Whether organized privately or publically, education systems are utilizing bar code scanning technology to improve operations - and save costs. The ability to automatically capture information without error is allowing these facilities to gain the operational efficiency advantages they need for asset tracking, records management, bill payment and more without the major price tag. This allows schools to focus on what truly matters - learning.
Schools have a lot of resources to track and these resources take up a tremendous amount of the allocated budget. By using bar codes for resource tracking applications, education facilities will be able to maintain an accurate inventory database ensuring the equipment is being used and returned properly. This can help save resource costs and enhance the efficiency of daily practices. Additionally, bar code readers can be used to maintain student databases as well as bill payment programs for tuition, necessary school supplies and more.

	Document Handling Schools have thousands of records of student and staff information, facility information, finance documents and more to maintain. Bar code readers can replace manual document handling operations by automatically tracking the movement, filing, location, archival, maintenance and destruction of a school's documents. This system allows the staff to identify documents quickly by reading a unique bar code to enhance productivity as well as significantly reduce data entry errors.
	Image Capture Bar code scanners with image capture capabilities allow important documents such as checks, ID documents and more to be easily and automatically captured and stored in the student's records by taking a ‘picture' of document when scanning. Image capture can also be used for signature capture and more, eliminating the need for costly supplemental devices often placed outside employees work area. By using image capture, schools can reduce paper waste and further enhance student services.
	Bill Payment In many countries, bar code scanners are being used to facilitate efficient bill payment programs in the school system. With bar code readers in place, education systems will be able to efficiently collect bill payments as well as accurately distribute bills to the right student or family member. Generally, 2D bar codes are used for bill payment applications with the ability to store more data in equal or less space. In order to read these codes, a 2D bar code reader or ‘area imager' is required.
	Asset Management From expensive assets like AV equipment and computers that must be maintained due to constant use to supplies such as textbooks and calculators that can easily get misplaced or "walk away," a proper asset management system is required to avoid unnecessary loss. Without bar code data capture, too much time can be spent figuring out the location or status of resources. This allows the education staff to maintain their focus on the students while reducing costs associated with repurchasing supplies.
	Inventory Management Using mobile computers or bar code scanners, a cost-saving inventory management system can be created to track important supplies, materials and equipment. A reliable and accurate database for complete and partial inventory levels can be maintained by simply scanning items when used and when new materials are received. The collected data can be uploaded to a central computer system in regular batches or in real time. This allows for better forecasting, reducing the chance of stock-outs, overstocks, and emergency shipments.