory (which is why data collection terminals (TSD) sometimes called mobile computers).

TSD software

World leading manufacturers data terminals- this is Unitech, Datalogic, Honeywell, CipherLab, Motorolla (Symbol) other. In the set TSD usually enters itself terminal, battery, communication stand or cradle, as well as basic terminal software, which copes with the task of reading and collecting a barcode. However, sometimes on terminal a special software, which, along with the collection of information, solves the problems of integration TSD into the inventory system, increasing the productivity of employees and reducing their errors. Among the most functional and trouble-free software SOTI MobiControl for data collection terminals, CITYSOFTWarehouse, Logistic Solution, 1C extension for a mobile computer.

Operating systems on the data collection terminal

Most manufacturers use on terminals operating system Windows Mobile, are less popular, but DOS-like are still in demand terminals. Terminals with OC DOS are represented in the Cipherlab line. Windows OS is a color touch screen, graphics, high performance; DOS is installed on terminals with a low-resolution monochrome screen displaying only text information in several lines, but the time of continuous operation without changing the battery is more than a day.

Interaction between the terminal and the host system

Data collection terminals can accumulate information and transfer it to a database when connected to a PC thanks to the built-in memory and barcode scanner. Terminals Accumulative type is an alternative to wired scanners. In a large room, when the operator needs to move from place to place to scan various goods, the terminal will be more convenient than the scanner. Another option to work data collection terminal- instant transfer of information to the database when scanning a barcode via a radio channel or Wi-Fi. In fact, in this way, the terminal is part of the network. The system reacts to the information coming from the terminal by means of various instructions, commands and actions, informing the operator and displaying them on the device display.

How to choose the right data collection terminal?

For the right choice data collection terminal there are many factors to consider. First, you must decide where you are going to use terminal- in the sales area, in a small warehouse or in a distribution center. Secondly, it is necessary to clearly understand what data format the enterprise will have to work with - it can be either linear barcodes or PDF417, as well as electronic signatures or radio frequency tags. If a will be used in a distribution center, then a large reader range may be required - up to 2 or 5 meters. It should be noted that if the barcode is printed on laminated polyethylene or glass, it can make it difficult to read the barcode. Another important factor is the mode in which data will be exchanged between terminal and the head system. Data collection terminals Supports offline batch modes via USB / RS232, WiFi or GPRS / EDGE / 3.5G, real-time modes via WiFi or GPRS / EDGE / 3.5G. You may need a built-in Bluetooth or Ethernet terminal.

In this way, is an intelligent bar-coding equipment that allows you to automate all typical warehouse processes (acceptance, shipment, inventory, etc.), manage prices in retail outlets and production processes.

The development of any business entity, be it an industrial enterprise or a service organization, is impossible without the introduction of modern technologies that help to improve the processes of accounting and control of the movement of goods, storage and analysis of information. For this, a number of special devices have been developed, including an electronic data collection terminal. It helps to effectively solve the issues of fast and accurate accounting of goods, control and data processing, minimizing the influence of the human factor. What is TSD How to use such a device? Answers to these and other questions can be found in the article below.

What is TSD?

The data collection terminal is a modern specialized mini-computer designed to automate trade, warehouse accounting and other processes. Electronic TSD consists of a processor, random access memory, keyboard or touchscreen display. Such a device has a built-in device for reading a barcode. can function because it has its own operating system.

The operation of this device is based on reading barcodes. Warehouses, restaurants, pharmacies, small shops and large mega-markets are increasingly using electronic TSDs in their activities.

Data collection terminal: how to use?

The photo below demonstrates the ease of use of the TSD. To enter information, you just need to direct the scanner's laser beam at the barcode. The built-in processor recognizes the code and automatically performs further necessary operations. You can also enter data using the keyboard or touchscreen. This is necessary if any error occurred while scanning.

Such terminals can work both indoors and outdoors. Industrial devices operate successfully at subzero temperatures, in conditions of high humidity or high dustiness. High impact resistance and waterproof housing is distinctive feature such TSD. Motorola's data collection terminal, for example, is equipped with a scanning head that can be rotated. This allows data to be read at any angle of inclination.

Information from the terminal to the accounting system of a business entity is transferred through various communication channels. It can be infrared, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or USB. It depends on which model of TSD (data collection terminal).

How do I use this device? It all depends on the type of terminal used. There are six main types of TSDs: entry-level, pocket PCs, full-size, pistol grip, wearable, transport. Each of these types of device is described in detail below, and recommendations for using one or another terminal are given.

TCD primary class

This is the simplest type of data collection terminal. These devices do not support WAN or Wi-Fi. All results obtained as a result of scanning or entering information from the keyboard are saved as a text file. To transfer data to the accounting program, you need to connect a TSD (data collection terminal) to the computer using a cord.

How do I use this type of device? They are most suitable for taking inventory of warehouse balances and fixed assets or collecting data without connecting in real time to the accounting program.

Pocket PC

These terminals are tiny, yet powerful devices. With their help, mobile workers can get full access to information contained in a remotely hosted database. The PDA is equipped with such additional functions as Wi-Fi, GPS, Bluetooth, WAN (GPRS and 3G).

A laptop, a phone and a scanner - all these devices can be successfully replaced by such a TSD (data collection terminal). How to use a PDA? It is ideal for those employees who are often on the road due to their duty. These can be section managers, forwarding drivers, delivery service employees.

Full-size TSD

Full-size terminals are like pocket computers. Their main advantage is high efficiency of work at wireless connection to the database. Such devices are equipped with a full keyboard. Also built into full-size TSDs different kinds scanners. It helps in solving all kinds of problems.

Such devices can be used both inside or in a distribution center, and outdoors, for example, on construction sites, or in truckers' trucks. Some models of these terminals can function underwater.

