Category: Barcodes for Business

Learn more about how barcode labels and barcode scanners can create efficiencies for your business. Dane Titsworth @ Idezi Nashville, TN

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Barcodes for Business

A Complete Guide on Amazon Barcode Requirements

upc label

Thinking about selling your product on Amazon?

After all, Amazon is the leading eCommerce retail company in the United States. By 2021, it will hold around half of the online retail market share. Most of your competitors, while also selling on their own website and platforms like Instagram, will also have items on Amazon.

In other words, the competition is tight. One way to stand out is to keep up with Amazon’s strict standards. This includes following the Amazon barcode requirements.

This should be a part of your strategy if you’re an online retail business that wants an effective product label. For you to thrive in this business, it’s necessary to set up an effective account.

Not sure where to start? Read on to know more!

1. Know What the UPC Code Is

You might be asking, “what’s a UPC code?” The short answer is that it’s a barcode used all over the world to help watch over products in stores. The Universal Product Code (UPC) has two different kinds: Type A and Type E.

The main difference between the two is the number of digits used. The first one has 11 digits, while the latter only has six. Out of the two, most stores use the Type A barcode for their business.

UPC codes work by having a machine-readable bar symbol as well as a human-readable 12-digit UPC number. In simple terms, the UPC code of an item is unique. Every size or repackaging of a single product needs its own UPC code.

2. Know the UPC Code’s Use on Amazon

All listings on the Amazon website have their own UPCs or EANs assigned to each. Amazon’s system converts all these UPCs into their own internal SKU system. This system is known as the Amazon Standard Identification Number (ASIN).

If you’re selling a product on this platform, you need to give it a unique UPC. This applies to each unique item you sell. When you create a listing, this is the last required field you need to fill in.

3. Know the Barcode Requirements

When you print your Amazon barcodes, make sure they follow certain requirements. The labels should have enough white space around the barcode and text. The recommended value is 0.25″ on the sides and 0.125″ on the top and bottom.

After that, you need to make sure that the ASIN or SKU is legible. Include the product name and its condition. This helps ensure that your buyers know what they’re paying for.

If you make your own products, you might want to print barcodes to the packaging. In that case, Amazon needs you to file for a GS1 standard UPC barcode. Take note that you also need to meet the other requirements too.

4. Know the Label Placement Requirements

As soon as you’re ready, you can affix the barcodes to the products you sell. Remember to put the correct barcode on each unique item. Cover up all the other visible barcodes except for the ones with serial numbers.

If you’re using any prep materials, make sure the barcode is outside. You may not place it on a curve or corner of the package. Make sure that there’s a 0.25″ allowance between the edge of the label and the edge of the packaging.

Don’t forget to place the Amazon barcode on each item in a case pack. Remove any other barcodes on the case. If you don’t, you’ll end up getting processing delays and receive penalties.

5. Apply the Labels for Your Product

There are a lot of places you can buy UPC codes for Amazon. Just make sure you don’t overpay for these labels. As soon as you finish your listing, the company will prompt you to print its barcodes.

If it doesn’t give you the prompt, you need to sign into Seller Central. Select the Manage FBA Inventory option and click on the products you want to print barcodes for. Next, scroll up and select Print Item Labels from the drop-down menu.

The labels have a format that allows you to print around 30 labels on a single standard sheet of paper. It’s okay to use any kind of standard paper. Make sure that your printer has a decent quality so the label looks legible.

Amazon suggests using thermal printers to get the best results. If you’re using laser printers, they will generate a PDF version of the labels. This allows you to print it with the use of the standard label paper.

6. Know the Common Inventory Label Problems

Once you start selling products on Amazon, you might encounter some problems. Most of these relate to the product labels in your shipping queue. The most common problem is when a barcode goes missing.

Another common issue is when the item has the wrong label. There are times when you put the incorrect barcode on a product. When this happens, the system will know that it doesn’t match the physical product in the package.

The barcode might also get smudged or smeared. That makes it unreadable and may cause you problems. Also, improper barcode placement makes it impossible to scan, so keep that in mind.

