PostalPoint supports the USB HID POS specification for barcode scanners. However, many scanners do not follow the specification, and the ones which do typically require additional setup. Check your scanner's manual for those instructions. Non-compliant scanners will be evaluated and support added on a model-by-model basis.
PostalPoint also supports barcode scanners which present as serial or serial-over-USB. If your scanners supports both serial and USB HID, HID is preferred as the setup within PostalPoint is automatic. If PostalPoint won't respond to your scanner, change modes and try again.
USB scanners in the certified list should automatically work in PostalPoint once placed in the correct mode by scanning a programming barcode from the owner's manual.
If you're using a scanner that isn't on the supported list, print a test label from Settings → Printers → Label Printer → Print Test Label and, with PostalPoint open, scan the test barcodes on the label. After scanning a test barcode, PostalPoint will report if the scanned barcode was successfully received by PostalPoint. These barcodes are designed such that they contain all the characters (letters, numbers, symbols, and invisible codes) you're likely to encounter in typical shipping barcodes.
Notes about keyboard mode scanners
Keyboard mode (a.k.a. wedge mode) is the default data transmission mode on most barcode scanners. In this mode, the scanner identifies as a keyboard and simply "types" the digits in the barcode very quickly. There are significant speed, accuracy, and security drawbacks to this mode, but because most computer programs allow data entry via keyboard, it's a compromise that allows instant and hassle-free compatibility between barcode scanners and nearly any software.
Starting with v0.45 of PostalPoint, if you cannot make your barcode scanner work in USB HID POS mode, or you need it to also work in other software which expects the scanner to behave as a keyboard, you can select the "Emulated Keyboard" barcode scanner type in PostalPoint's settings.
PostalPoint detects a "keyboard mode" barcode scanner by monitoring the speed of key presses; scanners typically "type" much faster than a human can. This means barcodes should be scanned in PostalPoint without "clicking into" a text box. Barcode scans are detected and routed to the correct place automatically.
However, scanning barcodes in this mode is much slower than HID POS or serial and can result in barcodes accidentally being typed into text input boxes if a text box was clicked into before scanning.
Not all scanners will be able to correctly scan all barcodes when in keyboard mode; when a barcode contains non-typable characters (and many do, including USPS and FedEx labels), scanners can react in a variety of ways, not all of which can be supported by PostalPoint. Print a test label and scan the barcodes on it to verify if your scanner is compatible.
If you run into trouble, send us the contents of the Scanner Info Log in Settings → Hardware, and a clear photo of the barcode that didn't scan correctly, and we'll see if we can make your scanner work better in the next update.
Certified Scanners
Recommended (USB HID POS compliant)
Wired scanners:
Honeywell Voyager XP 1470g Setup instructions
Eyoyo EY-H2 Setup instructions
Wireless scanners:
Honeywell Voyager XP 1472g with cradle 1472g CCB Setup instructions
Teemi TMSL-55CR with cradle Setup instructions, purchase link
Other Supported USB scanners
These scanners are also certified, even though they don't actually follow the USB POS transmission standard. PostalPoint automatically detects these scanners and uses a special decoding routine to handle them. We added this support because they are very affordable and can be mounted on a self-serve kiosk.
HZGrow GM812, GM805, GM861 (set to "HID-POS" using the scanner's manual)