Ever considering the fact that the old Codebar barcode made use of within the initial automated library systems for the recently created Intelligent Mail Method and the information-rich PDF417 barcode, there are lots of unique alternatives accessible, based on what your application is and how very simple you would like the barcoding process to be. Basically picking a 2D barcode since it shops loads of details is blind for the price of implementing a 2D barcode scanner or other imaging options, to not mention the special decoding software you may have to operate the whole system.
Applying a Premium quality Barcode Scanner
Not just that, the 2D scanner you choose to scan the barcode with, whether or not it’s a red laser scanner or perhaps a good quality CCD barcode scanner, is extremely essential. If the barcode is too compact as well as the CCD imaging technology isn’t as precise, errors will happen within the scanning process or the scanner will merely not recognize the barcode. For instance, the Symbol DS7600 barcode scanner can study a datamatrix barcode as compact as 1.1 inch applying its 1.three megapixel CCD sensor.
So, with 1D barcodes, the considerations are fairly straightforward – choose the most appropriate barcode and use a typical laser barcode scanner or CCD scanner. On the other hand, with 2D barcode scanning, you may need to pick a barcode symbology that’s compatible along with your application, pick a barcode printer that may be up to the job and lastly choose a scanner that may be able to cope with smaller barcodes if need to have be. Don’t let the myriad of possibilities scare you conscious from utilizing 2D barcode technology but be conscious of what you should take into account when implementing such a remedy.
So what is available in terms of barcoding technologies, how will it benefit your enterprise and most importantly, just how much does it price? All this depends on what you could need to store on the barcodes and no matter whether you want to produce probably the most of your most up-to-date technological innovations to get the most out of carrying information and facts along the provide chain.
First of all, the barcode symbology, or the type of barcode, is basically a common way of encoding ASCII (letters and digits) into a format readable by devices that capture light and procedure its formation, also knowns as a handheld barcode scanner.
1D Barcodes
Lots of of your merchandise you see on the shelves are EAN-13 or EAN-8 format, referred to as a 1D barcode, readable by all laser barcode scanners and CCD barcode scanners. These barcodes are basic in their structure and basically include a string of numbers that are typically placed underneath the barcode. When the EAN-13/8 barcode is damaged, the user can input the barcode into a POS as an example along with the outcome would be the identical. This number (or ID) is ordinarily assigned to a solution or piece of stock information and facts, generated automatically by the stock control application or assigned manually as stock arrives in to the warehouse.
For inventory management, this kind of barcode is helpful since you could handle what those barcodes represent and study them effortlessly with any type of barcode scanner or PDA device. This final results inside a low-cost, easily implemented solution that will instantly save time and raise productivity in an atmosphere that has access to the same item details and IDs (typically inside a organization that shares a solution database but might have many sites).
One particular apparent challenge with the the EAN-13/8 and also other 1D barcodes for instance Code 39 is the fact that the information stored inside the barcode is dependent — that may be it must relate to anything else. For instance, if a piece of specialist equipment is sent in the supplier to a company that don’t hold widespread item information databases, a 1D barcode that includes a 12-digit number won’t hold any worth to that small business. As a result, all of the product information, such as specifications or what ever else that the organization will should know when receiving that piece of equipment, will have to be incorporated inside the barcode itself.
2D Barcodes
2D barcodes are far more complex in their physical structure as well as the style of information and facts they hold, understandable whenever you look at the fact that up to 2000 characters can be stored on a PDF-417 barcode or as much as the physical restraints of the printer on a DataMatrix barcode. Because of this, these barcodes are far more suitable to compensate for the downfalls of a 1D barcode. On the other hand, 2D barcodes can only be read by a 2D barcode scanner or possibly a CCD barcode scanner, the latter capturing the 2D barcode as an image and processing it working with application algorithms.
The very best use of 2D barcodes are if you would like to transport the information associated with that item independently. In other words, we usually do not have to rely on the receiver of the goods to hold a shared database that will translate an ID into item details – all the details stored concerning the item is held on the barcode itself. This really is particularly useful in postal scenarios, where a 2D barcode would hold names, postal addresses and return addresses. The receiver of this information and facts could very easily use a CCD barcode scanner and retailer this details for future purposes into a relational database, hence enriching their inventory management system with contact details and so on.
The PDF-417 barcode could be excellent for this idea, but what in case you must identify incredibly tiny pieces of equipment for example a circuit board? Because of the nature of your algorithms used to make PDF417 barcodes, you might only have the ability to make around 170 bytes per square cm. With a DataMatrix barcode, having said that, the numbers of bytes stored is merely dictated to how correct your printer can reproduce barcodes at their smallest size. Resulting from this restriction, it really is recommended to utilize only the highest quality thermal laser printer for such a job.