Thank you to Bernard Silver and Joseph Woodland for inventing the very first bar code. It has saved businesses countless dollars, time and energy. When you think about all the processes that go on in many businesses today it’s truly a competitive advantage to have automated processes. Think of things like asset management, inventory management, field service, shipping and receiving. If you’re like me, you have to laugh when you think about the paper-laden, manual tasks we used to have to perform and how much time we spent correcting errors and appeasing unhappy customers in the middle of it all.
For those who have yet to automate (or fully automate), it is most likely due to budget constraints. We urge you to begin planning now for your future, because you can actually save money by automating, and a simple ROI calculation can show you how. The hardware, like a barcode label printer, is not only affordable, but a durable piece of equipment that will last you many years. Creating and printing bar codes on your own is a logical step and there are plenty of resources available to guide you through the process.
Work with a solution provider that understands bar code automation – the time you spend selecting and purchasing a system will be money well spent. A few hints to follow as you begin selecting equipment and media:
- Choose a bar code scanning device that is best designed to read your bar codes
- Choose features and functions in a bar code scanner that works best for each application
- Avoid bar codes that are any color other than black
- Avoid bar code labels with a colored background other than white
- Thoroughly test labels and bar codes before fully implementing
Instituting a bar code labeling system throughout your business is work up front, but makes all work after implementation so much easier! Start by creating a series of bar codes that can be identified with the items you’d like to track. Then simply scan the item into the computer system with a handheld scanning device or a mobile computing device. When the item is sold, shipped, checked-out or removed from inventory, the bar code is scanned again to update the data on the item in real-time. You’ll be able to identify, track, and provide information about these items quickly and easily. This allows you to run your business more efficiently, and increases worker productivity because what was previously a “paper trail” is now being managed through your warehouse management system (WMS).
Bar Code Labels
If you are using bar codes for an asset management application like employee badges or company equipment and furniture, pre-printed labels will work well. Using a high-quality, durable label can last well over 10 years if they are not exposed to the elements. Not to worry, if you are working in an extremely rugged environment, thermal transfer printers can print labels on most any type of bar code label stock that are designed for high temperatures, cold, wet environments and more.
Bar Code Labeling Software
Because of the popularity of bar coding today, a variety of options exist when it comes to labeling software. More information can be found in this bar code label software blog post as well. There are generally two different types of software programs available today:
- Menu-driven programs for operators to design and print labels
- Bar code font programs to allow printing of bar codes within other Macintosh or Windows programs; no programming is necessary by the user.
These programs offer the ability to choose scalable fonts, and allow you to import images and bar code type. Besides the ability to design and print your own labels, you should look for a program with a simple operator interface.
There’s much more to learn and we can help get you started! Contact L-Tron today for a complimentary Bar Code Labeling ROI Analysis.