Look through a grocery store, bookstore, or nearly any other retail store you can think of, and you may find something all of these stores have in common. You may find a rectangular image of stripes and spaces printed on items’ surfaces. If you compare images of different varieties of products, you’ll discover that each of these patterns is unique to each other. You might already know that these images are bar codes, but do you truly know what they are for and how to use them?
Having barcodes only matters if you have a barcode scanner in Singapore. If you sell unique products or products that are purchased or sold without packaging, you’re also going to need other equipment to make the system work. For example, you might need printers to create stickers for barcodes. You may also need a specialised computer or system for barcode scanners to work with your cashier equipment.
An introduction to barcodes
A barcode consists of a series of bars and spaces. The barcode is a method that enables a handheld computer and other types of smart devices to read data. They’re a visual representation of the unique numerals and characters that make up the item or product’s unique code.
Did you know that barcodes come in different types? The one most people are familiar with (and the one most commonly used) is the linear or one-dimensional (1D) barcode. More modern and complex types, such as 2D variants, create barcodes using other patterns. Whichever type you pick, they both serve the same purpose.
In today’s modern world, we have measures in place to improve our business flow. Developers have since made various tagging systems, but the use of barcode technology hasn’t gone away. You can easily find labelling guns or a barcode printer in Singapore you can use on your items. Compared to tags and other sensing systems, there’s not much that can match the sheer versatility of barcodes.
Advantages of using barcodes
Before you forgo or dismiss your purchase of a barcode scanner, stop for a moment to consider why barcodes are so useful to us. Have you ever wondered why barcodes have been in use for so long, despite other tagging methods available for use? Here’s why barcode tags have become so popular.
1) Barcode systems are universal. Almost every type of product imaginable contains a barcode that you can scan. If your store contains items from different retailers, you won’t need to think of a completely new way to tag every single one of your items. All you need is a scanner and the proper equipment and you’ll experience the full features that barcodes can offer.
2) Barcode scanners help you keep track of your inventory. Many shops, even smaller ones, have dozens of items in stock each day. If you are a business owner, you’re likely to see goods flow in and out of your stores constantly. How do you keep track of these items and prevent them from getting miscounted? Barcode scanners can replace manual counting and encountering mistakes. They might also reduce instances of theft and loss.
3) Barcodes save you time. No more need to painstakingly record your items one by one. Getting a barcode printer in Singapore lets you print labels for your items in bulk. You can also scan items much faster than you can manually count them. This can save you precious time when it comes to sorting your products.
4) Barcodes are very efficient. Data entry errors are the bane of every business. Today’s scanners are virtually error-free and help you track your inventory much more accurately. Both employees and customers will greatly benefit from them.
5) Barcode equipment is very easy to use. The average barcode system is designed to be user-friendly. Using one should be extremely simple after they’re incorporated into the workplace process. If you find a good one, setting up and using your scanner and printer should be fairly straightforward.
6) Barcodes help you save on costs. Because of how quick and easy they are to use, investing in a barcode scanner is much cheaper than utilising other tagging technologies. Most types of stores have the necessary structure in place to make scanning easy– because of the widespread use of barcodes. It’s also much less costly than getting more advanced tagging systems because the technology is readily available. This has made the barcode system a much better investment.
How to make barcode systems work for your business
How do you ensure that you can get the most out of your barcode system? Well, there are a few things you should take into consideration when you’re integrating it into your business. It’s always a good idea to carefully consider your necessities when it comes to an inventory tracking or tagging system. Do you need a basic 1D system, which is great for large numbers of consumer goods, or a 2D system that can hold more data within a smaller space?
A personalised barcode system must be fully integrated into your existing one for maximum effectiveness. This means buying the right hardware, such as a handheld computer or scanner that can easily pick up the images, as well as a decent printer that can print readable labels. You should also take a look at the types of scanners you can purchase and which one suits your needs best.
Equally important is the software you use to process the data your scanners read. Particularly powerful ones have many features that can make barcode scanning much smoother for you.
Comtrol Solutions provides essential equipment for retail stores and other establishments. Learn more about how to purchase a Zebra scanner in Singapore and other retail equipment for your business.
