Barcodes are everywhere, appearing on nearly every product, part, and package. Barcodes automate and streamline the production, shipping, and receiving processes, but when they fail, problems ensue. While your equipment may scan your barcode, the barcode reader at the receiving location may not.
Unreadable barcodes break the chain of data and disrupt operations. Products are not on the shelves which can affect sales, and unreadable barcodes can increase returns or result in chargebacks, fees, and fines. Excessive chargebacks and fees can affect your company’s reputation and can result in retailers not doing business with you in the future.
Barcode verification is the best way to avoid problems associated with unreadable barcodes, ensuring that when each one leaves the facility, it is 100 percent accurate 100 percent of the time.
What Is Barcode Verification?
Barcode verification is the process of grading the quality of barcodes using industry standards such as ANSI or ISO. This type of verification works by grading barcodes A through F for ANSI, and 4 through zero for ISO standards.
Barcode verifiers detect the barcode symbology and will then analyze the barcode to ensure that it meets industry standards and is readable when it leaves the warehouse. This also ensures customer satisfaction by meeting customer requirements.
Barcode label verification is different from barcode validation in that validation confirms that the barcode is applied to the correct product.
Why Do You Need It?
For companies that do business with Walmart, Amazon, Dick’s Sporting Goods, or other big retailers known for issuing chargebacks for unreadable barcode labels, barcode verification helps keep products moving to and through their shelves, keeping sales up and costs down.
For companies that work with regulated industries such as healthcare, automotive or aerospace, barcode verification helps them avoid fines for non-compliant labels.
In all cases, your company will remain in the good graces of your customers, and experience the other benefits discussed below.
Benefits of Barcode Verification
100% Accuracy 100% of the Time
If a barcode isn’t readable by the barcode scanner at the destination, the shipment may still be received using manual data entry, which is prone to errors. Barcode verification ensures that each one works and maintains data accuracy and traceability throughout the supply chain.
Increased Efficiency in Operations
Barcode verification is automated. Employees allocated to spot-checking can be freed up to work in more productive areas. Additionally, a high-quality barcode printer integrated with verification will catch failing printheads before they cost your operation downtime, as well as indicate when printheads need cleaning due to poor barcode print quality.
Cost Savings
This process reduces expenses due to wasted or excess labels, reprinted labels, and wasted packaging.
Say Goodbye to Rejected Shipments and Fees
The verification process captures historical data on barcode quality that can be shared with customers. If it can be verified that the barcode scanned when it left your facility, it’s possible to dispute chargebacks and fees. This is especially beneficial for operations that are printing them using thermal transfer ribbons. It is common for those printed when the ribbon wrinkles to be rejected; however, verification catches this before the label goes out the door.
Implementation is Easier than Ever
Barcode verification may be easier than you think to implement. Older verifiers were clunky to use and required trained technicians to configure and calibrate. Products like Honeywell’s PX940 are designed for easy setup and operation. The PX940 is a high-performance industrial printer that prints labels and verifies in one step, and can verify multiple 1D and 2D barcodes on one label. You can even include a report with each shipment to show that the barcode is verified, or provide reports to customers on an as-needed basis if one is questioned.
Conclusion
Barcodes are everywhere because they automate processes to ship quickly and accurately at a low cost. But when the barcode becomes a weakness in the process, the opposite happens. Barcode verification keeps your products moving swiftly through the supply chain while minimizing costs due to chargebacks, fees, and fines, and will help you preserve your good customer relationships. Learn more about how our team at Peak Technologies can help.
