Handheld scanner device with display location database

A handheld scanning system for managing inventory, the system comprising:

• a scanner to read identification symbols on a product;
• a communication interface to receive information from a remote information repository;
• a processor coupled to the scanner and to the communication interface;
• a display device coupled to the processor;
• and
• a memory containing program instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause operations to be performed, the operations comprising:
• receive information that represents identification symbols of inventory items that have been scanned;
• receive information that indicates in which of a plurality of locations on a retail display each scanned inventory item is stored;
• determine the number and type of scanned items stored in each location on the retail display;
• retrieve from a data storage device a predetermined minimum inventory level for each type of scanned item;
• and
• generate a command to transmit a message representing a request to re-order one or more types of products, wherein the request is based on the determined number of each type of product and the corresponding predetermined minimum inventory level.