Barcodes are a fundamental part of modern product management and supply chain operations. Their role in tracking, inventory management, and sales is integral to businesses across various sectors. This blog serves as a practical guide to understanding and implementing barcodes for your products. It provides a clear overview of why barcodes are essential in different industries and offers a step-by-step process for acquiring and using them effectively. From defining what a barcode is to exploring its applications in different sectors, this guide will get you started with the necessary knowledge to integrate barcodes into your business operations seamlessly.
What is a Barcode?
A barcode is a method of representing data in a visual, machine-readable form. Initially, barcodes represented data by varying the widths and spacings of parallel lines, and today, they have evolved to include patterns of dots, concentric circles, and hidden images.
How to Get a Barcode for Your Product: The Barcode Generation Process
Obtaining a barcode for your product is an essential step in product management and distribution. The barcode process ensures that your product is easily trackable and identifiable in the marketplace.
The process of generating a barcode is straightforward but requires attention to detail. It involves selecting the right type of barcode, understanding the requirements of your industry, and using the correct tools and software.
Step-by-step Explanation of How Barcodes are Generated
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Register with GS1 India: The initial step is to register with GS1 India. This is mandatory for anyone looking to sell products or services online. Visit the GS1 India website and fill out the online form. While registering, it’s crucial to select the appropriate ‘number of product barcodes.’ This decision should consider both current and future needs, as any change in the product (like ingredients, pack size, etc.) or introduction of new items will necessitate a different barcode. GS1 India offers Global Trade Item Numbers (GTINs) in batches of 100, 1,000, 10,000, and 1,00,000. After submitting the necessary company documents and paying the required fees, you’ll receive a barcode subscription allotment letter within 7-10 working days.
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Login to DataKart: Using the credentials provided in your GTIN allocation letter, login into the DataKart portal. DataKart is a Master Data Management (MDM) system that facilitates the online generation and management of GTINs.
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Create Product Data in DataKart: Once logged in, go to the ‘Create Product Data’ section. Here, you’ll find the GTIN pre-filled, with various product attribute fields left blank for your input. Fill in these details to assign the GTIN to your product. DataKart allows the addition of product data individually or in bulk using an Excel template.
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Download Barcode Images for Packaging: After assigning GTINs to your products, you can generate barcode images suitable for packaging. Go to ‘Generate and Print Barcodes’ in DataKart, select the ‘SKU’ option, choose your product name and output file type, and click ‘Generate.’ DataKart also provides options for printing barcodes for cartons, pallets, and logistic labels.
This process, streamlined through GS1 India and DataKart, ensures that your products are ready for e-commerce platforms with valid barcodes, enhanced product identification and tracking efficiency.
Software and Tools for Creating Barcodes
Software for creating barcodes varies widely to suit different needs. Explore DataKart, a user-friendly barcode creation tool designed to simplify the sharing of detailed product information across brand departments and with retailers in real-time. DataKart enhances B2B, B2G, and B2C operations, making product listing, logistics, compliance, and consumer decision-making easier with efficient barcode solutions.
Factors to Consider When Generating Barcodes
When generating barcodes, it’s crucial to pay attention to several key factors to ensure their effectiveness. These factors play a significant role in the barcode’s functionality and compliance with industry standards. Here are the essential points to consider:
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Size: Ensure the barcode is appropriately sized for the product and scanning equipment.
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Readability: The barcode must be clear and scannable, with adequate contrast between the bars and the background.
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Placement: Position the barcode where it is easily accessible for scanning without damaging the product’s packaging or aesthetics.
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Industry-Specific Requirements: Adhere to the unique barcode standards and regulations relevant to your industry, such as different formats for retail, healthcare, and logistics.
Each of these factors contributes to the successful implementation and utility of barcodes in product identification and management.
What Type of Barcode is Needed
Selecting the appropriate type of barcode is essential for effective product identification and management. The choice largely depends on your specific needs and industry standards. UPC barcodes are widely used in retail for tracking sales and inventory due to their simplicity and universal recognition. On the other hand, QR codes offer more versatility, are capable of storing extensive information and are easily readable by smartphones, making them ideal for marketing and customer engagement. Your selection should align with your product’s distribution channel, data requirements, and the technology available to your end users.
Check How Many Products Require Barcodes
Determining the number of products needing barcodes is vital for efficient implementation. This assessment helps gauge the extent of barcode integration required, aligning with your inventory scale. It’s crucial for planning resources, managing costs, and ensuring each product is accurately tracked and identified in your inventory system.
