Cold Storage • Freezers • Cold Chain
Barcode Scanning in Cold Stores & Freezers
Standard warehouse hardware isn't always designed for life inside a cold store or freezer.
Tek Direkt supplies rugged barcode scanners and mobile computers for demanding temperature-controlled environments, including Honeywell CK65 Cold Storage mobile computers and Zebra DS3608 / DS3678 ultra-rugged scanners.
Cold Storage Creates a Different Scanning Problem
A scanner or mobile computer that performs perfectly in an ambient warehouse may face very different conditions when it's used in chilled storage or a freezer.
The issue isn't simply whether the scanner can read a barcode. You also need to consider the temperature range of the device, condensation, moisture, battery performance, operator gloves and the physical condition of the labels being scanned.
Low Temperatures
Hardware needs an operating-temperature specification appropriate for the environment in which it will actually be used.
Condensation
Moving equipment between cold and warmer areas can create condensation and additional environmental challenges.
Gloved Operators
Cold-store workers may be wearing thick gloves, changing the way scanners, triggers, keypads and touchscreens are used.
Battery Performance
Battery-powered equipment requires particular consideration when it will spend extended periods operating in low temperatures.
Moisture & Ice
Ruggedness and environmental sealing matter when hardware is exposed to moisture and demanding cold-chain conditions.
Difficult Labels
Frost, moisture, damage and poor print quality can make warehouse barcodes harder to capture reliably.
Start With the Temperature
Tell us the lowest temperature in which the device needs to operate. That immediately helps narrow down which scanners and mobile computers should be considered.
Do You Need a Scanner or a Mobile Computer?
The right device depends on what the operator actually needs to do inside the cold store.
BARCODE SCANNING
Rugged Barcode Scanner
Choose a dedicated scanner when the operator primarily needs to capture barcodes and send the data to an existing workstation or host device.
- Goods-in scanning
- Picking and packing
- Stock checks
- Production scanning
- Fixed workstation use
Consider: Zebra DS3608 or DS3678, depending on operating temperature and whether corded or cordless scanning is required.
FULL MOBILE WORKFLOW
Cold-Storage Mobile Computer
Choose a mobile computer when the operator needs to scan barcodes and interact directly with warehouse, inventory or workflow software while working in the cold environment.
- Warehouse management applications
- Inventory lookup
- Picking workflows
- Goods movement
- Data entry inside the freezer
Consider: Honeywell CK65 Cold Storage.
Cold-Store Scanning Hardware
COLD STORAGE
Honeywell CK65 Cold Storage
A purpose-built cold-storage mobile computer for warehouse workers who need both barcode scanning and access to applications while operating in demanding cold-chain environments.
Ideal for:- Freezer warehouses
- Cold-chain logistics
- Frozen-food distribution
- Chilled warehouses
- Inventory and picking workflows
- Extended cold-storage use
Best for: operators who need a complete handheld computing device rather than a scanner alone.
View CK65
CORDED
Zebra DS3608
An ultra-rugged corded barcode scanner for demanding warehouse and industrial environments.
Ideal for:- Fixed cold-store workstations
- Goods-in areas
- Picking stations
- Production environments
- Locations where a cable is practical
Selected DS3608 configurations are specified for operation at temperatures down to -30°C.
View DS3608
CORDLESS
Zebra DS3678
An ultra-rugged cordless scanner for applications where operators need greater freedom of movement around pallets, racking, cages and larger working areas.
Ideal for:- Mobile cold-store workers
- Pallet scanning
- Warehouse aisles
- Loading and dispatch
- Applications where cables are restrictive
Selected DS3678 configurations are specified for operation at temperatures down to -20°C.
View DS3678Don't Choose Cold-Store Hardware by Ruggedness Alone
A device being described as rugged doesn't automatically mean it's appropriate for every freezer environment.
Check the Exact Model and Configuration
Product families can contain multiple configurations with different specifications. Always check the operating-temperature range and complete manufacturer part number for the exact device being quoted.
The environment also matters. A chilled distribution centre operating just above freezing presents a different requirement from a deep-freeze warehouse operating continuously at much lower temperatures.
Who Needs Cold-Store Scanning Hardware?
Cold-store scanning isn't limited to frozen-food warehouses. Temperature-controlled inventory and traceability are used across a wide range of industries.
Frozen Food
Scan cases, pallets and locations throughout frozen-food production, storage, picking and dispatch.
Cold Storage Warehouses
Equip warehouse teams with hardware selected for the temperatures and working conditions inside the facility.
