📷Barcode Scanning

Sorter allows users to use the camera to scan item barcodes. By matching these barcodes with existing ones, you can quickly restock items.

The inspiration for Sorter's barcode scanning feature comes from the self-checkout experience at supermarkets. After purchasing items, you can scan them to record all items. If an existing item is scanned, it will be Scan to Restock. If a new barcode is scanned, it will Scan to Add New Item. Scanning the same item three times will count the item quantity as three. This allows you to quickly input all items into Sorter by scanning, and then refine the information as you use the app.

Barcode scanning is commonly used in the following 3 scenarios:

1. Scan to Add New Item

2. Add barcode to item

3. Scan to Restock

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Here's an explanation why we haven't achieved the functionality to directly retrieve basic information of the item by scanning its barcode.

1. The reason is due to cost constraints.

Sorter is currently operated by just two individuals: myself as a full-time employee and another team member who contributes part-time. The revenue generated by Sorter isn't sufficient to cover our operational costs, so we are essentially operating at no profit. Introducing the capability to match item information would necessitate acquiring an additional server and accessing an information API, which would escalate our expenses. This doesn't account for the additional time and effort required from both of us.

We aim to sustain Sorter for as long as possible, so while Sorter isn't yet able to support our livelihoods, I strive to minimize additional expenses. The potential costs associated with this feature aren't negligible for us at this stage.

2. Due to limitations in capability

I mentioned earlier that while I am also responsible for Sorter's development, my main background has been in product design. I've been self-learning development later on, and this alone has been quite exhausting for me. Adding server-related learning on top of this is simply beyond my capabilities at the moment.

If someday these two issues can be resolved, we will continue to improve this feature. Of course, if there are simpler and free solutions available now, please let me know. We will do our best to make Sorter better.

Thank you for your understanding. Much appreciated! 🙏