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The barcode - what does it hide and why do we use it?
What is it and what is it used for?
Under the popular term ‘barcode’ is the EAN code, which has been used in many industries, including trade and logistics, since 1977. Translating it literally: EAN – European Article Number. It is a continuous, numerical modular code. It is printed on products or their packaging, necessarily in high quality, as it has an extremely precise record.
It is primarily used for the precise identification of products in e-commerce.
How is it constructed?
There are several versions of EAN codes in use.
- EAN-13 – the most commonly used. It consists of 12 data digits and one check digit,
- EAN-8 – most commonly used for smaller packages (when EAN-13 is too long), has 7 data digits and one check digit,
- EAN-128 – has a variable number of alphanumeric characters and one check digit,
- EAN-4 – consists of 13 data digits and one check digit.
When we say EAN, we should be aware that we are referring to the printed white and black stripes – the visual version of the GTIN. The two abbreviations are often used interchangeably, but they are not the same. The GTIN is the numerical sequence written underneath the barcode. The EAN code is read with a dedicated reader, but it can also be entered manually – by entering the entire GTIN into the programme.
The digits entered in the sequence of a given code are by no means random. The entire number is divided into four modules:
- GS1 prefix – or country code – but, NOTE – this is not the country of manufacture, but the one in which the company in question has joined the GS1 system,
- owner / manufacturer designation (4-8 digits) – each entity has its own individually assigned code, so it is easy to identify,
- product code (1-5 digits) – assigned by the owner, but permission to use it is required,
- a check digit which, according to a defined algorithm, verifies the correctness of the whole code.
Use of EAN codes in the warehouse.
- automatic recording of all documentation relating to the products being introduced,
- marking the storage location with the codes that are on the products concerned,
- completing and checking prepared shipments according to orders placed,
- taking inventory online,
- comprehensive stock-taking using a wireless terminal,
- identification of product information,
- sorting and organising documentation,
- restocking, taking care of the required stocking of the warehouse.
Advantages of using EAN codes:
- easy localisation of goods at each stage of production and distribution,
- elimination of identification errors – the code itself takes up little space, but can contain a lot of important information,
- increased productivity of warehouse workers compared to manual entry of goods into the computer system,
- minimising warehouse management costs.
Procedure for acquiring EAN code.
A brand owner who wishes to use EAN codes must apply to the GS1 organisation for the right to uniquely identify the trading units. When the above owner is also a manufacturer – he can assign codes from his own pool. When outsourcing production to another entity – it can assign codes from its own pool, or authorise the manufacturer for a specific, outsourced production, to use its own codes.
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