Five Barcode Match Use Cases
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The barcode on an article or its package identifies that item for a range of reasons. At retail point-of-sale, the barcode triggers a database query that finds the sale price, debits the store inventory and populates an order from an upstream vendor or distribution center. Beyond its primary purpose, that barcode could be very useful in other ways, in saving time and money, in avoiding mistakes and in building trading partner loyalty.
Here are five use-cases, each demonstrating how barcode match is an important solution.
- 1. A major bicycle retailer has a significant online business that involves a high volume shipping operation. Bikes are a competitive seasonal business with high costs and fixed margins. Profits depend on volume and protecting a loyal following. Shipping mistakes are anathema to both. Barcode matching ensures that the right items go into a shipment by comparing the item or shelf barcode with the barcode on the order.
- 2. A precision-machined parts contract manufacturer had a problem with picking wrong finished parts. Costly return shipments, the delays and expenses of shipping the right part, and aggravated customers were hurting their business. Shipping the right parts by matching the barcode to the documentation has improved pick accuracy, nearly eliminated wasted time and money and bolstered confidence both ends of the supply chain.
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Is this UDI GS1-128 the same as this UDI GS1-128?
- 3. The aerospace division of a multinational corporation decided to implement a barcode matching system to make parts picking more efficient for their manufacturing floor. They operate in a very large facility and a single, incorrect part can cause a significant delay in scheduling, not only for the task, but also of subsequent operations for that work area. Barcode match has significantly improved job completion and scheduling.
- 4. A sports and leisure wear retailer in Australia needed a simple, standalone solution to match the barcode printed on an invoice to the barcode printed on the product—just a match or mismatch. The solution saves them about one person-hour per day in direct labor, and about $5000 in return postage costs. They report that the solution was 100% effective, exactly what they needed with a fantastic ROI.
- 5. A medical device manufacturer is require by an FDA rule to barcode each device uniquely. They mark some products with a GS1-128 and others with a GS1-Data Matrix code. Although the human readable interpretation displayed adjacent to each barcode might indicate that the encoded data matches, it is too long and complicated to check visually and on several occasions, those barcodes have proven to be different even though the readable data appears to be identical. A 1D/2D code match device that ignores symbol type and tests only the encoded data for a match has proven to be an essential tool in quickly detecting incongruities.
Barcode match is a perfect way to use technology to ensure the accuracy of item identification, order picking, fulfillment, co-packing and cross dock operations. It can be as simple as a 1:1 match with a hand held device or an autonomous scanning system mounted on a conveyor.
A full range of barcode match solutions is available. An expensive custom solution is probably not required; an inexpensive modification to an available solution could solve your unique requirements.
For more information, visit us at www.code-match.com.

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.