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BARCODE TECHNOLOGY

Seminar I report submitted in partial fulfillment of the


Requirement for the Degree of

Bachelor of technology
In
Computer Engineering
Submitted by
MAYURI JADAHV

DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER ENGINEERING


S.S.V.P.S.’s B S DEORE COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING,DHULE
2023-2024
1
BARCODE TECHNOLOGY

Seminar I report submitted in partial fulfillment of the


Requirement for the Degree of

Bachelor of technology
In
Computer Engineering
Submitted by
MAYURI JADHAV
Guided by
Prof.H.B.Mande

DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER ENGINEERING


S.S.V.P.S.’s B S DEORE COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING,DHULE
2023-2024

2
S.S.V.P.S.’s B S DEORE COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING,DHULE
DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER ENGINEERING

CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that the Seminar I entitled “Barcode
technology” has been carried out by
MAYURI JADHAV
under my guidance in partial fulfillment of the degree of
Bachelor of Technology in Compute Engineering of
Dr.Babasaheb Ambedkar Technological University, Lonere
(M.S) during the academic year 2023-24. To the best of my
knowledge and belief this work has not been submitted
elsewhere for the award of any other degree.
Date: Guide
Place: Dhule Prof. H.B.Mande

Seminar co-ordinater
Prof. R.V.Patil

Head Principle
Prof.Dr.B.R.Mandre Dr.Hitendra D.Patil

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

It is a matter of great pleasure for me to submit this seminar


on “Barcode Technology” for award of class in B.tech in
Computer Enginnering
I take this humble opportunity to express my deep sense of
gratitude to my seminar guide Prof.H.B.Mande who in all
respect helped me from the beginning till the fulfilment of
my seminar. His expert guidance and inspiration brought
completion of the seminar.
I would like to thank to all faculties and friends who directly
or indirectly supported me time to time. I also wish to
express my deepest gratitude to head of the department
Prof.Dr B.R.Mandre and all the faculty and staff members of
Computer Engineering Department for their valuable

4
TABLE OF CONTENT
Sr.No Page.No
1.INTRODUCTION ………………………………………… 7
1.1 Barcode Basics……………………………………. 7
1.2 History Of Barcode………………………………. 9
1.3 Importance Of Barcode………………………… 11
1.4 Using Of Barcode…………………………………… 11
1.5 How Barcode Represent The Number 0-9 12
2.TYPES OF BARCODE…………………………………… 14
2.1 One Dimensional Barcode……………………... 14
2.2 How One Dimensional Barcode Use.………… 14
2.3 Upc Code…………………………………………………. 15
2.4 Two Dimensional Barcode………………………….. 16
2.5 Advantages Of 2D Barcode………………………….. 16
2.6 Types Of 2D Barcode……………………………………. 17
3.BARCODE READER……………………………………………… 18
3.1 How Barcode Reader Works………………………… 18
3.2 Types Of Barcode Reader…………………………….. 19
4.BARCODE SYMBOL CHARACTERISTICS…………… 21
5.ADVANTAGES…………………………………………………….. 24
6.DISADVANTAGE………………………………………………….. 28
7.FUTURE OF BARCODE TECHNOLOGY…………………… 29
8.REFERENCE………………………………………………………….. 30

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Abstract
In 1948, a local food chain store owner approached Drexel
Institute of Technology in Philadelphia asking about research into
a method of automatically reading product information during
checkout. Bernard Silver, a graduate student at Drexel Institute,
along with fellow graduate student Norman Joseph Woodland,
teamed together to develop a solution.
On October 20, 1949, Woodland and Silver succeeded in building a
working prototype describing their invention as “article
classification…through the medium of identifying patterns”. On
October
7, 1952, they were granted a patent (US Patent #2,612,994) for
their “Classifying Apparatus and Method”. Efforts to develop a
working system accelerated in the 1960’s.
Bar coding was first used commercially in 1966, but to make the
system acceptable to the industry as a whole there would have to
be some sort of industry standard. By 1970, Logicon Inc. had
developed the Universal Grocery Products Identification Code
(UGPIC). The first company to produce barcode equipment for
retail trade using (using UGPIC) was the American company
Monarch Marking (1970), and for industrial use, the British
company Plessey Telecommunications (1970).
In 1972, a committee was formed within the grocery industry to
select a standard code to be used in the industry. IBM proposed a
design, based upon the UGPIC work and similar to today’s UPC
code. On April 3, 1973, the committee selected the UPC symbol
(based on the IBM proposal) as the industry standard. George J.
Laurer is considered the inventor of
U.P.C. or Uniform Product Code

