Barcode Tracking  Handbook
Table of Contents

Introduction. 1

About this Handbook. 1

Why Use Barcodes?. 2

Using Barcode Tracking Systems to Cut Operational Costs. 4

Using Barcode Tracking Technology to Increase Sales. 6

Industrial Barcode Tracking Systems as Middleware. 8

About Barcodes. 9

Reasons for Using Barcodes. 9

Advantages of  Using Barcodes for Data Collection. 10

Different Types of Barcode. 11

2D Versus 1D Barcodes. 12

Barcode Features and Resolution. 13

RFID and Barcode Technologies. 14

Printing Barcodes. 15

Barcode Content Standards. 16

Barcode Equipment 17

Introduction. 17

Tethered Scanners. 17

Cordless Scanners. 20

Wireless Mobile Data Collection Equipment 21

Barcode Printers. 23

Wireless Access Points and Antennas. 25

Systems Architecture. 26

Introduction. 26

Alternate Approaches for Databases. 26

Alternate Approaches for Mobile Data Collection Computers. 28

Alternatives for PC Based Stations. 30

Supporting Remote Users. 31

Recommended Systems Architecture. 32

Example Software Architecture. 33

Interfacing to ERP and Accounting Systems. 34

Barcode Tracking Principles. 36

License Plate Tracking. 36

Nested Container  Tracking. 37

Containers Table. 38

Applying Tracking Barcodes. 39

Location Barcodes. 43

Barcode Tracking Methods. 45

Transactions. 45

Inventory  Tracking. 46

Inventory Validation. 47

Cycle Counting. 48

Receiving Materials. 49

Quality Control Tracking of Materials. 51

Tracking Material Movement 52

Stock Room Operations. 52

Warehouse Operations. 53

Tracking Material Transformation. 53

Recording Labor used on a Job Step. 55

Tracking Use of Materials on a Job. 55

Scrap and Wastage. 56

Work in Progress (WIP) 57

Tracking Intermediate and Finished Goods. 57

Recording Other Data. 58

Picking and Packing Customer Orders. 58

Shipping Dock Tracking. 59

Traceability. 60

Project Management 61

Implementing a Barcode Tracking System is Easy, Isn’t it?. 61

Driving Forces. 61

Pre-Implementation Planning and Budgeting. 63

Implementation Process. 70

Costs and Benefits. 76

Conclusions. 76

 Pre-Deployment Testing. 78

Introduction. 78

Phase 1: Equipment and Software Installation and Check Out 79

Phase 2: Training Room Pilot 80

Phase 3: Customizations. 81

Phase 4: Systems Integration Testing. 82

Phase 5: Operational Testing. 83

Phase 6: Parallel Operation. 84

Phase 7: Go-Live. 85

Author Biography. 86

Sponsor – BellHawk Systems Corporation. 87