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Can I Really Barcode My Children?

Being a systems integrator, and having implemented literally hundreds of systems over the years, I one day thought to myself – “can I bar code my children?”. As the father of six, I wanted to be sure when they left (sales), when they got back (receipts), and that we could do a body count at any time (physical count).

Many clients often want some sort of bar code methodology, but they are unsure of what they want (so I figured if I bar coded my children, I could give them a first hand view). Owners or inventory managers (depending on the size of the business) know that they want something, and they know that many successful businesses are using a bar coding solution, but are not quite sure what it means – or what it means to deploy a bar coding solution.

First, let’s start with what a bar code is. It really is simple – a collection of lines and spaces between lines that represent something – basically, a symbol. These symbols, or collection of symbols, are called a symbology (a language). Common symobologies are Code 39 and Code 128 and UPC (the bar codes on retail products in stores).

At some point, some one, some where had to print the bar codes. Sometimes, the bar code printing is integrated with an ERP system; I have also seen a lot of redundancy, where an inventory clerk literally types in a number into a separate label printing program to print the bar codes. Ultimately, an interfaced system is the goal to increase efficiency. Zebra printers typically have a large share of the market for label printers and do not forget to get a good quality label (which incidentally needs to be examined for the elements that they will stick in, such as a cold or humid or hot environment).

So now you have a bunch of product with bar codes on them – how do you make the bar codes work for you? There are really only two choices – to scan them on a wireless device that integrates with your ERP system or to scan them with a tethered device that also integrates with your ERP system. Note – if you do not integrate, you are really wasting your time and money. The wireless device – Symbol and Intermec are two of the more popular brand names – scan the bar code into various functions, such as receiving off of a purchase order, shipping off of a sales order picking sheet or packing list, or performing a physical count. The logic is that a purchasing agent buys something and places a P/O. When the product arrives at the warehouse door, the receiving person scans the product, but must first scan the P/O, so that the product can be allocated to the correct receiver. The process of receiving, or shipping, or doing physical counts, saves time and money, especially resulting in fewer errors. Depending on your ERP system, the data will either go into a batch for auditing before posting, or directly into inventory, increasing the quantity received on the specific P/O.

The tethered device option is also a viable option, but functions quite differently. Literally, it replaces having to type at your keyboard. While the user is perhaps at a shipping screen, or a physical count screen, or a receiving screen, instead of having to type the item number, or perform a query, the user scans the item code. As you can see, it replaces the keyboard, resulting in fewer errors. The main disadvantage is that the user is tied to wherever the computer is. I have seen more than once the implementation of a computer, a tethered bar code gun, and a rolling table.

In summary, bar coding saves time, money, errors, and it even makes a tedious job more interesting. I have also realized that I cannot bar code my children to get an accurate physical count, as my assets never equal my liabilities.