The boss storms into your office: another barcode disaster. “Get a barcode verifier–NOW”. The atmosphere is electrified with stress. Barcodes are your responsibility, but you really don’t know a lot about them. They are a bit of a mystery—and now a source of stress. No time to learn about them and now another emergency. “Fix it—and don’t spend too much money!” How do you make a good decision?

Eight Steps to Getting the Right Barcode Verifier

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Here’s a short list to help you make the right choice in the long term.

1. Don’t use a scanner (or your smart phone) to test your barcodes! Scanners are a lot cheaper than verifiers, but they only decode the barcode—or not. They provide no indication of barcode quality, or how near to failing the barcode might be.

2. Pick a verifier that is purpose built to be a verifier. A scanner or a portable data terminal modified with special software to grade a barcode is not a verifer, with special optics, lighting and sophisticated software. A verifier complies with an ISO specification to be a true test device.

3. Get a verifier with a friendly, intuitive user interface. Most users aren’t engineers. A smart interface makes many of the settings and adjustments to properly configure the verifier. Smart, modern verifiers do it automatically.

4. …which brings us to vintage. Buy a verifier that uses modern technology. Laser guns and wands are 25+ year old technology and have been replaced for good reason. They are inconsistent and unreliable; not a good deal at any price. Old verifiers cannot be updated to new barcode types or changes in the barcode quality specifications.

ISO Compliance is Essential

5. Choose a verifier that complies with the ISO specification for the barcodes you need to test. ISO 15415 is the spec for 2D barcodes such as QR Code and Data Matrix Code. ISO 15416 is the spec for 1D barcodes like UPC and Code 128. A verifier that can be updated will last for many years. A slightly higher initial cost can be a significant savings in the long run. How are updates made? Download from a website 24/7 is better. What does an update cost? Free is better.

6. ISO 15415 and ISO 15416 represent only 50% of overall barcode quality. The other half of barcode quality is data structure: is the encoded information presented in the correct form, sequence and structure? Print quality is half the battle; data structure is the other important half. Both must be within specification.

7. Compare factory warranties. Are they easy to find? If you have to hunt for it, you’ll probably have to hunt for support if the verifier needs servicing. It’s a good bet that the longest warranty identifies the best verifier.

Resellers serve you better than Direct Sales

Axicon 15500 1D/2D verifier

8. Does the manufacturer sell through a distribution or reseller channel? If so, you may be able to get local on-site support. Direct-only sales protect the manufacturer’s margins, not the needs of the user.

Do you need a barcode verifier? With over 40 year of experience in barcode industry, we use a range of verifiers in our independent barcode testing laboratory. We can help you find the right device and make a purchase that will pay for itself in the long term.

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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