Choosing the right hardware is a huge step toward taming the whirlwind of your warehouse and manufacturing operations with Digit. The perfect mix of tablets, label printers, and barcode scanners will help you create seamless workflows, reduce downtime, and boost efficiency.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to pick the best hardware for your unique needs, whether you're setting up a small shop or running a large-scale facility. By the end, you’ll have a clear plan for what to buy, what to avoid, and how to get your new gear working at its best.
Table of Contents
Step 1: Review Your Facility Setup
Step 3: Verify Wi-Fi Availability
Step 4: Select & Order Hardware
Step 1: Review Your Facility Setup
First things first, let's take a look at your space. Identify the areas in your facility that will need hardware. Most customers set up workstations in the following key locations:
Front Office: Used for tasks like order entry, reporting, and general system oversight. Some teams prefer a dedicated workstation for these tasks.
Production Floor: Depending on the size of your facility, you might need:
A single workstation for the entire production area.
Grouped workstations for multiple machines in specific zones.
Individual workstations at each machine for detailed tracking and interaction.
Shipping & Receiving: This high-traffic area requires at least one workstation for processing incoming and outgoing inventory, printing labels, and scanning barcodes.
Inventory & Material Tracking: These workstations are essential for cycle counts, audits, material transfers, and can even include forklift-mounted tablets for tracking material movement.
Step 2: Review Existing Hardware for Compatibility
Already have some devices? Great! Send a list of your current tablets, barcode scanners, or label printers to your dedicated Customer Success representative. They'll review your equipment to confirm if your devices:
Are fully compatible and can be used as-is.
Require additional accessories or a specific configuration to function properly.
Are not recommended and should be replaced.
Browser Compatibility Digit works best with modern browsers. We recommend using:
Recommended: Chrome, Firefox
Acceptable: Safari, Edge, Silk
Not Supported: Internet Explorer (IE)
Step 3: Verify Wi-Fi Availability
A stable Wi-Fi connection is highly recommended for optimal performance with Digit.
Ideal speed: 40 Mbps or higher
Minimum acceptable speed: 10 Mbps
To check your speed, simply search for "internet speed test" on Google and run a free test in different areas of your facility.
If your facility has weak or inconsistent Wi-Fi:
Install additional Wi-Fi access points to get rid of dead zones.
Use a direct Ethernet connection for any stationary workstations.
Consider using a cellular network as a backup for mobile devices and remote locations. 4G LTE or 5G hotspots can be a reliable alternative, but make sure to test the signal strength in your facility. If you go this route, an unlimited data plan is a good idea to avoid surprise overage charges.
Step 4: Select & Order Hardware
Ready to shop? Our hardware recommendations are broken down below by category and workstation. This will give you a clear view of the equipment you'll need for each area.
Computers & Tablets
For optimal performance in manufacturing environments, we recommend tablets with a large, high-resolution screen. A 10-inch or larger screen is ideal for operators.
You can also save some money by purchasing renewed or refurbished units from sites like Amazon.
Front Office Workstations: Any standard desktop or laptop computer will work great here.
Production Floor Workstations:
Option 1: Touchscreen Monitor: A Touchscreen Monitor paired with a Mini PC. You'll also want a Mini PC mount for the monitor, a keyboard tray, and a wired keyboard and mouse set.
Option 2: Rugged Tablet: A modern touchscreen tablet with a rugged case for durability.
Inventory & Material Tracking: A rugged tablet is recommended for these mobile workflows.
Forklifts: A rugged tablet is the way to go here. You will also need a forklift mount for the tablet.
Shipping & Receiving: Any standard desktop or laptop computer is sufficient.
Computer Mounting Recommendations
Mounting solutions will vary depending on your machines, workstations, and facility layout, and we encourage you to find the setup that works best for your environment. The only requirement is that your solution includes a VESA-compatible mount to ensure proper monitor attachment. Digit supports the VESA 100mm x 100mm standard, which is widely used for secure and adjustable monitor mounting.
Barcode Scanners
Barcode scanners help operators quickly retrieve item details, track work orders, and manage inventory efficiently.
Scanner Type: Handheld scanners offer flexibility, while fixed-mount scanners are great for high-volume scanning stations.
Connectivity: Choose between wired (USB) or wireless (Bluetooth) scanners depending on your mobility needs.
1D vs. 2D Scanning: Most manufacturing barcodes are 1D (linear), but 2D scanners can read QR codes and more complex labels if you need them.
Short vs. Long Range: Short-range scanners are perfect for desktop or workstation use, while long-range scanners are ideal for reading barcodes from a distance, like from a forklift.
Recommendations by Workstation:
Front Office & Shipping/Receiving: Any standard barcode scanner will work.