Chilled Distribution
Capture stock and movement data across temperature-controlled distribution and fulfilment operations.
Meat & Seafood
Support scanning through processing, chilled storage, picking and distribution environments.
Pharmaceutical Cold Chain
Capture barcode data where products are stored and moved through controlled-temperature environments.
Temperature-Controlled Logistics
Scan goods as they move through cold stores, depots, staging areas and dispatch operations.
CK65 Cold Storage vs DS3608 vs DS3678
These devices solve different problems. The first question is whether the worker needs a complete mobile computing workflow or simply needs to capture barcode data.
| Requirement | CK65 Cold Storage | DS3608 | DS3678 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barcode scanning | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Full mobile computer | ✓ | — | — |
| Run warehouse applications | ✓ | — | — |
| Dedicated cold-storage configuration | ✓ | Check exact MPN | Check exact MPN |
| Corded scanning | — | ✓ | — |
| Cordless scanning | Integrated mobile device | — | ✓ |
| Fixed workstation use | Possible | ✓ | ✓ |
| Mobile warehouse workflow | ✓ | — | Scanner only |
Moving Between the Freezer and Ambient Areas?
The operating temperature inside the freezer isn't the only consideration. Hardware may also move between different temperature zones during a shift.
Think About the Complete Working Environment
Moving equipment between cold and warmer areas can introduce condensation and moisture. Tell us whether the device stays permanently inside the cold store or regularly moves between temperature zones.
Permanent Freezer Use
Hardware remains predominantly inside the cold environment for extended periods during the working day.
Cold-to-Ambient Movement
Devices move between freezer, chilled and ambient areas as workers complete different tasks.
Loading & Dispatch
Equipment may experience changing temperatures as products move between storage, staging areas and vehicles.
Don't Forget the Person Using the Device
Cold-store hardware needs to work as part of the operator's actual workflow. That means considering more than the headline temperature specification.
- Will workers be wearing thick gloves?
- How often will they scan during a shift?
- Do they need a physical keypad?
- Do they need to enter quantities or other information?
- Will they be carrying the device throughout the shift?
- Do they need both hands free for other tasks?
- Will the hardware remain inside the freezer?
- Does it regularly move between temperature zones?
Cold-Storage Batteries Matter Too
If you're deploying battery-powered mobile computers in a freezer, the battery is part of the solution rather than an afterthought.
CK65 ACCESSORY
Honeywell CK65 Cold Storage Battery
Honeywell offers a dedicated cold-storage battery for the CK65 platform for deployments requiring the appropriate cold-storage configuration.
MPN: 318-063-002
When specifying a CK65 for freezer use, check the complete device, battery and accessory configuration rather than assuming that every CK65 configuration is identical.
Find 318-063-002Tell Us About Your Cold Store
You don't need to work through dozens of scanner specifications. Give us the information that actually affects the deployment and we'll help narrow down the hardware worth considering.
1. Lowest Temperature
What's the lowest temperature in the area where the scanner or mobile computer will operate?
2. What Are You Scanning?
Cases, pallets, product labels, shelf locations, GS1 barcodes, QR codes or something else?
3. Scanner or Computer?
Do workers simply need to capture a barcode, or do they need to run warehouse software and enter information too?
4. Corded or Mobile?
Will the operator remain at a workstation or move around racking, pallets and the wider warehouse?
5. Temperature Changes
Does the device stay inside the cold environment or move regularly between freezer, chilled and ambient areas?
6. Quantity
Are you replacing a single device or equipping a larger warehouse team?
Tell Us the Temperature. We'll Start There.
If you need barcode hardware for a cold store or freezer, send us the lowest operating temperature, what you're scanning and whether you need a scanner or mobile computer.
We'll help narrow down the devices and configurations worth considering for your environment.
Help Me Choose Cold-Store HardwareAlready Know What You Need?
If you've already identified the exact scanner or mobile computer, send us the manufacturer part number and quantity and we'll provide another business price to compare.
Working Below Zero?
Don't choose warehouse hardware based on ruggedness alone. Start with the actual environment.
Tell us the temperature, workflow, barcode type and quantity required and we'll help narrow down the appropriate cold-store scanning options.
Discuss Your Cold-Store Requirement Get a Business PriceImportant: operating-temperature specifications vary by manufacturer, model and configuration.
Always check the specification of the exact manufacturer part number being supplied rather than assuming that every device within the same product family has identical environmental capabilities.
Cold-store suitability can also depend on factors including battery configuration, condensation, moisture, accessories, charging arrangements and movement between temperature zones.