Pay attention to how you prepare your product packaging. It’s possible that your item arrives – and the system detects labeling, packaging, or shipping requirement errors.

Learn the Amazon Barcode Requirements Today

Amazon has a lot of requirements for sellers.

From legitimacy to packaging, the company has a set of stringent policies to ensure their continued market domination. Considering these aspects, it’s important that you follow the Amazon barcode requirements.

There are many places where you can buy UPC codes for Amazon. Some even sell them in bulk. Research your options to ensure you don’t overpay for these labels.

Don’t hesitate to get the best option for your company. If you need help with your UPCs, contact us today. We have the right expertise and experience to help you get started towards the path of retail success!

 

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Barcodes for Business Uncategorized

Direct Thermal vs Thermal Transfer Labels: Which Is Best?

direct thermal vs thermal transfer

 

Are you frustrated by the fact that you just can’t seem to find the right printing solutions for your barcodes and general labeling needs?

Are you looking for printing solutions that can stand up to extreme temperatures and make it through long shelf lives?

Perhaps you’re just in the market for clearer, more easily readable options for barcodes and product labels.

If that’s you, then it’s important that you understand the differences between direct thermal vs thermal transfer printing.

Which one of these options is right for you? Which one will be able to last in the environment that it will be stored in?

How can you find the more affordable option when it comes to creating thermal labels?

Keep on reading this post to get the answers to all of those questions — and many more.

What is a Thermal Transfer?

If you’re interested in thermal labels, then you’ve likely considered getting a thermal transfer in order to create the barcodes that you need.

Thermal transfer works by, as the name implies, a heated print head. Your barcode ribbon will be coated with wax, resin, or a combination of the two on one side.

When you run the thermal label through the printer, the print head is heated, which then melts the wax or resin coating. It’s in this way that the ink is directly transferred to your tag or label.

The Benefits of a Thermal Transfer

One of the main benefits of making thermal transfer labels is that they give you an especially clear image.

This means that for many companies that prioritize the length that the label will last for and the overall clarity with which it can be read, thermal transfer is the best option.

Thermal transfers are also ideal for those whose barcodes and labels will likely be exposed to chemicals, industrial factories, or even that will be placed outdoors. If you’re going to need to expose the codes to heat, go with a thermal transfer option.

It works for things you need to label in cold storage or in a medical facility (think lab specimens.) Many companies also use thermal transfers to label their circuit boards, or even to create official certification labels.

However, as you may have expected, you’ll need to replace the ribbons fairly often. This means it’s a more costly option — or at least that it requires more of an initial investment. Still, the printer itself is durable, meaning your maintenance expenses will be low.

You’ll also need to ensure that you’ve chosen the correct adhesive to fix your label onto a product or object. However, because of the clarity of these labels, you usually can avoid costly re-printings.

Defining Direct Thermal Printing

If you want to understand direct thermal vs. thermal transfer printing, you need to understand what the former is first.

Unlike thermal transfers, direct thermal printing doesn’t actually need any ink or ribbons, though you’ll need a print head as you did with the other method.

It actually prints your image right on the label through a chemically balanced paper that’s sensitive to heat. Once the paper goes underneath the print head, the image is actually burned onto the label.

The Benefits of Direct Thermal Printing

In general, direct thermal printing is better for shorter-term usage. This means you likely won’t use it to label products.

Instead, you can use a direct thermal label supplier to help you with things like creating labels for shipping and even printing out receipts.

This method of printing is also popular when you need to create tickets, wristbands for event entry, and even parking citations (we know, everyone’s favorite thing.)

It is especially popular in hospitals, as it makes for the perfect printing for wristbands for patients. It’s even used when companies need to print out coupons.

However, as you’ve likely guessed, direct thermal printing is only good for fairly temperature-controlled environments. In general, we would recommend that you use these either indoors only, or for one-time-use printing needs.

As with thermal transfer printing, you can still expect to get a higher quality of printing that’s clearly legible. It’s also a more affordable option, and it’s a great way to cut down on your company waste.

