Barcode Frustration

Barcode problems are frustrating. As if it isn’t bad enough that they fail, they always fail at the worst possible time.

Consumer Frustration

The technology seems so simple, and in many ways and it is. Barcodes feel like they should “just work”. This is not new technology. It’s mature, well established and ubiquitous.. Barcodes are everywhere, on everything. And they mostly work, like 99% of the time. Barcodes should be foolproof, or so it seems.

Is it the barcode or the system?

When a barcode fails, it could be a system failure.  The barcode triggers a database lookup. If the scan fails, where the failure? is it the barcode or the system?  Is the barcode not entered into the database lookup? How can you find out? Even worse is when the barcode works fine–and looks up the wrong product or the wrong price. Customers are waiting…and getting impatient.

Bad barcodes are a cascading problem. They can hold up an entire checkout line—and that’s the least of it. In distribution, bad barcodes can disrupt a supply chain or halt a manufacturing process. They cause inventory issues, delay shipments and generally wreak havoc.

Unlike many tech problems, there is nothing you can do to fix a bad barcode. The only workaround is to manually enter the barcode data—a slow, stressful, and error-prone process. Every bad barcode is a gift that keeps on giving.

Business Frustration

It’s no better if you deal with barcodes in your profession. The headaches include:

• Inconsistent failure patterns.—barcodes that fail seemingly randomly
• Print quality variables—substrates, inks, print settings all contribute to barcode success or failure. You cannot count on set-up for one process to produce predictable results on another.
• Installation problems—the barcode was affixed to a tightly curved product package or wrapped around a corner, or covered with a highly reflective or dense matte laminate
• Final Form problems—the barcode worked fine until it got damaged by abrasion or disinfectant wipes
• Unrealistic clients-they want A grades but will only pay for C’s. Or they provide the barcode graphics files but don’t know (or ask) how to compensate them for your printing process. Or they insist on substrates or print colors that work poorly—or not at all.

Call in the cavalry

Time is short—and so is life—too short to prolong frustration.

De-stress, take a breath and contact us. Hit the HELP button here.

We will listen, learn and give you give you 30 minutes of attention and advice for free, and a nominal charge for help beyond that.