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1.INTRODUCTION
A barcode is a machine-readable strip of data printed in parallel lines,
used to represent a multitude of information. Traditionally, a barcode
scanner is used by retailers to keep track of inventory and speed up
data entry. Due to their Heavy commercial and industrial sector
usage, barcode scanning applications have been producer-centric,
focusing on improving the efficiency, accuracy, and productivity of
supply management
A barcode is an optical machine-readable representation of data.
Originally, barcodes represented data in the widths (lines) and the
spacings of parallel lines, and may be referred to as linear or 1D (1
dimensional) barcodes.
They also come in patterns of squares, dots, hexagons and other
geometric patterns within images termed 2D (2 dimensional) matrix
codes. Although 2D systems use symbols other than bars, they are
generally referred to as barcodes as well. Barcodes can be read by
optical scanners called barcode readers, or scanned from an image
by special software.
The primary barcode used in the United States is the UPC (Universal
Product Code) barcode. The UPC is also the "original" barcode. The
UPC was designed for the grocery industry. Because of the large
number of items normally "checked-out" at the grocery store, a
method was needed to speed up and eliminate "human" cashier
errors. In 1973, the UPC barcode was born.
To the average person, the barcode looks confusing and complex,
but to a "bar-coded" friendly computer, it's actually very simple

1.1Bar Codes Basic


Bar codes provide a simple and inexpensive method of encoding text
information that is easily read by inexpensive electronic readers. Bar
7
coding also allows data to be collected rapidly and with extreme
accuracy. A bar code consists of a series of parallel, adjacent bars and
spaces. Predefined bar and space patterns are used to encode small
strings of character data into a printed symbol.
Bar codes can be thought of as a printed type of the Morse code with
narrow bars (and spaces) representing dots, and wide bars
representing dashes.
A bar code reader decodes a bar code by scanning a light source
across the bar code and measuring the intensity of light reflected back
by the white spaces.
The pattern of reflected light is detected with a photodiode which
produces an electronic signal that exactly matches the printed bar
code pattern. This signal is then decoded back to the original data by
inexpensive electronic circuits.
Due to the design of most bar code it does not make any difference if
you scan a bar code from right to left or from left to right.

The basic structure of a bar code consists of a leading and trailing


quiet zone, a start pattern, one or more data characters, optionally
one or two check characters and a stop patter
There are a variety of different types of bar code encoding schemes,
each of which were originally developed to full fill a specific need in a
specific industry.
The different symbologies have different capabilities for encoding
data. For example the UPC symbology used to identify retail products
always contains 12 numeric digits.
These type of bar codes are called "linear symbologies" because they
are made up of a series of lines of different widths. Most commercially
available bar code scanners are able to read all of the different linear
bar code symbologies therefore you do not need different readers for
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different types of bar codes.
New "2-Dimensional" bar code symbologies like EAN, Aztec Code etc.
are also now available that can encode several thousand bytes of data
in a single bar code symbol including text or binary data. The newer
2D bar code symbologies typically require special bar code readers
that are designed specifically for reading them.