Production Floor & Inventory: Most 1D & 2D barcode scanners with 2.4Gz or Bluetooth connectivity will work. You'll need a USB to USB-C adapter for wireless connectivity.
Forklifts: A long-range scanner is best here. You may also be able to use short-range scanners with reflective barcodes from speciality print shops.
Label Printer & Labels
Label printing is a core part of tracking inventory, work orders, and shipments.
Printer Type: Thermal printers are recommended for their speed and reliability.
Label Size & Material: Consider the label size based on your application. For harsh environments, use synthetic or laminated labels that can handle moisture, chemicals, and abrasion.
Recommendations by Workstation:
All Workstations: The most important thing is to have enough printers. Having a dedicated printer per workstation will reduce time spent traveling to and from printer locations and avoid label mixups if multiple stations are printing at the same time.
Power
Don't get caught with a dead battery! Make sure you have the right power setup.
Charging Stations: A centralized charging station is a great idea for tablets and scanners to ensure they are always ready for a shift.
Forklift Power: If you plan to charge devices on a forklift, be sure to use a DC-DC converter for safe charging.
Battery Backup: Consider a UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) for critical stations to prevent downtime during power interruptions.
TVs
Wall-mounted TVs or digital displays are perfect for keeping your team aligned and informed with real-time updates.
Screen Size & Placement: A 43-inch or larger screen is ideal. Place it where it can be easily seen without getting in the way.
Connectivity: Smart TVs with Wi-Fi or HDMI will allow for seamless integration with shop floor dashboards.
All Workstations: Any smart TV with Wi-Fi will work for displaying information.
IoT & Smart Devices
Specific recommendations coming soon! We are working on adding recommendations for IoT devices to enhance automation, tracking, and data collection.
IoT (Internet of Things) devices can enhance automation, tracking, and data collection in a manufacturing environment. Choosing the right devices ensures better visibility and efficiency.
Connectivity: IoT devices should support Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or wired connections based on facility network capabilities. Industrial environments may benefit from wired Ethernet for reliability.
Device Compatibility: Ensure IoT sensors and trackers integrate seamlessly with existing software and infrastructure for real-time monitoring.
Use Cases: Consider IoT sensors for equipment monitoring, environmental tracking (temperature, humidity), or real-time asset tracking to optimize production and inventory management.
Durability: Industrial IoT devices should be rugged, dust-proof, and resistant to vibration or extreme temperatures if required.
Recommended Hardware Table
This table summarizes key information and links directly to some recommended options for each category.
Workstation | Front Office | Production Floor | Inventory & Material Tracking | Forklifts | Shipping & Receiving |
Users | Office staff, managers, sales reps, customer service | Operators, supervisors | Inventory clerks, material handlers | Inventory clerks, material handlers | Warehouse staff, shipping clerks |
Workflows | Order entry, reporting, system oversight & admin | Work order tracking, material scanning, quality assurance | Cycle counts, inventory audits, material transfers | Material movement, scanning pallet labels | Receiving inventory, printing shipping labels, managing outbound shipments |
Computers & tablets | Any desktop or laptop | Option 1: Touchscreen Monitor | Rugged tablet | Rugged tablet | Any desktop or laptop |
Barcode scanner | Any barcode scanner | Netum Barcode Scanner ($35) | Tera 1D, 2D Barcode Scanner ($40) | Tera 1D, 2D Barcode Scanner ($40) | Any barcode scanner |
Label printer & labels | Wireless printers | Wireless printers | Wireless printers | Wireless printers | Wireless printers |
Power | Standard power outlet | For touchscreen | Unitek USB Charging Station for 10 tablets ($50) and 6” charging cables USB to USB-C 5 pack ($8) | Direct plug-in to the forklift | Standard power outlet |
TVs | Any smart TV with Wi-Fi | Any smart TV with Wi-Fi | Any smart TV with Wi-Fi | Any smart TV with Wi-Fi | Any smart TV with Wi-Fi |
IoT & Smart Devices | Coming soon | Coming soon | Coming soon | Coming soon | Coming soon |
Step 5: Receiving, Installing & Testing Hardware
Once your new hardware arrives, follow these steps for a smooth setup:
Receive & Verify: Check all your new hardware to make sure everything is there and in good condition.
Install & Connect: Set up your workstations in their designated areas and connect all devices. Ensure they have a strong internet connection.
Final Checks & Go Live: Train key employees on how to use the new workstations and resolve any issues before full deployment. Confirm you're ready to go live with your Customer Success representative.
Once you’ve tested everything, you’re ready to go live with Digit! 🚀
Share Your Hardware Feedback & Suggestions
We're always looking to improve our recommended hardware list! If you find a device that works exceptionally well but isn't on our list, we'd love to hear about it.
Your input helps us continue refining our recommendations and providing the best possible experience!
Share your feedback with your Customer Success representative or email us at [email protected].