Barcodes are more than just lines and spaces. They are the core of automated data entry, warehouse management, and stock optimization. And no matter what size your business is, understanding the basics of how barcodes work can give you powerful tools to track inventory and make your whole operation more effective.
In this article, we'll look at where barcodes came from, how they help run warehouses, what makes different barcode scanners unique, and how barcodes boost efficiency. So, if you're aiming to make your inventory counts more accurate or to speed up data entry, this article will teach you how to use barcodes to get the most out of your warehouse. Let's get started!
The history of barcodes
The origin of barcode technology dates back to 1948 when two Drexel University students, Norman J. Woodland and Bernard Silver, tried to solve supermarket checkout and inventory management problems. Good ol’ Morse code inspired them to create a bullseye-shaped design (the original design looked more like circles inside of circles.)
Also, though this new idea showed promise, it didn’t work well then because of tech limits.
Early beginnings
Now, Woodland and Silver did not give up on their invention. By 1952, Woodland and Silver had gotten a patent for their barcode idea. When 1960 rolled around, technology finally caught up to Woodland and Silver’s idea with the invention of the laser. Once the laser was invented, we had the tech to read barcodes. This technological advancement pushed people to work on the barcodes more, and in 1974, someone scanned the first UPC barcode on a pack of Juicy Fruit gum at a Marsh store in Troy Ohio.
This kicked off when barcodes started showing up everywhere – and hasn’t stopped since.
How warehouses use barcodes today
It’s pretty amazing that a technology invented in 1948 is still used prevalently today.
Barcodes play a key role in warehouse operations today. They make inventory tracking and management faster and more accurate. Warehouses now use barcodes to improve processes like receiving, storing, picking, and shipping goods. Software platforms like warehouse management systems (or WMS) also allow warehouses to collect data with barcodes in real-time. This also helps cut down on mistakes and boosts how well the warehouse runs.
How barcodes work
Encoding information
A barcode influences how information is stored in a visual pattern that machines can read. This pattern consists of parallel lines of different widths (called linear or 1D barcodes) – or more intricate designs like rectangles or dots in 2D barcodes. Every change in width or pattern stands for different characters, boosting the range of information that can be encoded, from plain text to websites and pictures. An example of 2D barcodes that have grown in popularity? QR Codes.
Scanning process
Scanning a barcode involves several essential parts: a light system, a sensor, and a decoder. The light source, often a red LED or laser, shines on the barcode and bounces off it. The sensor then picks up this light and turns it into an analog signal. The decoder then changes this signal into text using a check digit to ensure the barcode is read right. This text is then processed and matched with product info stored in a database, which helps with tasks like keeping track of inventory and managing it.
Types of barcode scanners
Handheld scanners
Handheld barcode scanners are small devices you can operate with one hand (get it? Hand held.) They come equipped with a trigger that can be pulled to scan, and come with or without cords. The scanners work by using laser or imaging tech to read the different types of barcodes like 1D, 2D, and postal codes. As you can imagine, these scanners are useful in many places, from stores to factories, because they can do so many things.
Industrial scanners
Industrial barcode scanners are tough versions of handheld scanners and are built with strong materials to handle rough environments. (You can think of it like this: Handheld scanners are like iPhones. Industrial scanners are like the indestructible Nokia from the early 2000s.)
Industrial scanners also often come with an IP rating, which shows that they resist things like dust and water, making them perfect for use in rugged environments like factory floors or outdoor work areas.
Mobile scanners
Mobile barcode scanners, also known as mobile computers or handheld terminals, combine computer capabilities with the mobility of a scanner. These devices can connect and send data through different networks like Wi-Fi, WAN, and Bluetooth. They also have extra features, like GPS, that boost their usefulness. Mobile scanners are handy for jobs requiring movement, like package delivery or field work, where access to real-time data is crucial.
Making things better with barcodes
Tracking in real-time
Barcodes make it easier to track high-value assets by connecting each item to essential data like when it was bought, maintenance records, and warranty information. This doesn’t just simplify managing assets – it also means all the vital information is easy to find, cutting down on mistakes when people track things by hand. When barcodes aren’t accurate because of manual entry slip-ups, it can cost a lot. Luckily, barcodes help keep track of things.
Managing inventory
Using barcode systems in inventory management allows for real-time visibility and increased accuracy. Barcodes make it easy to capture and integrate data quickly, keeping tabs on inventory levels, tracking inventory movements, and adjusting stock based on up-to-the-minute information. This setup helps a lot in cutting down on storage costs and speeding up turnover by ensuring you have just the right amount of inventory without having too much or running out.
Also, when you use systems like Zenventory, barcoding scanning becomes crucial to how you work, making inventory management more accurate and efficient.
Cutting down on human oopsies
Whenever someone has to enter data by hand, mistakes happen. (We are human, after all.) Research shows that humans make a mistake in one out of every 300 characters they type, which adds up to about 18 errors per hour. Barcodes cut down on these mistakes big time. They offer a fast and trustworthy way to capture data. When someone scans a barcode, the data is automatically collected, eliminating the need for manual entry – and the human errors that come with it.
Speeding up data collection
Barcodes make data collection faster, a major key to running warehouses well. It takes about two seconds to find and scan a barcode. So, you can do up to 1800 scans in an hour – much faster than typing the information by hand. Barcodes also help process orders faster, reduce running out of stock, and keep customers happy by ensuring inventory counts are spot-on.
On top of that, Zenventory’s barcode scanning feature makes these jobs even more effortless, boosting real-time inventory tracking and making the whole operation run smoother.
How Zenventory can help
Zenventory takes your barcode scanning capability to the next level by integrating with your warehouse management system, allowing for real-time inventory updates and accurate tracking. This integration makes receiving goods easier, doing cycle counts, and picking items for customer orders.
Final thoughts
From their humble beginnings in 1948 to their widespread use in modern warehouses and retail environments, barcodes have proven to be an indispensable tool for enhancing efficiency and accuracy.
By automating data entry and reducing human errors, barcodes not only save time but also significantly cut down on operational costs. The integration of barcode technology with robust systems like Zenventory further amplifies these benefits, providing real-time updates and precise tracking that are crucial for maintaining optimal inventory levels and ensuring customer satisfaction.
As technology continues to evolve, the role of barcodes in business operations is likely to expand even further, offering new opportunities for innovation and improvement.
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