Barcode: a simple way to manage information on the go
These days, you use barcodes in day-to-day life. Especially while shopping, you come across labels with vertical lines with white spaces of different widths & even some numbers. Those lines are nothing but barcodes. A barcode is nothing but visualization of data in machine-readable form.
Furthermore, in a big supermarket, when we pick up items and then during check out, the cashier scans the code. After the scan, the price of the item pops up on the computer screen. Then, you pay the amount and exit. So, you can get a faster check-out experience. Thus, these codes make our lives easy.
In addition, barcodes are now taking over every industry. More and more companies and organizations are now barcoding their products. It is one of the simplest methods to track anything faster. These 1D barcodes are now everywhere. But with an increase in smartphones, 2D barcodes are getting popular. 1D codes are parallel lines, while 2D codes consist of rectangles, dots, and hexagons. 2D codes also include other patterns. 2D codes are readable by a smartphone’s camera.
What is barcoding?
Barcoding is nothing but a simple identification method. With this method, you can track, manage and identify items. This method is beneficial for businesses handling lots of products every day.
Furthermore, you will see barcodes on products in supermarkets, shipping labels, large warehouses, books, and even on government IDs. Additionally, we can see the incorporation of 2D barcodes in payment systems. The codes in the payment system help to transfer money electronically & in a faster way.
In addition, these codes also play a role during the manufacturing, distribution, and transportation of products. From tracking & tracing to inventory management, these codes can do amazing things. Besides, They add accuracy and efficiency to every process.
How does the barcode work?
Barcodes are typically set of vertical lines with various widths printed on labels in a rectangular shape. The set of numbers or letters and numbers appear beneath the code. These codes are one-dimensional. The pattern of white and black lines codes the information in the physical form.
In addition, These black and white spaces represent the set of information directly related to the product. As the detailing of physical code increases, it also increases the information it can store. You can stick the barcode to an item, or you can tag the code.
Furthermore, the bar code reader scans the code and decodes the information for human use. These readers use lasers to transmit the information from the code through the reader to the computer systems. The computer systems then organize incoming data and show it in human-readable form. As a result, you can make accurate decisions by understanding this data.
Benefits and Uses of Barcodes:
The important use of these codes is the identification and tracking of the item. You can trace and track items very easily. So, these codes are beneficial for faster checkouts. Additionally, they help to speed up data collection on the ground.
Furthermore, the use of these codes increases the accuracy of the data. It also improves the efficiency of the user in the long run, as everything is trackable. You can also adopt the whole system very easily and effectively.
Humans could make errors when they have to process a large number of items. However, the bar codes reduce human errors. Nowadays, you can make payments within seconds by scanning the 2D barcodes. They are also helpful during shipping the products.
Barcodes are super beneficial in the healthcare industry. They can help to identify patients and related data. They are also helpful in tracking items starting from luggage, parcels, registered posts, and rental cars. You can also embed the hyperlink in the barcode. Thus, you can use it for marketing or for finding the best price.
The other most crucial use is the visualization of data coming from codes. It includes identifying best-selling items, seasonal fluctuations, fast-selling positions on the shelves, and even buyer profiling. You can also manage the pricing of the item on the go. These codes are also beneficial in case of recalling things due to some errors or problems in them.
Types:
Barcode has different types. The two major types are 1D barcodes and 2D barcodes. The 1D barcodes consist of lines, while 2D barcodes have rectangular or hexagonal shapes. There are different types of one-dimensional 1D barcodes: UPC code, code 39, EAN code, code 128, ITF, Coda bar, code 93, GS1 data bar, & MSI Plessey. Different types of two-dimensional 2D barcodes are Datamatrix code, PDF417, AZTEC, and QR code.
In conclusion, bar codes are easy to adopt. They also increase efficiency and accountability on the go. Hence, more and more organizations are now embracing them on a large scale.
Video Courtesy: Sick
