Barcodes for Tracking, Logging and Stock Control

Barcodes play a key role in supply chain management, tagging items through manufacturing, distribution, storage and retail processes.

The key to harnessing the power of barcodes is speeding up the collection and recording of relevant information. Wherever possible movements should be logged with a single scan so that the collection of data does not interfere with or significantly add to the cost of the operation. When linked to resource planning systems, barcodes can help generate real advantages including up to the minute order and stock tracking, increased productivity and lower costs.

In terms of stock control many of the advantages seen in supermarkets with rapid real-time stock control can be enjoyed by any business where stock plays a key role. In an integrated system knowing what you have in stock, existing commitments and incoming orders are vital to ensure promises to customers can be made with confidence. Similarly knowing what you have and where it is in a multi location warehouse system makes picking and stock control virtually failsafe.

Barcodes can also be used for the logging of response forms and indeed several government departments now use barcodes to log the receipt of time critical documents. This provides the foundation for exception monitoring i.e. chasing those who have failed to meet the deadline.

Barcodes allow relevant information to be stored on an item and for this to be logged at relevant points in order to provide end-to-end traceability. Using barcodes will result in reduced costs and improved efficiency and utilising a solution provider with extensive industry experience will ensure a successful implementation.