Is Barcode Tracking Successful in Food Manufacturing Industry?

Barcode tracking is one of the oldest techniques used for asset tracking. Indeed, it has several benefits and it is very easy to use. The barcode technique is very simple, it allocates a unique series of numbers to the fixed assets inside cafes, restaurants, etc. That number of series empowers the cafes & restaurants to track, monitor and manage any fixed asset all through its life.

Therefore, barcode tracking becomes really useful especially when a cafe, hotel, the restaurant has multiple locations. Thus, the barcode is one of the pioneer methods of asset tracking and it can be easily implemented in any industry including the food manufacturing industry.

What is a Barcode?

It is a data representation in code which is readable by machines & scanner. Barcode comes in a square shape with some parallel lines in black and white also right below them, there are few numbers written. It is used for asset tracking or inventory tracking.

The data can be read by smartphones too. Now barcodes come in 1- Dimensional and 2-Dimensional. 1-D is simple, it can store text data, product price and 2-D are complex compare to 1-D they can include information like price, quantity, image, etc.

According to Shopify,

Barcode sticker is labeled on a product or item and it gives a unique identification to a product or package. Through which you can find information about the product via scanning this sticker.

Also Read: Importance of Asset Tracking in Manufacturing Industry

What Is the Importance of Barcode Tracking in the Food Industry?

In the food nourishment industry, there are several organizations relies upon tracking inventory and distribution, and the best way to achieve this is by barcode label. Any food item that moves along the supply network (from a distribution center to distributer/retailer) needs a standardized identification to be traced and managed efficiently.

Henceforth, barcode innovation has reduced the probability of human mistakes. It is dependent upon the human to guarantee the innovation has no error. When human inspection and technology innovation are combined together then this process ensures the maximum output is generated with minimum risks.

What Are the Benefits of Barcode in the Restaurant or Food Manufacturing Industry?

There are enormous benefits of barcode:

1. In any food manufacturing company, there are products in abundance, therefore there are chances of theft. So, this technology keeps track of each item. It is also helpful in avoiding tap-sale of products at unauthorized points.
   
   
2. A food-borne sickness episode is one of the situation barcodes can help you avoid. As a result, enhanced food quality & reduced health-risk issues.
   
   
3. The asset management software with barcode tracking can help in exchanging information with members of your supply chain and access to precise information about the products in real-time. Thus, asset management real-time tracking assists in tracking shipments and provides great visibility.
   
   
4. In a restaurant, products go in and out of the warehouse on a daily basis. Barcode tracking lets you know how many products are left in the stock. If the warehouse is overstock or understock. So that quick actions are taken accordingly.
   
   
5. Barcode provides great control over inventory. It tracks inventory so accurately that you can update inventory levels as per your requirement.
   
   
6. Barcode makes the process fast and reduces the probability of human error. Because the barcode scanner scans the barcode quickly and takes no time to put the data into the system.
   
   
7. If you think the barcode does not provide any data information, you are wrong! With software assistance, you can customize the field to your needs such as price, weight, quantity, flavor, etc. The data is reliable and dependable. This data helps in making business decisions.

Also Read: Why you should use Barcodes for Asset Tracking?

What Are the Disadvantages of Barcode?

1. In order to get product scanned, barcode scanners need a straight line of the barcode to scan. It won't be able to scan if it's not done properly.
   
   
2. Barcode scanner has a small range of scanning products. It can be hectic if there are lots of products. It has hardly a few feet of range.
   
   
3. Another problem with the barcode scanner is that it scans the product one by one, making it labor-intensive.
   
   
4. If the barcode is damaged, tampered or not readable due to any reason. Then it would not be scanned and there is no way to rectify it.
   
   
5. Compared to other technologies and innovations barcode has less security.

Conclusion

Barcodes are easily accessible, very easy to use and they are economical too. Barcode tracking is very effective and reliable. They are very useful in the supply chain in monitoring and managing them.

There are several brands in the food industry which are using barcodes for tracking. Barcode undeniably is one of the top technologies for tracking.

After looking at the above benefits one can simply say that barcode tracking successful in restaurants, cafe or any food manufacturing industry. Barcode labels can be noticed in any food industrial products, or other items & daily usable products such as garments, toys, food packets, etc.

Therefore, we can say that barcode technology is something that everyone should be familiar with. Even now this technology is constantly improving & adding new features.

Also Read: Powerful Asset Management Features Provided by Asset Infinity

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What are the advantages of RFID over barcodes?‍

RFID tags don't need to be positioned in a line of sight with the scanner. RFID tags can be read at a faster rate than barcodes; as approximately 40 RFID tags can be read at the same time. These tags can work within much greater distances; information can be read from a tag at up to 300 ft.

2. Which one is better RFID or barcodes?

‍RFID and barcodes have their own advantages and disadvantages. But the thing is which option fits in your business. If RFID fits in business then RFID is better or if barcode fits in business then the barcode is better.

3. Can RFID readers read barcodes?‍

RFID works on power waves. Therefore, it obtains data from the RFID tag. However, RFID reader and barcode scanners are similar but both of these have different work techniques.

4. Barcode and QR codes are the same?‍

The full form of QR code is a quick response code. It's a 2-dimensional code that is in machine-readable form. Initially, QR code technology was manufactured to track cars but nowadays they are used everywhere. The objective of the barcode and QR Code is to store product information and both are used for asset tracking purposes. However, they are different.