Barcodes are all around, grocery stores, retailers, even at cafes, bars and festivals. Whether you work with them, or just find yourself using them, they make a huge difference to the productivity and management of stocktake. When implementing a new barcode system, there are a few key benefits you can get. Here’s what you need to know when you’re implementing a barcode system.
What are barcode systems?
A barcode system uses unique coding to track, count and identify stock and products, allowing for customer service workers at POS to place orders, inventory managers to manage stock and businesses to track quantities. Using a scanner, once you scan and identify the code, the code will be translated to the computer and identified or tracked. The most common use of these is the one-dimensional laser scanners, barcodes that have a combination of letters and numbers, with a series of lines in varying thicknesses.
Steps to implementing barcode software
In order to begin enjoying the benefits of barcode software, you need to prepare your stock. Here are the advisable steps to take.
- Define all SKUs and variants
Know all your SKUs and all the different styles, sizes, colours, forms, etc. You want to gauge exactly how many products will need unique codes.
- Chose the software system
Software systems will make a difference to the effectiveness of your barcoding. It’s always good to upgrade your system if you have an outdated one.
- Define all barcodes for inventory
Now you know what products need barcodes, you can start identifying and creating the codes for your barcodes. Your barcoding system will help achieve this.
- Create barcodes for inventory
Once the barcodes are created, you can print the barcodes required. There are barcode printers available for this.
- Update inventory management system
Whether it’s an existing system or a new system, make sure you update all software so it can comply with changes or additions to stock.
- Put barcoding inventory in place
Finally, stick your printed barcodes on all products.
How to implement barcode systems
If you are ready to set up a barcode system, there are a few elements you should consider. These 5 factors will help you best implement a barcode system in your business.
- Comply with industry standards and workflows: No matter the industry, it’s likely there are industry standards, and barcoding will help you better manage and commit to these. Workflows can also be streamlined, with better tracking and better stock counting.
- Identify what the barcode is to be used for: Why do you need your barcode? Is it for tracking? Stocking? Managing ROI and orders? Ask these questions to make the most of your system.
- Decide what information to put on the label: Labels won’t just include unique codes, but potential names, details of the product, etc. If you are a fashion business selling footwear, sales assistants will need to find stock easily, so labels with names will be advantageous.
- Define guidelines for placement of the barcode label: Placement matters. Whether it’s to aid with quicker scanning or to stock and store products easily without blocking codes. If you can define proper guidelines you will avoid the risk of messy warehouses and lost products.
- Integrate with the existing business software: You’re likely to have other software that you work with, and it’s naturally going to need to work well with barcode software. Assess how they function and work together and integrate well.
Contact Barcode Labels today to get started by giving us a call on 1300 369 513.