Barcode Education

Bar Slot technology is similar to wand technology. From appearance alone, a bar slot reader looks very much like a magnetic stripe reader. However, rather than using the magnetic stripe technology to decode information, bar slot readers only decode bar codes.

Bar slot technology is primarily used for access control and time and attendance applications. Typically, the front or back of a paper or plastic card is bar coded with the appropriate symbology. If paper is used, the card is usually laminated with a plastic coat to protect the card. Bar slot technology is primarily used over magnetic stripe when cards must be produced in-house. Barcodes have historically been easier to print and less expensive to produce than using magnetic encoders.