The Motorola MT2000 Batch Scanner

Say goodbye to an old friend and hello to the new kid in town

For many years Fabricare Manager users have depended on the Motorola Symbol P460 for reliable batch scanning and inventory control.  But Motorola has decided to retire the P460 and replace it with its next generation mobile scanner, the MT2000.  We'll miss the P460 as it was ergonomic, simple to use, very rugged and had a great scan engine for dependable bar code reads.

When we heard the P460 scanner was at its end of life in 2010, we immediately began development on its replacement, the MT2000.  This scanner does not disappoint either.  It comes with a bigger, brighter color screen, Windows Mobile® operating system, and quick keys on its keypad for easy navigation.  Although it's a much more high tech design, the scanner's ease-of-use features makes it a perfect fit for batch scanning racked invoices, route delivery invoices, and performing physical inventories just like the P460.  Because it uses an industrial strength Bluetooth® radio to communicate with its cradle, it's even faster and easier to download batches of data into Fabricare Manager.

Inventory control made easy

When we began developing the batch applications that would reside in the MT2000, we decided that not only should the "must have" features of the P460 be included, but newer capabilities should be added as well to make batch management much easier to do.  Because the screen was bigger, the operating system more powerful and the memory capacity larger, it became an easy task for us to include all the new features we knew customers needed. 

One such feature was the ability to automatically retain a backup of a batch scanned.  This would allow users to view data in the prior batch at any time or restore the prior batch in case of emergency.  But since the MT2000 had plenty of storage capacity, we decided to retain two prior backups instead of one.  That meant that along with the current batch, the scanner could hold three separate batches.  With a few presses of a button, the user could review data from any of the three batches or restore one of the two prior backups for downloading. 

We also wanted an easy way to review data and delete single invoices or invoice/rack pairs within a batch.  So we devised a means to load the batch into a grid and scroll through rows using the up and down rocker key.  The grid shows not only the bar codes scanned, but also the date and time they were scanned to make the data easily identifiable.  Deleting a bar code couldn't be easier. Highlight a row, press the delete button and verify you wish to delete.

Beyond scanning and maintaining batches, we also wanted the scanner to instantly scan various bar codes into the screens of Fabricare Manager.  So we added an "Instant Scan" menu item that would allow just that.  The instant scan feature can also be used to scan the pairing bar code of a Bluetooth® cradle or scan any required cradle setup bar codes.

Because the graphical interface is so easy to use, you might decide not to read the handy User Guide provided.  The guide explains in detail all you need to know about the operation of the scanner, the applications installed, and contains an easy troubleshooting section in case you need it.  After over a year of testing and use in the field, we're sure you'll agree that the MT2000 is the perfect companion for recording and controlling inventory with Fabricare Manager.  And like the P460, you'll find the MT2000 is just as reliable but even easier to use.

For more information on the MT2000 and our Motorola partner, please visit the Motorola Web Site.