What do you really want in a barcode verifier?

A simple question

A simple question without a simple answer. At very least you want a grade, preferably an authoritative grade, one that will predict with confidence that your barcode will work. You want to avoid chargebacks and the deep well of ramifications they cause—not all of them financial.

I believe that you want a lot more than just that in a barcode verifier. Recently I ran across an article in written by a kindred spirit living and working in India. The article appears in the October 18 issue of The Packman, an Indian packaging magazine. I have never met him but we could be brothers. The author, Arun Kumar, is the Business Manager at Sandilyam Automation Systems in the state of Bangalore. He and I share a passion about barcode quality.

Meet Arun Kumar—and the Axicon network

Arun Kumar of SANDILYAM

Although Mr. Kumar does not specifically address the issue of ‘what you want in a barcode verifier,’ he, and his company are a good example of it. Sandilyam Automation is the Axicon affiliate in India, and there are many others. Bruno Rolland is Axicon France. William Van Benthum is Axicon Netherlands. Axicon has offices in major cities on every continent. That alone is a good reason to trust them, but it runs much deeper. It can make a difference no matter where you are located.

Verifier users are often not barcode quality experts. They are operations managers, press operators, quality control technicians, and small business owners who wear all of these hats. When they have problems, they need answers. Now. That is where a worldwide network of barcode experts can make a big difference. Axicon’s global network is there to support virtually anyone, anywhere, anytime. It begins with contacting the Axicon home office in the UK.

Confidence

What do you really want in a barcode verifier? You want confidence. Part of that confidence comes from a company that is 40 years old and specializes in barcode verification. Confidence comes from a company that does not build or sell scanners, printers, cash drawers and point-of-sale displays. Axicon makes verifiers.

Answers

Olav Ahrens Rotne on Unsplash

The corporate structure of the manufacturer is not on the mind of most verifier users, or those looking to buy one. But it is an important consideration. The factory warranty is not the same thing as the sales and support channel.  Coincidentally, Axicon’s 2 year warranty on the entire range of verifiers is by far the best in the industry. But the key Axicon advantage is the channel. Axicon respects, nurtures and protects its sales channel.

Response

The benefits of this to the user are not readily apparent until you need support. Then it makes a big difference. Has your verifier manufacturer or distributor has been absorbed into a larger company. Are you getting the responsive, knowledgeable, concerned help you once got? Do they care? Are you getting the answer that you need? Do they even call you back?

Solutions

Are you ready for something better? Consider Axicon.

Comments are always 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