Whereas 2D bar codes offer more security and safety for their subjects, 1D bar codes, as read by 1D bar code readers, are more practical for wide scale operations. The reason? Bar codes with single layers are more affordable to produce than the double layered inscriptions of 2D bar codes. Hence, there is a large demand for 1D bad codes and 1D bar code readers in today's busy times.

A 1D bar code reader is an essential, and preferred, tool for retail establishments where items pass through a counter several times a minute. A 1D bar code reader is also the device of choice for establishments that seek to monitor the ingress and regress of people, when such establishments are not considered as high security areas.

Why Are There 1D And 2D Bar Code Readers?

Though a universal type of bar code would greatly help a variety of industries, the various types of bar codes today, which are not limited to 1D and 2D bar codes alone, have provided a wider selection for different enterprises with distinct needs.

The creation of 1D and 2D varieties of barcodes stemmed from the attempts of bar code manufacturers to improve on the existing formula. But each improvement served a specific purpose distinct to its kind, hence, such was retained. Today, there are a lot of 2D bar code readers for 2D bar codes and 1D bar code readers for 1D bar codes. This is a sign of a very healthy industry!

Kinds Of 1D Bar Code Readers

A 1D bar code reader can come in many forms. Portable 1D bar code readers are the most commonly used in many establishments. Since a 1D bar code reader is generally manufactured for a market that experiences brisk operations, it is easy to assume that the sheer transportability of these portable 1D bar code readers make them more appealing to their target audience.

A 1D bar code reader can also come in the form of scanner-type 1D bar code readers. These are seldom used, however, as their more mobile counterparts are more appropriate for the market that 1D bar code readers seek to cater to.

The Road Ahead For 1D Bar Code Readers

It is understandable that people would feel hesitant about investing on a 1D bar code reader, mainly because of fear that the 1D bar code design would soon become obsolete. These fears are quite unfounded.

There will always be a need for a 1D barcode reader because there will always be a market for 1D bar codes. As we have mentioned earlier, a good number of establishments actually prefer 1D bar codes and 1D bar code readers because they are more resilient and responsive to businesses with busier processes. This accommodative nature of 1D bar code readers should assure everyone that they are here to stay and investing on them would be a prudent choice.

This, of course, is aside from the fact that 1D bar code readers are cheaper than other types of this device.

Ewen Chia is the owner of BarCodeReader.info providing excellent bar code reader information, news plus completely *free* barcode fonts! ==> http://www.BarCodeReader.info