In fact, many labels are even able to be made from recycled materials.

Be aware, however, that you should expect for these labels to fade over time. This means that they won’t work for long-term printing jobs. If the label is exposed to too much heat, then it can easily start to blur, eventually becoming unreadable.

Still, in most cases, direct thermal printing is the right choice for those looking for both temporary and affordable printing solutions.

Direct Thermal vs Thermal Transfer: Which will you Choose?

We hope that this post has helped you to clear up any confusion between direct thermal vs thermal transfer printing.

In a nutshell, if you’re looking for long-term solutions, go for thermal transfer printing. If you’re interested more in short-term usage and affordability, then it’s likely that direct thermal printing will be a better option for you.

Of course, the quality of the labels and barcodes that you get will depend directly on the printing company that you decide to work with.

That’s where Idezi comes in.

Spend some time on our website and blog to learn more about how we can help you with your barcode and label printing needs as soon as is possible.

 

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Barcodes for Business

6 Common Inventory Control Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

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In the early 2000s, poor inventory management made Nike lose sales worth approximately $100 million.

After the debacle, Nike’s stock price tumbled by 20%, was hit by various class-action claims and became the embodiment of poor decisions.

Luckily, Nike was able to rebound by implementing a better inventory control management system.

If this can happen to Nike, one of the world’s biggest companies, it can also happen to you.

We’ve compiled 6 common inventory management blunders many companies make and the potential solutions.

Failure to Forecast Demand Accurately

Nike’s problem arose from an incorrect forecast demand. The bugs and errors in its software produced the wrong forecast, which they relied on in the manufacturing plan. Consequently, they had less of the items that their customers demanded and produced too many items that weren’t sold.

First and foremost, inventory management systems must be bug and error-free. Demand forecasts are crucial for producing the right quantity of products and if the figures are inaccurate, you’re doomed, especially if you’re operating a wholesale business.

The answer is pretty simple: you must get an inventory tracking software that produces accurate data.

You Aren’t Automated

If you’re currently tracking your stock with Excel or another manual process, you’re wasting valuable time and money by correcting errors one at a time or sifting through papers.

Mistakes are inevitable. Research indicates that even a skilled data entry worker will make one mistake for every 300 characters they enter.

That kind of inaccuracy may cause huge problems if your stock consists of thousands or hundreds of products.

Manual processes don’t allow many people to access them at once and don’t work in real time.

In contrast, an automated system allows several employees to track products across a number of locations, all while keeping tabs on shipments and orders for those products.

Your Employees Don’t Have Inventory Control Skills

No one has time to stop operations for whatever reason, never mind training. However, to have proper inventory control, you need employees you can trust to perform the task well.

While you prepare to set up a better inventory management system, consider these suggestions to prevent frustration for your workers and you.

  • Hire the right staff: Your business probably has inventory worth several hundred thousand dollars. Shouldn’t you engage the services of experienced inventory managers or individuals with a solid track record in inventory for starters?
  • Put emphasis on training from the beginning: Many inventory management system vendors will train your employees on-site. Make the most of this chance. The training is usually tailored to your business, and everybody will be learning about the best practices from day one.
  • Hold your inventory managers to account: Do you know who manages inventory in your storehouse? It’s vital to have someone you trust and who knows and totally backs your strategic goals. Otherwise, you may never achieve your goals.

Less Frequent Inventory Inspections

Many companies halt operations for one day to inspect inventory. This can lead to loss of profit. It’s much worse for large companies with plenty of inventory; they may end up with loss of profit for several weeks.

This is a dated method that’s also not at all productive. You’re better off planning more frequent inventory checks to avoid halting operations and not making sales.

On top of that, even if you notice a discrepancy while checking your inventory, it’ll be hard to pinpoint the issue when you’ve got 3 to 12 months to remember.

With an online inventory control system, you won’t need to do that. A reliable system will keep you informed about the state of your stock in real time.

Apart from stopping the loss of profits, this will also enable company sales reps–with more clarity and visibility on inventory levels–to speak with more confidence and conviction to prospective customers.

