I am looking at the possibility of creating an Employee ID card complete with a barcode (identifying employee by number).
I will need to generate/print the cards and also scan them when necessary to provide a quick, reliable means of confirming that an employee has done some specific activity (e.g. received some items from Central Stores).
I have looked at many of the old messages on the subject of barcodes and I have checked out Hallograms web site regarding hardware etc., but there seems to be a large and confusing number of products out there.
Does anyone have any insight in to what would be a good starting point.
Specific questions are:
a) Does it matter what type of barcode I adopt.
b) Would a cheap (<$500) printer handle the production of barcodes for 500 employees. (My guess is Yes - but does anyone have any particular printer they can reccommend or diss)
c) What reader would you recommend. It will probably read 100-200 cards/day. It must integrate into VFP app.

There is no requirement for any of this equipment to be mobile.

TIA