Partner Stories

Barcode Scanning vs. Manual Entry in Business Central: Which One Works Best for Your Counter Sale

Published by Insight Works

At busy trade desks and parts counters, fast and accurate transactions drive productivity. Sales teams need a system that supports real-time order processing without slowing them down. The Counter Sales app from Insight Works offers two ways to enter item data: barcode scanning and manual entry.

Counter Sales is a point-of-sale solution designed for parts counters, trade desks, and smaller outlet stores. Seamlessly integrated with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, the app equips teams with tools that streamline checkout, simplify payments, and keep inventory accurate across all locations.

Counter Sales Designed for Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central 

Deciding between barcode scanning vs. manual entry depends on your sales environment. Both methods serve different needs, and each provides advantages that impact speed, accuracy, and integration.

Manual Entry: Flexible and Familiar

Manual entry supports a wide range of sales scenarios. Whether handling one-off items, serialized products, or items without barcodes, sales reps search using item numbers, descriptions, or attributes. This method enables complete control when entering orders.

Enhanced Item Search

The Enhanced Item Search interface provides advanced filtering options to locate items based on descriptions, attributes, or locations. It offers detailed inventory visibility and availability, helping sales teams efficiently find and manage product information.

Benefits of manual entry:

  • Compatible with all items in the system
  • Supports custom searches using attributes, categories, and cross-references
  • Enables upselling with “frequently bought together” and “related items”
  • Provides pricing visibility and manual overrides when needed

Manual entry gives sales reps flexibility, but it also introduces more room for error. Typing item numbers manually takes more time, and even small mistakes can cause problems at fulfillment or invoicing.

Price Check and Availability

The Price Check feature allows users to input item details, calculate pricing, and view inventory availability across multiple locations. This functionality ensures accurate pricing and streamlined stock checks, supporting informed sales decisions and enhancing customer satisfaction.

Barcode Scanning: Fast, Accurate, and Purpose-Built for Counters

When inventory includes barcodes, barcode scanning builds sales orders faster and more reliably than manual methods. Each scan instantly adds the correct item, including quantity and pricing.

Quick Scan Functionality

The Quick Scan feature facilitates rapid order processing by allowing users to scan barcodes directly. It includes detailed item information, availability across locations, and real-time calculations of totals, ensuring fast and accurate order completion.

Benefits of barcode scanning:

  • Increases checkout speed by reducing manual steps
  • Minimizes entry errors
  • Supports USB and tablet-based barcode scanners
  • Integrates with receipt printers and cash drawers for a complete POS setup

Sales reps scan items directly from the counter or while assisting customers on the floor. Tablets equipped with scanners enable mobile sales, which creates a smoother experience and reduces wait times.

Dashboard Overview

This interface provides a comprehensive overview of Counter Sales activities. It highlights pending orders, returns, and user tasks, enabling efficient management of sales workflows. Insights into locations and items are readily accessible, offering immediate visibility into inventory and operations for quick decision-making.

Choose the Right Tool for the Job

Teams often find the most success by using both methods. Barcode scanning is ideal for high-volume or repeat items, while manual entry fits situations that require more flexibility—such as product lookups, substitutions, or partial returns.

The Counter Sales app enables users to seamlessly switch between barcode scanning and manual entry without disrupting the system or slowing down. Whether handling a quick sale or a detailed quote, sales reps stay in control and keep transactions moving.

Understanding when to use barcode scanning vs. manual entry enables teams to work more efficiently, reduce mistakes, and serve customers better.

Equip Your Team with the Right Tools

The Counter Sales app from Insight Works enhances Business Central with a purpose-built solution for professional sales environments. Whether scanning barcodes or entering item details manually, your sales team gains the tools to process orders faster, more accurately, and with less effort.

Set up your sales terminals to support both entry methods. Tailor the experience to how your business operates. And keep your checkout process as efficient as the rest of your workflow.

To learn more about Counter Sales, visit POSforDynamics.com or reach out to your Microsoft Partner today.

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