If you&#;re a manufacturer reaching the stage where pointing your finger at your inventory and counting it is losing its reliability, it might be time to consider beefing up your inventory management rules.
With competitive price and timely delivery, WCMI sincerely hope to be your supplier and partner.
Introducing inventory management with barcode scanning &#; the quickest and most reliable way of monitoring your inventory movements.
Without barcodes, you&#;re at risk of miscalculating your stock and going into negative inventory or losing track of the expiration date of your items, which can have serious consequences for your business.
That&#;s why, in this article, we&#;re going to explore barcode management, how it can improve your business and what needs to be done for implementation.
Barcodes are a method of visually representing data in a machine-readable form to quickly identify items and track inventory.
However, inventory management with barcode scanning isn&#;t just for tracking products, it also allows you to implement them:
Traditionally, a barcode came in the form of a square or rectangular print containing a series of vertical and parallel black lines and white spaces of different widths. Once scanned, they translate and relay information to the user.
Barcodes come in two different forms:
But what exactly is the difference between the popular choices of these two types of barcodes?
There are many different barcode types, different in visual as well as what kind of information they store and what their main use cases are.
A 1D barcode is a sequence of vertical bars and spaces of varying widths used to represent a set of characters and store a limited amount of information.
This is the international barcode standard for retail products. The code can be registered with GS1 (Global standard organization). GS1 assigns a dedicated company code that will be globally recognized.
They are mostly used on goods that a company is selling &#; in order to get a unique barcode for a specific item. GS1 will make sure the company code is unique and all the products can be traced back to their origin.
This code can hold more numbers. CS1 128 can also be registered with GS1, but the applications are broader for this code type. CODE 128 is widely used when items, processes, or activities are tracked internally, and its uniqueness is essential.
Some of the examples in which these codes can be used include:
In these cases, the barcode numbers should be generated so that they are always unique throughout the company &#; that&#;s why it&#;s important to find an MRP software that can perform this task.
Data Matrix and QR code &#; these are the most common 2D barcode types.
2D barcodes can hold far more information than 1D barcodes. For example, if there is a need to direct a user to a specific URL to see a Document or share contact details in a machine-readable way, then these are the best options.
In general, 1D codes can be considered the better choice when identifying something and 2D barcodes are better at sharing information.
Scanning a 1D code is usually considered faster, though the technology is catching up fast for 2D codes as well. The benefit of 2D codes is that all modern smartphones have built-in functionality in their camera app to recognize QR codes.
Now you know everything about barcodes, so much so you can probably hear your own heartbeat, and it sounds like the beep of items being scanned at your favorite store.
So, let&#;s get to the exciting parts, the benefits of implementing inventory management with barcode scanning.
When you start taking advantage of barcodes, you can expect the following upsides.
At the end of the day, using barcodes to process data is going to be far more accurate than inventory data entered manually.
As awesome as humans can get, we all make mistakes.
A typo here, or any other type of error there.
Barcodes remove the chance for human error and even reduce the need for training new staff since when taking inventory, all they need to do is point and click.
This ties in with the previous point, computers tend to have the edge on us when it comes to speedily reading and storing information.
Using barcodes for inventory control, you can take advantage of data being immediately available, including:
NOTE: Be careful that you label items correctly and be sure to check for duplicate barcodes, as this benefit can quickly become an issue the longer the mistake goes undetected.
Barcode scanning tracks inventory yields at a more accurate count, as well as improved calculations of inventory turnover rates. With a better understanding of your inventory turnover, you can hold less inventory and reduce carrying costs.
Once you&#;ve installed your barcode system, you can start generating barcodes immediately. Once you&#;ve taken the time to apply your barcodes to items, you can start monitoring your savings and reap the benefits.
Inventory management with barcode scanning allows you to keep your data up-to-date and error-free. Having the valuable information to hand allows you to accurately plan demand and make better decisions in regards to your procurement, maintenance, and budgeting policies.
Maybe barcode inventory management might seem too ambitious if you&#;re a manufacturer that isn&#;t handling 100&#;s and 100&#;s of items.
Thankfully, you can still take advantage of barcode technology, and at relatively low costs too.
To implement a barcode system for inventory using an Excel spreadsheet, you will need to complete the following steps:
Open Excel and set up the first cell (A1) with &#;Inventory&#; or &#;Items&#; to begin the set-up, press enter to move to the next black cell.
Plug your barcode scanner for inventory control into your computer, smartphone, or tablet, and scan one of your items.
