2D barcodes are leaving their mark on lots of industry applications – pun intended! So why has 2D barcode scanning become so prevalent?
Smaller Size
While 1D barcodes are small, 2D barcodes are (or at least can be) even smaller…less than ½ inch long x ½ inch wide! Why does smaller = better? Simply put, space is at a minimum in many industries. From computer components to medicine containers, when you consider putting labels on items that are not very big, the barcode size has to be minimal, yet still readable.
More Information
Even though 2D barcodes (such as Aztec, Data Matrix, PDF417 and QR Code) may be smaller, they can actually store more information than 1D barcodes. Within any given market, 2D barcodes can encode all pertinent, readable data into just one barcode.
Industries
These 5 markets are in the midst of the “boom” of 2D barcoding. Here’s why:
- Manufacturing
Both industry/customer demands and governmental regulations have shifted to require lot traceability down the supply chain. With limited space availability on board arrays, PCBs (printed circuit boards), and other manufactured components, 2D barcodes are the clear choice and are often achieved by direct park marking, laser etching, or synthetic barcode labels.
- Healthcare
Across all areas of healthcare there has been an influx of 2D barcoding for the purpose of patient safety, compliance to government regulations, and counterfeiting prevention. Hospitals, clinics, doctor offices, blood labs, and pharmacies use 2D barcodes for ID tags, patient wristbands, patient files, pharmaceuticals, and more.
Law Enforcement
Electronic Citations, or e-Citations, thrive on the 2D barcodes that are found on the back of driver’s licenses. While states’ licenses do not yet all contain PDF417 barcodes, those that do have enabled law enforcement officers to quickly and easily scan driver’s license information directly into an e-Citation software program. This saves time, decreases manual errors, and is highly efficient.
- Automotive
If you take a look at your vehicle’s title, registration, and VIN, odds are that at least one of these items will contain a 2D barcode. During a vehicle inspection at the service station, the mechanic can input updated information to the database, which can be accessed with a quick scan of the barcode under the windshield.
- Retail
When we hear “retail” and “barcode” in the same sentence, we think “UPC,” which is a 1D barcode. While there are no imminent plans to replace the UPC that is found on every product being sold to consumers, the retail industry has begun to use 2D codes creatively for marketing purposes. From loyalty programs and coupons to business cards and fliers, QR Codes are particularly popular in the retail arena.
While these 5 industries are booming with 2D barcodes, other industries are just getting started. It will be interesting to observe as 2D barcodes begin to be used in other applications. Learn more in an article published in Business Solutions Magazine.
If you’d like to create your own 2D barcode, feel free to use our barcode generator. Don’t forget to tell us about it on Twitter @L-TronCorp!
About the Author:
Carmella Giancursio is L-Tron’s Public Relations Specialist & Content Editor. When she’s not working, spending time with her husband, or taking care of her 3 young kids, she can be found in the kitchen, channeling her Italian heritage!