Square Stand 2nd gen - camera work as a barcode scanner?

[mspreema]

I'm interested in getting the 2nd generation Square Stand but I can't find any information on whether or not the iPad camera will work for scanning barcodes. Is there a cutout for the camera to work as a scanner?

[Candlestore]

@mspreema ;

The camera is attached / built into the Ipad so it should work fine just like the one for the original Square Stand.   Now when the Ipad is in the Square Stands only the one on the same side of the screen should be used.  The other camera will give you a blank screen.  The camera will read 1D Barcodes and can read a QR barcode.  Not sure what all the barcodes are that the Ipad camera can read though.  The camera and ability to read barcodes is native to the Ipad so even if it was not attached to the Square stand it would read the Barcodes.  For example:

You have the Ipad outside of the Stand using it with the Square app and choose the camera function and it will place the item in the cart by scanning the barcode. 

[TCSlaguna]

Interesting idea @mspreema 

The second generation Square Stand does not have a cutout for the camera. My guess is because different iPads have the cameras in slightly different locations. It would also be a little difficult to reach around the stand to scan, could lead to products being dropped, or customers accidentally pointing the product barcode in front of the camera leading to a scan. 

I also find the dedicated barcode scanners are faster. 

[Candlestore]

@TCSlaguna ;

The first Gen Stand did not have a hole for the camera opposite the screen but you could also switch it to the camera on the same side as the touch screen (Rear facing? ) and hold the barcode right in front of the camera.  So you would not need to reach around the Ipad to the Front facing camera, just use the rear facing one.  Like in this video I made :

Scanning with Just an Ipad in a Square Stand 

Now I do agree that the barcode scanner is better since the Ipads camera is touchy but as you see it can be done.

[TCSlaguna]

@Candlestore 

Thank you for making that video. I learn something new every day.

I didn't know it was possible to use that camera. That scan was FAST!

I see you use a QR code?  How do you create them?  

[Candlestore]

@TCSlaguna ;

Your welcome for the quick video. Scans too FAST at times. Sometimes it reads 1 barcode as 2 items.

Yes I was using QR codes as Barcodes. A scanner 1D or 2D is just a translator.  It Reads the code weather its a 2D code or 1D code, if it is capable of that 'language'.  Meaning some scanners may only read certain barcodes even if the barcode is 1D and it is a 1D scanner, the scanner may not read the barcode.  Then after it interprets that information it has to translate it to the Hardware you are using (Mac, PC, Android, Ipad etc), then the software also has to be able to understand what the hardware was given.  So I was using QR codes as my Barcode to keep all 'Barcodes' the same size.  Then doing research I found out that a QR code needs whitespace around it and can only be so small for my scanner to read it.  (3/8" square to read all the time) So now I have upgraded my QR code to an Aztec Code which can be as small as 5/16" square and have no white space around it.  The Ipads do not read the Aztec codes though with out maybe an app.  I do not know if the app would allow the Aztec codes to be read into Square though.  My 2D scanner does read Aztec Codes and translates it right into Square like any other barcode reader.  As for how I make my barcodes Code 39, 128 Barcode, QR, or Aztec; I use the software that I downloaded for my label printer.  I have 5 Zebra 420 series label printers and use the Zebra Designer 3 software to create my barcodes (Aztec Codes).  I believe this can also be done with Dymo software.  If I had to do it again I would probably research the Dymo printers more because there software can read csv files natively, where as you have to pay about $300 for the zebra software to read from a csv or other data file.  The Zebra software I use is free, so I have to create my own labels and save then in an easy to locate folder system.  I click a previously created label, tell it to print 50 labels, and then exit. Repeat if needed.

[TCSlaguna]

Interesting. We just use Square for Retail to print barcodes. 

[Candlestore]

@TCSlaguna ;

That works but then you have only a limited number of labels to choose from to print on with Square.  I use 5 different sizes which is why I have 5 Label Printers.  2 Print on custom made labels with Direct Transfer ribbons and the other 3 are direct thermals, 1 to barbell / jewelry labels, 1 to 1x1.5, and 1 to 1.5x2.25 ....if I remember correctly.  Square does not currently print to Barbell / Jewelry labels, but with the printers software I can.  With the printers software and can put more text lines on if I want also, like Original price was $20.99  now on sale for $15.99. I can also have our name website, phone number etc along with my Aztec code.  I can also adjust the size of my barcodes or text to my liking using the printers software.  I even tested printing out a picture of the item, granted it was only black on white paper but made easy to see when I used 4x6 shipping labels.  Used this in Stock areas to quickly see the image of items in the plain brown boxes.

[TCSlaguna]

@Candlestore  FIVE label printers?! That has to be a record. 

I remember with Quickbooks POS we used to print jewelry labels. Now we print the smallest size labels Square allows and stick them to string jewelry tags. It works ok. 

[Candlestore]

@TCSlaguna ;

I just recently got the 5th Zebra 420, to print on Barbell Labels.  I can print the price on one side and an Aztec code on the other side and down the middle I print the store name.  They are great for home made jewelry and lollipops, and the other thing I do is I print the $ amount with an Aztec code on Both sides of the Jewelry tags and then cut those in half to label the item.  The String idea is what we were doing but found that the barbell tags were the perfect size to do what your doing and read our Aztec codes and could print 2 at the same time.  Sometimes the barbell tags are a pain to fold nicely around small objects for my pudgy fingers.  lol  

Message 6 of 7 is mine where I showed 4 of my labels I print and it has 2 of my printers in a photo.

https://www.sellercommunity.com/t5/Questions-How-To/Is-there-a-way-to-add-business-name-to-a-Dymo-ba... 

Here in Message 2 of 3 I have a picture of what I called a 1/4" barcode where if you look closely it is only maybe 3/16" and it reads with my scanner.  Now I do recommend a minimum of 5/16" to 3/8" Aztec code to be read easily by the scanner.  With this 3/16" one I have to bring the scanner in and out to get it to read sometimes, other times it reads the first time and then again it may not read at all.  This was in reply to someone asking for a smaller prettier barcode.  Again not printed with Square software, printed on to 1 of my custom labels, the smaller one.

https://www.sellercommunity.com/t5/Square-for-Retail-Discussion/Smaller-prettier-Barcode-Labels/td-p... 

On the opposite side a 4" x 4" Aztec code my scanner can read at say 6ft- 8ft.  Tried this for labeling our shelves that are 18ft high or so in the back barn and warehouse.  The scanner is Zebra ds6878 similar to the zebra ds2208, but in the 2D capable and no cord to the charging station.  USB to charging station then wireless to work about 25 feet away.

I always try to push limits to see what might be useful in the future.

[mspreema]

Thank you!

[Candlestore]

@mspreema ;

Your welcome, and that camera can also read code 39 and Code 128 Barcodes along with the QR code in the video.  I suggest trying a few of the items you have with pre printed barcodes to see if it works for you.

[mspreema]

Thank you!