Published: April 02, 2025  Updated: March 28, 2025

How Barcode Tracking Streamlines Inventory and Asset Management

Many companies have discovered the benefits of barcoding. This system of tracking provides instant information and helps maintenance and purchasing departments.

In this article, we'll look at the following:

• What is a Barcode and How Does It Work?
• Key Advantages of a Barcode System.
• How Barcode Tracking Improves Industrial Operations.
• Top Industries Benefiting from Tracking with Barcodes.
• Types of Barcodes For Business Use.
• Steps to Successfully Implement a Barcode to Barcode Tracking.
• Enhancing Barcode Tracking with a CMMS.

What is a Barcode and How Does It Work?

For a history of this process, read the article from Trackabout.

Basically, a barcode acts as a visual representation of data. You usually see this encoded as a series of lines and spaces of varying widths. These lines and spaces translate to a specific sequence of numbers, letters, or symbols.

When scanned by a reader, the electronic device decodes the information. You use this data for tracking inventory, managing assets, or even providing product information to customers.

Key Advantages of a Barcode System

Enhanced Accuracy: This system eliminates the risk of human error inherent in manual data entry. With scanners, data capture means instant access, reducing mistakes and discrepancies.

Improved Efficiency: Efficiency combined with swiftness. From inventory management to product pricing. Scanning barcodes takes a fraction of the time compared to manual entry.

Streamlined Operations: The process creates a seamless flow of information through your operations. You can integrate the information with various software systems. This allows for real-time tracking and data analysis.

Reduced Costs: Improved accuracy and efficiency translate to cost savings. Less time spent on manual tasks and fewer errors means less wasted resources and manpower.

Enhanced Customer Experience: The codes can expedite tasks with customer interactions. Faster checkout lines at retail stores. Product details through QR codes on packaging.

How Barcode Tracking Improves Industrial Operations

This system offers a wide range of applications across various departments within a company:

Inventory Management: Track stock levels. Identify products for picking and packing. Automate reordering processes.

Warehouse Operations: Efficiently track incoming and outgoing shipments. Locate items within the warehouse. Optimize storage space with barcode-based warehouse management.

Asset Management: Manage company assets like equipment and tools by assigning them unique barcodes for tracking location. Track maintenance history and depreciation.

Point-of-Sale (POS) Systems: Scan product barcodes at the checkout counter to speed up transactions, automate price lookup, and manage sales data effectively.

Production and Manufacturing: Track raw materials. Monitor work-in-progress on the assembly line. Maintain quality control records.

Human Resources: With barcoded identification badges, for instance, you have accountability for employees.

Discover how streamlined maintenance processes can elevate production. Learn more.

Top Industries Benefiting from Tracking with Barcodes

Let's have a closer look at five key sectors that use this system.

1. Retail:

Inventory Management: Barcodes streamline inventory control in retail stores. Real-time stock levels ensure accurate product availability, prevent stockouts, and optimize ordering processes.

Loss Prevention: Barcode scanners at checkout counters can help deter theft and identify counterfeit products.

Price Accuracy: Scanning barcodes eliminates manual price checks. This ensures accurate pricing at the point of sale and a smoother customer experience.

Promotions and Marketing: QR codes on product packaging can provide customers with additional product information, access to exclusive promotions, or loyalty program enrollment options.

2. Healthcare:

Patient Safety: You use barcodes to identify patients and medications. Scanning verifies medication administration, reducing the risk of errors.

Specimen Tracking: You might assign unique codes to samples like blood or tissue. This allows for tracking throughout the testing process and accurate diagnoses.

Inventory Management: Hospitals rely on barcodes to track medical supplies, pharmaceuticals, and equipment. This helps to prevent shortages and ensuring optimal resource allocation.

Asset Tracking: You'd barcode high-value medical equipment. This simplifies maintenance scheduling and locating vital equipment during emergencies.

3. Manufacturing:

Production Tracking: Track raw materials and components throughout the production process. You have real-time data on product progress and identify potential bottlenecks.

Quality Control: Use this with specific manufacturing batches, facilitating product traceability and streamlining quality control procedures.

Warehouse Management: As mentioned above, you:

• Track incoming and outgoing materials.
• Automate stock placement.
• Facilitate inventory control.

