> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.bumara.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Scanning

> Barcode and camera scanning for the till and stock counts — how each works and when to use which.

Bumara has two scanners, both using your device's camera. They are used in the same two places:
the till and stock counts.

|                          | Barcode scanner          | Visual scanner                         |
| ------------------------ | ------------------------ | -------------------------------------- |
| **How it identifies**    | Reads the barcode        | Recognises the product from a photo    |
| **Item needs**           | A barcode recorded on it | A reference photo uploaded             |
| **Speed**                | Near-instant, continuous | A second or two per item               |
| **Works without labels** | No                       | Yes                                    |
| **Works offline**        | Yes                      | Yes                                    |
| **Best for**             | Barcoded retail goods    | Loose goods, produce, unlabelled items |

Use barcode scanning wherever you can. It is faster and more certain. The visual scanner exists for
what cannot be barcoded.

## Barcode scanning

### Setting up

<Steps>
  <Step title="Record a barcode against each item">
    Open the item and enter the barcode. Each must be unique within your business. See
    [Items](/inventory/items).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Use the manufacturer's barcode where there is one">
    Scan the product and record what comes up.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Print your own for unlabelled goods">
    Generate codes, print labels, apply them.
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Using it

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the scanner">
    From the till or from a count entry screen.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Allow camera access">
    Your browser will ask the first time.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Point at the barcode">
    Decoding is continuous — you do not press anything. It reads upside-down barcodes too.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Listen for the result">
    A two-tone beep and the item name spoken aloud means a match. A buzz means no match.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Carry on">
    A brief pause prevents the same barcode registering twice by accident.
  </Step>
</Steps>

### When nothing matches

| Cause                           | Fix                                 |
| ------------------------------- | ----------------------------------- |
| No barcode recorded on the item | Add it to the item                  |
| Wrong barcode recorded          | Correct it                          |
| Item archived                   | Reactivate it                       |
| Damaged or dirty label          | Clean it, or search by name instead |
| Poor light                      | More light, or hold steadier        |

## Visual scanning

The visual scanner identifies a product from a photograph. It runs entirely on your device — no
image is sent anywhere.

### Setting up

<Steps>
  <Step title="Upload a reference photo for each item">
    On the item record. See [Items](/inventory/items).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Take good photos">
    Plain background, good light, the product filling the frame, from the angle staff normally see
    it.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Prioritise the items you handle most">
    You do not need a photo for everything. Start with what you sell often and cannot barcode.
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Using it

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the visual scanner">
    From the till or a count screen.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Wait for it to load on first use">
    The recognition model loads once. Subsequent uses are immediate.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Point at the product and capture">
    Unlike the barcode scanner, you press a button.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Check the match">
    A confidence percentage is shown with the identified item. The name is spoken aloud.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Retake if it is wrong">
    Better light, plainer background, closer.
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Improving accuracy

| Problem                     | Fix                                                      |
| --------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------- |
| Nothing recognised          | Upload a reference photo for that item                   |
| Wrong item identified       | Upload a better reference photo for both items           |
| Consistently low confidence | Improve the reference photo — light and background       |
| Similar products confused   | Photograph the distinguishing feature, such as the label |

The scanner deliberately refuses to match photographs of people, empty surfaces and non-products,
so pointing it at nothing gives no result rather than a wrong one.

## Camera problems

| Message                  | Cause                                          | Fix                                                     |
| ------------------------ | ---------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------- |
| No camera found          | The device has no camera, or it is unavailable | Use a device with a camera                              |
| Camera permission denied | You declined access                            | Allow camera access in your browser settings and reload |
| Browser not supported    | An older browser                               | Use a current browser                                   |
| Model failed to load     | A connection problem on first load             | Retry with a working connection                         |

## In the till

Both scanners appear as buttons on the item search. Barcode scanning adds items continuously — scan
five products in a row and all five are in the cart. See
[Point of sale](/inventory/point-of-sale).

## In stock counts

Scanning during a count **increases** the counted quantity by one each time. Scan an item five
times and its count is five.

Rapid scans are batched together, so scanning quickly still gives the right total. The row is
highlighted for a moment and the grid scrolls to it so you can see what registered.

Only items with a barcode can be scanned during a count. Everything else is typed. See
[Stock counts](/inventory/stock-counts).

## Practical advice

* **Barcode what you can.** The time saved compounds every day.
* **One reference photo per item, taken well.** Better than several taken poorly.
* **Watch the highlight, not just the beep.** Confirms the right item registered.
* **Keep labels clean.** A worn barcode is a slow barcode.
* **Have a fallback.** Staff should know how to search by name when scanning fails.
* **Charge the device.** Continuous camera use drains a battery quickly during a full count.

<Note>
  Related: [Items](/inventory/items) for recording barcodes and photos.
</Note>