1.2History Of Barcode:
In 1930 the grocery industry was growing at rapid pace. With this
growth there was a need to have an accurate tracking system for
inventory. In 1948 a supermarket executive came to Drexel
University to asking the dean of engineering if the university could
determine how to capture product information automatically at
checkout. The dean turned down the request but this university
graduate student Bernard Silver was interested to solve this problem.
He was talk with another fellow student Norman Joseph Woodland
for making a solution in this case. Then they started working on some
preliminary ideas, Woodland was persuaded that they could create a
viable product.
Woodland took some stock market earnings, quit his teaching job
and moved to his grandfather apartment. While at the beach
woodland again considered the problem, recalling, from his Boy
Scout training, how Morse code dots and dashes are used to send
information electronically. He drew dots and dashes in the sand
similar to the shapes used in Morse code. After pulling them
downward with his fingers, producing thin lines resulting from the
dots and
thick lines from the dashes, he came up with the concept of a two-
dimensional, linear Morse code, and after sharing it with Silver and
adapting optical sound film technology, they applied for a patent on
9
October 20, 1949, receiving U.S. Patent 2,612,994 Classifying
Apparatus and Method on October 7, 1952, covering both linear and
circular bulls-eye printing designs.
Woodland was employed by IBM in 1951, and although Woodland
and Silver wanted IBM to develop the technology, it wasn't
commercially feasible, so they sold the patent to Philco in 1952 for
$15,000, which sold it to RCA later in 1952 ...
After RCA interested the National Association of Food Chains in 1969
in the idea, and they formed the U.S. Supermarket Ad Hoc
Committee on a Uniform Grocery Product Code, rival IBM became
involved in 1971, finding out about Woodland's work and
transferring him to their North Carolina facilities, where he played a
key role in developing the most important version of the technology,
the Universal Product Code (UPC), beating RCA in a competition.The
first item scanned was a packet of chewing gum in an Ohio
supermarket in 1974.The first barcode was only four lines.

Fig 1.1

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1.3 Importance of
barcodes

Barcodes are often overlooked as a method for cutting costs and


saving time. A valuable and viable choice for businesses looking to
improve efficiency and reduce overhead, barcodes are both cost-
effective and reliable.
• Operating barcode system is very easy.
• The data can be scalable to business purpose or needs of
organization.
• The barcode technology is improving day by day
• Barcodes can be affixed to just about any surface you need
them
• Barcode is better than handwriting. Barcoding reduces
human error, recognition errors and transcription errors.
Handwriting is a drudgery and is susceptible to legibility
problems.
• Across many industries, barcodes offer automatic product
identification, extremely fast recognition and implementation
of data. Which improve productivity and save time.
• Barcodes provide asset & security tracking, theft deterrence,
peace of mind, and a demonstrable reduction in loss/liability
• Barcodes provide better data. Since one barcode can be used
for inventory and pricing information, it is possible to quickly
obtain data on both.
1.4 Using of barcode:
Now a day barcode is using in Books, Invoice, Products and security
information, Car label.
Using barcode technology in stores can help to solve all these
problems. It lets keep a centralized record on a computer system
that tracks products, prices, and stock levels. Changing prices as

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often as you like, without having to put new price tags on all your
bottles and boxes. Instantly see when stock levels of certain items
are running low and reorder. Because barcode technology is so
accurate, reasonably confident that any items that are missing (and
don't appear to have been sold) have probably been stolen—and
maybe move them to a more secure part of store or protect them
with RFID tags.
A barcode-based stock system like this has three main parts. First,
there's a central computer running a database (record system) that
keeps a tally of all the products you're selling, who makes it, what
each one costs, and how many you have in stock. Second, there are
the barcodes printed on all the products. Finally, there is one or
more checkout scanners that can read the barcodes.
1.5 How Barcode represent the number 0-9:
Barcode gives every item its unique number and then simply the print
the number on the item so electronic scanning device can read it. If
human try to print those number itself then it will easily get trouble
with those decimal numbers that easy to confuse.
Each digit in the product number is given the same amount of
horizontal space: exactly 7 units. Then, to represent any of the
numbers from zero through nine, If it colored those seven units
with a different pattern of black and white stripes. Thus, the number
one is represented by coloring in two white stripes, two black
stripes, two white stripes, and one black stripe, while the number
two is represented by two white stripes, one black stripe, two white
stripes, and two final black stripes.

