Inventory Management: Is it Possible to Barcode My Children?

As a systems integrator, I have implemented literally hundreds of systems over the years.  One day I thought to myself, “is it possible to bar code my children?”  As the father of six, I wanted to be able to track when they left (sales), when they came home (receipts), and that we could perform a body count at any time (physical count).

As a systems integrator, I find that many clients often want some sort of bar code methodology, but they are unsure of what they want.   I figured if I bar coded my children, I could give them a real-life example of how it all works.   Like parents, owners or inventory managers (depending on the size of the business) know that they want something.  They hear about many successful businesses using a bar coding solution but are not quite sure what it means.   They are also unsure what it means to deploy a bar coding solution.

Let’s start off first with “what is a bar code really?” It’s really simple collection of lines and spaces between lines that represent something.  Basically, a bar code is a symbol that has meaning for the tracking of inventory. These symbols, or collection of symbols, are called a symbology in barcode language. Common symobologies are Code 39 and Code 128 and UPC.  These are the bar codes you see every day on retail products in stores.

At some point, someone had the big job  of printing all these bar codes. Sometimes, the bar code printing is integrated with an ERP system.  I have also witnessed a lot of redundancy, where an inventory clerk literally types in a number into a separate label printing program to print the bar codes.  This is a big job for someone doing this manually.  Ultimately, with an integrated system, the goal is to increase efficiency and save time and money. Zebra printers are common and typically have a large share of the market for label printers.  It is important to also get a good quality label.   These labels should be examined to make sure they will stick in their environment if they are stored in a cold or humid or hot climate.

Now that you have a bunch of products with bar codes together,  how do you make the bar codes work for you? There are really only two options; to scan them on a wireless device that integrates with your ERP system or to scan them with a tethered device that also integrates with your ERP system. Please note, if you do not integrate, you are really wasting your time and money. There are several wireless devices such as the popular.  Symbol and Intermec brand names.  They scan the bar code into various functions, such as receiving off of a purchase order, shipping off of a sales order picking sheet or packing list, and performing a physical count. The logic is that a purchasing agent buys something and places a purchase order (P/O). When the products arrive at the warehouse door, the receiving person scans the product, but must first scan the P/O, so that the product can be allocated to the correct receiver. This process of receiving, or shipping, or doing physical counts, saves time and money, especially resulting in fewer errors. Depending on your ERP system, the data will either go into a batch for auditing before posting, or directly into inventory, increasing the quantity received on the specific P/O.

There is also a tethered device option that is available but it functions quite differently. Literally, it replaces having to type at your keyboard. In this case, the user is perhaps at a shipping screen, or a physical count screen, or a receiving screen. Instead of having to type the item number, or perform a query, the user scans the item code. This option replaces the keyboard, resulting in fewer errors. The main disadvantage is that the user is tied to wherever the computer and lacks mobility. I have seen many examples with the implementation of a computer, a tethered bar code gun, and a rolling table.

In summary, bar coding saves time, money, helps avoid errors, and it even makes a tedious job more interesting.  As a business owner or inventory manager, you may be interested in solutions we have to offer to better track your inventory, increase customer service, save money and gain efficiency.   In conclusion, I have also realized that I cannot bar code my children to get an accurate physical count, as my assets will never equal my liabilities.   

Although we can’t help with tracking your children, please visit ACI Consulting to learn how we can help you better manage your inventory.  Good luck to all parents out there tracking your children!