All bar code represent data in a machine readable form. The different widths of bars and spaces in a bar code symbol represent different numbers and letters which can be decoded or “scanned” by a bar code scanner. The scanned data is then sent to a computer system where it is recorded and processed.

Why use bar codes?
Bar code enable the rapid and un-ambiguous identification of products, assets, documents and people. Using bar code can greatly reduce human errors in data entry and processing, eliminate ambiguities caused by inconsistent approaches to product labelling and mistakes in reading handwriting.

In the retail supply chain
The benefits to business are significant, from the accurate management of stock levels and the the tracking of products in the supply chain through to the reduction of product shortages on the store shelf and minimising queues at the check out.

Bar codes are used to identify:
• Consumer Goods
• Transit cases, trays and cages
• Palletised products

In healthcare
Measurable improvements in patient safety can be realised when bar coding systems are used to match patients to their care – fewer medication errors, more accurate track and trace of surgical instruments, equipment and other devices, and enhanced record keeping. Using bar code to manage supplies can cut costs dramatically as well as improving efficiency.

Bar codes are used to identify:
• Hospital patients
• Pharmaceuticals
• Blood supplies and blood products
• Phlebotomy and histopathology samples
• Surgical instruments
• Assets such as computers, mobility aids and prosthetics

Ten Steps to Bar Code Implementation

Case Studies - Implementing GS1 bar Code Standards