Barcode labels make life much easier

The recording of goods and stock has been made simple since the introduction of barcode technology. Now, barcode labels can be stuck on just about anything, so that items can be recorded and accurate data about products kept in a computerised form.

There are many different types of aftermarket barcode labels currently available which suit different purposes and applications.

Barcode labels can be made out of paper, polyester, aluminium and ceramics. Paper is the common format on which barcode labels are printed. The paper has an adhesive backing so the labels can be stuck on items which need a new barcode. Aluminium barcode labels are used in harsh industrial environments where the labels may be subjected to increased wear and tear or where the labels may be prone to damage. Ceramic labels are suitable when the label is exposed to high temperature. The ceramic coating on the label ensures good heat resistance and also protection against corrosive substances.

As can be seen, there is a lot to think about when you order your barcode labels. So have a think about the application in which they will be used and make an informed choice.

The benefits of using barcode labels for a small company

Keeping a check on your inventory and stock levels is vitally important for smaller businesses. The money you have tied up in stock is money that is literally sitting on a shelf and not being used. However, when you have an accurate way of measuring the stock you have and have a system which shows you what stock is being used and which stock isn’t being used you can make business processes a lot smoother.

Barcoding all your stock items is one way to keep track of what you own. A barcode label can be stuck onto each and every item you have in stock and when you do a stock take, the label can be read easily and quickly using an electronic barcode reader.

Using barcodes enables you to keep accurate records of your stock and hence perform accurate data modelling of your usage of stock items. Human error is not unknown in traditional stock taking methods but using barcodes eliminates this.

Using barcode readers is also simple too, instead of manually writing information about the product such as its name and serial number you simply have to scan the item with the reader to input the information.

Asset tags and barcode labels – making the right choice

There are a huge variety of barcode labels and asset tag solutions currently available to the general user. And whilst the majority of these vary in size and design there are a few other things which can determine the usability of the label in question. Things such as the durability of the label, the material the label is made from and the tamper-proof qualities the label has can really make the difference between the label being used in one environment and not in another.

Because there is such a good degree of choice available, it’s easy to find something which suits your specific needs.

Customised barcode labels and asset tags can really show off your goods or assets. The non-standard labels might be needed for practical reasons, such as to work effectively in a harsh or dirty environment, or may just be needed for aesthetic reasons where you want a brand image to stand out. Whatever your reasons, you’ll be able to find a solution that fits the bill.

The four main things which have to be decided between when choosing a label are the size and shape of the label, the design on the label such as the addition of a logo, the adhesive used on the label and the material the label is made from.

What is the difference between barcode labels and asset tags?

Barcodes don’t have to be printed onto a product when it is manufactured, they can also be printed on labels which can be stuck onto a product at a later date. The black lines that you see on a barcode label are converted into alphanumeric data when read by a barcode scanner.

Barcode labels can be used to track parcels, shipments and deliveries. They are also used to categorise goods and organise stock in warehouses. Offices use barcode technology to keep their files and folders organised. The most common place where barcodes are used however is in the retail market, where it is important to track goods which have been sold.

Some companies like to tag their valuable assets, which would otherwise cost the company a great deal of money if they were to be misplaced or stolen. The assets which are most commonly tracked include infrastructure and machinery, expensive medical items, computers and electronic equipment, vehicles and construction equipment, furniture and ancillary office items.

Asset tags are used by companies who want to keep a record of their property. Data collected might include an asset’s condition, the date which it was purchased, if it is under warranty and most importantly the name of its owner. A barcode may or may not be featured on an asset tag, for most asset tags a number will suffice.

Use security labels to stop theft

Security labels come in different shapes, sizes and types. They are best suited for product branding, authentication and counterfeit protection. They keep your property safe and are easily identifiable so you know if the property has been tampered with. Security labels help track your assets and safeguard them. The chances of objects being misplaced are greatly reduced if you have security labels on them.

Security labels come in various types, so you can choose whichever suits your specific needs. They are also available with a range of budgets in mind, making them suitable for small and large businesses alike. There are even3D holograms available, alongside normal holographic labels and embedded barcode labels. Customised labels can also be printed if you need your brand name on the label.

Security labels are very good when it comes to durability, moisture resistance and temperature control. They are available with the option of text, graphics, barcodes and numbering. They are used on valuable items like electronic gadgets and computer products.

Security labels help you to establish your proprietary rights and enable you to easily identify objects that rightly belong to you.