The blank cell should now be populated with the barcode number and the spreadsheet cursor should drop down to the next cell.
NOTE: If the cursor doesn&#;t move automatically, be sure to check your scanner&#;s documentation to see how you can fix this. Otherwise, you&#;ll manually need to press enter on your keyboard to select the next empty cell.
Simply continue to scan all your items into the document for automated inventory tracking.
NOTE: From here, you can now begin to use Excel for barcode generating to optimize tasks like:
However, this method isn&#;t foolproof, and the inefficiencies of using spreadsheets can still become apparent even why using a scanner, mostly because of the spreadsheet&#;s limitations.
It&#;s great for performing audits on your inventory levels, but that&#;s about it.
Now that you know all you need to know about the exciting world of barcodes, next is learning what you need to do to implement inventory control with barcode scanners.
Here are five tips to get you started.
Here are four reasons why manufacturers use barcodes:
Security &#; Barcodes for your high-value items with long-term investments need extra vigilance. Usually, this type of equipment should have labels that can&#;t be easily taken off. For example, tamper-evident labels.
Mobility &#; Ideal if your items require frequent checkouts at different locations and have a chance of getting misplaced. With these barcodes, it&#;s best to have identical assets for backup, for example, two-part asset labels.
Durability &#; Suitable for bigger items, such as office furniture, stuff that is more likely to be moved around and cleaned. Then sturdier laminated asset labels to withstand the wear and tear is what you&#;ll need. For example, polyester asset labels.
Adhesion &#; Items that are rugged or have uneven surfaces, such as mechanical equipment, will need labels that can adhere to them. For example, foil barcode labels.
Introducing a barcode system for inventory control allows you to comply with industry regulations.
It&#;s important, and a legal requirement, to figure out local and government regulations to avoid potential lawsuits.
When using a barcode scanner for inventory control, you&#;re going to need to determine what data the barcode should reveal.
However, what&#;s most important is the barcode&#;s uniqueness. Barcodes are IDs, and ultimately you&#;ll want the barcode scanning system to tell you information such as:
Though, it&#;s essentially endless how much the database can tell you about an ID.
So, you&#;ve done all this hard work on your barcode system for inventory control, and then you get the barcode printed onto the relevant items. Then you realize that the barcode is obstructed or damaged from where you place it.
Putting the barcode in the perfect spot is essential. Otherwise, if you mess this stage up your entire barcode stock control system comes tumbling down.
As a scaling manufacturer, you&#;re going to be managing all different types of software to help you keep on top of your business, from manufacturing to marketing.
This is why it&#;s important to find a barcode inventory control system for your business that can integrate with all your other software to tie your inventory management together with your entire workflow.
For example, Katana is a powerful cloud inventory platform that comes equipped with barcode scanning and allows you to integrate your other business systems.
Before we look into the scanner aspect of barcode inventory control, how exactly does a barcode scanner work?
When you aim and click your scanner at the barcode, the sensor within the scanner detects reflected light from that little red light you see and generates an analog signal for decoding.
This is then translated by the decoder, is validated by the check digit if it&#;s correct, and then coverts that data into text.
That text then appears on your computer software and displays the information you decided should be represented by the barcode.
Scanners work very much like a keyboard hooked up to your PC. But, instead of using keys, your scanner is going to be what helps you input data into the computer.
So, you&#;ve got your barcodes set up, it&#;s time to pick a scanner for your barcode inventory control.
Here are 5 tips to consider when choosing a barcode scanner for your business.
Look at the actual floor of your shop floor manufacturing.
This means that if you opted for a cheap plastic scanner and were to drop it on your factory floor, would it survive the fall?
Manufacturers should consider purchasing rugged barcode scanners to avoid the risk of damaging the scanner when transporting it across your business.
Do you have a dusty warehouse? Or is your workshop covered in sawdust or any other particles from your machinery?
You&#;ll want to look into the Ingress Protection (IP) rating of the scanners you shortlist, as this will indicate if the device will be able to survive extreme elements such as being covered in dust or submerged in water.
Instinctively, you&#;d think that if you have a low level of lighting &#; possibly to protect light-sensitive material &#; it may interfere with your scanner.
However, the scanner works by reflecting the light from the barcode and analyzing the light and dark spots of the barcode. The issue is actually if you have bright lighting or sunlight that drenches your items.
It&#;s important to ensure that the scanner is going to work under your business&#;s lighting condition.
If your operators will be wearing gloves while on the floor and using the barcode scanner, then you should find a scanner that can accommodate these conditions, such as having larger keys, so it&#;s easier to use the scanner.