12
Fig 1.2

Each digit in a barcode is represented by seven equal-sized vertical


blocks. If it turn upside down, it cannot be confused with any other.
Barcodes can be quite long and that's because they have to represent
three different types of information. The first part of a barcode tells
you the country where it was issued. The next part reveals the
manufacturer of the product.
The final part of the barcode identifies the product itself. Different
types of the same basic product (for example, four-packs of Coca-Cola
bottles and six-packs of Coca-Cola cans) have totally different barcode
numbers.

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2.TYPES OF BARCODE
1)One dimensional barcode
2)Two dimensional barcode

2.1 One dimensional barcode


The 1-dimensional barcode is the oldest and the most commonly used due to
its simplicity and low technology needs. It can be read by all of the barcode
readers. There are many variations of one-dimensional (1-D) barcodes,
including the length of the barcode, the amount of data that can be stored, the
decoding scheme and the height.

2.2How does One Dimensional Barcode Work


Linear barcodes are created by translating the supported characters
that should be displayed into combination of narrow and wide bars
which are combined into a barcode. To identify the start and end of
a barcode special "guard" patterns are used to indicate to the
scanner that the barcode starts and also identify what type of
symbology is used.
Code 25: Code 25 is a very simple numeric code which is able to
display digits from 0 to 9. The code is primary used in industry and is
also known as Code 2 of 5 or Code 25 Industrial. Code 25 has no
builtin check digit. The code is some years old and it takes up so
much space that today it is not often used.
The advantage of Code 25 Interleaved is that the code uses
self−checking and
it is very compact so it does not need much space like the simple
Code 25. Code 25 Interleaved is only valid if there is a even number
of digits. To display an odd number of digits you have to add a zero
to the beginning (123 becomes 0123) or you may use your own
check digit.
Code25 is easy to understand and each character is encoded with 5
black elements with spaces in between, 2 wide and three narrow

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elements, hence the name 2 of 5 (or 25). The width of the thinnest
element is also known as the module width. Other symbolizes have
more complicated patterns to achieve higher density (more encoded
characters in a given width) but the principle still stands.
The human readable string, usually at the bottom of the barcode
is strictly speaking not a part of the barcode. It is only there to
help a human reader interpret the barcode.
Some barcode symbolizes also add a check digit at the end of the data. This
check digit (or digits) is used to verify that the interpreted data has been read
correctly.

2.3UPC Code
Universal Product Code (UPC), which is used on grocery items to
encode a 10 digit number. (A UPC code actually has 12 digits, but for
simplicity we ignore the first digit, which identifies the type of item,
and the last digit, which is a check digit.) The first 5 digits are the
manufacturer's number. The last 5 digits are the product number, as
assigned by the manufacturer. The encoding for the 10 digits are
given in the table. The encoding is not the standard binary, but rather
a prescribed set of 7 bits. A "0" represents a white bar of unit length
and a "1" represents a black bar of unit length. For example, the digit
3 is represented by "0111101", which means a white bar of unit
width, followed by a black bar of width four, then a unit width white
bar, and finally a unit width black bar.

Fig 2.1
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2.4 Two Dimensional Barcodes:
Two-dimensional (2D) barcodes provide a means of embedding Web
addresses, text or other data in a camera-readable format. This
enables users of modern mobile phones to scan a 2D barcode with
their form and be automatically directed to a Web page or other
data contained within the code. This simplifies having to remember
or re-key URLs to Web pages on printed or other physical collateral.
2.4Advantage of 2D Barcodes:
• 2D barcodes allow for significant data storage (almost 7000
characters/7 KB), which could allow companies to keep a track of the
raw materials going into the final product down to the last details
• The ability for 2D barcodes to store immense amounts of data
allows them to be used as an authentication and privacy devices
in many sensitive supply chains.
• 2D barcodes and their easy readability allows for them to be
used by producers to connect with end-users.
• 2D barcodes are extremely easy to use. They can be read from any
direction and can be read even if they are damaged, making them
especially useful for processes where the items being tagged are
small or go through messy manufacturing processes.

