01
What Are You Scanning?
Identify every barcode employees will scan during daily work.
- Products and SKUs
- Bins and shelves
- Cartons and pallets
- Lots and serial numbers
Finale Inventory Buying Guide
Descartes Finale Inventory Hardware Guide
Complete Hardware Buying Guide for Descartes Finale Inventory
Learn how to select mobile computers, barcode scanners, label printers, rugged tablets, charging accessories, barcode labels and thermal-transfer ribbons for receiving, putaway, picking, packing, cycle counting and multi-location inventory management.
Mobile Computers
Barcode Scanners
Label Printers
Labels and Ribbons
Workflow Bundles
Build Around the Workflow
Receiving
Scan inbound inventory and print missing labels.
Putaway
Verify products and destination warehouse locations.
Picking
Confirm the correct product, location and quantity.
Packing
Verify orders and print shipping labels.
Cycle Counts
Record physical inventory with mobile scanning.
Transfers
Track movement between bins, rooms and warehouses.
Guide Navigation
Find the Hardware Information You Need
Use the links below to jump directly to the most relevant section.
Start Here
Six Questions to Answer Before Buying Hardware
Hardware should be selected around the actual warehouse environment, scanning distance, print volume and number of active users.
02
How Far Away Is the Barcode?
The required scanning distance determines the scan engine.
- Close-range product labels
- Shelf and rack locations
- Elevated pallet positions
- Forklift and long-range use
03
Where Will It Be Used?
The environment determines the required ruggedness.
- Retail stockroom
- Warehouse or dock
- Manufacturing floor
- Cold storage or outdoor use
04
What Labels Are Required?
Match the printer and media to the label lifespan.
- Shipping labels
- Product labels
- Bin and shelf labels
- Rack and pallet labels
05
How Many Users Are Active?
User count affects device quantity, charging and spare hardware.
- Dedicated or shared devices
- Single or multiple shifts
- Spare-device pool
- Multi-slot charging
06
How Much Will You Print?
Print volume determines whether desktop or industrial is best.
- Labels per day
- Number of workstations
- Shared or dedicated printer
- Media-change frequency
Finale Warehouse Process
How Hardware Supports the Inventory Workflow
A complete hardware program connects every stage from inbound receiving through final shipment.
01
Purchase Order
02
Receiving
03
Print Labels
04
Putaway
05
Cycle Counts
06
Picking
07
Packing
08
Shipping
Receiving and Putaway
Scan incoming items, capture quantities, print missing labels and assign inventory to warehouse locations.
Recommended hardware
Picking and Verification
Guide employees to the correct location and verify the product before it reaches the packing station.
Recommended hardware
Packing and Shipping
Verify order contents, weigh parcels and print carrier labels from a fixed workstation.
Recommended hardware
Cycle Counting
Move through bins and locations while recording physical quantities with a lightweight mobile device.
Recommended hardware
Stock Transfers
Scan source and destination locations when inventory moves between bins, rooms, facilities or retail locations.
Recommended hardware
Lot and Serial Tracking
Capture detailed identifiers and print durable labels for traceable inventory.
Recommended hardware
Device Type
Mobile Computer vs. Standalone Barcode Scanner
Both scan barcodes, but they serve different roles in a Finale Inventory deployment.
| Feature | Mobile Computer | Barcode Scanner |
|---|---|---|
| Runs Finale | Yes, directly on the Android device | No, connects to another computer or tablet |
| Display | Integrated touchscreen or keypad display | No application display |
| Best Location | Warehouse-wide mobile workflows | Fixed receiving or packing stations |
| Primary Uses | Receiving, putaway, picking, counts and transfers | Verification, packing and workstation scanning |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and optional cellular | USB, Bluetooth or wireless base station |
| Charging | Device and battery cradles | Not required for corded models; cradle for wireless |
Hardware Categories
Choosing Mobile Computers and Barcode Scanners
Match the form factor and scan range to the frequency, distance and environment of the work.
Smartphone-Style Mobile Computers
Familiar touchscreen devices for receiving, counts, transfers and general warehouse mobility.
Best for
- Touch-driven workflows
- Product images and detail
- Compact mobile use
- General receiving and picking
Examples
- Zebra TC22 / TC27
- Zebra TC58
- Honeywell CT47
- Unitech EA660
Keypad and Pistol-Grip Computers
Warehouse handhelds designed for repetitive scanning, physical keys and long shifts.
