Use a barcode testing service or buy a verifier?

Life has Tradeoffs

Like many things in life, there are tradeoffs to using a barcode testing service rather than having your own verifier. Only you can determine what is best for your company, your situation and your budget. In the past, we’ve written about the obvious benefits of using a service. In summary, they are:

  • No learning curve, learning how to use a new verifier and interpret and act upon the less-than-intuitive results
  • No significant initial investment and no uncertainty about whether you are getting the best verifier for your specific circumstances
  • No need to hire a barcode specialist or train an existing employee to take on an additional responsibility.

Also, barcode problems are often urgent. Shipping samples to a service takes time and can be expensive—and then, how long before they respond? And how much will they charge?

eBook Banner

Things we have Learned

Here are some things we’ve learned in 30 years of testing barcodes as a service:

ronda-dorsey on Unsplash
  • Also like many things in life, things evolve. The way you initially solve a problem changes over time. Many of our initial clients still use our barcode testing service, but some have acquired their own verifiers. It is a natural progression.
  • Using a testing service or acquiring a verifier is not an either/or decision. Many of our clients have a verifiers, and still use us for a range of reasons, including:
    • To confirm results from their verifier.
    • To provide verification during an operator absence, or while their verifier is away from annual recertification (which we do for most brands).
    • To help solve a vexing barcode problem.
    • To verify a barcode their device cannot accommodate.

Not everything is a Tradeoff

We cannot honestly claim to have seen it all, but over the years we have seen a lot: different barcode types, various printing and finishing methods, usual and unusual barcode problems. Our business is built on the understanding that a barcode problem is almost always an emergency. Knowing how to solve a problem is a good start, but it is not the complete solution. Solving a problem quickly can make a difference.

Using a barcode testing service, versus having your own verifier, is not necessarily a tradeoff. It is simply logical, even smart.

Questions? Comments? Contact us here.

 

Recommended Posts

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