Users can connect and control up to 16 barcode readers over a single Ethernet address with the use of the DeviceServer from factory and process-automation product-maker Pepperl+Fuchs, Twinsburg, Ohio, (am.pepperl-fuchs.com). It lets 1D or 2D barcode readers connect to industrial Ethernet and allows multiple PC's or PLC's to simultaneously access and use the barcode data.

DeviceServer supports 10/100 Mbit and Modbus/TCP, so barcode data can be processed by nearly any PLC, soft PLC, and SCADA. The server can also be configured for enhanced functions such as real-time status and e-mail notification.