g1smd
msg:4533222 | 2:48 pm on Jan 4, 2013 (gmt 0) |
You'll need to choose what type of bar code is printed.
There's various sizes, with narrow or wider bands, and various digit lengths.
There's an international numbering scheme which you will need to conform to, though if the code are only used in-house there are shorter (less digits) number ranges for that (you'll see them on "own-brand" products in shops).
There are various numbering conventions, UPC, EAN and others, typically: 2 digits for country code, 5 digits for maker, 5 digits for item, and a checksum digit.
Of course, with room for 100 country codes, 100 000 companies per country and 100 000 products per company the system design was massively under-specified.
Pick the wrong system and you'll find some readers can't read them.
Instead of barcodes, would this be a use for QR codes?
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jrockfl
msg:4533231 | 2:59 pm on Jan 4, 2013 (gmt 0) |
I'm looking to start using a fulfillment company in Australia and the asked about the barcoding.
I would also like to be able to scan the bar codes for our in house shipping center so we can start scanning items as the leave.
What are QR codes?
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g1smd
msg:4533251 | 4:14 pm on Jan 4, 2013 (gmt 0) |
QR codes allow a LOT more information, hundreds of characters, and not just some numbers, but also the product description, your web address and more.
I'd visit Wikipedia and read the "barcode" and "QR code" articles as a starter.
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mack
msg:4533253 | 4:17 pm on Jan 4, 2013 (gmt 0) |
I would be tempted to use QR codes. Through time you will probably find you will need to migrate to QR, it may make sense to go ahead and use QR codes from the start.
Mack.
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Leosghost
msg:4533268 | 4:57 pm on Jan 4, 2013 (gmt 0) |
Re bar codes..If you want them to be unique to your company..you have to buy them from your authorised outlet ( depends on your country ) in blocks of, as g1smd said 100,000 ..if you don't mind them not mentioning your company, there are places that you can buy smaller blocks that were "previously allocated, but unused" from ..
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piatkow
msg:4533400 | 10:55 pm on Jan 4, 2013 (gmt 0) |
it may make sense to go ahead and use QR codes from the start.
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That choice will be dictated by your customers, barcode readers are well established and reliable. Leosghost's suggestion on buying barcodes from a third party is good if you only need a fairly small block. You will need to check out the issuing authority for barcodes in your own country to get the costs of full registration.
All this discussion is relating to barcodes for "widgets", there are special rules for books and magazines.
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jrockfl
msg:4533550 | 2:02 pm on Jan 5, 2013 (gmt 0) |
Thanks everyone, I will do some research on both.
I will also check with the fulfillment center since they are the ones asking about it.
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