Work-in-Progress Management:

4. Transportation and Logistics:

Package Tracking: Barcodes on packages enable real-time tracking throughout the supply chain. Gain valuable insights into shipment location and estimated delivery times.

Warehouse Logistics: Barcodes streamline warehouse operations within the logistics industry with all of the aforementioned benefits.

Route Optimization: Track vehicles and optimize delivery routes. Reduce fuel consumption and improve overall transportation efficiency.

Inventory Management: Barcodes facilitate efficient inventory control within warehouses and distribution centers. Improve on-time deliveries and minimize stockouts.

5. Construction:

Material Management: Track building materials from purchase to delivery and utilization on-site. This reduces material waste and ensures efficient resource allocation.

Tool and Equipment Tracking: Barcodes assigned to tools and equipment prevent loss or theft on construction sites.

Safety Compliance: Use this system to track worker certifications and training records. As mentioned above, you have accountability for who has access to sites.

Progress Tracking: Integrate barcodes with project management software to track the completion of specific construction tasks and stages. This improves project visibility and facilitates progress reports.

Ready to revolutionize your maintenance department? Schedule a live demo today.

Types of Barcodes for Business Use

1D (One-Dimensional) Barcodes: These traditional barcodes consist of varying widths and spacings of vertical lines. Common examples include:

• UPC (Universal Product Code) found on groceries.
• ISBN (International Standard Book Number) seen on books.

2D (Two-Dimensional) Barcodes: This type encodes data in both horizontal and vertical directions. You usually see squares, dots, or other patterns. One example—QR (Quick Response) codes.

Stacked Barcodes: These combine multiple 1D barcodes within a single symbol. With this, you have the ability to encode more information.

PDF417: High-density 2D barcodes capable of storing large amounts of data, often used in logistics and transportation.

Image description: QR codes on inventory Suggested Image Alt Text: QR codes on inventory for barcode tracking

QR Codes: A Smart Approach to Barcode Tracking

You see QR codes a lot these days. From accessing menus to special deals. You don't need anything more than a Smart device to scan the code to link to the information.

A QR (Quick Response) code appears as a square grid of black and white squares. They can store:

• Website URLs.
• Product information.
• Contact details.
• Trigger actions like opening a map or sending an email.

Steps to Successfully Implement a Barcode to Barcode Tracking

Choose Your Symbology: Select the type suitable for your needs.

• Use UPC/EAN codes for retail products.
• Code 128 offers greater flexibility for additional data encoding.

Invest in the Proper Equipment: You'll need printers for labels and scanners to capture data. Consider mobile barcode scanners for increased efficiency.

Assign Unique IDs: Assign unique identifiers to each product in your inventory. A well-organized product numbering system streamlines data management.

Print Labels: Design and print barcode labels with clear and scannable codes.

Integrate with Inventory Management Software: Integrate your system with your existing inventory management software. This allows real-time data updates, facilitates stock tracking, and automates tasks like reordering. A CMMS handles this. Read on for further details.

Train Your Staff: Provide training to your staff on using barcode scanners and understanding barcode data. This ensures proper usage and maximizes the benefits of the system.

Enhancing Barcode Tracking with a CMMS

Work Order Creation: Technicians can scan equipment barcodes to automatically generate work orders. This helps ensure accuracy.

Parts Management: Technicians can scan parts used during maintenance, update stock levels, and streamline parts ordering.

Preventative Maintenance: Schedule PM tasks based on equipment usage data captured through barcode scans.

Historical Tracking: Maintain a comprehensive history of maintenance performed on equipment, easily accessible through scanned equipment barcodes.

Look for a CMMS that will connect with the various label printers and accommodate various label sizes.

Why a Barcode System is Essential for Business Efficiency

With barcoding, maintenance departments stay organized. Companies have accountability for employees. Purchasing stays up-to-date on quantities and reordering.

While you might spend a little time implementing a system, you'll see the value in short order. Equipment, parts, personnel.

All have information to pass along and record.

For a powerful CMMS that will handle your barcoding, look to Mapcon Technologies. Discuss with a representative the features MAPCON has, including connecting with printers. 800-922-4336