History

Here are some highlights from our company history.

1997
Barcode Automation, inc. is founded by a few former employees of LazerData Corporation. After working with the model LD7000 Barcode Scanner for years, we knew the problems with it but there was a lack of interest from LazerData in fixing them. There had to be a better way to build a product, and a better way to run a company.

So with life savings, a big garage, and 80-90 hour weeks, we set out on a mission. Within 5 months we had a working product prototype, and within 9 months the original model BA-200 was in production. We accomplished this with a total development cost of only tens of thousands, not the hundreds of thousands or millions that LazerData had projected.

We kept costs down by concentrating on the task at hand, which was making a product that would do (very well) the job it needed to do and nothing else. We kept product reliability very high by designing it to meet the worst case environmental conditions that would be encountered. As a result, even now model BA-200 readers are still working anywhere from the +120 degree desert in southern California to the -20 degree weather in Northern Maine.

1998
We determined that sources for the special decals required for Vehicle Access Control were very slow, overly expensive and delivered marginal quality. So we were off on another mission, researching, testing, rejecting, more researching, testing, etc... until we found the perfect source for decals. A source that delivers in 4 to 6 days, not 4 to 6 weeks, at a much lower price, and near perfect quality.

Armed with the BA-200 reader and quality decals we set out to become the leading manufacturer of barcode equipment for Automatic Vehicle Identification.

2001
Introduced the BA-300 Card Drop reader for tracking visitor access to gated communities and commercial businesses.  Using our proven barcode technology to read inexpensive drop cards, this unit was designed to control an unattended exit for visitors.

2002
Following extensive testing we begin to offer new barcode decal colors.  For the first time in the Access Control industry, colors other than black on white or black on black are available. Not only do we offer more colors than any other barcode reader manufacturer but we also have the only readers that can read different decal colors without making special adjustments. This is a huge advantage for Universities or anyone wanting to color code certain parking areas, or even Toll Bridges that use one color for private vehicles and another color for commercial vehicles.

2003
Development begins on a new generation of barcode readers intended to improve performance and eliminate the potential Sun problem. We also bid a sad farewell as we discontinue production on the BA-300.

2005
Model BA-200 receives ETL approval for compliance to UL Std 294 for Access Control Devices, marking our first reader to carry ETL approval. After years of R & D effort we unlock the secret to the Sun problem and start design work on a new generation reader. Later in the year we begin field testing prototypes that confirm that the Sun problem could indeed be solved.

2006
Early in the year we start shipping readers using new technology aimed at eliminating all interference from the Sun. Late in the year our next generation reader is submitted for ETL approval.

2007
This proved to be a very eventful year. First, we discontinue the model BA-200 after a production run spanning 10 years. Replacing our flagship product is the BA-220 DualBeam Barcode Reader, the product of our R & D efforts to eliminate interference or Sun related problems. We have made significant improvements in performance and long term reliability, and beginning with the BA-220 DualBeam new readers carry a 5 year warranty including coverage for damage to the main components from lightning or power surge.

2009
Production begins on the Wiegand Isolator, a module intended to protect communications from lightning or power surge damage and help installers avoid grounding issues when installing our products. On the horizon is a new reader, the model BA-440 DualBeam. This new reader provides the same performance and reliability of the model BA-220 DualBeam in a much smaller package. Of course, we continue our research and development efforts, looking for ways to improve performance and reliability for our products. Who knows what we'll find next?