Will you be scanning barcodes from a distance or up close? If it&#;s from a distance, you&#;ll need to look into scanners with Advanced Long Range or Extended Range capabilities.
On top of that, if you&#;re using 1D or 2D barcodes you&#;ll need to think whether you&#;ll need to use laser scanners or even if the camera on your smart devices is enough.
When you start the hunt for a barcode stock control system for your business, you can use software comparison sites such as Capterra or Software Advice to see what other manufacturers in your industry are using.
However, when compiling your shortlist for choosing software and scanners, be sure to follow this checklist to give you a head start:
By following this, you&#;ll surely be on the right path to finding the perfect barcode inventory control system.
But, how about we help you get started on this journey?
A comprehensive ebook with everything you need to know about inventory management.
For more Product Scanner Machineinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.
Katana Cloud Inventory is a scalable manufacturing platform for those starting to grow or larger manufacturers with warehouses and factories spread all over.
Katana supports a wide range of manufacturing processes and workflows and even comes with barcode scanning capabilities.
With Katana, you can improve your inventory management methods for handling raw materials and batches by:
Katana allows customers to use barcode scanners for inventory control to help you and your employees easily keep up with your inventory methods, such as ABC inventory. Perform inventory tracking responsibilities quicker, reduce the chance for errors, and identify materials and items more easily.
Inventory control with barcode scanners is perfect for any manufacturer who works with:
But Katana doesn&#;t stop there &#; it also gives you access to monitoring manufacturing, more control over the floor level with shop floor scheduling, and our API to customize your own integrations.
Don&#;t just take our word for it &#; see for yourself. Request a demo to see firsthand the benefits to be reaped with cloud inventory software and a barcode stock control system.
And that&#;s it for now.
Until next time, happy scanning.
Before barcode scanners, the only way to track products and inventory was by manually counting every item on a store&#;s shelves and in its back room.
Most inventories were done infrequently, while ordering decisions were based on crude estimates and arbitrary feelings. Counting, tracking, and managing inventory was time-consuming and expensive.
Today, thanks to barcode scanning technology, inventory tracking and management happens digitally, in a matter of seconds. But just how does a barcode scanner work?
Ahead, learn how barcode scanners work, discover the types of barcode scanners, and check out our top picks for the best barcode scanners for retail businesses.
A barcode scanner uses a light source, photodiode, and sensor to scan barcodes and detect changes in light intensity in between its black and white bars. Based on the barcode pattern, the scanner creates an electrical signal and sends it to a computer for conversion into readable text that works within a retailer&#;s database.
Here&#;s a breakdown of the barcode scanning process:
This seemingly simple process makes handling inventory tracking, management, and recordkeeping easy, while improving the customer experience.
Handheld barcode scanners are user-friendly devices often designed with the following parts for seamless scanning:
These scanners use a point-and-scan functionality and trigger-like mechanism to activate the scanning operation and accurately capture various barcode symbologies, including 1D, 2D, postal barcodes.
The scanners use radio frequency or Bluetooth technology to integrate with devices like smartphones, tablets, laptops, or retail point-of-sale (POS) applications, and then transmit data, such as inventory updates, in real time.
Modern smartphones have a camera with autofocus that supports barcode or QR code scanning, and Bluetooth and wireless capabilities that allow the to be integrated into a barcode system. A barcode scanning app is required to scan and decode a barcode or QR code.
Through an image reader, the decodes a barcode or QR code from a reasonable distance and displays or sends the information to a computer or other connected device. You can also sync a Bluetooth barcode scanner with your , allowing your device to act as a database while the scanner reads and transmits the information.
With Shopify Shopcodes, for example, once you install the free app, you can create and download unique Shopcodes for your Shopify store. When a customer scans the Shopcode, they&#;re directed to a product page or directly to checkout.
You can also incorporate Shopcodes into your marketing by attaching discounts for customers to scan and save instantly. Shopcodes are unique and trackable, so you can see where traffic and sales come from in your Shopify Analytics dashboard.
Besides scanning barcodes and QR codes, a smartphone with barcode scanning capabilities can also perform other tasks, including:
As the popularity of barcode readers grows, so do the options available to retailers to capture information. Let&#;s take a look at eight types of barcode scanners.
A charge-coupled device (CCD), sometimes referred to as an LED scanner, uses a semiconductor and built-in light to convert light into electrical signals. The scanner has hundreds of tiny LEDs arranged in a row, which it shoots directly at a barcode, measuring the voltage of the ambient light rather than self-reflected light.