Best for
- High-volume picking
- Gloved operation
- Rack and pallet scanning
- Physical data entry
Examples
- Zebra MC3400 / MC3450
- Zebra MC9400 / MC9450
- Unitech HT730 Plus
- Datalogic Skorpio X5
General-Purpose Barcode Scanners
Corded and wireless scanners for receiving desks, packing stations and product verification.
Best for
- Fixed workstations
- Close-range barcodes
- Carton verification
- USB or Bluetooth use
Examples
- Zebra DS2208 / DS2278
- Datalogic Gryphon 4500
- Honeywell Voyager XP
- Wasp WWS550i
Ultra-Rugged and Extended-Range Scanners
Industrial scanners for docks, high racks, pallets and demanding warehouse environments.
Best for
- Loading docks
- High-rack labels
- Pallet locations
- Dust, drops and moisture
Examples
- Zebra DS3608 / DS3678
- Datalogic PowerScan 9600
- Honeywell Granit Ultra
- Wasp WWS752
Label Printing
Choosing the Right Barcode Label Printer
The main decisions are desktop versus industrial, direct thermal versus thermal transfer and 203 dpi versus 300 dpi.
Desktop Label Printers
Compact printers for individual receiving, labeling and shipping workstations.
Best for
- Moderate print volume
- One primary user
- Shipping labels
- Product and bin labels
Examples
- Zebra ZD421
- Zebra ZD621
- Citizen CL-E300 / CL-E303
- Star mC-Label3
Industrial Label Printers
High-capacity printers for shared warehouse use and continuous label production.
Best for
- High daily volume
- Multiple users
- Large media rolls
- Carton and pallet labels
Examples
- Zebra ZT231
- Zebra ZT411
- Citizen CL-S700III
- SATO CL4NX Plus
| Decision | Option One | Option Two | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Print Method | Direct thermal: no ribbon, short-life labels | Thermal transfer: ribbon, durable labels | Use direct thermal for shipping and thermal transfer for locations |
| Printer Class | Desktop: compact and moderate volume | Industrial: high volume and large rolls | Choose industrial when downtime and media changes are costly |
| Resolution | 203 dpi: standard labels | 300 dpi: smaller, denser labels | Use 300 dpi for small lot, serial and product labels |
| Connectivity | USB: one workstation | Ethernet or Wi-Fi: shared printer | Use Ethernet for centralized warehouse printing |
Barcode Media
Labels, Materials, Adhesives and Ribbons
Choose media based on how long the label must last and what it will face after application.
Paper Labels
Economical labels for indoor product, carton and temporary inventory identification.
Polypropylene Labels
Synthetic labels with improved resistance to moisture, tearing and warehouse handling.
Polyester Labels
Long-term labels for equipment, racks, harsh environments and demanding identification.
Wax Ribbon
Economical thermal-transfer ribbon for standard paper labels and indoor warehouse use.
Wax-Resin Ribbon
More durable ribbon for coated paper, polypropylene and warehouse-location labels.
Resin Ribbon
High-durability ribbon for polyester, chemicals, freezer environments and long-term identification.
| Label Type | Recommended Material | Print Method | Common Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shipping Label | Direct-thermal paper | Direct thermal | 4 × 6 inches |
| Product Label | Paper or polypropylene | Direct thermal or thermal transfer | 2.25 × 1.25, 3 × 1 or 4 × 2 |
| Bin or Shelf Label | Polypropylene | Thermal transfer | 3 × 1 or 4 × 2 |
| Rack Label | Polyester or retroreflective | Thermal transfer | 4 × 6 or larger |
| Lot or Serial Label | Paper, polypropylene or polyester | Thermal transfer | Application-specific |
| Freezer Label | Cold-rated synthetic | Thermal transfer | Application-specific |
Complete Configurations
Recommended Descartes Finale Hardware Bundles
Use these packages as starting points. Device quantities, scan engines, printer models, accessories and consumables can be adjusted.
New Barcode Program
Finale Inventory Launch Kit
A compact setup for smaller ecommerce, wholesale and retail inventory operations.
- Zebra TC22 mobile computer
- Zebra ZD421 label printer
- Single-slot charging cradle
- Product and shipping labels
- Optional spare battery
Receiving and Putaway
Finale Receiving Kit
A mobile receiving and location-labeling package for growing warehouse teams.
