Barcodes are machine-readable symbols that are designed to carry data to support a variety of use cases. Businesses around the world use barcodes to automatically capture information to reduce errors and save time. Scanners read barcode patterns that represent numbers, letters, or special characters to systems that store and use the information from the barcode. Different types of barcodes encode different types of information, so it’s important to know which is right for your needs.
Generally, the best way to determine an item's barcode type will vary based on what information needs to be in the barcode, where it will be scanned, and if any regulations apply. Some barcode formats can include supplementary details about the product, like expiration dates or a batch/lot number. In addition to products, barcodes can contain information on a location, shipment, returnable asset, document, or other items that need data to be automatically captured and used by systems.
