Implementing barcode systems in manufacturing is an excellent idea for more than one reason. The typical benefit is that it will help make keeping track of your inventory so much easier, but like we said, there are more. It’s when you try to figure out which type of system you should implement and how that you start to hit some roadblocks.

But fear not; we are here to help make the process easier for you. We will first cover what a barcode system is and the types there are so that you know what your options are. After that, we will take you step by step on implementing the barcode system in your manufacturing process. To round up the article, we will go over the benefits you might enjoy and the challenges you might face.

What Is A Barcode System In Manufacturing?
A barcode system in manufacturing is like a high-tech tag for products. It’s a way of using those black-and-white lines (barcodes) you see on items to keep things organized. Imagine it as a super-smart label that helps factories and businesses keep track of products from when they’re made to when they’re sent out. This system makes the manufacturing process faster, reduces mistakes, and helps everyone know exactly where things are in the production process.

Types of Barcode Systems in Manufacturing
One of the first decisions you need to make if you want to implement a barcode system in your manufacturing business is to select the right type of barcode system. Many options are available for you, and we will go over three of the most common ones. They are:

Linear Barcodes
Linear barcodes are the traditional, one-dimensional barcodes you often see on product labels. They consist of vertical lines of varying thickness and spacing. These barcodes encode information like product numbers and are scanned using laser or CCD scanners. Linear barcodes are simple and widely used for inventory tracking, retail, and apparel manufacturing in Bangladesh. Here are some common ones and their uses:

Code 128: Versatile and data-dense, commonly used for product identification in manufacturing.
Code 39: Simple and reliable, ideal for labeling and tracking products in manufacturing processes.
UPC (Universal Product Code): Widely used in retail and manufacturing to uniquely identify and track products.
EAN-13 (European Article Number): Similar to UPC, it is commonly employed for product identification and tracking, especially in international trade.
GS1 DataBar: Efficient for encoding more information in a smaller space, valuable for labeling and tracking items in the manufacturing supply chain.
2D Barcodes
Unlike linear barcodes, 2D barcodes can store information horizontally and vertically, packing more data into a smaller space. QR codes are a typical example of 2D barcodes. They’re versatile and can store various data types, such as web links or product details. 2D barcodes are popular for mobile scanning applications, providing quick access to information with a simple scan.

RFID Tags
RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification) tags use radio waves to share data between a tag and a reader. These tags consist of a microchip and an antenna, allowing them to store and transmit information. RFID technology is commonly used for tracking and managing inventory in real-time. Unlike barcodes, RFID tags don’t require direct line-of-sight for scanning, making them efficient for various applications, from retail to manufacturing.