Advice on bar code scanners and the best app

Shopify Apps
1

Hi All

I need some advice for our online store.

We have recently set up EAN codes for all of our products about 300 active products so now we want to use a barcode scanner system for the stock, orders out, just to keep a better track of the inventory as we are having problems with losing stock and where it is located and the system showing stock when we don’t actually have it.

I am looking for advice on the best app to use and any advice you can give for barcode scanners we have 2 stock locations so i guess we will need a battery type scanner with a memory function.

I will also need a barcode label printer for the products.

So anyone that has experience of this your advice would be hugely helpful

2

FyreTrail can help you with this. FyreTrail offers inventory tracking as far as how many you have in stock, how many you have sold and allows you to put low inventory limits and target inventory limits on every item you have in your store allowing you to easily create new purchase orders to replenish low stock. Purchase orders are tracked based on date, supplier, quantity so you always know what you have coming in at any point in time as well.

Ok, so that’s that, but then you want to scan inventory and track how many you actually have in your physical store too. FyreTrail handles that for you as well by allowing you to create inventory counting “sessions” where you and your team can tackle sections of your store or warehouse and count your items that you actually have. This is compared by what Shopify says you have in stock and you can update those values accordingly. All of this is organized by location not only by what locations you have defined in Shopify, but also by your location definitions that you create (“Section 5” or “Mid-Shelf” or “Area B”, etc.).

In the next few weeks we are releasing some new features in these areas that should help you better target your inventory with cycle counting capabilities and product searching that will help you identify when an item was last scanned, where it was last scanned at, etc.

I think FyreTrail offers everything you’re asking for here.

3

For hardware, get a Zebra ZD410 or Rollo for printing labels. They’re absolute workhorses. For the scanner, the Socket Mobile S740 is the standard bluetooth scanner that integrates perfectly with Shopify and holds a charge all day.

For software, it depends on your exact workflow. If you just want to receive stock and do cycle counts, Stocky (which is free if you use Shopify POS Pro) does the job.

But if you want to scan items as you pack orders to stop shipping the wrong stuff, look at EasyScan. It’s pretty affordable and does exactly what you need for a 300 SKU catalog across a couple locations.

4

I do not disagree, but be careful suggesting Stocky when it is sunsetting August 31st and will no longer be available.

5

Adding EAN codes barcode scanning will definitely help reduce stock errors.

For Shopify, I’d recommend looking at apps like Stocky or inventory tools like SkuVault if you need stronger multi-location control.

For scanners, go with a Bluetooth Zebra or socket mobile scanner.

For label printing, a Zebra or Socket mobile scanner. Make sure the app supports multi-location inventory + stock transfers to avoid mismatches.

6

Hi,

Implementing EAN codes and introducing barcode-based stock control is definitely the right step, especially with 300 active products and multiple stock locations.

From what you’ve described, the main issue is likely not just the lack of scanners, but the absence of a consistent stock movement process. A barcode system can solve a lot of this, but only if it’s set up to track stock properly at every stage.

What you should be looking for

You’ll want a setup that covers three areas:

1) Inventory / barcode management app

Choose an app that can handle:

  • barcode scanning

  • stock counts

  • stock transfers between locations

  • order picking / packing

  • inventory adjustments

  • ideally bin or shelf location tracking

That last part is important, because if products are physically in the wrong place, Shopify can still show stock even when your team can’t actually find it.

2) Wireless barcode scanners

For your setup, I would strongly recommend:

  • wireless / battery-powered scanners

  • ideally with memory / batch mode

That way, staff can scan products while walking around the warehouse or between locations, then sync later if needed.

This is especially useful for:

  • stock takes

  • receiving deliveries

  • moving stock between locations

  • picking orders

3) Thermal barcode label printer

A thermal label printer is the best option for product labels and shelf labels because they are:

  • faster

  • cleaner

  • more reliable

  • better for regular warehouse use

The real fix: improve the stock workflow

This is the part that usually solves the problem.

Even with the best app and hardware, stock issues will continue unless every movement is tracked consistently.

Recommended workflow

When stock comes in:

  • Scan every product in

  • Assign it to the correct stock location

  • If possible, assign it to a specific shelf/bin

When stock is moved:

  • Always scan it out of one location

  • Then scan it into the other location

When orders are being fulfilled:

  • Scan products during picking

  • Scan again during packing

This helps prevent dispatch mistakes and catches missing items before the order leaves.

Ongoing stock control:

  • Run regular cycle counts instead of waiting for a full stock take

  • For example, count part of the inventory weekly instead of everything at once every few months

That usually makes a huge difference in keeping stock accurate.

Best type of setup for your situation

With 300 products and 2 locations, I would personally focus on a system that includes:

  • a barcode inventory app that supports multi-location stock

  • 2 wireless scanners

  • 1 thermal label printer

  • clear bin / shelf labelling

  • a strict rule that nothing moves without being scanned

That’s what will actually stop stock from “disappearing” or showing in the system when it’s not physically there.

One important tip before you buy anything

Before choosing an app or hardware, I’d make sure it can do all of the following:

  • work properly with Shopify multi-location inventory

  • support stock transfers

  • support stock counts

  • support order picking / packing

  • work with your chosen scanner and label printer

A lot of apps sound good at first, but only handle one part of the process.

In short

If your goal is to fix stock accuracy and improve order handling, I’d recommend building a setup around:

  • barcode scanning

  • location-based stock tracking

  • thermal label printing

  • and most importantly, a disciplined scanning process for every stock movement

That combination will give you much better control over:

  • missing stock

  • inaccurate inventory

  • stock sitting in the wrong location

  • dispatch errors

  • products showing as available when they aren’t actually there

8

Thank you for all the great replies this really helps me with the guidance you have given