How Ivanhoe Group Can Help You Choose the Right Barcode Equipment

Updated

Ivanhoe Group helps you choose barcode equipment by combining product demos, category-based equipment matching, multi-brand comparison, and site-level services such as RF site surveys and connectivity software advice. It is a good fit if you are planning new technology, replacing end-of-life devices, or unsure which scanner, mobile computer, or printer matches your workflow. The site does not publish prices, so treat it as a selection and planning resource, then request a quote for commercial terms.

Start With Demos If You Have Not Chosen a Product

The site states directly: "Not sure what product you need? We help you plan for new technology." This is the lowest-risk entry point when your requirement is still vague — for example, you need to equip a warehouse team with handhelds but have not decided between a keypad mobile computer and a touch computer.

What to prepare before asking for a demo:

  • The task the device performs (scanning, label printing, vehicle-mounted picking, cold-storage work)
  • The environment (freezer, vehicle, dusty floor, office)
  • Which existing systems the device must connect to

The demo is positioned as planning help, not a self-serve tool, so expect to describe your operation rather than browse a catalog alone.

Match Your Need to the Equipment Categories on the Site

Ivanhoe organizes its offering into categories you can use as a checklist. Each category maps to a distinct operational need:

Category on site Use it when you need
Scanning Handheld or presentation scanning at a station or on the floor
Mobile Computers Workers carrying a computing device with scanning built in
Scanners Standalone barcode scanners
Cold Storage Devices rated for freezer and cold-chain environments
Vehicle Mount Computers Forklift or vehicle-mounted terminals
Printing Label and barcode printers, including industrial models
Braincase / Refurbished Lower-cost or replacement units

The featured products illustrate the range: Zebra MC3100/MC3190, MC3200, MC9300 (including a freezer variant, MC930P-GFCCG4RW), Honeywell CK75, Symbol/Motorola MC92N0, Zebra DS3678-SR and DS8178 cordless scanner kits, Zebra TC51, TC75/TC77, TC8000 touch computers, and the Zebra ZT230 industrial printer.

A practical way to use this: write down your environment first (freezer, vehicle, handheld, desktop printing), then narrow to the matching category before comparing individual models. That prevents the common mistake of shortlisting a general-purpose scanner for a cold-storage job.

Compare Across Brands Instead of Locking Into One

Ivanhoe supports multiple brands — Datalogic, Datamax, Honeywell, Intermec, LXE, Monarch, Motorola, Psion Teklogix, Sato, Symbol, and Zebra. Because the same reseller covers these lines, you can compare form factor, ruggedness, and OS generation across brands in one conversation rather than piecing together separate vendor quotes.

Two comparison dimensions worth raising explicitly:

  • Lifecycle status. The site addresses "Equipment End of Life, End of Service" and notes "Now you have options." If a model you own is being retired, ask whether to replace with a current equivalent or a refurbished unit.
  • New vs. refurbished. Both are offered, and the stated aim is minimizing operational downtime through expedited repair or replacement. If budget or lead time is the constraint, refurbished is a legitimate path — confirm condition and warranty terms in the quote.

Use Site Services to De-risk the Deployment

Selection does not end at the device. The site lists services that affect whether the chosen equipment actually works in your facility:

  • RF Site Survey — relevant if you are deploying wireless mobile computers and need to confirm coverage before committing to a device count.
  • Connectivity Software — relevant if devices must integrate with your existing network or host systems.
  • QuickTurn Repair — relevant after purchase: you submit symptoms through the RMA Portal and mail the equipment; the site states that within 24 hours of receipt the unit is tested, the issue diagnosed, and an estimate sent.
  • Trade/Sell — relevant if you are retiring legacy equipment and want to offset new purchases.

For a first-time buyer, the RF site survey is the item most often skipped and most likely to cause a rollout to underperform.

A Workable Sequence

  1. Define the task and environment for each device role.
  2. Shortlist by category (scanning, mobile computing, printing, cold storage, vehicle mount).
  3. Request a demo to validate the shortlist against your workflow.
  4. If wireless handhelds are involved, ask about an RF site survey and connectivity software guidance.
  5. Request a quote for the confirmed models, specifying new or refurbished.
  6. Keep the RMA Portal and QuickTurn process in mind for post-deployment support.

What the Site Does Not Tell You

Pricing, lead times, and warranty specifics are not published on the pages reviewed. Do not assume any model is in stock or that refurbished units carry the same terms as new ones — those details belong in the quote. Contact is available by phone at (770) 631-1184 or through the Request a Quote and Ask a Technical Question forms.