What is a barcode?

Barcode is an automatic identification technology. It allows data to be collected accurately and rapidly.

A barcode symbol consists of a series of parallel, adjacent bars and spaces. Predetermined width patterns are used to code actual data into the symbol. To read information contained in a barcode symbol, a scanning device, such as a fixed or handheld reader, is used to scan/read the barcode. The reader analyses the symbol, the Barcode width pattern of bars and spaces by the bar code decoder, in or linked to the scanning device, and the original data is recovered.

The most visible application of this technology is the supermarket industry, where it has been in use since 1970. Barcode is now the de facto automatic identification technology.

There are different barcode types/symbology and standards. There types and standards for specific applications and used in specific industries.

Bar codes are like a printed version of the Morse code. Different bar and space patterns are used to represent different characters. Sets of these patterns are grouped together to form a "symbology". There are many types of bar code symbologies each having their own special characteristics and features. Most symbologies were designed to meet the needs of a specific application or industry.

What a barcode is used for

A barcode is used to quickly and accurately record data. It effectively replaces the reading and typing or writing down of numbers. The data carried by a barcode is typically a reference number which in term links the related information of the item to which the barcode is attached or linked. This number is then linked to a system where is processed like manual entered data would be processed.

Sample of barcode types used
Code 39:

Code 128:

What's the benefit of using Barcodes?

The benefits of using Barcodes for automated data collection are very simple: speed and accuracy. Time after time, it has been proven that entering Barcode data is at least 100 times faster and more accurate than traditional manual keyboard entry, which translates into a dramatic increase in efficiency and productivity for any operation.

Data security are improved and errors are reduced when the correct barcode type is used. The technology includes check digits to verify the correctness of the barcode scanned for every barcode.

Typically an experienced and well trained data entry operator will make a keystroke entry error once every 300 keystrokes. Each of these keystroke errors represents an error in your decision-making data. This leads to wasted time, misappropriated capital and ultimately, lost revenues. It is for this reason that most companies make the decision to barcode technology.

In trials to determine real life accuracy of barcode which include various standards the worst-case error rate was found to be 1 error in 394K characters. The best-tested symbology had a worst case error rate of 1 error in 10.5M characters.

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