Companies interested in maintaining a Mac-centric barcode-based point-of-sale or inventory control system can soon go untethered. Intelli Innovations Inc. on Monday introduced the IntelliScanner Mobile, a barcode reader designed to work with Mac OS X and Mac OS 9, portably.
The wireless reader uploads scanned barcode values into its internal memory, then docks with the Macintosh to download the stored data. It can retain up to 500 barcodes at once, and works with UPC, EAN, ISBN, Code 39 and Code 128 barcode formats. The device operates hand-in-hand with Intelli Innovations’ IntelliScanner MobileWare software.
The device also works in “tethered” mode with FileMaker Pro, AppleWorks, Microsoft Office or any other device that supports keyboard input. The scanner can detect whether it’s attached to the Mac or mobile and will operate accordingly. What’s more, Intelli Innovations has included examples of application integration with those third party apps to help give developers ideas of how the device can work.
The IntelliScanner Mobile weighs about 3.7 ounces with batteries, and utilizes a 650nm red laser diode scanning engine. A set of 3 AA batteries has a lifespan that’s estimated at around 20,000 scans.
The IntelliScanner Mobile Kit includes the scanner, software, USB cable, ProInventory 1.1 software, xTagger barcode label generation software, documentation, and 3 AA batteries.
The IntelliScanner Mobile Kit works with Mac OS X 10.1 or later or Mac OS 9.2 or later. It carries a pre-order price of US$499 and is anticipated for release on August 13, 2003.