- Zebra TC58 mobile computer
- Zebra ZD621 thermal-transfer printer
- Charging and spare battery options
- Product, bin and location labels
- Wax-resin ribbon
Picking and Packing
Finale Fulfillment Kit
A complete order-picking and packing-station configuration.
- Zebra TC58 or MC3400
- Zebra DS2208 packing scanner
- Zebra ZD421 shipping printer
- Multi-slot charging
- 4 × 6 shipping labels
Inventory Accuracy
Finale Count and Transfer Kit
Lightweight mobile hardware for cycle counts and movement between locations.
- Zebra TC22 or TC27
- Protective boot and hand strap
- Shared charging cradle
- Spare battery
- Replacement location labels
Lot and Serial Control
Finale Traceability Kit
Higher-resolution scanning and printing for detailed product identification.
- Zebra TC58 2D mobile computer
- Zebra ZD621 300 dpi printer
- Polypropylene or polyester labels
- Wax-resin or resin ribbon
- Optional high-density scanner
High-Volume Warehouse
Finale High-Velocity Kit
Rugged multi-user hardware for busy fulfillment and distribution operations.
- Zebra MC3400 or MC3450 devices
- Zebra ZT411 or Citizen CL-S700III
- Zebra DS3678 rugged scanner
- Multi-slot charging and spare batteries
- Carton, pallet and location labels
Avoid These Problems
Common Finale Hardware Buying Mistakes
Most deployment problems come from selecting hardware without considering the full workflow and operating environment.
Buying a standard-range scanner for high-rack locations.
Using consumer phones for high-volume warehouse scanning.
Forgetting spare batteries and charging positions.
Using direct-thermal labels for permanent rack identification.
Selecting a desktop printer for continuous high-volume printing.
Ordering labels without checking core size and roll diameter.
Choosing the wrong ribbon formulation or winding direction.
Ignoring warehouse Wi-Fi coverage and roaming performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Descartes Finale Inventory Hardware FAQ
Can Finale Inventory run on Android mobile computers?
Android enterprise mobile computers are commonly used for
mobile receiving, picking, cycle counting and stock-transfer
workflows. Confirm the current application and device
requirements before ordering.
Should I use a mobile computer or Bluetooth scanner?
Use a mobile computer when the employee needs to run Finale and
scan throughout the warehouse. Use a Bluetooth scanner when
another computer, phone or tablet provides the application
screen.
Do I need a 2D barcode scanner?
A 2D scanner is the safest choice for most new deployments
because it can read common 1D barcodes as well as QR Code,
Data Matrix and PDF417.
What scanner range is best for warehouse racks?
Standard range is suitable for close product and bin labels.
Flex range is useful for mixed distances. Extended range is
recommended for high racks, pallets and forklift workflows.
What printer is best for 4 × 6 shipping labels?
A four-inch direct-thermal desktop printer such as the Zebra
ZD421 or Citizen CL-E300 is a common choice for moderate-volume
shipping stations.
When should I choose an industrial label printer?
Choose an industrial printer when labels are printed throughout
the day, several employees share the printer or larger label
and ribbon rolls are needed.
Should warehouse-location labels be direct thermal?
Thermal-transfer printing is generally better for permanent
warehouse locations because the print is more durable and can
be paired with synthetic label materials.
What ribbon should I use for warehouse labels?
Wax ribbon is economical for paper. Wax-resin is a strong choice
for coated paper and polypropylene. Resin is best for polyester,
chemicals, freezer conditions and harsh environments.
How many spare mobile computers should I purchase?
Mission-critical deployments commonly maintain a spare pool.
A practical starting point is one spare for smaller deployments
and approximately ten percent spare capacity for larger fleets.
Can ShopPOSPortal configure complete Finale hardware kits?
Hardware kits can include mobile computers, scanners, printers,
charging, batteries, protective accessories, labels, ribbons
and standardized configurations for one or multiple locations.
Finale Hardware Configuration Support
Build the Right Hardware Program for Your Warehouse
Share your workflows, user count, scan distance, label sizes, print volume and operating environment. ShopPOSPortal can help configure mobile devices, scanners, printers, charging, accessories and consumables for Descartes Finale Inventory.