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BAR CODE SOFTWARE
If you were to look on any package or can of food in your pantry, you would see a bar code somewhere on the side or back. The bar code consists of lines of varying thickness and numbers below. The official name is UPC Bar Code, which stands for Universal Product Code. Although the bar code was first introduced specifically for grocery stores in helping the checkout process quicker and easier, today bar codes can help all types of industries keep better track of inventory.
These codes were first originated through a company called the Uniform Code Council. For a manufacturer to use a bar code, they must make application to this company so the code can be entered into the UPC system. This manufacturer then pays an annual fee just for the honor and in return, the Uniform Code Council issues a six-digit manufacturer identification number, as well as guidelines on how it is used.
When you look on the bar codes, you will notice it is a standard 12-digit number, which includes the manufacturer ID. In addition, you would notice that the UPC symbol actually has two components. The first is the bar code read by a machine such as a grocery checkout scanner, and the second is the 12-digit UPC number that can be read by humans.
Take the UPC number 63938310045 as an example. The first six digits are the manufacturer’s identification number, the next five digits are the item number, and the last digit is called a check digit, which allows the scanner to determine if the number was scanned correctly. These numbers are assigned by the UPC Coordinator, a person employed by the manufacturer, although this individual only assigns 10 of the numbers. This person has the responsibility of ensuring the same code is not used for more than one product and that if there are any retired codes, they are taken out of the product line.
Every item the manufacturer sells, to include the size of the package and repackaging of the item must be given a different item number. Therefore, if you had a 12-ounce can of Mountain Dew it would have a different code from a one-litter bottle of Mountain Dew, just as a case would have its own special number.
Every time a bar code is scanned, a calculation is performed. If the scanner calculates the check digit, finding it is different from the check digit being read, the system knows that something is amiss. Keep in mind that bar codes do not include pricing information. However, then the bar code is scanned, that UPC number is sent to the store’s central Point of Sale (POS) computer where the number is looked up. Then, the central computer sends the price back on that particular item. All of this occurs in a fraction of a second.
Now, when it comes to bar code software, this is software that can be purchased by any industry for entering the bar code information. In fact, this software is what the UPC Coordinator would use to perform his or her job. There are a number of software options available but typically, you would be able to make bar codes from within other applications.
Bar code software will also help you start and stop bars, calculate the check digit, and even map into font character sets. This way, you are not required to know exactly how bar codes work, just allow the bar code software to do the work for you. This means you can set up your inventory quickly and accurately.
Interestingly, there have been some rumors floating around that the world is running out of bar code numbers, which is not true. However, retailers are preparing to undergo a significant change is how the code is produced. As an example, beginning on January 1, 2005, retailers in the United States and Canada will need to start scanning and processing eight and thirteen digit EAN bar codes at the POS. That would be in addition to the 12-digit UPC already being used.
This new change is called Sunrise 2005 Initiative and being implemented by the Uniform Code Council. What this means to retailers is that they will need to make enterprise-wide changes to their databases and upgrade systems to be compliant. Although there is some expense involved to the retailer that may or may not be passed down to some degree to the end user, the bar code will remain firmly in place, although slightly different.
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