Code match is such a simple problem. But it doesn’t get much attention. And surprisingly, there aren’t many ready-to-go code match solutions available. We have one—it’s a new product for us and it’s a winner.

Code match is a simple problem but there aren’t many off-the-shelf solutions

What is code match? It is a comparison of two barcodes, making sure they are identical.

Why is this important? Code match is how a packaging company makes sure the correct item is going into the package. Code match is how a pharmacy can make sure the prescription on the work order is the one going into the correct customer’s envelope. Code match is assurance that the right machine is being built for the purchase order.

Code match is an essential  tool for a wide variety of applications, including consumer packaging,  pharmaceutical tracking,  automotive and machine assembly lines,  manufacturing and sub-assemblies, and a many other applications limited only by ones imagination.

Code match is a problem in many situations

Code match is, at its simplest, just an A to B comparison. Scan Code A, which is the “master” barcode. Every barcode scanned after that is Code B.

Sounds pretty simple, but in fact code match can operate in several different ways. Most situations are a continuous operation: many (sometimes hundreds or thousands of Code B’s are scanned to make sure they match the initial Code A master.

But not all operations are continuous. Sometimes you want to do a single A to B comparison and then establish a new Code A master for a different comparison.

  Our device lets the user configure the code match device with a simple keystroke.

What if your trading partner or your industry regulator—FDA for example—requires you to        generate a report of your code match testing? We offer a low cost option to log your code match   data and report it as follows:

• Code A master reported as the actual number scanned
• Code B barcode reported as the actual number scanned
• Color-coded Green Match (PASS) or Red mis-match (FAIL)
• Time and date
• Total PASS count
• Total FAIL count

 Our code match solution is available in several configurations

Our device saves the data in the portable unit, which is transferred to the user’s computer as a CSV file, which seamlessly populates any compatible spreadsheet, which is pretty much all of them.

Our code match application is available on a linear PDT for conventional 1D barcodes, a PDT compatible with 1D and 2D symbologies, and an HD PDT for symbologies with elements as small as 4 mil.

Optional data reporting is only $250 additional.

How “identical” do your barcodes have to be? The standard device compares decided data, and that’s good enough for most applications. But if you require a much more specific match—for example, if the symbologies must also match, we can accommodate that—and pretty much any other specialized requirement. It will require custom programming. If it can be done, we can probably do it, and the cost will be reasonable.

John Nachtrieb

John helps companies resolve current barcode problems and avoid future barcode problems to stabilize and secure their supply chain and strengthen their trading partner relationships.