図表

Abstract

Market Overview

While stationary scanners are deployed across verticals, the majority of
demand for this barcode hardware category is in retail and industrial and
manufacturing sectors.

Enterprise end users deploy handheld scanners across all facets of their
operations, internal and customer-facing, for a diverse range of applications
and use cases. While common requirements exist across verticals, tiers and
regions, unique needs and niche opportunities exist. Use environments and
target applications also heavily influence stationary scanner selection in
regards to the following:

Ruggedization - Enterprises that deploy stationary scanners in
adverse operating environments or in applications in which shocks and exposure
to dust, contaminants, and other harms are likely (such as
industrial/manufacturing and T&L) prefer ruggedized devices purpose-built to
withstand hard use.

Connectivity - End users generally expect stationary scanners to
support multiple connectivity or communication protocols. Preferences for
specific types are dictated by application, operating environment, and
requirements for wireless communication.

Based on the leading requirements cited in our end-user survey, VDC sees
several key takeaways for stationary scanner vendors:

Price leads in importance, but do not ignore ownership cost/TCO -
Price only ranks slightly higher in importance relative to TCO among end users
surveyed, indicating both factor heavily into stationary scanner selection.
The fact that TCO ranks closely behind price suggests that enterprises are
more likely to invest more upfront for quality, reliable hardware than gamble
on cheaper, lower-end hardware that ultimately may be more costly due to
service requirements, premature failure, or both.

Price is still a highly important consideration - Stationary
scanner end users are price-conscious during the selection process
particularly in contrast to certain barcode hardware categories in which price
is a relatively minor factor. Accordingly, as vendors set prices and evaluate
target verticals, applications, and such, VDC recommends they consider
end-user perspectives carefully, particularly in the context of the
diminishing cost differential between laser- and imager-based units and the
respective functionality/benefit tradeoffs associated with each scanning
technology.

Imaging applications adoption is on the rise - For users such as
reading barcodes from an electronic screen or display, imaging applications
are seeing rapidly growing adoption rates, particularly in retail. This is
becoming an important factor in end users' stationary scanner selection
processes. VDC expects this trend to continue as an increasingly broader range
of B2C enterprises deploy mobile barcode-based solutions for a variety of
customer-facing, mobile-based applications.

Other key results of VDC's Stationary Barcode Scanner end user survey are
discussed in the following report. The complete findings of this study are
presented in the accompanying Excel spreadsheet.

Stationary Scanner Ruggedization Preferences

End user preference for ruggedized scanners expected to increase due to application trends and selection criteria

Enterprise end users surveyed by VDC indicate a general preference for
non-ruggedized stationary scanners at present.

However, looking ahead to future stationary scanner investments, end users
indicate that they expect to increasingly deploy ruggedized scanners.
Increasing favor for ruggedized units is driven in part by trends in
stationary scanner usage and key product selection criteria, including the
following:

Increasing deployment of stationary scanners in adverse usage
environments, such as manufacturing shop floors, transportation hubs/DCs and
warehouse where ruggedization is a key requirement.

Whereas Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) is among the leading product
selection criteria cited by end users, some enterprises may evaluate
ruggedized models as a means to extend scanner lifecycles and avoid
potentially costly downtime due to repairs and/or replacement because of
breakage. However, more rugged models have a higher associated price point and
select end users may choose low-cost general purpose handheld scanners to
reduce upfront investment costs.

Connectivity Preferences

Tethered connectivity is preferred choice with stationary - but some end users are adopting wireless

100% of end user respondents indicate their stationary scanners are connected
to a host computer/network via a direct-wired connection - either a serial/USB
or Ethernet cable - which suggests that while wireless is increasing gaining
consideration, tethered connection remains a viable option for its
reliability, simplicity and value.

While cable connections remain by far the most common among stationary barcode
scanner end users, wireless connectivity is increasingly common, with 802.11
a/b/g and Bluetooth being cited by more than 50% of end users combined. As
availability and deployment of wireless networks becomes more common in key
stationary scanner use environments, wireless connectivity is expected to
become even more pervasive.

Whereas connectivity/communication is one of the top-rated product selection
criteria among end users (tied with ease of integration). VDC expects it is
likely that most enterprises will favor direct, wired connection except
when/where wireless connectivity is an absolute requirements, as tethered
connections provide greater reliability.

Key Vendor Takeaways:

Focus on supporting multiple communication/connectivity protocols. Based
on VDC end user data, the average enterprise supports approximately two
different types of connectivity with their stationary barcode scanners.

Tethered/direct-wired connections remain by far the most commonly used
protocol type, as enterprises favor its reliability and ease of use.

Enterprises are open to investing in wireless-enabled stationary scanners,
but typically only when application or usage requirements dictate doing so.
However, by demonstrating increased wireless reliability or developing new
wireless scanner use-cases/applications, vendors may have the ability to shift
end user preferences towards wireless scanners.