Electronic TSD (data collection terminal): how to use?

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 for and monitoring the movement of goods, storage and analysis of information. For this purpose, a number of special devices have been developed, including an electronic data collection terminal. It helps to effectively solve problems of fast and accurate accounting of goods, control and data processing, minimizing the impact of the human factor. What is the TSD (data collection terminal)? How to use such a device? The 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, which is designed for automation of trade, inventory accounting and other processes. Electronic TSD consists of a processor, RAM, keyboard or touch screen. A barcode reader is built into this device. The data collection terminal can function in standalone mode, because it has its own operating system.

The work of this device is based on the reading of barcodes. Warehouses, restaurants, pharmacies, small shops and large megamarkets are increasingly using electronic TSD in their activities.

Data collection terminal: how to use?

The photo below demonstrates the ease of using the TSD. To enter information, simply point the laser beam of the scanner to 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 an error occurred during scanning.

Such terminals can work both indoors and outdoors. Devices of an industrial orientation successfully function at negative temperatures, in conditions of the raised humidity or a strong dust. A high impact index and a waterproof enclosure are the hallmarks of such TSDs. The Motorola data collection terminal, for example, is equipped with a scanning head that can be rotated. This allows you to read data at any angle.

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

How do I use this device? It all depends on the type of terminal used. There are six basic types of TSD: primary class, pocket PC, full-sized, with a pistol grip, worn, transport. Each of these types of devices is described in detail below, and recommendations for the use of a terminal are given.

The TSD of the primary class

This is the simplest kind of data collection terminals. Such 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 must connect the TSD (data collection terminal) to the computer using a cord.

How to use this type of device? Most of all, they are suitable for inventorying warehouse balances and fixed assets or collecting data without connecting in real time to the accounting program.

Pocket PC

Such terminals are miniature, but at the same time powerful devices. With their help, mobile employees can get full access to the information contained in the remotely located database. PDAs are equipped with such additional functions as Wi-Fi, GPS, Bluetooth, WAN (GPRS and 3G).

A laptop, phone and scanner - all these devices can successfully replace such a TSD (data collection terminal). How to use a PDA? Ideally, it is suitable for such employees who are often on duty in the service of duty. It can be site managers, drivers, freight forwarders, delivery service employees.

Full size TSD

Full-sized terminals are similar to PDAs. Their main advantage is the high efficiency with wireless connection to the database. Such devices are equipped with a full keyboard. Also in full-size TSD embed various types of scanners. This helps in solving all sorts of problems.

Such devices can be used both inside a warehouse or a distribution center, and on the street, for example, on construction sites, oil rigs or trucks of truckers. Some models of these terminals can function underwater.

TSD with pistol grip

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

There are many different models of built-in devices for reading barcodes. Among them there are long-range scanners that can be equipped with a TSD. The data collection terminal with a pistol grip, in which such a powerful instrument is built, can count the barcode from a distance of more than 9 meters.

The work of these devices are characterized by high performance, they are durable and easy to use. Due to these qualities, PDD with a pistol grip is often used by warehouse workers or truck drivers. Still such terminals are widely used in retail trade. After all, with such intensive use, simpler devices quickly break down and fail, and the TSD with the pistol grip does not require repair and replacement.

Wearable TSD

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

Wearable TSD is not very common, but if used correctly, they can significantly increase the efficiency of work.

Transport TSD

Transport TSD have a strong construction, which allows them to withstand a sufficiently strong vibration on loading platforms and various vehicles. Such devices do not have a built-in scanner. For more efficient operation it is necessary to connect a manual device for reading barcodes to the TSD.

Most often such devices operate on the basis of Windows Mobile OS, but there are models that operate on the basis of Linux or Windows XP. This provides a high indicator of the processing power that the electronic terminal has. TSD of this type are used for goods acceptance, shipment or bundling. This speeds up the workflow and reduces the number of errors that occur due to human factors.

Conclusion

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