Obtain Unique Identification Numbers for Your Products
Acquiring unique identification numbers is a crucial step in the barcode process. These numbers, like a product’s digital fingerprint, ensure that each item is uniquely identifiable, preventing mix-ups and aiding in efficient tracking. The uniqueness of these numbers is paramount for inventory management, data accuracy, and global distribution. They form the basis of your product’s barcode and are essential for maintaining distinctiveness in the marketplace, especially in sectors with high volumes of products and transactions.
Association with GS1 India
GS1 India is a leading global organisation that standardises barcodes for international use. By creating an account with GS1 India, businesses gain access to a unique set of identification numbers, ensuring their barcodes are recognised worldwide. This step is vital for companies looking to expand their reach beyond local markets and engage in global trade. GS1 India also offers resources and support to help businesses effectively implement and manage their barcoding systems, facilitating smoother operations and compliance with international standards.
Barcode Process in Different Industries
Barcodes are versatile tools with varied applications across numerous industries. Each industry adapts barcode technology to suit its unique needs, underlining the barcode’s adaptability and importance in modern business operations.
How Various Industries Use Barcodes
Barcodes have a significant impact on multiple sectors, each utilising the technology in ways that best suit their operational needs. In healthcare, barcodes are used for patient identification and tracking medication, ensuring safety and accuracy. Manufacturing industries use them for tracking parts and products throughout the production process. In retail, barcodes simplify inventory management and expedite the checkout process. This wide-ranging application demonstrates the barcode’s versatility and its role in enhancing operational efficiency.
Real-world Examples of Barcode Implementation
Across the globe, businesses have leveraged barcodes to revolutionize their operations. A notable example is in the retail sector, where major chains use barcodes for efficient inventory tracking and faster checkout processes, significantly enhancing customer experience. In logistics, companies like FedEx and UPS rely on barcodes for accurate package tracking and delivery. These success stories highlight how barcodes can transform business operations, making them more efficient and customer-friendly.
Impact of Barcodes on Efficiency and Accuracy
The introduction of barcodes has dramatically improved efficiency and accuracy in various industries. By automating data entry and retrieval, barcodes minimize human error, streamline operations, and save time. In sectors like retail and logistics, this has led to faster processing times and improved customer service. In manufacturing, barcodes facilitate precise tracking of products through the production line, enhancing quality control. The overall impact of barcodes is a more efficient, accurate, and responsive business operation.
Documents Necessary For Barcode Registration And Verification
To register and verify a barcode, certain documents are required. To register and verify a barcode, necessary documents include the PAN card of the applicant company or proprietor, a balance sheet for annual sales turnover proof, a company letterhead request for barcode allotment, and proof of the company’s status. Specific entities require additional documents: GST/VAT registration for all, plus partnership deed for partnerships, ROC certificate or MOA for limited companies, and ROS certificate for other entities like societies or HUF. Additionally, a copy of the company’s cancelled cheque is needed.
Conclusion
Barcodes are a prerequisite in the modern world of product management and distribution. Understanding and implementing the barcode process is crucial for businesses looking to thrive in various industries.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why is a barcode important for businesses?
Barcodes streamline inventory management and sales processes, enhancing overall efficiency.
2. How can I create and print barcodes for my products?
Register with GS1 India, obtain GTINs via Data Kart, and then print barcodes for product packaging.
3. What are the main challenges in implementing barcode processes?
Challenges include choosing the right type of barcode, ensuring readability, and meeting industry standards.
4. How much does it cost to get a barcode for a product?
The cost varies depending on the company’s sales turnover and the scale of implementation.
5. Do you need a barcode to sell in stores?
Most retail stores require products to have barcodes for inventory and sales purposes.
6. Can you create your own barcodes?
Barcodes must be allocated by GS1 India which is the only authorized source. However, they can be self-created for usage at organization level. Self-created barcodes have no utility if used for any purpose outside the organization.
7. Is there a difference between SKUs and barcodes?
Yes, SKUs are internal inventory tracking numbers, while barcodes are used universally for product identification.
8. Do you need a barcode for SKUs?
Barcodes are not necessary for SKUs, but they are often used together for efficient tracking.
9. Who gives a barcode for a product?
GS1 India is a global organisation responsible for the management and standardisation of barcodes.
10. How do barcodes work?
Barcodes work by encoding data into a visual pattern that machines can read and decode.
