Leveraging Barcode Scanners for Your Stock Control Needs

Most businesses still rely on conventional means to manage inventory and track products in their warehouses. While that might work on a small scale, it is practically impossible when you need to manage thousands of products moving across a warehouse accurately. Moreover, traditional methods are more error-prone and time-consuming. As a result, you can quickly lose track of the inventory count, leading to stockouts or overstocking.

However, barcode scanners optimize stock control management and provide better inventory control. You can automatically update product information by scanning its barcode with your barcode scanner. Furthermore, as data is automatically updated with each scan, you can accurately monitor stock levels. This way, you can decide when to stock up and avoid overstocking or stockouts. 

There are different ways barcode scanners can be leveraged for optimal stock control. However, let’s first understand what a stock control system is and how to implement it.

Understanding Barcode Stock Control

A barcode stock control system is a method that uses barcodes to track stock items and manage stock levels. Each item is labeled with a unique barcode, which can be scanned using a barcode scanner. The scanner reads the barcode and sends the information to stock management software. Each scan instantly updates the product information in your system.

You don’t have to physically count individual product quantities or match item descriptions. It considerably reduces manual efforts, making inventory management simpler, more effective, and less time-consuming. 

You can even couple your barcode stock control system with a cloud-based inventory database. This way, you can track stock levels on the go in real-time. 

Implementing a Barcode Stock Control System

Now, you must have understood the different benefits of a barcode control system and wondered how to implement it. Don’t worry; setting it up is quite simple. You only need to follow these simple steps:   

• Deciding The Barcode: There are different barcodes, like UPC-E, EAN, Code 39, Code 128, QR codes, etc., that can be used to manage inventories. Each barcode has its unique characteristics. For example, UPC-E is a 1D barcode that can store limited data and is widely used by retailers across the U.S. QR codes are 2D barcodes that can store more data and offer a higher degree of customization. 

Decide the different data parameters you want to view while scanning your barcodes, such as price, expiry date, and item description, business nature, and choose accordingly. 

• Incorporating The Barcodes: The next step is updating your stock management system to integrate barcode scanning capabilities. Purchase another stock management software, or upgrade your existing one. Moreover, set up measures to print barcodes on your items accurately. 

Please note that GS1 is the international organization responsible for maintaining global barcode standards. Therefore, for internationally acceptable barcodes, use GS1-approved barcodes only. 

• Implementing barcode scanners: The next step is to implement barcode scanners. You can purchase specialized barcode scanners or build a barcode scanning application using a reputed barcode reader SDK.  

For example, if you wish to scan a QR code without installing an application, you can easily create a javascript QR code scanner and use camera devices like smartphones or laptops to decode QR codes from a web browser.

Once your barcode stock control system is set up, you can use barcode scanners to leverage your stock control needs.

Moreover, some barcode reader SDKs provide a batch-scanning feature. With its help, you can scan multiple barcodes simultaneously and further ramp up your process. With the right barcode reading solution, you can also scan barcodes on fast-moving conveyor belts without compromising movement speed and decoding accuracy.

How QR Codes are Useful in Stock Control and Management

We learned that there are different barcodes, like UPC-E, Code 39, Code 128, etc., that can be used to manage inventories. However, QR codes provide several advantages over these barcodes, ultimately making them more beneficial for a barcode stock control system. Some of them are:

1. Easy Scanning: Misalignment between a barcode scanner and a barcode is a common reason for scanning failure. 1D barcodes like UPCs can only be read horizontally. Your scanner must be properly aligned with your 1D barcode to decode accurately. However, QR codes are different; they can be easily read from any angle.
2. More Data Capacity: QR codes can hold more information than commonly used 1D barcodes like Code 39 and UPC-E. This means you can store more product information within a QR code. Also, information in a QR code can be easily updated, enabling quick changes in the incorporated data. You can even customize a QR code to display the company logo, product image, etc., which makes them more versatile.
3. Damage Withstanding Capability: Barcodes can be easily damaged due to wear and tear over time. This renders barcodes unusable. However, unlike other barcodes, QR codes can withstand up to 30% damage.

Several reputed barcode reader SDK providers have in-built error correction algorithms that can easily decode damaged or torn barcodes and enhance their readability. 

Conclusion

Barcode scanners streamline manual inventory management processes. Items can be quickly counted with a simple scan, making stock control more accurate and effortless. You can build up predictive inventories with other technologies like cloud-based databases and analytics software. 

Ultimately, barcode scanners help businesses take control of their inventory and optimize it for greater success.