Bar Code Readers * Bar Code Scanners * Asset Inventory* Bar Code Systems * Bar Code Labels * Document Management

1. What is Bar Code?
2. Which Bar code symbology should I use?
3. Why should I use Bar code?
4. What type of bar code scanner should I use?
5. What type of bar code labels should I use?
6. Where do I get my bar code labels?
7. Barcode Systems and Data Collection Overview (14 page pdf)

1. What is Bar Code?
Answer: Bar code is a symbol made of lines and spaces which is used to identify an item or product. These combination of lines, both thick and thin, and spaces make up a symbology. There are a wide number of symbologies which are designed to meet certain application requirements.

2.Which Bar code symbology should I use?
Answer: The symbology that a company should use will be dependent upon the application. One of the first factors to consider is whether anyone else is going to use the bar code. If so, you will want to choose a symbology which is widely used in your industry.

Secondly, you should consider whether you will be encoding alpha and numeric characters or strictly numeric. The next consideration is the amount of space available for a bar coded label. The most popular symbology used today, outside of the retail industry, is Code 39, also known as Code 3 of 9. This comes from the fact that for every character to be barcoded, there are 3 wide elements and 9 narrow elements, where an element can be a space or a bar. The next most popular symbology is code 128, whose strength is the small amount of space it requires. Both code 39 and Code 128 are an Alpha/numeric symbology. The next symbology in use today is I 2 of 5. This symbology is numeric only and is made up of 2 wide elements and 5 narrow elements per character.

We cannot forget to mention UPC, which is used throughout the retail industry. All of these symbologies are a 1 dimension bar code. New 2 dimension symbologies are becoming popular where a large amount of data is to be encoded.

3. Why should I use Bar code?
Answer: Bar code provides a means of identifying items that can then be read electronically. The accuracy of bar code scanning is about 20,000 times more accurate than manual entry of data. This along with the speed at which data can be read, provides for easy cost justification.

In conjunction with portable data terminals and scanners, the efficiency of an operation are improved greatly, along with tremendous mobility.

4. What type of bar code scanner should I use?
Answer: The scanning device you would use is very dependent upon your application. If you are only scanning paperwork, a very good and economical scanner is a wand. A CCD (charge-coupled device) is also a good solution, a bit more costly, but much more flexible in its use.

If you are scanning at distances from 6 inches and more, a hand-held laser scanner would be appropriate. Special long range laser scanners can scan a bar code up to 20-30 feet away, depending upon the size of the bar code symbol.

5. What type of bar code labels should I use?
Answer: Bar code labels are made up of several types of materials. The three most common types of materials are paper, vinyl and polyester. Different manufacturers use different names for these materials, but they all have the same characteristics. How and where the labels will be used will determine what type of material to use.

Paper labels are the least expensive and function very well for most applications, except where liquid will come into contact with the labels for an extended period of time. Freight companies use this type of label. Vinyl labels are used where the environment is more harsh. A nursery may use this type of label on the plants that set out in the weather. An airline may use this type of label for luggage tags.

The most durable label material is polyester. This type of material would be used where the label will be treated very harshly and the bar code symbol should not come off. An example of this would be as an asset label for computers and office equipment.

6. Where do I get my bar code labels?
Answer: There are two factors which affect how you get your labels. The first consideration is what is called 'on-demand'. This means that you need a specific bar code label at specific time. An example of this would be the shipping department of a company where the shipping label needs to be printed at the time the goods are going to ship and the information is random.

The second consideration is the volume of labels to be used. If you use a small amount of labels, less than 10,000 labels a month, you can probably get your labels from a label provider. This is called 'pre-printed' labeling. An example of this application would be a small manufacturing company which does not produce a large quantity of items each month.

Another consideration is if you print large volumes of labels and they are all the same. An example of this would be clothing manufacturer. It is strongly recommended that you contact a bar code expert before purchasing any equipment. Their experience may show them something in your application which would have a direct affect on the type of labels and equipment you should purchase. DSI can provide that expertise and service.

7. Barcode Systems and Data Collection Overview (14 page pdf)
Answer: Barcode Systems and Data Collection Overview

This overview is a 14 page pdf which you may easily download by clicking here. We think you will find this overview very helpful. The contents include the following:

I. About Dynamic Systems
II. Components of a Barcode System

• Media
• Printers, Printing, and Barcode Generation Software
• Scanners and Imagers
• Portable Data Terminals
• Connectivity – Batch vs. RF
• Software
• Professional Services

III. Methodology of a Barcode System

• Preliminary qualification
• Information gathering
• Scope Of Work
• Site Survey
• Hardware Order
• System Requirements Definition
• Functional Design Specification
• Software Development or Configuration and Testing
• Hardware Installation
• Acceptance Testing and User Training
• System Implementation
• Evaluation and Follow-up Support

IV. The First Step