There may be only one reason not to use a barcode testing service. More about that later.

Here are some good reasons to use a barcode testing service:

  1. Independence  A barcode testing service provides an un-biased snapshot of barcode quality. It is good to know that your barcodes are good, and even better to know if they are not. There is no stake in inaccurate testing.
  2. Experience Barcodes fail for different reasons. Sometimes the reason a barcode does not scan is not the barcode: it can be the laminate, or the substrate. Maybe the barcode is too close to text or graphics, or a fold. Experience zeros in on the actual problem without wasteful side trips.
  3. Expertise You know what you do (manufacture medical devices, formulate pharmaceuticals or produce consumer goods). We know barcodes. We have seen more barcodes than have (or want to). Do what you do best—leave the barcodes to us.

    edi-libedinsky on unsplash
  4. Look and See A barcode specialist sees barcodes differently than you do. We see problems that do not look like problems to you. Apparent problems you see may not be a problem. Barcode experts know the difference. Do not waste resources chasing paper tigers. There are plenty of real ones out there.
  5. Responsive Barcode Test LLC ® generates and sends verification reports and a summary report within hours of receiving your barcode samples. Trial-and-error problem solving wastes your time and money.
  6. Learn Our testing service always includes a phone or online, screen-sharing conversation with your team.
  7. Benchmark A barcode testing service establishes a point in time when your barcodes performed in a particular way.
  8. Track A periodic check-in tracks performance, establishes a trajectory.
  9. Cost Effective How much does it cost when bad barcodes escape into the supply chain? It can vary from several hundred to tens of thousands of dollars or more. That is just the tangible cost. What about the intangibles: loss of trading partner confidence, damaged reputation, possible loss of future business. A barcode testing service is comparatively inexpensive. A barcode testing service can sort out the important fixes from the minor tweaks. Only fix what is broken.
  10. Keep current Standards and specifications change. It is our job to keep current and protecting you from compliance problems caused by out-of-date graphics software.

Axicon 15200
Axicon 15500 1D/2D Barcode Verifier

What about the one reason not to use a barcode testing service? If you own a verifier, why would you need a testing service? The answer may surprise you. Many of our testing clients do own verifiers.

They use us for annual check-ups, to confirm (or refute) that their verifiers are accurate.

Barcode Test LLC also provides barcode verifier calibration and re-certification service.

Comments are welcome. Contact us here.

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3db Barcode Testimonial

Our company (an advanced software company) recently worked with Barcode Test to source a barcode verifier.  Not long ago, we were awarded a contract requiring products to be marked with IUIDs in accordance with MIL-STD-130.  For that standard, marking labels must pass a verification test that evaluates many variables (contrast, size, clarity, syntax, modularity, and more).  After a thorough search, we reduced our options to a select few.

In our search for a verifier, the Axicon line caught our attention.  Barcode Test is our regional reseller for this product.   From the beginning, they were very prompt with their responses.  We ended up having a quick call with John Nachtrieb to go over our needs.  John was extremely easy to work with and provided a lot of great information.  He was very knowledgeable on the matter and was quick to offer up a demo unit (free of charge).

Upon receiving the demo verifier and testing it, a few questions arose.  John joined a call with us and answered all our questions.  Ultimately, the Axicon verifier wasn’t the best fit for us, so we shipped the demo back.  John was completely understanding.  A few weeks later, Barcode Test reached back out with another possible verifier for us to try.  While they didn’t sell that brand, they just wanted to help us find the best option that met our needs. They even offered to send us the unit that they have in-house to see if it worked to our liking. 

Barcode Test is truly a great company to work with.  Their service and willingness to help the customer are far beyond what you typically get from other companies.  They are experts in barcode quality assurance and seem willing to help in any way they can (even if that means not getting a sale and recommending another option that better fits the customer’s needs).  If anyone is in the market for barcode verification/scanning services or products, I would highly recommend giving Barcode Test a call.

Regards,

Production Manager