A CCD scanner takes several readings per scan to reduce errors and generate more accurate results. The downside of a CCD device is that it cannot read codes longer than the face of its scanner, so you&#;ll need to keep it within one to three inches of the barcode.
Laser scanners are a common feature in busy superstores, built into the base of the checkout lane, under a piece of glass.
The scanner shines a focused laser light or beam on the barcode, and a sensor or laser photodetector captures the reflected light to read it. You can hold the code several inches or more from the laser scanner, making them exceptionally accurate for reading UPC and EAN barcode formats.
The most advanced type of laser scanner is the omni-directional scanner, which has more lenses and mirrors to reduce errors. And, it can read crumpled, ripped, or otherwise damaged barcodes faster than other laser scanners.
A camera-based or imager barcode scanner includes an internal video camera, which takes an instant digital photo of a barcode.
Instead of shooting light at the barcode, the camera scanner uses sophisticated digital decoding to analyze the barcode picture, then reads and decodes the pattern of black and white bars into a digit or number.
Camera scanners are cheaper and can read dozens of products waved past them more accurately than old-style checkouts.
A pen or wand barcode reader is popular because it&#;s reliable and inexpensive.
The mechanism is simple: When you scan a barcode, the scanner&#;s LED light source, photodiode (or photo detector), and sensor capture and measure the light reflected from the lines and spaces on the barcode. Then, it converts the input into useful digital information.
2D barcode scanners, also known as 2D area imagers, are like camera-based or imager scanners. Other than decoding alphanumeric information, these scanners also interpret codes that contain binary data, including images, voice, loyalty programs, and URLs.
The scanner uses camera and image processing techniques to capture and read any type of barcode&#;including stacked, 1D, 2D, and QR codes&#;off a screen or monitor, and in any orientation. Then, it decodes the code with an algorithm and relays the information back to a computer or other electronic device.
With two-dimensional reading capabilities, a 2D scanner captures a more detailed and intelligent image than a 1D scanner, whether you&#;re scanning outdoors or scanning dirty or damaged barcodes. This makes a 2D scanner an intelligent choice for long-term scanning, particularly in warehousing and logistics setups.
A fixed mount barcode scanner is mounted in a stationary position or fixed location at a specific angle and distance. Common examples include retail POS systems, checkout counters, or vending machines.
The scanner comprises a scan engine, housing, and cable. The housing securely mounts the device and protects the scan engine from dust and other environmental elements, while the cable connects to standard equipment for easy installation.
Fixed mount scanners typically use lasers to read 1D, 2D, and direct part marking (DPM) barcodes at high speeds and varying distances with great accuracy. Its laser technology can work under difficult light and ambient conditions, reading even low-contrast and contaminated codes reliably and cost-effectively. It&#;s a hands-free operation that improves speed, productivity, and accuracy on the job.
You can easily integrate a fixed mount scanner with existing systems for efficient and accurate barcode scanning in high-speed environments, like retail stores, warehouses, assembly lines, and distribution centers.
A wearable scanner combines the hands-free convenience of a fixed mount barcode reader with the mobility of a handheld scanner. It&#;s designed for more rugged use in retail stores, warehouse, field service, and more.
The scanner is typically secured to a user&#;s finger, wrist, hand, or arm using hook-and-loop closures. Some wearables can include head-mounted devices, which incorporate audio and optical display functions. This frees you up to use both hands, saving you time while improving productivity and reducing repetitive motions and errors.
In-counter scanners are mounted to countertops in high-volume retail environments, such as the cashier and self-checkout lanes of large retail and grocery stores, which require high speed and precision.
They&#;re stationary, like fixed mount scanners, but are commonly integrated into retail POS counters. Thanks to their wide scanning area, in-counter scanners offer fast, accurate barcode scanning on items that pass over them, without needing to point the scanner or trigger the device.
In-counter scanners are high-performing and durable, which ensures quick and accurate barcode scanning and reduces loss. Besides reading product barcodes, the scanners can also read coupons, loyalty cards, personnel badges, and mobile codes.
There&#;s no one-size-fits-all barcode reader, but here are the top four we think are best for retailers.
The Socket Mobile S700 is a lightweight, portable, and stylish barcode scanner with a simple, ergonomic design for comfortable use over extended periods.
The scanner connects wirelessly to Shopify POS with Bluetooth. You can quickly add items to the Shopify POS cart at checkout and eliminate errors. Or scan 1D barcodes on customer receipts and find the orders associated with those sales.
