Barcode registration is registering your product with a unique barcode that barcode scanners can scan and read. The barcode helps in identifying your product and also helps in tracking your product's movement throughout the supply chain. Barcode registration is crucial for businesses; especially those involved in manufacturing, warehousing, and retail, as it helps streamline their operations and ensures product authenticity.
How Do Businesses Use Barcodes?
Barcodes are a widely used technology that provides a unique symbol, typically consisting of parallel lines and a number, which can be scanned to retrieve product information from a database. Businesses utilize barcodes in several ways, including:
Inventory management: Large departmental stores with extensive product lines use barcode systems to track all aspects of the product cycle, from manufacturing to sales.
Asset tracking: With the significant amount of IT assets businesses holds today, barcodes are used to tag and track assets in asset software.
Returns tracking: In online shopping, barcodes can be used to track returns. They can also be attached to invoices to facilitate the tracking of payments from customers.
Types of Barcode
There are several types of barcodes, including:
EAN-13: Formerly known as the European Article Number, this 13-digit barcode is used in Europe, India, and other countries.
UPC-A: The Universal Product Code or UPC-A is a 12-digit barcode commonly used in the US, Canada, UK, Australia, and New Zealand.
Databar Barcodes: These are used for fresh food products and contain additional information such as batch number, expiry date, and weight.
1D Barcodes: The GS1-128 and ITF-14 are highly versatile 1D barcodes used to track items in the global supply chain. The GS1-128 can carry any ID keys and additional information, such as serial numbers and expiration dates. At the same time, the ITF-14 holds the Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) and is ideal for application to corrugated materials.
2D Barcodes: These barcodes have gained popularity with online payment wallets and can hold significant information. Businesses widely use them to share websites, videos, and other data. They can hold up to 7000 digits or 4000 characters and integrate data with programs such as MS Office, MS SQL, servers, and other database files.
These are some of the commonly used types of barcodes in India, and businesses can choose the appropriate barcode depending on their specific needs and requirements.
