Datalogic Ships Millionth Magellan Scanner

Datalogic Scanning proudly celebrated the completed production of its one millionth Magellan bi-optic scanner on April 30th, 2010.  In 1994, the first Magellan bi-optic scanner rolled off the production line, named after the explorer whose expedition was the first to circle the globe, Ferdinand Magellan. The Magellan scanner was the industry’s first scanner with 360-degree scanning technology, setting the stage for remarkable POS innovation across the retail supermarket segment.

The idea for the Magellan bi-optic scanner came to Spectra-Physics engineers after a request from an end-user customer in 1993 for an improved checkout process. Following a collaborative effort between Spectra- Physics and IBM, the first Magellan scanner hit the marketplace in May 1994. The introduction of this scanner was incredible in itself as it typically takes many years for a product to move from concept to launch. Spectra-Physics was a leader in the AIDC industry at the time, and the company was later purchased by PSC, which is now, of course, Datalogic Scanning.

The Magellan scanner features the industry’s first trapezoidal horizontal window, which enabled the scanner to  have true 360-degree scanning coverage. In 1994, this window was a groundbreaking design, utilizing the checker’s “read-back” scan pattern technology to create total coverage scanning.

Since the inception of the product, Datalogic has introduced eight different Magellan bi-optic scanners, including the latest Magellan 8500Xt scanner. The Magellan 8500Xt scanner still offers ground breaking features such as the patented All-Weighs Scale Platter and SurroundScan 6 sided scanning, which optimize productivity at the POS.

 Bill Parnell, President and CEO of Datalogic Scanning, stated “We are always looking for ways to improve customer service with new technologies to better serve the needs of the retail industry. There is much in store for Magellan bi-optic scanners in the future.”

The celebration of the one millionth Magellan bi-optic scanner will continue on the Magellan “Thanks a Million” World Tour, was launched at FMI in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA in early May. Leaving from Las Vegas, the Magellan will embark on a year long tour at tradeshows and other events in over eight different countries on six continents to celebrate the scanner around the world’