Your Warehouse is Disorganized

Disorganization is the bane of efficiency and productivity. There’s a massive difference between a warehouse that performs optimally and one that just functions.

Warehouse management is often overlooked in the chain of distribution, and seemingly innocent mistakes–like badly labeled storage areas–may waste a lot of time.

Time is of the essence in the distribution process. If your employees have to constantly crisscross the warehouse looking for incorrectly stored and poorly labeled items, the losses accrued eventually can be punishing.

Use a simple, clearly-marked labeling and storage system. Put the most in-demand products and those picked most often in areas near the loading bays.

Foster effective data-based communication between departments to ensure that every process in your distribution chain (from buying and sales) is running from one page, using accurate, real-time data.

Although there’s no fail-safe protection against all the problems that can attack your inventory control system, avoiding the three main pitfalls mentioned above will ensure that you have proactive control of your inventory.

Selling More Products than Those in Stock

If you’re operating an online shop, you’ve probably sold more goods than those in stock at least once.

Customers have made orders and probably even paid for them. Come delivery time, it dawns on you that that specific item is out of stock and it’ll take some time to restock it.

You’re then left with the tricky task of letting the customer know that their order is going to delay and having to reimburse them in case they no longer want the product.

This wouldn’t have occurred if you were utilizing an online inventory management app to monitor incoming and outgoing inventory.

If it happens a few times, your previously devoted customers may decide to purchase from another online dealer that uses a better inventory management solution than yours. Therefore, your customers and revenue will shrink and you’ll have it all to do to restore your business to its glory days.

Inventory control can be quite a challenge–but there are certain things you need to do to make it easier.

Contact us right away for more information about ways to automate and modernize your inventory management.

 

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Barcodes for Business News

What is the Importance of Inventory Control?

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No matter the industry you work in, inventory control is a vital aspect of your business. Managing your inventory can help you keep track of your products, streamline your sales, and monitor other factors such as ordering and shipment. This could answer questions you have about your products and your sales. How much inventory should you always have on-stock? How large of a storage space do you need?

Today we’re discussing a few key ways improved inventory control can change your business for the better. Ready to learn more? Let’s dive in!

Keep Track of Your Sales

Keeping better track of your products, made possible by utilizing stock labels and documenting them, can improve your sales tracking processes. Not only does inventory control better monitor your sales, it can also increase your sales.

Say you had a product that didn’t sell well. You can keep track of how many times it was sold, and how many products you have left. Then, you can discount that product in retailers and online. At a lower price, you’re sure to increase sales of the product, generating more revenue for your business. If you didn’t practice inventory management, that product could have been sitting in the warehouse, not generating any revenue. You can also gain better insight on what sells best, any trends in sales, and other information on customer preference.

Always Know How Much Inventory To Have

A tricky issue to tackle is knowing how much inventory to store and sell. Ordering too much could result in bad ROI conversions, and ultimately cost you money. Ordering too little could result in stressful situations such as ordering new products in a time crunch. When you properly utilize inventory control, you can keep tabs on how much is too much and how much is too little. If you have leftover stock or find yourself ordering more products, you’ll be able to have better judgment on ordering stock.

Improves Customer Satisfaction

By managing your inventory, you can create a system of ordering inventory for your best-selling products. This is a way to increase your customer satisfaction. Say you have a product that’s popular amongst your customers, and you didn’t order enough of that product. The result? Frustrated customers who could take their business elsewhere. Inventory management allows you to better monitor these sales so you’re sure you have enough inventory, especially during busy seasons.

Prevent Revenue Loss 

Keeping track of your inventory will save your company money, whether it’s directed to sales or cutting costs on storage. You can also keep tabs on specific product information that could result in revenue loss when stored. One example is a spoilage. If a time-sensitive item, such as a food or cosmetic product, is stored past its expiration date, it must be thrown out. Dead stock is another example. If the product is not in season, no longer popular, or completely irrelevant, it can’t be sold.

Improve Your Inventory Control Today!

