Which Handheld Inventory Devices are Right for You

What are Handheld Inventory Devices Used For?

In many industries, conducting regular inventory isn't just necessary - it can often be a legal requirement. This is true in industries such as retail, healthcare, manufacturing, and warehousing.

It's important to keep in mind that while there are a wide range of hardware and software options available for this purpose, some software can only be used with proprietary or specific hardware. That can make it difficult to upgrade or even swap out your hardware after a purchase has been made, which is why making the right selection now is of paramount importance.

Types of Handheld Inventory Devices

There are a couple of different options that your business can choose to use for inventory depending on your needs. These are: Handheld, RFID or Mobile Computers; or iPads and other tablets.

iPads and other tablets in particular are often used for inventory purposes because they have a very easy and friendly user interface. However, they're not necessarily as durable as handheld devices or mobile computers and can be easily damaged. Depending on the context of your exact needs, that may not make them the best choice for you.

At Mercom, we pride ourselves on our ability to support and offer high quality IT equipment to help guarantee the current success of your business. This includes refurbished handheld inventory devices and more.

Which Device is Right For Your Business?

Obviously, there is a major cost consideration when it comes to determining which device is right for your business. If yours is a business only buying hardware for the purposes of conducting inventory, and you don't have any additional functionality that you require, there are cheaper alternatives to the major hardware suppliers such as Zebra and Datalogic.

In that case other manufacturers, with Scansku and Janam being chief among them, can handle your inventory needs quite nicely, or you can consider refurbished devices that typically come with a comprehensive warranty.

Contact Us and Learn About Our Quality Refurbished Equipment

At Mercom, we pride ourselves on our ability to help organizations like yours find the right equipment for their business needs by offering high quality refurbished equipment for handling inventory and saving you money at the same time. So keep Mercom in mind for your barcode needs - we offer high quality refurbished, cost effective hardware and service options. If you'd like to find out more information about how to select the right handheld inventory device for you, or if you have any additional questions that you'd like to talk to someone about in a more specific context, please don't delay - contact the team at Mercom Repair today.

< Older Post

Newer Post >

IT Hardware Repair vs. Replacement: Cutting Costs in a Tariff-Driven Market

August 11, 2025

Why Repair Beats Replace in the New Tariff World In today’s business environment, staying competitive means balancing innovation with operational efficiency—and that includes how you manage your technology infrastructure. Now, with a newly imposed tariff of up to 30% on imported IT hardware, that balance has become even more challenging. For companies that rely on barcode equipment, mobile devices, point-of-sale (POS) systems, printers, tablets and other essential devices, these tariffs are more than just a line item on a spreadsheet. They are an immediate hit to the bottom line, making hardware replacements far more costly than they were just months ago. And it’s not just tariffs that are impacting costs. Across the board, many original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are raising the price of repairs and maintenance contracts—while also reducing the coverage and length of those contracts. In effect, businesses are paying more for less. So, what can you do when replacing hardware has become too expensive, and relying on OEM support no longer makes financial sense? The answer: extend the life of the equipment you already have. At Mercom, we believe a repair-first approach is not just a short-term fix—it’s a long-term strategy.

A poster for an apple independent repair provider.

Why Choose an Apple Independent Repair Provider

By Mercom • July 16, 2025

Learn why enterprise IT teams trust Apple Independent Repair Providers like Mercom for certified, secure, and warranty-safe Apple device repairs.

How it repair drives business success is written on a green background

How IT Hardware Repair Drives Business Success

June 9, 2025

Instead of cycling through replacements and adding strain to procurement and IT budgets, hardware repair enables businesses to maintain performance standards, reduce costs, and support sustainability initiatives. It’s a practical, cost-effective path that keeps mission-critical systems up and running.