• Barcode Basics App
• Barcode Basics App
• Barcode Basics
• Barcode Theory Basics
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Structure of Barcode

Understand bar code basics. While the 12 digit barcode doesn't contain much human-readable information, you can still learn about how it functions. The first 6–10 digits of a 12-digit barcode identify the company that manufactures or sells the product (either company may choose to add a barcode). Barcode Basics As a leading barcode scanner distributor, ScanSource is committed to providing you with comprehensive education and training on barcoding technology. Learn more about the technology by choosing from the training tools below.

The following explains the format of a barcode.

Quiet zone (margin)

The right and left ends of the barcode symbol.
If the margin is not wide enough, the barcode reader cannot scan the barcode data.
Both the right and left margins should be at least 10 times as wide as the narrow bar width (minimum element width). (See page here for narrow bar width.)

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Unless the quiet zones are wide enough, it becomes unstable for the barcode reader to scan the barcode data.

Start/stop character

Character to indicate start or end of the data.
Start/stop character varies depending on the type of the barcode. CODE 39 uses “*” and CODABAR uses “a”,“b”,“c” and “d”. (EAN and ITF use, instead of a character, a bar pattern which indicates the start/end of the data.)

Data (message)

Bar patterns representing the data (numerical characters, alphabet, etc.) are arranged from left.
The drawing above shows that the data of “012” is demonstrated, with the bar patterns representing 0, 1, and 2 being arranged respectively from the left.

Check digit

A numeric value calculated to check for read error. It is appended directly after the barcode data.
(See page here for details)

Barcode length

Barcode length defines the total length including the right and left quiet zones.
If the barcode length, includinng quiet zones, does not fit in the scan width, the barcode reader cannot scan the data.

Barcode height

It is recommended to make the barcode as high as the printer permits.
If the barcode is not high enough, the laser may deviate from the barcode, causing unstable readings.
It is recommended to keep the height greater than 15 % of the barcode length.

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Narrow Bar and Wide Bar

The following explains bars and spaces that are the minimum unit to form a barcode. A barcode is a combination of narrow and wide bars and spaces. Each bar and space are named as listed below:

Narrow and wide widths are determined at the following ratio:
NB:WB = NS:WS =1:2 to 1:3

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If the ratio of narrow and wide is out of the range above, the barcode reader may perform unstable readings.
For preparing a barcode, careful attention shall be made to this ratio. The following ratio is normally recommended for preparing a barcode.
NB:WB = NS:WS =1:2.5 (Recommended ratio)

The width of a narrow bar is a key for selecting a barcode reader.
Narrow bar width is also named 'minimum element width'.

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Binary Level and Multiple Level

Barcodes in the categories of CODE 39, CODABAR and ITF consist of bars and spaces that have two steps of narrow and wide widths. It is named the 'binary level' barcode.
The ratio between narrow and wide is 1 : 2 to 1 : 3. Some allowance is possible.

Barcodes in the categories of EAN and CODE 128 consist of bars and spaces that have four steps of narrow and wide widths. It is named the “multiple level” barcode.
The ratio is 1 : 2 : 3 : 4. Allowance is very limited.

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'Multiple level' EAN and CODE 128 have four steps of bar width.
If the print quality is not good enough to identify the bar width, reading error tends to occur.
The printers with poor print quality including dot impact printer are not suitable for EAN and CODE 128.

What Is Check Digit?

A check digit is a numeric value calculated to check for read error.
The following explains the check flow and calculation method.

• The calculated check digit is compared with that appended to the read barcode.
• If they do not match, a read error occurs.

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Do the job quickly, do the job well, and get paid – the three basic tenets of field service management. When your technicians are in the field, the last thing you want is for them to be scrambling around trying to figure out which parts they used while the customer waits. A solid inventory management system can help you cut down on these scenarios, making it easier to bill promptly and accurately.

Using barcodes or QR (quick response) codes gives your business more flexibility and power than traditional inventory management ever could. Here are a few simple steps to help you get a barcode system setup for your business.

Getting the basics in place

If you already have field service management software, you might not need a scanner in the first place. Some fsm mobile apps can scan barcodes. For a small business with a small inventory, your phone or tablet might be enough. Even if all you have is five technicians, several scanners can add up fast: cheaper scanners, like most of those on this Amazon page, run from $40-80. The higher-end models can be anywhere from $400–600.

If you do want to invest in barcode scanners, first off, make sure your field service software will play nice with barcodes. As an example, ESC from dESCO has all the bits for barcode integration built in. All you need to do is label, scan, and run.

To actually get barcodes on the items you want to have access to, you’ll first print out labels that indicate what’s in the bag, box, or tray. Barcodes are just a way of presenting a basic amount of information, so you simply type the item number you want into your field service software or barcode printing software and out comes the barcode version of that number.

Once you have the labels, you’ll put them wherever you keep your inventory. Then your technicians can easily scan the items as they’re used, adding them right onto the invoice they create.

Setting up a scanner

Classic barcodes can be read in a handful of different ways. The old system is a simple laser, which just runs across the barcode and returns the information. Newer models feature area scanning, which can read barcodes and 2D images, like QR codes. You can also download QR reader apps for mobile devices, though these may not integrate with your field service software.

I like the handheld, cordless scanners – like the Motorola LI4278 – for field service jobs. These can be paired to mobile devices, keeping everything nice and connected, without having cords all over the back of the truck. Depending on your needs and price range, you can get scanners with rugged exteriors, scanners that are meant to be mounted or built-in, and scanners that work from 150 feet away.

One highly recommended scanner is the Tao Tronics TT BS016, which you can get for $66 at Amazon. 71% of Amazon customer reviewers give it 4 or 5 stars, and Nerd Techy called it one of the five best wireless bluetooth scanners for 2016.

If you’re looking for other cheap, well-reviewed options, here’s a list of scanners under $60 that have at least a four-star rating on Amazon:

→ Inateck Wireless USB Barcode Scanner

→ Teemi Wireless USB Barcode Scanner

→ VCall Wireless USB Barcode Scanner

→ Natamo Wireless USB Barcode Scanner

→ Esky ES016 Wireless USB Barcode Scanner

Putting it all together

The key, now, is to figure out the best way for your team to work with the barcodes. Some of this will depend on how your inventory is physically stored, some will depend on what your workflow looks like, and some will depend on the software you use.

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Generally, you can either scan as you go or scan everything at the end. By scanning as you go, you’re less likely to overlook something as you go, but you’ll be interrupting the flow of the job a bit. By scanning at the end, you can get it all done in one swoop, but you risk missing a part – especially if parts were taken from trays or storage boxes, which won’t have packaging lying around to remind you of their use.

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Try both systems and get feedback from your techs on which one worked best for them. The key is to make their lives easier, so be sure to make them part of the decision process.

Creating a customer quote is more straightforward, as you can just scan as you go – no workflow problems to consider. In ESC, for instance, the mobile app lets you build a quote using the barcode scanner simply by selecting the Scan option.

Conclusion

To review, all you need to get going with barcoding in field service is a bit of software, a barcode scanner, and the time to get it all together. Managing your inventory with a barcode system isn’t rocket science and isn’t the latest fad – how refreshing.

For more tips for your field service guide, check out Capterra’s field service blog. If you’ve been using barcodes in your business, I’d love to hear about it in the comments below.

Barcode Theory Basics

Header by Rachel Wille

Barcode Basics Review

Looking for Inventory Management software? Check out Capterra's list of the best Inventory Management software solutions.