Controlling your resources can help you better manage your products and deliveries. Moreover, inventory management can even lead to more sales and help prevent loss of revenue. If you find managing your inventory difficult, call us to learn more about how we can help you track your products. We’d love to put the right tools in your hands!

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Barcodes for Business News

The Ultimate Barcode Printer Buying Guide

Barcode Label Printer, barcode labels, barcode systems, Dane Titsworth

Does a poorly printed barcode really matter that much?

Yes, it does.

Barcodes are responsible for everything from allowing ticket holders to enter events, enabling shops to sell products, and ensuring packages are delivered correctly. They can also increase efficiency in warehouses and storerooms. Incorrectly printed barcodes could render products unusable and cause you to lose business, so choosing the right barcode printer is essential.

Confused by all the barcode printing options? Don’t worry. We’re here with the ultimate to guide to purchasing the right printer.

What Type of Barcode Printer Do You Need? 

There are three main types of barcode printers.

All of these printers are known as thermal label printers, meaning you can print onto any media that the printer can hold, including tags, labels, tickets, and wristbands.

Desktop

Ideal for small, one-off jobs or businesses that only need to print the occasional label, desktop printers are easy to use and don’t take up much space. They’re perfect for small offices and retail stores.

Industrial

Need some serious printing capacity? Then an industrial barcode printer is the right choice. These printers are capable of printing constantly, meaning you can be as efficient as possible.

Mobile

Want to print barcodes while on the go? Mobile printers are handheld and don’t need to be connected to a PC, making them perfect for ad hoc printing. While capacity is limited, they’re ideal for staff who need to print labels on the shop or warehouse floor.

What Will You Be Printing Onto? 

Are you printing onto unusual media, like a wristband or ticket?

You’ll want to consider this before making your purchase and look at specialized options. Dedicated wristband printers are easier to refill than standard printers, and can create high-resolution images. Perfect for attractions like theme parks where regular wristband printing is required. Special ticket printers accommodate large stacks of tickets and print them in a folded arrangement that makes them easier to store and distribute. Compare the shapes, size, and material of your media with the capabilities of the printer you choose.

Should You Choose Direct Thermal or Thermal Transfer? 

Direct thermal printers create high-quality barcodes, don’t use ink or ribbons, and are easy to maintain. They’re ideal for creating short-term labels, or labels which won’t be exposed to harsh conditions.

Thermal transfer printers are more expensive and do use ribbons. They create barcodes which can withstand harsh environments and have a long shelf-life. They’re also capable of color printing.

For long-term barcode printing that withstands extreme conditions, thermal transfer is the right choice. For short-term printing in normal environments, direct thermal printing will do fine.

Will You Need Any Printer Add-Ons?

Handy add-ons can improve your barcode label output and efficiency. A cutter neatly separates labels for you, an RFID add-on lets you encode data into labels while printing, a peeler can automatically apply labels for you, and a rewinder feeds printed labels back onto a roll for you. Be sure to consider these extras when choosing your printer – a little extra expense now could save you loads of time and money in the future.

Looking to Buy Your First Barcode Printer?

Finding the right printer means choosing between desktop, industrial and mobile, comparing direct thermal and thermal transfer printers, and including add-ons to save time and increase quality.

Feeling overwhelmed? List all your requirements, check them against this guide, and you’ll be ready to start comparing printers online to find the best fit.

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Barcodes for Business News

How to Choose the Right Barcode Label

barcode label, barcode scanner, barcode scanning system, Dane Tistworth

You’ve done it. You’re taking the leap from being one of the 46% of small businesses that don’t use inventory tracking technology to streamlining your process and putting yourself on the road to having a more efficient pipeline. There’s just one problem: You don’t know which barcode label type to invest in.

Let’s change that.

Today we’re going over how to choose your barcode label wisely. Ready to learn more? Let’s go!

A Note on Barcode Types

First, a quick overview. There are two primary types of barcodes, 1D barcodes, which are a rectangle or square of up and downline vertical lines and 2D barcodes, which are usually square. There are two primary types of barcodes, 1D barcodes, which are a rectangle or square of up and downline vertical lines and 2D barcodes, which are usually square. Each of these has several variants with their ideal applications, but the biggest difference is that 1D barcodes are linear and can only be scanned one way (think the UPC code on a cereal box when you head to self-checkout with the thin red horizontal line to scan it).

