The term ‘barcode systems’ encompasses all the technologies (hardware and software) used to identify products. These technologies include, among others:
Barcode systems involve different stages, which usually take the following order:
Depending on the complexity of the supply chain, a barcode system may be more or less intricate and involve more stages than those listed above.
Barcodes are used by industry and businesses to identify and trace products. More specifically, the information provided by a barcode can help identify the name of the manufacturer, the manufacturing date or the place where the product was manufactured or shipped from. This information is particularly useful when dealing with a product recall or return.
There are various barcode systems that can be used in different situations, including traditional EAN barcodes or 2D barcodes like a data matrix code or a QR code.
There are a range of factors that determine which system should be employed:
Automated barcode systems can be used to print barcodes on articles while they are on a conveyor belt. These can be fully automated systems, which label products during the production process, or semi-automatic systems, which print the barcode on a label that can then be attached to the product by hand.
Different labeling solutions can be used when printing barcodes. These range from traditional label printers to drop-on-demand inkjet printing or even RFID labeling systems. In the case of label printers, organizations have the choice to employ different thermal ribbon printer foils, including wax or resin ribbons.