Altru doesn’t need a special scanner. Nearly every barcode scanner a museum or zoo would buy can type a barcode into a field the same way a keyboard does, and Altru doesn’t care which brand did the typing. What matters is whether the scanner can read the barcodes you actually hand out, from the surfaces guests actually hold up, at the stations where your staff actually stand.
Below are the things that actually separate a good admissions scanner from a frustrating one, followed by notes on pedestal and wireless models specifically.
Start with how the scanner talks to the computer
Most USB and Bluetooth scanners ship in what’s called keyboard wedge or HID keyboard mode. The computer treats the scanner as a keyboard: scan a ticket and the barcode’s characters appear wherever the cursor is, usually followed by an Enter keystroke. Altru runs in a browser, so this is the mode you want. There are no drivers to install, and the scanner works in any field where you could type the number by hand.
Two settings are worth checking out of the box:
- Suffix. Most scanners add a carriage return (Enter) after each scan by default. That’s usually what you want at a ticket-validation screen. If staff see the scan land but nothing happens, check whether the suffix is missing. If the screen submits too early, check whether it’s adding an extra one.
- Keyboard language. A scanner set to a different keyboard layout than the PC can garble characters. Match them.
Both are changed by scanning configuration barcodes from the manufacturer’s programming guide. Keep a printed copy at the desk. Sooner or later someone will scan the wrong page of it.
1D vs. 2D, and why phones change the answer
Older laser scanners read only traditional linear (1D) barcodes, and they generally can’t read a barcode off a phone screen. Imager (camera-based, “2D area imager”) scanners read both linear and 2D codes such as QR, and they handle glossy screens far better.
If any guest ever shows a ticket or membership card on a phone, buy imagers. The price gap is small now, and a laser scanner that can’t read mobile tickets sends guests back to the line.
Before you order a dozen, confirm which symbology your Altru tickets and membership cards print. The simplest way to check is to borrow or buy one scanner, scan a printed ticket, a ticket on a phone, and a member card, and confirm the full number lands correctly in Altru. If anything is unclear, Blackbaud support can tell you what your configuration produces and whether they publish a list of tested hardware.
Handheld, pedestal, or wireless
Corded handheld
The default for a ticket window or admissions desk. Cheap, reliable, nothing to charge. Pick a general-duty imager from one of the major scanner manufacturers and buy a stand for it. Many handhelds switch to hands-free mode automatically when placed in a stand.
Pedestal (presentation) scanners
These sit flat or angled on the counter, and the guest or staff member waves the ticket over the window. They work well where a cashier needs both hands for cash, receipts, or wristbands, and where guests can present their own phones. Look for a wide scan field and good motion tolerance, so a quick wave reads the first time. A pedestal is a poor fit if staff often need to reach a stroller or a car window. That’s what handhelds are for.
Wireless handhelds
Useful for entry gates, roving line-busting, and group check-in away from the desk. Two kinds:
- Base/cradle models pair to a charging cradle plugged into the PC by USB. They act like a corded scanner as far as the computer is concerned, they charge every time they’re docked, and they’re the more forgiving choice for shared stations.
- Bluetooth direct models pair straight to a tablet or laptop. Fine for one person and one device, but pairing gets messy when devices are swapped between shifts.
Check stated range against your real layout (walls, kiosks, and outdoor gates eat range), and buy a spare battery or a second unit for long days. Some wireless scanners can store scans when they lose connection and send them later. That can be confusing at a validation screen, so test what happens before you rely on it.
A short buying checklist
- Imager, not laser, if any tickets or cards are shown on phones.
- USB HID keyboard mode with an Enter suffix.
- Form factor matched to the station: handheld with stand at the desk, pedestal for hands-busy counters, cradle-based wireless for gates.
- Tested with real tickets and member cards in your own Altru environment before a bulk order.
- Spares. One extra scanner costs far less than a stalled entry line.
What about printers?
Printers are more particular than scanners. Thermal ticket stock, receipt printers, and cash drawers depend on drivers, paper sizes, and how Altru formats the output. Ask Blackbaud support or check their documentation for supported or tested printers before buying, and print a test batch of every ticket layout you use.
Scanning without dedicated hardware
Some sites skip scanner hardware at entry points and use phones or tablets instead. Social Good’s Ticket Scanner scans Altru tickets and membership barcodes at the door on mobile devices, which can be handy for overflow gates, events, or staff who move around. Desk stations doing sales in Altru will still want a scanner configured as described above.
Quick answers
Does Altru require a specific scanner brand?
Not that we’re aware of for keyboard-mode scanning. Any scanner that types the barcode into the field generally works. Confirm with a test scan, and ask Blackbaud if you need an official answer.
Why won’t my scanner read tickets on phones?
It’s almost always a laser scanner. Switch to a 2D imager.
Scans show up but nothing happens.
Check the Enter suffix setting, and make sure the cursor is in the right field when the scan happens.