Barcode labels for newborn babies

Kettering General Hospital has come up with a new system which prints barcode labels for newborn babies. Under the scheme, the hospital gives a heel prick barcode label and barcode wristband to all babies within a few hours of their birth.

The heel prick barcode label is added to the red baby book, which is given to the parents to take home. The barcode wristband is attached to the baby’s ankle or wrist in the same way the hand written one was attached in the past.

The hospital has previously said that the National Patient Safety Agency and the UK Newborn Screening Programme asked them to introduce barcode labels.

A spokesperson said that they are not the first Trust to use these bands for babies, but they may be the first who combines the bands with heel prick barcode labels.

The barcode labels contain important information about the baby to which they are attached, such as the baby’s name, date of birth, sex, NHS number and mother’s name. Compared to hand written bands, these barcode labels are more reliable and informative. It is hoped that this new scheme will help reduce potential errors which may occur.

Some different types of asset and barcode labels

There are a few different types of asset labels that companies can use to keep a track and check on their assets. Keeping a track of your assets can stop the costs associated with replacing lost items and can also go some way to prevent theft.

Standard barcode labels

A barcode is a readable image, made up of thin black lines of different thicknesses separated by spaces of different thicknesses. A barcode reader can read this information and can then download it to a central database, which is subsequently updated with the new information. Barcodes can also be printed on stickers and then these stickers affixed on your stock items.

Custom barcode labels

Barcode labels can be customised, adding to their many different types of use. A label can have a logo or a company name added to it, which can really help with brand recall. These labels are perfect for third party companies, whose job is to affix items with aftermarket barcode labels.

There are many different types of barcode labels available which can be used in a variety of environments. From labels which simply stick onto a product, to labels which are made of vinyl or aluminium which are extremely durable.

Asset labelling and tagging

Although asset labels and being used more frequently in industry, they are still not used with the frequency they should be by commercial establishments.

The assets you own are an important part of your business, and if you have a large business which covers more than one site, it’s easy for some of these assets to be lost or misplaced.

Every asset you own has a monetary value, even it is only pence. And when all these are added together they are normally worth a great deal of money. Money, which if lost or forgotten, or if not used, can have a negative impact on your business. It’s because of this that every firm should start to use asset tags on each and every asset they own, so information about all the assets can be kept on a central database.

Asset tagging office items

If you put an asset tag or an asset label on every office item you own, you can not only keep a check on the items, you can also keep a database of each item and when it was last checked.

Having all your items recorded on central database can save you time and money, and let your workforce keep up to date with all the latest advances in equipment.

Stock checking and inventory assessment

Checking stock and inventory levels is a prerequisite in many businesses where assets are hugely important. This is especially so in warehouses and in retail stores, where the stock these types of business carry can mean the difference between them succeeding or failing.

Managing the stock in a warehouse or a retail store is usually done when the business has ceased trading for the day. A member of the team will check the stock items against a database to make sure all stock is accounted for, so new stock can be ordered. The information gained from this can lead the business to choose which stock is selling quickly, and so is making the company money, and which stock is performing poorly and hence is not providing sufficient through-put levels.

If a company does not know what is in stock, it can result in a compete breakdown of business operations and be a cause for embarrassment for the company when they tell clients they have a certain product in stock but they were actually out of stock a number of days ago.

Doing stock takes couldn’t happen without barcode technology. Because all stock items have a barcode label, the stock taker can scan each item in turn, so the stock figures are updated on the central database. This makes stock taking easier, quicker and much more efficient than the manual methods once used.

Industrial barcode labels

Barcode labels are now used for a variety of purposes. We commonly see barcodes on just about every grocery item we purchase. The label acts as a product identifier and is scanned at the checkout to calculate a total price of goods and also to reduce the stock quota for that item from the seller’s inventory by one item.

It can be seen then that in retail, barcode labels have a long future ahead of them. However, they don’t just have to be used in a retail environment. They can also be used in industry for specific heavy duty applications.

In industry a more durable label is needed so that it can withstand the rigours of being used in such an environment. Durable barcode labels for use in industrial applications can operate at temperatures down as low as -40°C and over +150°C. Most of these labels also use a semi permanent or permanent adhesive also so that they can be affixed to a host of different substrates. So where an inferior quality label might peel off a surface or a standard label may become tarnished quite quickly an industrial barcode label will be able to be used for years to come.