A 2D barcode label, on the other hand, can be scanned in any direction and can store far more data than linear codes. That won’t matter for every application, but more stored data means that a single scan can input that much more information seamlessly into your database. Which of the many kinds of labels you choose from depends in part on your business needs as well as the industry you’re in. Some barcodes are proprietary or are the standard in a certain field, like the 2D Aztec barcode which is used in the Transportation industry, or the Code39 1D barcode which is used by the U.S. Department of Defense (among other applications).

How Durable and Versatile Do You Need Your Barcode Label to Be? 

Once you’ve figured out which type of barcode your industry uses (or if you have the freedom to choose whichever you’d like), consider how durable and versatile the barcode needs to be. The 1D ITF barcode, for instance, has wide spaces and thick lines, meaning it can be easily printed on rough material like cardboard and still be read by a scanner. Therefore it’s used primarily in the packaging industry. Also consider what kind of environment these labels are going to be exposed to, what kinds of surfaces they need to be applied to, and how long they’ll be expected to last in the elements they’ll be stored and shipped in.

Saving Money, Smartly

As with most things in life, better quality labels printed with better adhesives that last longer also cost more. Sure, you could just spring for the top of the line, but good stock management means spending as little as possible to get the job done well and correctly. Related to this, you need to decide whether you want to have your labels printed by a third-party and pre-tested or to invest in your own barcode printer. Some companies, like Idezi, provide extra insurance on your printer investment by guaranteeing protection for unexpected print head failures, depending on the service programs that are available.

We’re Just Scratching the Service

Want to know more? We’ve got the expert barcode tips and industry data you need to make the most educated decision. Learn all about barcode label and scanner technology across multiple industries on our blog today!

Learn more about labels and there different applications.

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Barcodes for Business Healthcare Industry Science

How Do Barcodes Improve Medical Safety?

Barcode scanners, barcode labels, barcode scanning systems

In 2010, 4,000 women experienced ruptures of faulty breast implants, according to BBC News. And among the 400,000 women who’d received the same implants worldwide, few were able to find out if theirs were one of the bad ones. Tragic and scary, but the damage could have been lessened–and helped these women achieve some peace of mind–if these implants had been printed with a humble barcode.

Medical Barcode Technology Can Save Lives 

Barcodes on implantable items like breast implants or pacemakers might seem like the stuff of dystopian science fiction, but its real-world use has more utopian application. Between seven and 15 percent of deaths in hospitals can be attributed to medication dispensing errors, i.e., a doctor or nurse misprescribing a drug that patient shouldn’t be taking. With barcode technology used throughout the hospital system, these medications can be scanned, checked, and verified, lessening the potential for dangerous administrations or contraindications.

Tracking Your Warehouse-to-Patient Supply Chain

Instituting barcode technology can help hospitals track medicines, implants, and patients all the way through the supply chain and beyond, collecting valuable data on the medicines themselves, implant wear and tear, and more. It can even be set up to tell nurses and doctors when their patients, who are wearing scanned barcode wristbands, are overdue for their next shot or treatment. The system can even be set up to tell nurses and doctors when their patient (with a scanned barcode wristband) is overdue for a dosage (from their scanned barcode medicine). Barcodes are truly improving healthcare.

Barcode Technology Helps Hospitals Cut Costs

All of this saving lives and streamlining the system saves money, too. One study found that using a barcode system saved a hospital pharmacy $2.2 million per year by significantly reducing medication dispensing errors, with a net benefit after five years of $5.5 million. Naturally, instituting a thorough barcode system is expensive, but here, too, the study found that hospitals reached a break-even point with the tech as early as one year to no later than 10 years after instituting the technology.

The average? 51 months. In other words, it’s money well-spent.