TSD with pistol grip

Pistol grip terminals are designed to work in harsh conditions with a Wi-Fi connection. Such devices most often do not have the ability to connect to mobile networks... If the ability to connect to Wi-Fi is not available at some point, the terminal can be used as a data storage device.

There are many different models of built-in barcode readers. Among them are long-range scanners, which can be equipped with TSD. The pistol grip data terminal that houses such a powerful device can read a barcode from a distance of over 9 meters.

These devices are highly efficient, durable and easy to use. Due to these qualities, the pistol grip vehicle is often used by warehouse workers or forklift drivers. Such terminals are also widely used in retail trade. Indeed, with such intensive use, simpler devices quickly break down and fail, and TSD with a pistol grip do not require repair and replacement.

Wearable TSD

Wearable terminals are capable of performing the same functions as the pistol grip TSD, however, the user's hands remain free when working with them. Such a device is attached to the employee's wrist; the compact scanner is made in the form of a ring that should be worn on the finger. The device is controlled by voice.

Wearable TSDs are not very common, but when used correctly, they can significantly increase work efficiency.

Transport vehicles

Transport vehicles have a robust design that allows them to withstand strong enough vibration on loading docks and various vehicles. These devices do not have a built-in scanner. For more efficient operation, you need to connect a hand-held barcode reader to the TSD.

Most often, such devices work on the basis of the Windows Mobile operating system, but there are models that operate on the basis of Linux or Windows XP. This provides a high level of computing power that the electronic terminal possesses. TSD of this type are used when accepting goods, shipping or picking. This speeds up the workflow and reduces the number of errors that occur due to the human factor.

Conclusion

TSD is a modern specialized mini-computer. It is designed to automate trade, warehouse accounting and other processes. How to use the data collection terminal? It's not hard. You just need to direct the scanner's laser beam at the barcode. After recognizing the code, the processor built into the device will automatically perform the necessary operations. The main purpose of using TSD is to increase work productivity in order to reduce the time spent on performing monotonous operations for collecting and processing information and to reduce the number of errors caused by the human factor.

What is TSD (), how to use it, and in what conditions these devices are needed, must be presented to those who are going to arrange a computerized system for accounting for the movement of goods in their trading enterprise.

The basis of all information system is the supply of all goods received at the store or warehouse with barcode labels, which contain all information about the goods in a coded form. Some products come with a barcode printed on the packaging, others are provided with such labels already on site.

At the time of the sale, the terminal installed at the cashier's workplace, using a scanner included in its structure, reads the information and transmits it to the base computer, which stores the program that takes into account the movement of goods.

But not only at the checkout is it required to have information about the product. It is necessary to register all incoming goods, track their movement to the trading floor, and during inventory, it is necessary to check the list quantity of goods with their actual availability.

That's what a data collection terminal is for - tracking the movement of goods. It is necessary to have a good understanding of how to work with the data collection terminal and what functions it performs.

Device functionality

If you look at any data collection terminal, the principle of its operation is. This is how the accounting system receives information about what goods are in stock. But in order for it to receive all this, it is necessary first of all to decode the barcode, which requires the efforts of a laptop, and then to communicate with the host computer via a wireless channel and transmit this information.

Scan barcode

The use of a data collection terminal for scanning can be based on various scanning technologies. You can illuminate the barcode to analyze the reflection with LEDs or a laser beam. The latter method is more efficient and can distinguish between smaller images.

By its design, the scanner can work in one plane - then it is required to bring the device to the barcode, orienting it precisely. Multi-plane scanners work at any angle to the barcode and to the surface on which it is applied. They can perceive two-dimensional codes that carry an increased amount of information.

Computer component

The first question asked by a merchant who first picked up a TSD (data collection terminal) is: how to use it? The use of this device does not present any particular difficulty: the built-in processor does everything automatically. The ability to enter information from the keyboard or from the touch screen is mainly necessary in order to correct the read barcode, if its damage led to an error during scanning. Then you can correct the technique by entering the required numbers manually.

Having read the code, the device processes it, decoding it, and already in this form transmits the information to the host computer. Another function is information storage. If it was necessary to use the device beyond the limits of communication capabilities, the processor gives a command to switch to autonomous operation - in this case, all scanned bar codes are stored in memory and only after the restoration of communication are transmitted by a common packet to the base computer. Nothing is lost.

Wireless capabilities

The Bluetooth wireless interface reliably links the mobile and host processor up to a distance of 10 meters. In a small warehouse, this may be sufficient. If we are talking about large warehouses, in which the commodity specialist has to move, moving away from the base by 100 or more meters, it is best to use another interface - Wi-Fi.

How to link two computers

Organize wireless communication- not enough yet. It is important that the software is reliably docked with each other. Base computer running on the basis operating system Windows usually easily recognizes the connection of the data collection terminal and perceives the transmitted information losslessly. If discrepancies are found at the software level, you have to use a special driver, sometimes it is even developed by a programmer.

When everything is ready

So, the commodity experts of the enterprise received a TSD (data collection terminal), how to use it - they were told and trained. You can get to work - just bypass all the goods and hold the device over the barcode. Working with the data collection terminal is extremely simple - the only task is not to miss anything. Employees quickly learn, and the inventory process is accelerated many times over.

Constant competition between entrepreneurs ensures the rapid development of commercial equipment, the main goal of which is automation.

Wholesale and retail trade requires repeated repetition of the same actions, which causes human fatigue and, as a result, making mistakes.

To speed up the work and make it more accurate, critical processes, such as inventory control, have been automated using data collection terminals (DCT).

The data collection terminal is a portable computer with a built-in.

Its main function is the identification, sorting and accounting of goods. For this, the TSD is equipped with its own flash memory for storing information and an operating system that allows sorting goods into categories.