30-Plus Years of C-Store Scanning Solutions

SSCS’s software development history incorporates a notable series of handheld scanning devices.

The key to c-store profitability is a by-item approach to tracking inventory. From its earliest days SSCS has worked toward developing software to help retailers find hidden inventory profit without disrupting their daily work flow. Today we refer to the software as the Computerized Daily Book (CDB) Inventory Management Solution.

The handheld device plays a vital part in managing inventory with technology. It’s a barcode scanner and mobile computer combined; our delivery and inventory software runs on it. By simply pointing and squeezing, a customer can capture complete item information right from the shelf.

Over the decades we’ve curated and approved a number of handheld devices to work with the rest of our inventory software. As technology evolves, they evolve. Here’s a short trip down memory lane to remind you how far we’ve come.

Telxon PTC-710

The Telxon was the first handheld scanning device integrated to work with the CDB, beta tested in 1989 at a local service station in Carmel, California, an hour or so away from our Salinas headquarters.

At this time, the CDB ran on DOS. So did this device. In those days, SSCS handled deliveries and inventory audits with two completely different pieces of software. When they were integrated in 1993, the Telxon was still in use. The handheld’s look is indicative of an era that gave rise to the unflattering device nickname, “brick.”

Symbol PDT3100

The PDT3100 marked a serious step forward for the handheld. Though the software remained DOS-based, it featured improved performance in such areas as file transfers and processing, with greatly improved usability.

Though running on DOS, the PDT3100 was still around when SSCS introduced its first version of Windows-based CDB in 1999. Our development team integrated the PDT3100 to be compatible with the Windows-based parts of the Inventory Management Solution. This platform proved to be an enduring one that customers used long after its introduction.

Symbol/Zebra MC3000 Series

Introduced in 2006, the MC3000 series marked the end of DOS-based handheld software. The new device ran on Windows CE and represented a considerable upgrade in functionality and processing power over DOS-based software.

This model allowed SSCS customers to exercise significantly more control over inventory and pricing information with the device right in their hands. In addition, it was capable of interfacing with selected belt printers, themselves perfect for placing new and updated barcode labels at the shelf.

This popular handheld continues to be a dependable workhorse for SSCS customers, and has gone through several model improvements (from the MC3000 through the MC3200).

DataLogic Memor 10

A new breed of handheld computer/scanners has emerged over the past few years, which marry the familiarity and ease of use of a Smartphone operating system with the durability of a rugged use device. We’re happy to provide this option to our customers, through the DataLogic Memor 10.

The Memor 10 has an Android operating system just like a Smartphone. The look and feel is familiar, and our developers work within Android standards to build a similarly friendly interface.

The Memor 10 is available now from SSCS, stepping up and taking its rightful place in the CDB Inventory Management System. In addition, our brand new Lottery Management software runs on it, as well.

As you can see, it’s definitely not a brick.

We hoped you enjoyed this recap. As you can see, we’ve been working with handheld devices and inventory management solutions for some time now, so if you have any questions about either, please call (800) 755-1800 and ask for Sales.