How Barcodes Aid With Effective Asset Tracking

 

Ever since the very first barcode was created and scanned in 1973, it's use has now widely increased from simply being utilized to identify the product and its price or expiry date. Now, these are being used for inventory management, supply chain and asset tracking too. Asset tracking with barcodes New Zealand has also vastly improved data accuracy and quickened the process of managing inventories. Let's look further at how barcodes aid with effective and hassle-free asset tracking.  

What's Barcode Asset Tracking?

With barcodes becoming widely used and accepted in both consumer and business markets globally (Because of their ease of use and low running costs), organizations like GS1 (Which sets the standard for barcode use globally) have estimated that more than 5 billion barcodes are scanned on a daily basis. 

But, just what is  Asset tracking with barcodes New Zealand? According to experts, barcode asset tracking is a cost-effective and easy to use way for businesses of all types and sizes to easily manage and track their physical assets or products. And whether they're used for stock control and inventory or life-cycle management, there are two elements or aspects which make barcode asset tracking possible, and these are a barcode label and reader. 

And although barcode labels come in different forms, and their capabilities vary, a major factor that makes barcode asset tracking so appealing for various businesses is the ability to print barcodes on-site. 

 

And once data is printed and assigned to a unique barcode, it is printed and affixed to an asset (Regardless of whether it's a fixed asset, IT assets like keyboards or monitors, or current assets like inventory and stock). 

Asset tracking with barcodes New Zealand is also a convenient and inexpensive replacement for the manual use of pen and paper, and it also increases inventory accuracy, speeds up asset data collection, lowers asset tracking costs, reduces errors, simplifies record-keeping, and requires almost little or no employee training. 

How does it Work?

Apart from being used to provide product information and price, asset tracking with barcodes New Zealand is also used in various processes for the travel, advertising, and gaming and entertainment industries. But, no matter what barcode system is being used, the process always remains the same. 

As opposed to more complex solutions like RFID tracking, barcodes require less hardware to operate. In fact, to set up a good barcode asset tracking system, all the business entity needs is barcodes, a barcode scanner and asset tracking software. 

Once the systems and tools are set up and in the right place, the process of  asset tracking with barcodes New Zealand can easily be broken down into 3 stages. First, the data is stored on a unique barcode which is printed and assigned to a specific asset or product. 

Second, the barcode is scanned using a scanner or mobile device (like a smart phone) which extracts data. Third, the date is sent to a computer in binary form, which is then decoded and stored in an asset-tracking software database.

Basic Steps to Follow in Obtaining GS1 Codes

 

Why do you have to use GS1 codes Australia? They are an essential tool to use in cutting operating costs, improving your level of responsiveness, and achieving a competitive advantage. Plus, they give stronger profits and happier customers. They indeed have a role to play in logistics and transportation. A manufacturing business, for instance, is enabled in automatically identifying and tracking your shipments. 

Below are the basic steps to follow in obtaining GS1 codes Australia. 

Obtain a GS1 Company Prefix

In using the barcodes, it’s needed to assign the numbers going inside the barcode. This is what is called the GS1 identification keys. It will do obtaining it from a GS1 member organization. This company prefix will enable companies to create identification keys. This is simply to say considering logistics units, trade items, assets, parties, locations, and many more. These are indeed unique in the rest of the world.                                                     

Begin Assigning Numbers

After finally receiving a GS1 company prefix, it is followed by assigning an identification number to the logistic units, trade items, & returnable assets. 

Choose a Barcode Printing Process

Begin deciding what you will be barcoding. Think of the barcode carrying dynamic or static information inside it. For static, the barcode will be printed with the use of conventional printing presses. This will be done directly on the page or the paper milk carton. 

For something as dynamic, it can either be a combination of traditional and digital printing or a digital-only. 

Choose a “Primary” Scanning Form of Environment

The specifications for size, barcode type, quality, & placement depend upon where the barcode will be scanned. By knowing it first, you can go your way to establishing the right specifications for the production. 

The barcodes that will be scanned at the retail point-of-sale will support omnidirectional scanning. A symbol will be used to accommodate a point-of-sale scanning. But then, it will be printed in a bigger size accommodating scanning throughout the distribution process. 

Choose a Barcode

If you will print a barcode having variable information including expiry dates, serial numbers, and measures, you’ll be required to use GS1 Databar, GS1-128, and GS1 2D symbols. If you will be encoding the URLs into a barcode in making extended packaging information, you then should be using the GS1 2D symbol. 

Choose a Barcode Size

If you’re done with specifying the right barcode symbol along with the information to be encoded in it, it’s when the design stage begins. The symbol size in the design will rely much on the symbol specified. It’ll also include where the symbol will be utilized and how it will be printed. 

Do the Formatting of the Barcode Text

The human-readable interpretation or the text underneath the barcode is essential. If the barcode is done in poor quality or is damaged, the text can then be used as a form of backup. 

Choose a Barcode Color

The color combination for the barcode symbol will be a black bar having a white background. GS1 codes Australia normally require dark colors like black, dark green, dark brown, & dark blue. 

Choose the Barcode Placement

In the discussion of symbol location, it is referred to as the symbol placement through the design. In assigning the symbol placement, it’s needed considering the packaging process. Consult the packaging engineer making sure the symbol will not be damaged or obscured. 

Get the Right Barcode Label Printing

It’s also good that low-cost and easy-to-use delivery management solutions are made available already. GS1 codes in Australia can make labeling easy. The company to seek help will guide you in properly labeling and packaging products. Thus, you become compliant with all the businesses in Australia. 

Follow these basic steps in obtaining GS1 Codes in Australia!