You Need Good Barcode Technology and Training, Though

Unfortunately, it’s not enough to get any old barcode tech. You need solid equipment and the requisite training and hospital culture to make sure it’s being implemented effectively. As many as one in two nurses had performed their previous shift without scanning either patient barcode or medication barcode in their previous shift, one 2012 study found. That’s a good reminder that while technological solutions are marvelous, they’re only as good as the people using them.

But Good Machines Still Matter

That’s not to put the blame solely on doctors and nurses, though. Guess the number one and two reasons for noncompliance?

Bad labels and faulty scanners.

Change is hard and it’s harder to build trust when you’re using unreliable equipment. There’s a solution, though, and it’s simple: Use the best technology you can get and get it serviced regularly. Here, we’ve got you covered. Check out our scanners and scanner repair services here.

Learn more about the solutions we offer for healthcare facilities, hospitals, and sterile environments.

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Barcodes for Business News Uncategorized

How to Improve Inventory Management with Barcode Systems

barcode scanner, barcode labels, barcode systems, Dane Titsworth

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Are you a business owner looking to boost the success of your company?

The answer may lie in smarter and more effective inventory management. Establishing control of your inventory is vital to the success of virtually every business. Read on to find out why and learn how you can facilitate effective inventory management for your company.

Why Inventory Management Is Vital to the Success of Your Business

Maintaining your business’s inventory effectively isn’t easy. If you don’t have enough of what you need, you risk losing customers and sales. This can ultimately take a significant bite out of your profits. However, if you overstock inventory that you don’t need, it can hurt your business in more ways than one.

It’s also important that you have secure inventory control in place so that you can keep an accurate count of any internal or external losses. Here are ways ineffective inventory management can cost you.

Overstocking Inventory

If you are overstocking inventory, you are tying up capital in unnecessary areas. Not only that, the shelf life of products is at hand. A product that stays on the shelf risks losing value, and end up as a total loss if it reaches the point of obsoletion or expiration.

Stock-outs

Every time you are unable to provide a customer the product that they need or want, there is the chance you are not only losing their money but the customer as well. Stock-outs can hurt your company’s production as well as your reputation.

Stock Control in Manufacturing

In manufacturing, inventory is even more detailed because not only do you have to consider end products, but you must also be mindful of each part or component that goes into the whole. Running out of one piece can halt the entire manufacturing process.

How Implementing a Barcode System Can Streamline Your Inventory Process

If you want to ensure effective inventory management for your business, then you should weigh the benefits of a barcode system.

Barcode technology eliminates much of the risk posed by human error. In addition to providing more accurate numbers, it can also assist in tracking what to order. And, it also lets you know when items should be ordered. A barcode system helps to minimize overstocking and understocking issues. It also helps you to gauge your inventory’s productivity and consumer appeal. With the right barcode system in place, you can provide consumers with a better experience and a greater rate of satisfaction, boosting your reputation and your profits. Plus, barcode technology is time efficient and cost-effective, because you won’t have to rely on employers to monitor the inventory.

Find Out How Barcode Technology Can Benefit Your Business

If you are ready to see how more effective inventory management can raise your company’s bottom line, it’s time to implement a barcode system. Want to find out more? Get in touch with a professional who specializes in providing barcode inventory technology!

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Barcodes for Business News

5 Things to Consider When Getting Barcode Scanners

Barcode scanners, barcode scanning systems, Dane Titsworth

Most people don’t give a second thought to the barcode scanners at the grocery store or gas station. The only time we think about them is when they aren’t working properly. But for many business owners, the choice between barcode scanners is a big decision. There are several types of scanners, from in-counter to handheld, and it’s a lot to think about. However, if you keep a few things in mind while deciding, you should be just fine. Here are the five things to consider when buying scanners.

1. The Form

By this, we mean how it’s going to be used. Specifically, we’re talking in-counter, countertop, or handheld. There are slight variations to each, but one of these will likely cover your needs. Grocery stores and other businesses with a high volume of products often use in-counter or countertop scanners. But that probably won’t work for a business with large or awkward products. And it certainly won’t work if your scanning is being done out in the field. For that, you’ll need to go handheld.

