A barcode inventory system for small businesses can help you to stop searching for inventory and assist you in finding it quickly. Linking barcodes or QR codes to your inventory items allows for a more intuitive way to track your inventory across multiple locations such as different warehouses.
Inventory Tracking
Typical Barcode Hardware & Barcode Types
A barcode inventory management system can increase your businesses efficiency in important ways. You can save time and money utilizing the combination of hardware and software to track your business operations and get product sold and shipped. A normal barcode inventory system typically includes barcode scanners and barcode printers. For instance while using Order Time Inventory you can have either a hand scanner and walk around doing inventory counts or you can use the Order Time Mobile App to scan in inventory and transfer it between bins. Order Time even works with a simple USB connected UPC scanner that you can buy from Amazon on the cheap! There are a wide range of barcode printer manufacturers that work with this cloud software and allow you to print labels of all sizes.
There is a distinction between types of Barcodes as well. The barcodes you are probably used to are 1D barcodes. These include the following standards:
- UPC-A
- UPC-E
- Code 39
- Code 93
- EAN-128
- EAN-13
- RSS-14
- Interleaved 2 of 5
- USPS IMB
These have vertical lines and the spaces between them denote numbers or letters. These number or letter combos create a string that can be used to identify a particular product in your inventory and even tell you information down to its size or color depending on the beginning or end of the code.
Then there are 2D barcodes these can contain a more complex
depth of information. You can layer the information on these barcodes and even though they pack more info, they can be smaller than a standard UPC code. They typically appear as a square and can be different geometric shapes with pixel-like patterns. The most-often seen version of this type of barcode is the QR Code.
Other examples include:
- QR Code
- Aztec
- MaxiCode
- PDF 417
- Data Matrix
The Benefits of Using a Barcoding System
Fast Data Entry and Processing
Barcode inventory management with a cloud platform like Order Time is a lot faster than using an Excel spreadsheet. It saves a large amount of time versus scanning and parsing it all manually. You usually need to make fast and accurate decisions based on your inventory levels in real-time and the manual grind is the hardest way of doing this. To keep your team agile you need that inventory data in there immediately. It isn't even close to the power of a customizable barcode system.
Customer Support
Barcodes or QR codes aren't just for inventory tracking within your own facility. When your customers need to know whether they've received the correct SKUs, or if you have a partial recall and they need to identify the products that are effected. It can be an invaluable and professional tool for keeping track of problems within the inventory chain of custody.
Equipment Control
Attaching labels to frequently used inventory tracking devices can be an easy way to identify them quickly. You can use this system assign specific tablets or scanners to different employees. This can reduce the amount of time it takes for staff to locate and allocate the items properly.
Tracking and Organization
Reduce errors, maintain accurate stock counts, and avoid manual entry of items. You can set bin locations, warehouse locations, pick orders accurately and receive inventory seamlessly. Utilize inventory reports to analyze essential data quickly. Look up transactions by warehouse/location, see itemized inventory levels by SKU/ID or view customer purchase history.
Lot Number Tracking and Serial Number Tracking
Include Lot or Serial numbers in your labels for superior tracking and traceability. You can't really escape the reality or possibility of total recall if you are a manufacturer. You have to maintain your date code tracking and serialization to avoid a total recall by letting customers know which batch has been effected by a particular mistake. Labels can include a Barcode / QR code / Lot Number / Serial Number / Manufacturing Date / Expiration Date and more!
What Now?
Love everything you’ve read? Order Time offers all of these barcoding features and more!
Check out our Barcode Inventory System Page!
Sign up for a one-on-one meeting to get all your questions and concerns answered, or check out our detailed video tutorials and knowledge base. Order Time is constantly updating, so check out the latest release notes.
Feel free to call our sales representatives, 1-866-278-6243, dial 1 for Sales or visit our website for more details!
We're always adding new Features, so if you have one you can't live without, let us know using the Contact Us Form.For more information check out our Order Time Cheat Sheet.
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