News and Information

In-depth analysis of communication scales, tag scales, and AI scales: the golden rules for precise purchasing in retail stores.

2025-08-21

In the wave of digital transformation in retail, scales have evolved from simple weighing tools into key devices for improving operational efficiency. Communication scales, label scales, and AI scales each have their own advantages, but which one is the ideal choice for retail stores? This article will systematically analyze these technologies from the perspectives of technical principles, applicable scenarioses, and key indicators to help you make the right purchase.

one,Core Differences: Essential Differentiation is Key

Communication scale

Basic weighing + data transmission

• Technical features: Electronic scales with data transmission capabilities (serial port/USB/Bluetooth, etc.)The weighing data can be sent to the POS system.。。

• Core advantages: Low cost and simple deployment.

• Suitable scenarioses: Small and medium-sized merchants with limited budgets who need to weigh items quickly and connect to a cashier system, such as fresh produce stalls, cooked food counters, fruit shops, and farmers' markets.

Tag scale

Weighing + Printing Integration

• Technical features: Integrated weighing and label printing functions, capable of generating self-adhesive labels containing information such as weight, price, and barcode, and supports PLU (Item Management) database.

• Core advantages: Improved packaging efficiency, reduced human error, and standardized labels facilitate unified management of the chain.

Note: Label scales are mainly used for front-end pre-packaging and label printing; settlement still needs to be completed by scanning a barcode through the cashier system.

• Applicable scenarioses: Supermarket fresh/cooked/bulk food sections, bakeries, braised food shops, central kitchens, and other scenarioses requiring large-scale pre-packaging.

AI Scale

Intelligent recognition + end-to-end integration

• Technical features: An intelligent terminal that integrates AI visual recognition, weighing, label printing, and cashier settlement.

• Core advantages: AI automatically identifies products, reducing the operational threshold and training costs for employees; one-stop completion of identification, weighing, printing and cashiering improves cashiering efficiency and reduces errors.

• Applicable scenarioses: High-end supermarkets, fresh food chain stores, smart farmers' markets, etc., with many SKUs, large customer traffic, fast employee turnover, and a pursuit of efficiency and technology.

II. Key Indicator Interpretation: Avoiding Pitfalls in Your Purchase Journey

Core performance parameters: Accurate measurement is fundamental.

• Metrological certification: Select equipment with Chinese Type Approval for Metrological Instruments (CPA) certification;

• Accuracy:Class III scales are generally required for common retail scenarioses;

• The calibration scale division of the scale is equal to the actual scale division, i.e., e=d.Common retail options include 2G/5G.

Protection level: Environmental adaptability is key

• IP54: Splash-proof, suitable for general humid environments;

• IP66：Can withstand strong water spraySuitable for fresh food areas that require frequent cleaning (according to IEC 60529 standard).

Interface compatibility: Protocol matching is a prerequisite

• Communication scales: RS-232 or... is recommended.USB as a communication interfaceTo ensure compatibility with existing POS drivers;
• Label scales: Choose scales that support common printing instruction sets (such as ESC/POS)./ZPLEquipment (such as...) is designed to ensure seamless integration with mainstream POS software or back-end management systems.

AI recognition capability: determines the level of intelligence

• Equippedhigh performanceWide dynamic range camera，，，It can maintain high recognition accuracy under complex lighting conditions such as backlight, strong light, and low light.；
• Supports incremental learning,Easy entry of new products。。

Materials and Durability: Food Safety Cannot Be Ignored

• Food contact parts,The amount of heavy metal leaching meets the relevant food safety standards.；
• The smooth, corner-free surface design facilitates cleaning and disinfection, prevents bacterial growth, and meets the requirements of food safety management systems such as HACCP.。。

III. A table to illustrate applicable scenarioses (recommended to save)

Dimension	Communication scale	Tag scale	AI Scale
Core features	Basic weighing, simple maintenance	Weighing + Marking + PLU Management	Identification + Weighing + Tagging + Cashier
Peak traffic	medium to low	Medium and high	Extremely high
Initial procurement cost	Low	medium	Medium and high
Applicable business formats	Small stalls/mom-and-pop shops/community fresh produce	Supermarkets/Chain Stores	High customer traffic, high SKU count, smart store
Rongda Solution	C3 Weighing Scale	RLS1815/1830 Barcode Label Scale	AURORA E1 pro-AI AI Cash Register Scale / AURORA S2L-S Smart AI PC Scale

Note: Although AI scales are more expensive, they can significantly improve efficiency and enhance customer experience. In the long run, they can bring greater returns to medium and large-sized retail stores or stores that pursue efficient operations.

IV. Practical Selection: Rongda's Four Products Precisely Matched

Requirements: Weighing, simple, durable, low cost

• Product: Rongda C3 Weighing Scale

• Highlights：Level III metrologySelectable 2/5g and 5/10g graduation values; serial communication for easy connection to cash registers or PC POS machines; IPX6 waterproof.

Requirements: Weighing + Marking, Standardized Management

• Product: RLS1815/1830 Barcode Label Scale

• Highlight: Storage10,000 individual items224 hotkeys + single item search; product/discount/traceability management; dual printing of receipts/adhesive labels; waterproof, moisture-proof, and insect-proof.

Requirements: Identification + Weighing + Printing + Cashier Functionality

High efficiency and minimalism

• Product: Rongda AURORA E1 pro-AI AI Cash Register Scale

• Highlights: 2MP wide dynamic range camera, capable of recognizing film/bag packaging; 15.6" ten-point touchscreen + dual-screen customer display; built-in printing module; waterproof design; significantly reduces training costs.

Requirements: High customer traffic/high SKU/high interaction

High efficiency and environmental protection

• Product: Rongda AURORA S2L-S Smart AI PC Scale

• Highlights: No-backsheet label printing; automatic half-cutting blade; AI fast recognition; 15.6" ten-point touchscreen + dual-screen customer display.

C3 weighing scales

AURORA E1 pro-AI AI Cash Register Scale

RLS1815/
1830 Barcode Label Scale

AURORA S2L-S Smart AI PC Scale

Choosing the right scale means choosing the right operating model.Taking into account product type, store environment, and cost-effectiveness, each of Rongda's product lines has its own strengths, helping you to accurately match your needs.Drive sustainable growth in retail.