2. The Wireless Capacity 

If you are doing your scanning outside of your business, you’ll likely need wireless scanners. They’ll connect via Wi-Fi, mobile broadband, or Bluetooth. This allows your employees to transmit data in real-time, no matter where they are. You might also want to look at wireless capacity if your employees are moving about a large warehouse. Wireless barcode scanners allow them to scan items easily and transmit the data from anywhere in the warehouse.

3. GPS Scanners

Speaking of warehouses, another useful addition to warehouse scanners is GPS. Items that are scanned at various locations are pinpointed by the GPS. This is useful when you’re moving items to and from storage or your business. It’s also a clever idea to have GPS when you’re moving expensive products or any shared equipment.

4. 1D or 2D Barcode Scanners? 

1D barcodes are one-dimensional, and they represent their data with the black bars and numbers we’re familiar with. These are the barcodes that are on most packaging you get at the store. 2D barcodes have both vertical and horizontal data and can contain up to 2,000 characters. That’s compared to the 20-25 characters a 1D barcode can handle. QR codes, a type of 2D code, have become popular recently in marketing. Keep these distinctions in mind when you’re choosing your scanners.

5. Durability

If your employees are simply swiping items at a counter, you may not need the most durable scanners. However, if your scanners are being used in the field, you might want something more rugged and durable. Look for scanners that are sealed from dust and can withstand drops from several feet. They may be a little more expensive, but in the long run, it can be a good investment.

Looking for More?

At this point, you probably still want to dig into some more research on scanners. If you’ve still got questions on the right scanner for your business, then contact us. We’ll help you find the perfect scanner for your needs at the right price.

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Barcodes for Business News

Barcode Logistics: Everything You Need to Know

Barcode scanners, barcode labels, barcode systems, Dane Titsworth,

Did you know improving the flow of inventory can lead to increased profits and reduce employee workloads?

But, figuring out how to improve that flow can be a challenge. Increasing the number of employees can be costly. Improving employee training could help, but at some point, even that growth will end.

That’s where barcode logistics come in. Barcodes have been around since the 1970s, and you see them so often that you probably don’t think twice about them. But implementing them into your shipping process can be revolutionary for your business. With barcode scanning systems, the flow of inventory can rapidly increase, without the need for extra employees or added training. If you’re new to the use of barcodes, you’re in luck. We’ve compiled a list of everything you need to know to implement barcode logistics for your business.

What Does a Barcode Do?

A barcode consists of several different elements.

At a glance, two are obvious; the barcode itself, and the number underneath.The barcode and numerical code contain information that will instantly communicate with your barcode reader about what is inside the package that the barcode is attached to. Each barcode will be unique to a certain individual product. This allows you to easily track the path of each product in your warehouse, eliminating confusion or lost items. If implemented correctly, all you’ll need to do to track down an individual item is go to the computer system linked to your barcode logistics and search for that barcode. If it was scanned when it entered your warehouse, the information stored by that barcode will tell you where it is located. To implement a barcode system, you’ll need a barcode printer, scanner, and a software system tying them all together.

Customizing Barcodes for Your Company

The information included on a barcode can easily be customized to meet the individual needs of a company or demands of a particular industry. You could use it to tell the scanner where that package belongs in your warehouse, how many of those products you have in stock, or when that inventory came into your warehouse.If your company deals with food or other perishable products, you could program the barcode to include an expiration date. If your inventory will be shipped to the client or to another location in its current packaging, your barcode logistics could include barcode labels with shipping and return addresses.

From healthcare to food service, barcodes can revolutionize the way that you ship, receive, store, and send out product.The options are endless. When your company integrates a barcode system, they will get the chance to completely customize what these barcodes will do, allowing them to decide which options work best for their company.

See How Barcode Logistics Could Improve Your Business Today

Barcodes can streamline the entire process of ordering, shipping, receiving, and sending out product for your company. They help eliminate loss and confusion, reduce the amount of time it takes to do inventory management, and more. If you’re ready to see how a barcode system could improve your workplace management, contact us today to find a system that works for you!