Plus, the Socket Mobile S700 comes with a long-lasting replaceable battery. When fully charged, it can last up to 14 hours, withstanding entire workdays or extended shifts. This makes the scanner ideal for daily operations such as inventory tracking and retail sales.
Pros
Cons
Price: $239
If you use 1D and 2D barcodes, take a look at the Socket Mobile S720.
The fast, 2D omni-directional barcode scanner can read 1D and 2D barcodes on paper and screen, and has a long-range Bluetooth connection of up to 33 feet (10 meters). It has a 16-hour battery life and a lightweight, ergonomic structure for comfortable use over extended periods.
The scanner also comes with an Auto Scan mode for continuously scanning barcodes without needing to press the Scan button, and an LED aimer for precise pointing. A charging dock is included for conveniently charging and storing the scanner.
Pros
Cons
Price: $289
The NADAMOO barcode scanner can work as a wireless or stationary scanner, reading 1D linear barcodes and processing up to 260 scans per second in real time.
You can connect it to a computer via a USB dongle or cable, then key the trigger manually for the scanner to read the barcode. Or just switch to continuous scan mode, which keeps the red laser always on and scans barcodes without needing to press the trigger.
The scanner has two pairing modes: one-to-one mode, where only one scanner can transmit barcodes to a single USB receiver, or more-to-one mode, which allows multiple scanners to transmit barcodes to a single USB receiver. The latter is ideal in a retail environment where several people are scanning at once.
NADAMOO also offers two working modes: instant upload mode and storage mode. In instant upload mode, the scanner reads a barcode and uploads it straight to the file you opened. Storage mode is ideal when using the scanner outside of the wireless signal range. It can scan and store up to 100,000 barcodes directly into the scanner&#;s built-in memory, then update the data to your device when you&#;re back within wireless transmission range.
The scanner&#;s duplicate detection function reduces errors by emitting an error beep if it scans the same barcode it just read. It also has a large battery, which, when fully charged, can perform up to 2,000 scans in a day, which can improve your work efficiency.
Pros
Cons
Price: $34.99
The Zebra DS is an ideal countertop 2D barcode scanner for Shopify POS on Android devices. The scanner comes pre-configured and ready to use right out of the box, making it easy to deploy and manage in any location.
Thanks to its omni-directional scanning, the device works in all light conditions, at all angles, and on most forms of media. When in its gooseneck stand, the DS scanner is automatically set to hands-free. So, any barcode&#;colored, damaged, or faded&#;that passes into the field of light is sent directly to a computer or other electronic device.
And with Zebra&#;s PRZM software decode algorithms, the scanner can read and decode both standard UPC barcodes and 2D QR codes. This makes it perfect for scanning QR codes for customer registration and mobile couponing, as well as shipping labels.
Pros
Cons
Price: $199
The right barcode scanner for your business improves productivity and efficiency by making it faster to catalog, track, and manage your inventory across locations. Plus, it reduces human error and accurately improves transactions for your customers.
When choosing a barcode scanner, think about features, your budget, and your business goals and needs&#;what might suit some retailers might not be right for you.
Manage inventory from one back office
Shopify POS comes with tools to help you manage warehouse and store inventory in one place. Forecast demand, set low stock alerts, create purchase orders, know which items are selling or sitting on shelves, count inventory, and more.
Discover Shopify POSA barcode scanner captures an image by camera or reads a barcode by light reflection. Then, it uses an algorithm to decode the image or code into readable and meaningful data. Once it matches the text or information with an entry in the retailer&#;s database, the scanner retrieves and presents the encoded information on its display or sends it to a connected electronic device, like a computer, cash register, or checkout terminal.
Yes, two products can have the same barcode. For example, if you have a batch of 50 blouses of the same type, they would all receive the same barcode number. You won&#;t need 50 unique barcodes for each blouse. Managing inventory and tracking sales requires only individual barcodes for each product&#;not for each individual item.
Laser barcode scanners are built into the base of the checkout lane, under a piece of glass. Unlike other scanners, which capture the image of the barcode before analyzing it, a laser scanner shines a focused laser light or beam on the barcode surface, then uses a laser photodetector to capture the reflected light, scan, and decode the barcode. Omni-directional laser scanners can read crumpled, ripped, or damaged barcodes faster and with exceptional accuracy than other types of scanners.
Not all barcode scanners can read 1D and 2D barcodes. Only 2D barcode scanners can read linear and two-dimensional barcode symbologies, such as 1D, 2D, and stacked barcodes, QR codes, and more.
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