Fig 2.2

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2.5Types of 2D Barcodes
Generally 2D barcodes is divided into two groups.
• Stacked 2D Barcodes
• Matrix 2D Barcodes
1. Stacked 2D barcode: Code 49 is example of Stacked 2D barcode.
The Code 49 is stacked type of barcode which is also known as USS-
49.Code 49 can encode 128 characters ASCII. Input can consist of
any ASCII data. Code 49 is developed to fill a need to pack a lot of
data in very small symbol. Code 49 accomplishes this by using
series of barcode symbols stacked one on top of another. Each
symbol can have between two to eight rows. Each row consists
of a leading quite area a starting pattern four data words encoding
eight characters, with last symbol a row check symbol, a stop pattern
and trailing quiet area. Each row encodes the information in exactly
18 bars and 17 spaces and each module is separated by a one-
module high separator bar.
2. Matrix 2D Barcode: The data matrix 2D barcode and QR code are
example of matrix 2D barcode. The data matrix barcode is high
density, two dimensional symbology that encodes the number, files,
and actual data bytes. It was developed by RSVI Acuity Cimatrixfor
space shuttle program and then enhanced by NASA and Symbology
research center. Data Matrix is very effective 2D barcode symbology
that uses a small area of square modules with unique perimeter
pattern which help the barcode scanner cell allocation and decode
symbol.

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3.BARCODE READER:
A barcode reader is an optical scanner that can read printed
barcodes, decode the data contained in the barcode to a computer.
Like a flatbed scanner, it consists of a light source, a lens and a light
sensor for translating optical impulses into electrical signals.
Additionally, nearly all barcode readers contain decoder circuitry that
can analyse the barcode's image data provided by the sensor and
send the barcode's content to the scanner's output port.
3.1 How barcode readers works
A barcode scanner is composed of three parts: the illuminator, the
decoder, and the sensor/convertor. The barcode scanner illuminates
the barcode with red light using the illuminator system. The
sensor/convertor part of the scanner then detects the reflected
light. Once the light is detected, an analog signal is generated. This
signal contains varying voltage based on the intensities of the light
reflection. The analog signal is converted by the sensor into a digital
signal. The digital signal is then interpreted by the decoder. The
decoder then sends the information to the computer attached to the
scanner.
Illumination Systems - The illumination system is the method by
which the bars and spaces on the barcode are illuminated. There are
a variety of illumination systems commonly used in barcode
scanners:
Single Point LED - This technology is exclusive to the barcode wand
reader and the barcode slot reader. The illumination of the barcode
comes from either a
single or pair of LED's and is focused through a single ball-type
opening. This technology requires the ball to physically touch the
barcode being scanned.
Linear Multiple LED - Expanding on the single-point illumination
18
system, placing multiple LED's in a line give the ability to light the
entire width of the barcode. This type of illumination is used in CCD
scanners and Linear Imagers.

3.2Types of Barcode readers:


There are four primary types of barcode readers that are each
designed to fulfil specific information needs.
1. Pen: Pen barcode readers resemble small wand-type sticks that
resemble a small pen. The pen-style barcode reader consists of an
LED light and a photodiode in its tip. The user passes this tip over a
barcode and the LED light illuminates the black and white bars. The
photodiode measures the reflection of light and is able to
determine width and color (white or black) of each bar. This
information allows for a digital reading of the barcode, and
information is transmitted to another unit for processing.
2. Laser: More advanced than a pen scanner, a laser barcode scanner
is capable of more exact light readings which prevent false positives
or scanner errors. In a laser scanner, a laser beam is shot at a mirror
inside the actual unit. This mirror makes a movement so that the
laser sweeps across the barcode in a straight line. This light then
reflects back to a diode, which measures the level of reflection. This
reflection is translated into a digital signal readout of the barcode.
Laser scanners can either be mounted in a scanning unit or be part of
a handheld unit.
3. CCD: A charge coupled device (CCD), also known as an LED
scanner, features hundreds of tiny LED lights arranged in one long
row. These lights are shot directly onto a barcode, and a sensor
then measures not the reflection, but voltage of the ambient light
directly in front of each lightbulb. This voltage measurement
provides a digital snapshot of the barcode. CCD units can be very
expensive, but are highly accurate and versatile pieces of
equipment.
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4.2D Camera: Some barcodes do not consist of white and black bars,
but white and black spaces in a two-dimensional (2D) target. These
2D barcodes cannot be read by standard machinery, but they do
allow for versatility of information coding as they can hold and
provide much more data than a standard barcode. To read these
barcodes, a 2D camera image scanner is necessary. This camera
consists of hundreds of tiny lights like the CCD scanner, but these are
arranged in multiple rows. The lights flash onto the barcode and
take a digital picture of the barcode, which is then sent to software
as a digital signal. The software then decodes the information.
Image Scanner: This type of barcode reader can also be called a
camera reader. It features a small camera that is used to capture an
image of the barcode. It can read barcodes from further away and
has digital imaging processors that read the bar codes. It can be used
to read barcodes from as far away as 9 inches.

20
.4.BAR CODE SYMBOL CHARACTERISTICS
1. Magnification

The magnification (size) of the bar code symbol is determined by the


X- dimension (one narrow module width) in relation to a nominal size.
The allowable magnification range depends on the symbol type and
the intended scanning environment. Reliability of scanning is always
enhanced by selecting a magnification higher than the minimum.
To print an accurate and high quality bar code symbol a number
of factors, such as the printing process, ink quality, and substrate,
must be taken into consideration.
2. Bar Height

Once the magnification of the bar code symbol has been determined,
for EAN/UPC Bar Code symbols it is important to ensure that the
height remains in proportion to the magnification, and does not drop
below the minimum specified.
3. Quiet Zones (Light Margins)

The Quiet Zones (Light Margin) of the bar code symbol are the solid,
light areas before the first bar and after the last bar. These areas are
extremely important as they allow the scanner to recognise the
beginning and end of the bar code symbol.
Any obstruction or reduction in the Quiet Zones will most likely
result in scanning difficulties.

21
The minimum size required for the Quiet Zones depends on the
magnification of the bar code symbol.
It is recommended to allow slightly more than the minimum required
Quiet Zones to allow for any possible ink spread or plate registration
issues.
4. Colours

The colours and type of ink you choose for your bar code symbols is
very important. As a scanner reads a bar code symbol using an
infrared light source it sees the symbol differently to the human eye.
As a result, some colour combinations and ink types are unsuitable
for scanning because they do not provide sufficient contrast
between the dark bars and the light background, or they provide a
much too high reflectance value.
The most suitable and reliable colour combination is black bars on a
white background.
However, as a general rule, the background of the bar code symbol
can be a light, warm colour that does not contain any black (such as
yellow or light orange), and the bar colour can be a dark, cool colour
that has no, or low, red content (such as dark blue or dark green).
5. Substrate

The substrate (the material the bar code symbol is printed on) is very
important. If unsuitable this can cause scanning difficulties. Different
packaging materials reflect light differently, which can have an effect
on the scanning ability of the bar code symbol.
This is especially evident on transparent and translucent packages
where the background is not printed.
For printing bar code symbols it is recommended that you
avoid the following:
• High gloss substrates
22
• Transparent or semi-transparent backgrounds

• Transparent wrappers over the printed bar code symbol if necessary


to print
onto a highly reflective (flexible) substrate, we recommend the
following:

• Increase the magnification of the bar code symbol to between 105%


and
120% (X-dimension 0.35mm - 0.40mm)
• Increase the amount of Bar Width Reduction

