What is barcode scanning? What are the typical barcode scanning applications? With a typical individual checking their phone every 12 minutes, everyone is practically tied to their devices. With this in mind, businesses have devised ways for consumers and businesses to benefit from barcode technology. Barcode scanning software can track inventory in a warehouse, event attendees, and historical entered data with interested visitors.
What Is Barcode Scanning?
Barcodes are scannable codes represented visually in the form of numbers, varying widths, and parallel lines. When scanned by a barcode scanner’s laser beam, these symbols form a unique digital code.
Barcodes are employed in point of sale systems, warehouses, inventory management systems, retail stores, grocery stores, health care, and any other database that requires inventory data collecting and storage of the entered data. Scanners detect the contrast difference between black and white.
Different types of Barcodes
- Code 39
This is one of the earliest barcodes, and it is widely used in electronics, healthcare, and government. It’s an ancestral, 1D alphanumeric code that can hold the complete 128 ASCII character set and expand to any length, restricted only by the barcode label’s size. Code 128 is a better option to consider if you’re short on space.
- Code 128
This small barcode is derived from the ASCII 128 character set (0-9, a-z, A-Z, and some special characters) and is widely used worldwide in packaging and shipping applications. Users can optimise Code 128 for barcode length by using an automatic switching configuration.
- Interleaved 2 of 5
Interleaved 2 of 5 (ITF) is a numeric-based barcode scanner often used to encode pairs of numbers. These are commonly encountered in warehouses, distribution, and manufacturing. To make one sign, every two numbers are coupled. Because this format requires an even number of digits, a zero is frequently appended to the end of an odd collection of integers.
- Universal Product Codes (UPC)
These barcodes, which can be seen on practically every retail good, were initially designed for grocery stores to allow speedy receipt printing and real-time inventory tracking. After obtaining a UPC number, a manufacturer will receive a unique company number from joining with their particular product numbers.
- International Article Number (EAN)
These barcodes, considered a superset of the UPC, are utilised for book traceability by bookstores, libraries, universities, and distributors. The International Standard Book Numbers (ISBN) for each book tracked generates these 13-digit numbers. These are standardised for the unique identification of publishers, just like universal product codes UPCs.
- PDF417
Many forms of identification, such as your driver’s license, have this stacked, linear 2d barcode. Because of its sophisticated features, such as encoding links to multiple data files, it is also the preferred standard for the USPS and the Department of Homeland Security. It can, however, be quite huge – four times larger than other 2D barcodes like Datamatrix and QR Codes.
- Data Matrix
This is one of the most often used 2D barcodes. It is a square-shaped code that can encode big – as in huge – amounts of data in a very tiny amount of space; as a result, it is widely used in electronics production and healthcare. 2D codes necessitate advanced scanners, such as cellphones, that can “take a picture” and translate the whole image.
When enterprises require additional barcode storage capacity, 2D barcodes triumph over 1d barcodes.
- Quick Response (QR) Codes
QR Codes, the most recent trend in barcoding, are becoming increasingly popular as marketing tools for linking to web-based information. Although not as compact as Data Matrix, they are frequently used on advertising materials and stores to link to special promotions or product information.
6 Applications Of Barcode Readers
1). Processing mobile payments
A significant percentage of mobile companies have begun to use barcode readers. Their applications included a barcode scanner to read payment barcodes using a camera. Furthermore, cryptocurrencies like bitcoin include mechanisms that allow consumers to pay for products using a barcode reader. It has improved the speed with which transactions are completed.
2). Ticket verification
To reduce fraud and long lines, tickets can be barcoded. The tickets provided are verified using barcode readers. It’s a simple, secure, and quick method to handle your tickets. It is used in various settings, including stadiums, live concerts, and airports.
3). Biometrics
Employer IDs are scanned using embedded barcode readers in biometrics. It keeps track of when an employee arrives at work and when they leave. Managers utilise it to compensate employees for preciseness in working hours. Biometrics are also used in schools to track instructors’ and students’ attendance. The built-in barcode reader captures the code on an ID card with a light beam. Furthermore, the data is transmitted wirelessly or via an Ethernet connection to a computer.
4). Fast checkouts
In stores or malls, a barcode reader enhances the shopping experience. Unlike the old way used to track items in a catalogue, processing information such as price is simple. The barcode reader takes information that the computer calculates in milliseconds. Without these technologies, shopping lines would be highly long today. The cashier’s job is straightforward because the barcode scanner immediately sends the information into the computer.
5). Inventory control and management
Barcode scanners help track the flow of goods from producers to warehouses and other locations. To act as unique identifiers, all goods are waxed with barcodes. Managers can also keep track of the flow of items from their offices. When the goods reach their destinations, barcode scanners directly transfer data to their computers. Inventory management is critical for businesses because it helps them make money.
6). Error optimisation
In an organisation, handwriting leaves room for mistakes. Barcode readers have reduced human mistakes, resulting in increased earnings or cost savings for businesses. On average, people make roughly ten mistakes for every thousand words they write. On the contrary, there is an average of one inaccuracy for every ten thousand barcode scans.
Final thoughts
You can use barcode scanning programs to enhance your business. Regardless of your needs, barcodes have a solution that can work for you – whether you want to verify tickets, maintain your inventory, execute quick checkouts, handle mobile payments, or communicate securely, barcode scanners have got you covered. Even if you’re a consumer, barcodes will provide new opportunities for your shopping experience.
Best Barcode Scanners for Your Business
Are you sitting on the fence wondering if barcode scanners are a good fit for your business? It’s time to invest in high-quality barcode scanners and take your business to the next level.
At ASP Microcomputers, we can offer you cloud-based inventory management solutions including Inventory Management, Portable Barcode Readers, Supply Chain Management, Time and Attendance and Asset Tracking to name but a few.
Please call us today on 03 9578 7600 or 1800 061 642 or leave an enquiry.
