There are three common mobile devices and configurations, each with its own set of limitations and benefits.
| All-in-one device (AIO) | Consumer Cell phone with Bluetooth Scanner (CCPBS) | Consumer Cell Phone Camera Scanning (CCPCS) |
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| Description | AIO devices have both the features and functionality of a smartphone and barcode scanning hardware. | CCPBS devices are a combination of a consumer cell phone and a Bluetooth scanner used together to scan higher volumes than possible or efficient with a built-in camera. | CCPCS describes the use of a consumer cell phone and built-in photography camera used for low to medium volume scanning. |
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| Recommended Usage | High volume scanning, such as load, receive, inventory, and other scenarios where users have a need to scan thousands of barcodes in an hour or less. | Medium to high volume scanning, such as route loading, returns, and multi-stop deliveries at locations that require hundreds of scans. | Low to medium volume scanning, such as pickup and delivery of less than hundreds of scans. |
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| Pros | - AIO devices are built specifically to be used for scanning and therefore are better at supporting barcode symbologies, barcode acquisition, and durability of the overall unit.
- Most AIO devices have larger batteries and are designed for long work cycles.
- The total cost of ownership can be lower for an AIO device when compared to consumer cell phones (CCP) that are replaced yearly.
- Good for high volume (thousands of scans an hour) usages.
- AIO devices are good for management software which provides a standard device configuration for management purposes and can be locked down to exact specifications.
| - While slightly less available than CCP devices, Bluetooth scanners can be purchased at hundreds of stores and online locations.
- Bluetooth scanners can range between $100 - $1000, when combined with a CCP they can deliver similar scanning rate capacities as an AIO.
- Bluetooth scanners have many models and manufacturers, colors, shapes, and symbology support allowing buyers to choose exactly what they need.
- Nearly all CCP devices are sold with the App store as a built-in application allowing users to instantly open the app store and find Nextstop for their device.
| - Availability, CCP devices can be purchased at thousands of locations online and in-store and for as little as FREE.
- As with AIO devices, it's a single device with all hardware to scan barcodes. Camera scanning with Nextstop supports all 1D and most 2D barcode formats.
- CCP devices are multi-use, while a contractor is working they can run Nextstop, when not working it doubles as a business/personal cell phone.
- Camera scanning on Nextstop has two modes, single and continuous scanning which optimizes the suboptimal experience of scanning multiple parcels with a photography camera.
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| Cons | - Less selection and availability compared to CCP devices because there are fewer manufactures.
- Many AIO devices are not operating system upgradable but application developers are forced by Apple and Google to update their applications use the newest versions of the Android and iOS operating systems. For example, the Motorola TC55 shipped with Android 4 and was never upgradeable to newer versions of Android such as version 5,6,7 or newer. This also means that the Motorola TC55 cannot use applications that require the newer Android versions. See this article for more information on developer upgrade requirements.
- The initial cost of AIO devices is usually significantly more than a CCP device.
- AIO devices have mainly been designed for enterprises that want tight control of the usage of the device. Because of this these devices will occasionally have modified versions of Android that allow for additional software to control the unit and remove things that a CCP device would have, like the Google Play store, which is where the majority of users go to install applications and is where you must go to get Nextstop on a device.
- Usually, AIO devices must be ordered through a vendor or distribution channel that can't give you a new unit instantly when needed, unless you purchase costly device replacement programs from the vendors and manufacturers.
| - CCP devices and Bluetooth scanners are not typically rugged and are at higher risk of physical damage if neglected.
- Although a Bluetooth 4.0 scanner is supposed to work with any phone that supports Bluetooth 4.0, real-world usage has revealed that sometimes due to Bluetooth chipset choices by manufacturers certain combinations of phones and scanners will not work reliably.
- Two devices mean you have to keep track of twice as much hardware, loss or misplacement of the Bluetooth scanner is common.
- Multiple chargers are required. Typically the Bluetooth scanner and the CCP will have separate charging ports and require multiple chargers each with a different connection type.
- Establishing connectivity is frequently conveyed as a difficulty that contractors and employees use as an excuse not to scan and will occasionally give up scanning if unable to connect the devices.
- Carriers must do their own research when it comes to Bluetooth scanners or CCP devices. Since CCP and Bluetooth scanners are typically sold online and in-store and not usually in through a distributor model with operations assistance, it's up the carriers tech resources to make informed choices when purchasing.
| - CCP devices are not typically rugged and are at higher risk of physical damage if neglected.
- Camera scanning is the slowest of all the scanning methods because the manufactures did not purpose build the camera for scanning, they built it for photography.
- Camera scanning is much more volatile to light conditions and device capabilities. Photography cameras in CCP devices wildly vary in capability and quality from device to device.
- CCP devices are subject to device health, coupling business applications on a personal device being used for entertainment purposes will not yield optimal Nextstop performance.
- CCP devices typically have lesser quality GPS chipsets than AIO devices, location accuracy can vary since quality and technology is different from device to device.
- Since there are so many manufactures of CCP devices, occasionally with off-brand Android devices Nextstop can have performance issues caused by insufficient CPU, storage, memory, camera, or GPS hardware. Testing by the carrier before buying hardware is always advised before purchasing devices.
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