• Make the background of the symbol as dense and less reflective as


possible.
To do this you may try the following:
• If you are not using wet inks, print two background layers. This may
be two layers of the one colour, or you may use all light colours in
the print run (e.g. white and yellow)
• Use a less viscous ink that will provide maximum coverage and density

6. Bar Widths and Print Quality

Always ensure that the print quality of the bar code symbol is of a
high standard. Ensure that the bars in the symbol are clearly defined,
watch for voids or smudging, and avoid flecks in the background
colour.
Maintaining acceptable print quality and consistent print gain (ink
spread) requires regular ongoing check

23
5 ADVANTAGES OF BARCODE
1. Barcodes are efficient

Bar codes permit faster and more accurate transfer and recording of
information benefiting the track of work in process or the
movement of assets more quickly and precisely. Significant time can
be spent tracking down the location of assets, instruments,
materials, anything that moves within a location or between
companies. Bar codes can help speed the processes and improve the
tracking of these items, saving your organization time in response to
inquiries and change, because you can track exactly where items
are.
2. Barcodes save time

Depending on the application, the time-savings can be very


significant when a bar coding solution is successfully implemented.
Often the most dramatic examples involve the tasks of inventory.
One SATO customer required a crew of 25 employees working over
a weekend for mid-year inventory; once they implemented bar
codes this was reduced to 4 employees completing the inventory in
5 hours. Routine daily operations have a positive impact in saving
time and resource as the use of bar codes expand and improve
productivity.

Consider another SATO customer who professed processing a


shipment of 10 cartons of their product to a retail outlet customer.
Previous to them embracing a bar code system; it took
approximately 2-4 minutes, sometime more, to write down product
codes and product serial numbers compared to 10 to 20 seconds
now to scan the bar codes - and without numerical, description
transposing errors. In a large operation this lead to significant
reductions in time.

24
3. Barcodes reduce errors

Clerical and data entry errors can bring irreparable damage to a


business leading to: higher freight costs, unhappy customers, and
enormous time used to track down problems. In some situations,
clerical errors can have a much more dramatic impact; as example
the critical importance of data and product accuracy in
pharmaceutical, patient safety or blood bank applications. Errors
here can be irreparable to a business image and reputation, and in
many instances bring about legal ramifications. We know the typical
error rate for human data entry is 1 per 300 characters. That's a
crushing statistic leading to potentially millions of lost profits across
business sectors. Bar code printing and scanners are much more
accurate; the error rate can be as good as 1 error in 36 trillion
characters depending on the type of bar code and printing solution
used.
4. Easy Implementation

Barcode scanners are very easy to use and implement. They can be
installed fast because they only operate with a simple driver and
minimal programming.
Training employees to use barcode scanners is also very simple. It
only takes a few minutes to operate a hand-held barcode scanner.
Employees also do not need to have any familiarity with a whole
inventory or pricing procedure. The best part is that you can save a
pocket on training expenses!
5. Barcodes Scanners Can Be Wireless
Nowadays, there are many wireless barcode scanners. This is very
convenient because you’ll be able to take them anywhere around the
store with you. No need to worry about short, entangled wires!
6. Human Error Can Be Prevented

25
By using a barcode scanner, you can eliminate human errors such as
incorrectly encoding data. Instead, the employee will simply need to
scan a barcode and the work is done for them.
Most importantly, preventing human error can even help reduce
costs. This is because clerical errors can often be costly and
detrimental should data be encoded wrongly. Barcode scanners are
definitely a long-term investment and a safety net for your business.
7. Barcode Scanners Are Efficient
Barcode scanners are very efficient tools. For example, if a customer
wants to learn more about the history of a product that has been on
the shelf for a
while, you won’t need to rummage through old files and lost papers.
Instead, you can simply use a barcode scanner to find that
information for you. Your customer can obtain the information they
need in just a matter of seconds.
Customer satisfaction is of utmost importance, and barcode scanners
are one way to deliver this!
8. Time Consumption Is Reduced
Barcode scanners are very time-effective. Traditional inventory can
take a lot of time because of manpower and number-crunching.
There is also usually a fair share of mistakes that can take up some
time to fix up.
However, with barcodes and barcode scanners, things such as
counting inventory can be much quicker. Rather than having to
physically log in and record everything by hand, you can simply scan
the barcode which contains all the information you need. This
information is automatically logged into a computer, saving you a lot
of time and effort.
Barcode scanners can also offer faster transactions. Check out times
are much faster as cashiers do not need to manually record products.
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Customer service, once more, has never been easier.
9. Real-Time Updates
Updating data with barcode scanners is much easier as well. Now, you
can update data immediately and access the data right away. Barcode
scanners eliminate any delays due to inaccuracy, so they are
incredibly helpful.
10. Barcode Scanners Help Save Resources

This is an especially important benefit to consider with barcode


scanners.
Rather than having to acquire resources such as paper, you can save
the
information digitally. This way, you can virtually go paperless and
won’t need
to shell out extra expenses on unnecessary resources!

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6.DISADVANTAGES OF BARCODE
1. Barcode scanners need a direct line of sight to the barcode to
be able to read.
2. In order to read the barcode, the barcode scanner needs to be
quite close; around no more than 15ft.
3. Barcodes have no read/write capabilities; they do not contain
any added information such as expiry date etc. They only contain
the manufacturer and product.
4. They are very labour intensive; as they must be scanned individually.

5 .Barcodes have less security than RFID; as they can be more easily
reproduced or forged.
5. Barcodes are more easily damaged; as the line of sight is needed to
scan, the printed bar code has to be exposed on the outside of the
product.
6. If a barcode is ripped or damaged there is no way to scan the
product.
7. Barcode scanning requires special device called Barcode scanner
which emits light and collects reflected light to decode the Barcode.
8. Barcode scanner or reader works with computers or POS
terminals.
9. Barcodes do not have read/write capabilities.
10. It requires optical line of sight (LOS) scanning.
11. It is labour intensive as it requires to be scanned individually.
12. It is less secure compare to RFID which can be easily forged.
13. It is susceptible to environmental damage.
14. scratched or crumpled barcodes may cause problems while
scanning.
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7.FUTURE OF BARCODE TECHNOLOGY
The barcode technology is growing day by day. It becomes more
better and using scope of barcode is becoming popular day by day.
Barcodes are in many ways provides help too many industry and
also benefits them a lot.
Age verification: For businesses that are age restrictions (restaurant,
bars, theaters, etc.) can use barcode on a customer’s driver’s license
which can be scanned to confirm a customer’s age and avoid legal
problems.
Opening customer accounts: By scanning barcodes of a customer’s
driver’s license, a retailer can collect information to open a customer
account or fill out a credit application very easily.
Business Tracking: Barcode system reduces manual data entry to
manage record by providing automatic process of data entry
through machine.
Product Stock control: Barcode technology facilitates users to control
product stock and gives accurate information of product stock detail
for reordering.
Coupons: Retailers can email or text customers a coupon with a QR
code that can be scanned at the time of sale from the phone screen.
Coupons can be tracked so easily by using a unique code for each
customer and promotion.
Tickets: You can eliminate the need for printed tickets by sending
customers an electronic ticket that can be scanned off a phone
screen. This also reduces the possibility of ticket fraud.
Fraud detection: In futures barcodes can be used for detecting fraud
by scanning all the relevant information. Authorization: The barcodes
presents on the license can also used to provide the authorization of
something.

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8.REFERENCES

• The Bar Code Book – Roger C. Palmer, Helmers Publishing, ISBN


0-911261- 09-5, 386 page.
• The Bar Code Manual – Eugene F. Brighan, Thompson Learning,
ISBN 0-03- 016173-8
• https://midcomdata.com/
• https://en.wikipedia.org/
• https://www.techtarget.com/

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